If you've been waiting to do something nice for someone, next Thursday would be a good day to do it.
Not that any day wouldn't work, but if you're looking for a nudge, here it is: From now on, May 23 will be 143 Day in Pennsylvania, a day (the 143rd of the year) inspired by Fred Rogers, who used 143 as a code for his special brand of caring because those are the number of letters in "I Love You."
While Rogers, creator of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, might be the world's neighbor, Pennsylvania is his ancestral home and so the state has launched this official day of kindness.
The state hopes to tally all the good deeds by using a Kindness Tracker. Anyone who is inspired to a good deed next Thursday can humbly brag about it using the hashtag #143DayinPA and the state will add up all small acts of kindness to into one giant hunk of sweetness.
Kindness Generator
Maybe the kids are having a tough time coming up with an idea how they can be nice, especially to somebody as icky as their siblings. No problem. The state has created a Kindness Generator with a bunch of simple make-nice ideas, like "Offer to babysit for a family member" or "Send a care package to troops."
Rogers, who was born in Latrobe, PA and died in 2003, had a bit of a revival last year, the 50th anniversary of his first show and release of Won't You Be My Neighbor? which went on to become the most popular biographical documentary of all time.
So you have a date, you have a Kindness Generator for ideas, maybe what you're lacking is enough people who would really appreciate a touch of kindness. Not that all of us couldn't use an unexpected show of caring and affection now and then, but if you want to reach out beyond your family, friends and neighbors, consider maybe sending a greeting to a sick child and a youngster struggling with a medical condition. To get you started, here is a list of local medical facilities that serve children. We're sure they'll help hook up your good intentions with a deserving child.
Now get out there and do good.
