Kindness Comes to Greater Victoria Right on Time

Victoria, BC – The message of Wednesday, Feb. 17’s Random Acts of Kindness Day is simple: do something nice for someone and ask nothing in return, all in the hopes of brightening a day.

“A motto I try to live by is ‘when in doubt, do the kindest thing,’” said Sandra Richardson, CEO of the Victoria Foundation. “No matter what the situation, it’s always worthwhile to approach it from a place of compassion and kindness, because that is a place from which understanding, patience, and compromise can grow.”

The Victoria Foundation has been promoting this special day since 2015, encouraging Vancouver Island businesses, non-profits, schools, governments, families, individuals – anyone and everyone – to take part. While kindness should be practiced year-round, Random Acts of Kindness Day brings a special focus to the way it can enrich lives and build community.

To help everyone come up ways to participate, the Victoria Foundation has put together two lists of 22 COVID-friendly ideas for 2022, one list for children and one for everyone else. Both are found on the Foundation’s website and include ideas such as:

  • Organizing a beach or forest cleanup
  • Baking fresh cookies for a friend or coworkers
  • Sending a letter of thanks to someone who has made a difference in your life
  • Donating food or money to a local food bank

Anyone who participates is encouraged to inspire others to also take part and share photos and messages of kindness on social media using #RAKdayYYJ and tagging the Victoria Foundation.

To encourage kindness, the Victoria Foundation is also hosting colouring contest for kids, offered in partnership with Black Press. Children 12 and under are invited to colour an image found in their local Black Press paper or online at the Foundation’s website. From there, participants are encouraged to send in their finished page for a chance to win $100 from the Victoria Foundation to donate to a charity of their choice, along with a $50 e-gift card valid at a variety of local businesses. A winner will be announced on the day itself and all submitted entries will be sent electronically to local long term care homes to help spread some cheer. All entries must be received by 3pm on Wednesday, Feb. 16 to be included in the draw.

The Foundation is also running a contest via Instagram, where followers are encouraged to tag two friends who have shown them a kindness for entry into a draw. Again, the winner will be invited to donate $100 from the Victoria Foundation to the charity of their choice, and will receive the $50 gift card. Visit the Victoria Foundation on Instagram at @vicfoundation to enter before midnight, February 17.

For more information visit victoriafoundation.ca.-30-

About the Victoria Foundation

Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of nearly 200 nation-wide. The Victoria Foundation manages charitable gifts from donors whose generosity allows them to create permanent, income-earning funds. The proceeds from these funds are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. To date the Victoria Foundation has invested over $269 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in BC and throughout Canada.

Media contact:
Kyle Wells, Communications Manager

Victoria Foundation

  1. 250.381.5532 C. 250.213.7131    E. kwells@victoriafoundation.bc.ca