Elizabeth posted this challenge on the Stowe Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:
“It seems that no matter how hard I try to avoid it, I am turning 60 this coming Tuesday, August 12. I am, once again (I did this for my 50th), asking everyone to celebrate my special day in a very special way. I want 60 people to perform one or two Acts of Kindness on my birthday and post your efforts that day here on FPF. To clarify, I’m gunning for a total of 60 acts, everyone can do one or two and it will add up to 60 or hopefully more. For the more ambitious, the overachievers in the crowd, those who feel a challenge isn’t real unless it’s a mega-challenge, feel free to do 60 yourself in one day.
I am giving you plenty of time to plan. Nothing is too big or too small, just go out there and give to someone else in a kind way. Buy a stranger a coffee, donate blood, give compliments all day long, volunteer, donate money, hold the door open all day, make a meal for a shelter, CALL YOUR MOTHER!, easy stuff like that. I can’t wait to see what you all come up with and thank you for thinking of me by celebrating with love.”
This posting, and the subsequent “Best of FPF,” set off a bevy of positive activity on Front Porch Forum! In addition to many “happy birthday!” and “great idea!” postings, here are some specific acts that people from all over the region thought to share:
• Happy birthday! To celebrate you and a kinder world, I sent my friend money to treat herself to a fun coffee while she’s in the middle of a big move. – Sarah
• Attended a softball tourney in Whitingham to watch the grandkids while Mom & Dad played. The food truck woman was so nice with the kids! Brought her a mixed garden flower bouquet the 2nd day and she was delighted. Doesn’t take much. My yard is full of flowers and that’s what I have to give, plus a recycled salsa jar. So be it. One very small act of kindness that brought a smile. And crazy gardeners like me just love to share! – Sara
• We bring an 87 year old every week grocery shopping or to appointments. Takes many hours as she is not well and very slow. She lives by herself children are busy. My husband mows her lawn. It’s nice to continue her friendship. She watched my children now 43 and 45. – Sharon
• What a great idea. I try to do acts of kindness everyday. My latest idea is to give cold water to any person on the street who needs it. Water is far more important than food, especially on these very hot days. When it comes to food I give away one of anything I can get two for one. As a volunteer for Age Well on Tuesday I am visting a 90 year old blind woman. Then I am taking another client to a doctor’s appointment. By the end of that day I probably will forget to email you. The 60’s were great. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Happy Birthday. – Diane
• My birthday is also on August 12, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to be turning 75. I like your post and my wife and I will be donating money to the Arlington Rescue Squad as our Act of kindness.
– Bryan and Dottie
• Happy Birthday. My husband and I visited a family member who has had two surgeries since April of this year. He is better but does not get out much. We had a great visit and he seemed very happy to have company. – Joanne
• I took a disadvantaged child school shopping. – Mary
• 1. I babysat 3 kids for a nice cpl who have no family here in Vermont so they can have a date night! 2. Bought coffee for my car pool Driver Allan. 3. Bought coffee for my car pool driver Crystal. 4. Helped my Car Pool Driver Collette load free pallets into her minivan… – Janet
• Yesterday I made arrangements to transport a 95 year old former resident of our island community to our 71st Annual Ladies Tea. The transport involved a car to a pontoon boat to a golf cart then back. Her smile was radiant to be able to see 39 of her old friends. – Jean
• In line at CVS, the fellow ahead of me was told his credit card was “refused.” I paid for it. He told me he got paid on Friday and could “pay me back.” Then we just stood there, looking at each other. He got it and threw his arms around me. – Allen
• My kids and I are dropping two coolers of ice pops off at two separate places this afternoon. One at the courts at Roosevelt Park. And one at the playground or Pavillion at Oakledge. Happy Birthday, what an awesome way to share. – Jaice
• Great idea. I am donating some plants to the Hinesburg Flower sale on your birthday. I will take a little food over to the food shelf, too. – Deborah
• A shout out to Cassella’s driver who exits the truck to wheel the empty trash cans up the driveway for our elderly neighbor. It ain’t the big stuff…. – Ken
• I will be volunteering at the Burlington Food Shelf (Feeding Chittenden) on Tuesday preparing sandwiches and then washing dishes. Hope this counts. Happy 60th youngster. I turned 70 this year. – Ray
• As a regular blood donor and believer in doing random acts of kindness every day, you can count on me to participate. – Sandi
• I belong to a group of what our leader has called “Kindness Angels”. Since 2016, we have made and distributed over 107,000 Be Kind signs worldwide. She began with one sign on her fence in response to the extreme negativity emerging at that time. The movement grew from there. Now, in addition to making and sharing the signs, we try to do at least one act of kindness every day. It really is a brain-changing activity. – Molly
• Shared a perennial plant division and some advice with a budding gardener. – Sara
• I bought a gift card to give to someone who really wants what it’s for! – Thea
• In celebration of Elizabeth’s birthday, I called a friend who is going thru a rough patch. I called to cheer her up, let her know she is important to me and that she is going to be ok. We had a really good chat with some shared laughter, recognition of some interests in common and a lunch date. I got more out of the call than I expected and the whole day seemed lighter and brighter. Thanks, Elizabeth!! – Anne
• You asked people to celebrate your birthday by doing something nice and posting it on FPF!! What a wonderful idea. So, my good deed is to make a donation in your honor to the Stowe Community Fund. My birthday wish is that you get many more than 60 postings today. – Tom
Front Porch Forum is hosting a free Lunch & Learn Webinar on July 28 at noon for local emergency management personnel and volunteers about using FPF for emergency readiness, response, and recovery communications. The webinar is open to all town officials and employees who have a role in emergency management and communications.
