Join the KIND30 Movement With Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo has joined the KIND30 movement! All through October, the zoo as a whole and many members of the zoo community are committing to spreading kindness.

What Is KIND30?

The “KIND” in KIND30 stands for “Kindness is needed daily,” and it’s a community-wide effort designed to encourage people to participate in one small act of kindness every day. KIND30 is a free, easy-to-implement idea that can work for anyone of any age, in any career path, walk of life, or belief system.

The creators of KIND30 says this movement is built on the idea that kindness benefits everyone who is involved with the act of giving. And in a world in which everyone is struggling with something, connection with others is important.

Lincoln Park Zoo President and CEO Dr. Megan Ross, Ph.D., says, “Acts of kindness have a ripple effect, specifically on improving an individual’s wellbeing. Studies show that the individual who benefits the most is the one who performs the act of kindness. Of course, the receiver benefits from the kindness as well, but what may not be as obvious is that anyone who witnesses the act of kindness will also benefit from it.”

In fact, according to KIND30, 63% of survey respondents said that their own mental health benefited from being kind to other people.

How Is the Zoo Participating?

Lincoln Park Zoo is encouraging staff, volunteers, and board members to join the KIND30 movement and do one kind act each day in October. The zoo would also love all of you to join if you are able! Talk to your coworkers and friends about making a similar commitment to fighting loneliness and isolation while improving mental health.

How Can You Participate?

Visit kind30.org to get plenty of ideas on how you can help someone else. These acts of kindness are not “random”—they are intentional. And, they can be as simple and free as opening a door for someone or staying positive on someone’s social media thread. You can participate at work by paying extra attention to your coworkers or reaching out to mentor someone. Or, do kind things at home and while you’re out and about: Thank your barista at the coffee shop, offer to help someone carry a load, or park farther away from the grocery store than usual so others get the prime spots.

Some suggestions from Kind30 include:

In 1 minute:

• Give someone a compliment
• Let someone merge into your traffic lane ahead of you
• Leave quarters next to a vending machine
• Help someone struggling with a cart or stroller
• Help someone with directions

In 5 minutes:

• Write a note of appreciation, support, or condolence to a friend or acquaintance
• Put a treat out for the mail carrier, sanitation team, or delivery person
• Order something from an online wish list for an animal shelter or other charity
• Write a positive review for a local business
• Buy a candy bar for the cashier when you check out at the grocery store

In 15 minutes:

• Call a friend or family member
• Donate a book to the nearest Free Little Library
• Donate items to charity

In 30 minutes:

• Pick up trash in your neighborhood
• Get some groceries for a neighbor
• Pick up a friend or family member from work

In 1 hour:

• Make baked goods to share with a neighbor, local school staff, or first responders
• Make a care package for someone who needs it
• Play a game with a child in your life

In 2–4 hours:

• Make a meal for someone in need
• Host a get-together with your neighbors
• Organize a community cleanup

Kind Acts for Younger Children

• Make a special drawing and surprise someone with it
• Play with a new friend
• Call an out-of-town relative

Kind Acts for Adults Who Are Homebound

• Write a handwritten note of appreciation to someone
• Share your favorite recipe
• Donate to a local school fundraiser

Need more ideas or more information? Visit the KIND30 website at KIND30.org to make a commitment, download a starter kit, and celebrate your wins. And have a fall that’s filled with kindness!