Name my Project Contest

So, in doing some research on the web, I've discovered there's a major user of the term "Operation Kindness". They help animals. Nobody seems to have noticed I accidentally used their name, but I want to avoid any confusion before any harmless creatures are harmed.

So, here's your challenge...

Name my project!

I need a name that obviously reflects what I do.

I go into schools and teach children and teachers respect for each other. I teach kindness. I teach this to hopefully end bullying and suicide and other nasty after-effects of disrespect and unkind behaviors.

What would you call it?

Winning name (first one who suggests it) gets:

Two blog posts about their favorite cause or charity, one week apart.

Or $1,000,000.00 as long as you will accept $1.00 per year for 1 million years (as long as I'm mortally alive. Once I'm dead, the payments must, of a necessity, stop) (if you would rather have a bulk payout, I'll send you .85 cents - one week from the day you notify me that's what you'd like).

There's your challenge!

Please use the "Comments" section to make your nomination. Please make sure to leave contact info if you're going for the monetary prize)

Oh, and please follow me on twitter! http://twtbizcard.com/jwhof

Nice Guys & Gals Finish First


Welcome to Operation Kindness

I’m starting a new feature on the Operation Kindness blog.

Every Friday, rather than a service challenge from me, I’m going to profile someone who is trying to make a difference in the world. Your challenge, then, would be to do what you can to emulate them – to try and follow their lead and example.

So, today’s challenge is even simpler than most – and here it is:

Who do you know that’s kind, gentle, treats others with respect and is trying to make a positive difference in the world? I’d like you to think of who would be the perfect candidate for a Operation Kindness profile post and email all the details you can.

Here’s what I’d like to know about them:

Who are they? I really only need their first name and city and state.

What are they doing? Are they involved in a fundraiser or a charity? In your mind, what makes them kind and gentle? What makes them a nice guy or nice gal? Tell me, and be as detailed as you can. Is there a link to what they’re doing? Please send that, too.

Why do you think they should be profiled?

Where are they making a difference? Is it in their community alone or is it statewide? Nationwide? Globally?

I’m anxious to hear from you! First profile will be Friday, May 22!

To nominate, please email jameswhofheins@yahoo.com

And thanks for reading today! You are a service rockstar!

It's Cool to be Kind!

James

Introducing Project REACH

Are kids today meaner, ruder and cruder than when you were a child?

I’m sure every generation has had the same complaint. However true that may be, there seems to be a true lack of kindness in school-age children now. Over the past several years we’ve seen high profile news stories of behavior that ranges from bullying to sexual harassment to the awful news of school shootings.

Just the other day, I was in the grocery store and watched a teenage boy openly defy his mother. She wanted him to put back whatever he wanted her to pay for, but he was adamant. He wasn’t putting it back. I walked away before seeing whether she caved and bought it for him, but his behavior spoke to a trend we all seem to see today.

What’s happened to turn our kids into demanding little monsters? I imagine there are several contributing factors. Perhaps we didn’t like the way our parents raised us.

My parents were rather strict, and had high expectations. When told to do something, I was expected to do it, without rolling my eyes, sighing heavily or talking back. Something needed to be done, and I needed to do it – end of story.

Now? Well, that’s not what we’re seeing in much of our culture.

Kids openly talk back, ridicule and even curse their parents. Gone are the days of respecting their elders. They mock, they disparage and they cry and kick and scream until they get their way. It’s a sad footnote to both the current generation and the older one that lets them get away with it.

So, what can be done? Can we reverse this trend of rude, crude and meanness?

I believe we can make an impact.

I’d like to tell you about Project REACH

Project REACH is a program that teaches kids of all ages that it’s cool to be kind and respectful.

The program consists of a Project REACH presenter talking straight to kids of all ages in a school assembly. Though the program is basically the same for all grades, the tone is a little gentler for those in elementary and middle schools, as they seem to be more open to learning and adopting practices of kindness and respect.

During the school assembly, the presenter involves the children and faculty in learning how small and simple acts of kindness, used every day, can become a habit. They will learn how these acts of kindness can make them feel good inside. They will also learn how to respond to the unkindness of others, using, of course, respect and kindness as tools.

How valuable is it to you that your child learns simple kindness and respect?

If you would like your child’s school to have Project REACH make a presentation to them, please call or email to let them know. They can contact me for information at (801) 835-9715 for information.

James Hofheins
Presenter,
Project REACH

About James Hofheins


About James Hofheins

I teach how to serve in very small and simple ways. The ideas may sound simplistic, but the effects are felt long after the act is complete. Some might even call the daily challenges random acts of kindness.

If you would like me to talk to your group, synagogue, church, school or other organization about service, my contact information is below. The only thing I charge is a small speaking fee and travel expenses if outside the Salt Lake City metro area. (Please note that other than travel expenses, there is no speaking fee for religious organizations)

If you would like to book me on your radio or television show or podcast, there is no fee, other than travel expenses if travel outside the Salt Lake City metro area is required.

The phrase “Service is the Action Form of Love” comes from a book called “The Message” by Lance Richardson.

Lance had a near death experience, and while his body lay in a coma, his spirit traveled to the Spirit World where he learned many truths. One of the most important was that service is the verb, or action form, of love.

Whether you believe in near death experiences, heaven, hell or anything else along those lines, I ask you only to believe one thing – that service to others can and does change lives.

It impacts widows, parents, and children. It helps the disabled, the hungry, the veteran. It makes a difference in the lives of the homeless, orphans, students and coworkers.

And, just as importantly, it can be a transformational experience for the one who serves.

Having been raised in a large family who learned service through church activities, I’ve come to understand that many people view service as burdensome. We often think that for it to be effective, service has to be coordinated, complicated and time consuming.

It doesn’t.


Thanks for taking the time to consider how I might help you. Together, we can make a difference, one act of service at a time.

James Hofheins,
Service – The Action Form of Love

Contact Info:

Phone (801) 835-9715
email: jameswhofheins@yahoo.com
You can also find me on twitter: http://twitter.com/jwhof