Learn about how FPF operates in times of crisis, including:
FPF will provide instructions, share examples, and answer questions about using Front Porch Forum to build community pre-crisis as well as how to deploy FPF’s reach and trust during the acute and recovery phases of disasters.
Recording here:
Do you know what brings Vermonters together? Gardening. Spring is coming and folks are seed-swapping on Front Porch Forum! We’ve noted dozens of events* all across the region where folks are invited to curate their upcoming gardens with the help of fellow neighbors.
Some keep it simple:
“The Barnet Public Library is holding a Seed Swap event. Bring saved seeds, unused seeds or just come pick some up for yourself. We hope people participate in our first seed swap. The more the merrier!”
• Dylan, Barnet Forum
“Many growers have extra seeds that might not ever get used. Bring them to the Sudbury Seed Swap and take home new ones. If you’re a beginner, this is a great opportunity to pick out some seeds & get started.”
• Mike, Sudbury Forum
Some are ready to mix and mingle:
“Local home gardeners are invited to our first annual SEED SOCIAL. Chat about the coming season; share garden plans, stories, and experiences; ask for advice; and be the first to sign out packets of heirloom seeds from the 2025 Seed Catalog! Light refreshments.”
• Linda, Charlotte Forum
“Join the Caledonia #9 Grange – come bearing seeds and some food to swap with each other. Swaps are a great way to try out new varieties, to share leftover seeds, save money, reduce waste, and to introduce others to the varieties you love best. It is also a great way to build community and share knowledge and know-how together.”
• Jeanne, Hardwick Forum
Or, learn tips of the trade:
“Master Gardener Rachel Babin will serve up “Seed Starting 101.” Rachel will demystify indoor seed starting with practical advice and hands-on demonstration. We’ll also be starting seeds for the Children’s Garden that was wildly successful last year in its first year.”
• Judy, Waterbury Forum
“Learn to easily grow fresh, nutritious sprouts, microgreens or mini greens right in your own home—no garden needed. This free class is open to all, but we will have microgreen growing kits available for a $10 fee which includes soil, seeds, and a reusable container for those who wish to buy them.”
• Emily, Bristol Forum
Some need help getting started:
“Wren’s Nest Forest Preschool will be planting its very first garden this spring! We are looking for donations, including mulch, soil, wood for garden beds, native plants, trees, and shrubs, kids’ gardening tools. Your support will allow our children to connect with nature, food systems, and the local community in meaningful ways.”
• Jen, Hinesburg Forum
*Postings are lightly edited for brevity
More than 230,000 Vermonters participate on their local Front Porch Forum as of October 1, 2023! And this is in a state with only 270,000 households. More people use FPF in Vermont than Facebook or any other Big Tech form of social media. See what members recently had to say about FPF…
• “I received so many tips for a walker after surgery. Thank you! I love FPF!“ – Bernadette in Randolph
• “Thanks to wonderful neighbors and FPF my stolen items were recovered from some bushes elsewhere in the neighborhood. I’m so very grateful!” – Cheyanne in Burlington
• “I just wanted to let all those who responded to offer homes to our overgrown [houseplant] beauties that they found a new plant parent! It would take too long to email all of you, but thanks for your interest and I’ll post again if we have more available in the future. Another example of how FPF is so great!“ – Anne in Westford
FPF’s mission is to help neighbors connect and build community. To join your local Forum, go to FrontPorchForum.com and register.
In addition to your local online Forum, check out your local Business Directory, Community Calendar, and Search.
Ghost of Midnight is an online journal about fostering community within neighborhoods, with a special focus on Front Porch Forum (FPF). My wife, Valerie, and I founded FPF in 2006... read more