Anaheim Hills (September 18, 2018) – The students at Canyon Rim Elementary School had a front row seat recently as they witnessed their classmate receive a surprise act of kindness in recognition of the positivity and kindness that he has consistently demonstrated as a Canyon Rim student.
Principal Michelle Owen, Ed.D., called a special end-of-day assembly for the first, second, and third grade classes to discuss the topic of kindness, its importance at Canyon Rim Elementary School, and to announce their participation in a 21-Day Kindness Challenge. She then introduced a special guest, Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait, who spearheaded Anaheim’s own “City of Kindness” initiative, to talk about kindness at school, at home, and in the community, and how the students could easily add acts of kindness to their everyday lives. Mayor Tait then called upon third grade student Jake Bonnello and recognized him as a shining example of kindness at Canyon Rim.
Following the mayor’s remarks, Principal Owen introduced Clay Kilbarger of the Clay Kilbarger Group - First Team Real Estate to make a special presentation. Kilbarger talked about how he and his team started their "Be Good, Do Good, Feel Good" campaign a few years ago as a way for them to surprise and help very deserving individuals in the community, and that they wanted to do something special for Jake. After Jake’s current and former teachers spoke about his positivity, kindness, and all that he meant to them and the school, Kilbarger announced that Jake had been selected to receive a special act of kindness – an Angels gift package that included team t-shirts, a baseball cap, balloons, a certificate, and two fifth-row Diamond Club tickets to an Angels game. Jake was as visibly surprised as his fellow classmates, who were sitting in the multi-purpose watching the scene unfold in front of them.
According to Kilbarger, “We wanted Jake to know that his kindness hasn't gone unnoticed and to make him feel as special as he makes those around him feel, every day. By the smile on his face, I think we succeeded.”
Orange Unified School District encouraged its schools to start the school year by emphasizing kindness as an important value for students, teachers and faculty, whether at school, at home, or in the community. The 21-day campaign is a continuation of the District’s support for the One Billion Acts of Kindness initiative created by the Orange County Department of Education and Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares to improve school climates, promote character, and rally the community for greater civility. For more information, visit www.kindness1billion.org.