Community Kindness Day coming to Norridge Saturday, April 20

Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune
·3 min read

A day packed with activities for community building will take place in Norridge and Harwood Heights Saturday, April 20. Residents can participate in such things as donation drives, CPR instruction and children’s and library activities.

The event, known as Community Kindness Day, will be held at schools, village halls and the Eisenhower Public Library, among other locations.

The following activities are slated for Community Kindness Day:

  • Kindness Awards. Residents will get a chance to nominate their neighbors for a Kindness award online. Nominators will need to write to the library about why that person deserves the award.

  • Blind date with a book, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eisenhower Public Library. Readers will get a chance to pick a surprise book in the genre of their choice from the library. The library will cover the title of the book, and it’s yours to keep.

  • Random act of bingo. Participants in random acts of bingo will be able to fill out a bingo with five acts of kindness, such as donating blood, planting a tree and picking up litter, for a chance to win a prize from the library.

  • Puzzle swap: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eisenhower Public Library. Residents can swap puzzles with each other. Donations can be made to the Answers desk by Saturday.

  • Kindness Crafts 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eisenhower Public Library. Residents of all ages will be able to participate in craft-making at the Kids World or the Workshop.

  • Little Free Libraries. With six little free libraries in the Norridge and Harwood Heights area, the Eisenhower library asks for volunteers to fill them with used books and to share the experience on Instagram with #KindnessDay.

  • Sandwich making, 9 a.m. Harwood Heights Recreation Center. Residents will get a chance to help make 800 sandwiches to support the less fortunate. Hosted by the Giolas Family Foundation. Call (708) 867-7200 to RSVP.

  • Letters to troops and veterans, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Harwood Heights Recreation Center. Residents will be able to write a card or color a picture to send to troops or veterans with the “A Million Thanks” organization. Hosted by the Harwood Heights Youth Commission.

  • Community Clean-up, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Divine Savior. Residents will be able to participate in a clean-up effort hosted by Kiwanis. Participants are asked to bring their own gloves.

  • Gratitude jar making, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Wintrust Bank, 4389 N. Harlem Ave. Participants will be be able to make arts and crafts. Hosted by Gratitude Generation.

  • Flower pot decorating, chalk the sidewalks, kindness poster station, school clean-up and read-alouds at Pennoyer School from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • CPR Instruction and vial for life giveaway, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mariano’s in Harwood Heights. Hosted by the Norwood Park Fire Protection District.

  • Kindness Rock Painting, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Leigh School Gym. Hosted by Norridge School District 80.

  • Group art projects, crafts and card making, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Norridge Park. Hosted by the Norridge Park District.

  • Distribution of Kindness Cards, 3:15 p.m. at Harlem & Irving Plaza, near Gloria Jean’s. Hosted by the Movers & Shakers Dance Team.

Donation Drives running through Community Kindness Day include the following.

  • Diapers, toddler pull-up disposable pants and baby wipes donation drive at Norridge Village Hall and Harwood Heights Village Hall until Saturday for the Salvation Army Norridge Citadel.

  • Canned chili, canned beef stew, spaghetti sauce, ramen noodles, cooking oil, sugar, coffee, bottled juice, side dishes, toiletries donation drive at Norwood Park Township until Saturday for the Salvation Army Norridge Citadel.

  • Gummy bears, candy, chips, mints, chewing gum, cookies, soda, men’s body wash and body spray donation drive until Saturday at Union Ridge for the Illinois Veterans Home in Oak Park.

For more information, see the Norridge Community Kindness Day page on Facebook.