April marks a tradition at Country Meadows Retirement Communities: Practice Random Acts of Kindness.
Stop by any Country Meadows location to pick up these cards to inspire kindness. The reverse side has space to write your custom inspirational message.
While we practice kindness every day at Country Meadows, our co-workers and residents make special efforts to practice kind acts to honor our organization’s co-founder, Mary Jane Leader. Mrs. Leader was a daily example of kindness to others. She and her husband, the late Gov. George M. Leader, founded the organization upon treating people with kindness. And she inspired her family members and co-workers to do the same for others. Her birthday was in April, and we salute her memory by reminding everyone to brighten someone’s day through a random act of kindness. You may find it will brighten yours too.
This year, we are challenging our co-workers, residents and visitors to Inspire Kindness by writing words of encouragement and passing them on. Stop by any Country Meadows campus to pick up free cards to share kindness by writing a note of encouragement, sharing a compliment or simply scribbling a note of inspiration.
South Hills campus residents deliver bagel baskets to a local ambulance association to show kindness and demonstrate appreciation for EMTs’ dedicated service.
Last year at our South Hills campus near Pittsburgh, residents packed and delivered bagel baskets to a local ambulance association whose crews answer calls on campus. It was their way of showing kindness and appreciation for the ambulance crew’s dedication. According to Dynamic Living Director Michelle Zombeck, “Their dedicated EMTs don’t get to see our residents at our best. They are scared, in pain and sometimes frustrated. It is comforting to have this community partner show up in our time of need bring patience, kindness and compassion.”
Random acts of kindness can be as simple as smiling at a stranger, helping someone with their groceries or just paying a visit. Acts of kindness aren’t about money or even planning. It’s about finding a moment to make a small difference in another person’s life.
Mary Jane Leader founded Country Meadows with her husband, Gov. George M. Leader, upon treating people with kindness.
Michael Leader, executive chairman-Country Meadows, and founders’ son, says, “Every single day I am inspired by my co-workers when I see acts of kindness—big or small. Many times these kind gestures are done without thought, which speaks to the truly caring nature of our team. It reminds me of my parents’ compassion and what they instilled in my family and in turn, the Country Meadows culture.”’
Mrs. Leader’s big heart remains an inspiration to us all. Feel free to pass it on this month and every day thereafter.
If you would like to share an act you observed or one in which you practiced, please share it with us at Kindness@CountryMeadows.com. These inspiring stories are worth sharing!