New Year, New Intentions

Forget resolutions, let's talk about living intentionally! Let's make this year the most meaningful yet by transitioning our focus to something we can all get behind: spreading kindness. This shift doesn't have to be difficult - in fact, we've made it easy! We want to help you bring kindness to your family, school, team, AND group. Check out the ways in which you can incorporate kindness into the conversation and make it a part of your everyday life. Oh, and if you're sick of giving up a huge chunk of your fundraising profits by selling products or running laps, we're happy to help you transition there as well ;)

Ways to Start the New Year Off Right

• Have your kids write down 3-5 ways in which they want to help others this year
• Plan a "Do Good Day" once a month where you go and serve somewhere together
• Create a gratitude journal that documents ways in which you and your kids are thankful
• Write down 5 nice things about a sibling/peer/teammate and have them read them to each other
• Make space for a Magic Mail Center in your house or classroom - learn more about this simple but POWERFUL idea on Doing Good Together
• Create a kindness calendar that has a little idea each day - check it off once it's completed!
• Switch your fundraising efforts to something more meaningful like Raise Craze! To learn more about making the easy switch, click here!

The Summer of Kindness Challenge!

Let us challenge you to keep this kindness thing going throughout the year - even after your fundraiser has ended. Spread these out through the summer months and see how excited your kids get when they are able to serve others! Be sure to download the printable as well!

• Make a batch of homemade popsicles and pass them out to your neighbors (fun recipe ideas).
• Invite a friend or neighbor to the pool who you know doesn't have access to one.
• Host a backyard sprinkler party for your neighbors.
• Donate unused pool toys to a local organization.
• Help your parents with the yard work.
• Build a simple bird feeder (Here's a great tutorial from The Backyard Boss).
• Invite others to cool down by handing out free lemonade and ice water.
• Host a lemonade stand and donate all profits to a charity of your choice.
• Make summer-themed sunshine cards for the local children's hospital.
• Buy bathing suits and donate them to underprivileged youth.
• Offer to water your neighbor's plants once a week.
• Decorate garden stones with kind sayings and hide them around your neighborhood for others to find (inspiration).
• Offer to walk your neighbor's dog once a week.
• Put together a summer bouquet of flowers and deliver them to someone in a nursing home.
• Buy ice cream for someone in line behind you at the ice cream shop.

Spreading Kindness on Earth Day

Here at Raise Craze, we're all about spreading kindness so with Earth Day coming up, we wanted to share some fun ways to spread kindness with the environment in mind. Check out the list below or download the free printable to hand out!

• Make a toilet paper roll bird feeder
• Pick up trash around your neighborhood, school, or local park and recycle what you can
• Help your parents with yard work
• Buy local honey to support the bees
• Set up a lemonade stand that helps support a local environmental cause
• Help your parents remember to turn the lights off when leaving the house
• Craft a birdhouse
• Create a card to hand out to friends and family that explains the things outside you’re thankful for
• Organize a group of friends to lead younger siblings on a nature walk around the neighborhood
• Go out into your backyard and put together a bouquet of clippings for a friend or neighbor
• Surprise one of your parents by planting seeds of their favorite fruit or veggie
• Bring bread to a local pond to feed the ducks
• Recycle old toys you no longer play with

We'd love to hear your ideas as well!
Be sure to share with us on Facebook.