Eagle Creek’s Great Kindness Challenge brings community together

ARLINGTON – Kindness is viral.

It can spread from lofty good deeds that create a culture of unity and respect, to the simplest act of a “thank you” or warm smile to someone, and getting one right back.

Just ask students at Eagle Creek Elementary who joined in the Great Kindness Challenge Jan. 28-Feb. 1 for the third year.

Arlington agencies and community members visited the school to be role models of kindness, as they worked with students on kindness projects.

During the week, community members and employees from agencies like the Arlington police and fire departments, city and school district, visited the school to be role models of kindness, helping student with projects to help spread more kindness.

Items included kindness pennants, individual letters, banners and pictures. Students over the next few weeks will distribute them to businesses, neighborhoods and community agencies.

“We’re trying to instill in the students the importance of giving back to the community,” said Colene Jablonski, Eagle Creek counselor and event organizer. “We also want the community to see how we can support each other through kindness.”

The Great Kindness Challenge is a national movement designed to increase tolerance, unity and respect. More than 20,000 schools across the country were involved in the event.

Arlington police officers color pictures with Eagle Creek Elementary students during the Great Kindness Challenge Jan. 29. The nationwide event is designed to spread kindness in the community.

Arlington police officers color pictures with Eagle Creek Elementary students during the Great Kindness Challenge Jan. 29. The nationwide event is designed to spread kindness in the community.