Congrats to this week's winner who each get a $5 babeSKIN Gift Card!

Congrats to Angela, Annie, Cynthia, Joshua, Anne, Robin, Kristin, Chastity, Rose and Liz as this week's winners!  They each earned a $5 Gift Card to babeSKIN!

Keep launching sprouts of kindness!

How to Help the Homeless by Jennifer D.

A post from Jennifer D., a regular SproutLaunch visitor and avid launcher of sprouts of kindness:

If you live near a city and you look around your surroundings you will find homeless in your community. Many times these people are lost in a crowed and unnoticed because most people close their eyes to what they see. The homeless are usually harmless in nature and have deep pain inside because at one time they were just like you or me. They had a family, job, friends a due to certain circumstances they have become homeless.

The truth is that in most cases they have turned to drugs or alcohol to hide the pain and hurt that is deep within them. As an old saying goes most of us are only one pay check away from homelessness. Think for a moment how you would feel if you found yourself with no place to lay your head, all friends and family have given up on you and you feel like you have no hope at all.

My challenge to you is to get a few back packs and fill them with hotel size shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, toothbrush and combs (put toiletries in small zip-lock bag). Get a few non-perishable food items and bottle water and place them in the back pack. If you can get new t-shirts, that is also a great item to add as well. You can ask local non-profits if they have any out of date event t-shirts that you can have and usually they are more than happy to help.

What you now do is keep these backpacks in your car and when you see someone asking for money give them the back pack. As with anything, use caution and always be in a public place (not in a back alley) when you do this. If you not comfortable at first, have friends or family members go with you (not small children). It may be hard at first to find the people and you may have to put effort into it but as time goes by you will notice they will become drawn to you where ever you go.

One other thing that you can do is add a note or a Thinking of You card with a note letting them know that you have faith that they will make it. Believe me, that card of encouragement will stay in their hearts forever.

So make this a habit and show this simple act of kindness and it will not only help them, but it will give you a new outlook on life. Remember there is always someone out there worse off then you are and it will give you the strength and courage to conquer your own battles.

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Thanks to Jennifer for the great idea and words of wisdom.  She is continually spreading sprouts of kindness in her area.  If you have words of wisdom or any ideas to share, please send to Molly@SproutLaunch.com!

Pay It Forward: It's Possible

One of my all time favorite movies of course!

I Might Be a Kindness Addict

So I consider myself a bit neurotic, I'm one of those all or nothing kinda girls.  So with this new goal of completing one good deed each day, I'm addicted! But I will admit...I think it may be for selfish reasons. 

The reason I say "selfish" is because I keep doing it and it keeps making me happier and happier.  I walk around smiling thinking of someone being surprised when they find my happy notes stuck to the bathroom mirror, or someone opening the card I shoved under their door secretly. Today it was handing a homeless man all of the change from my wallet simply because today, I had it to give.

I would love to say I'm completely doing this for other people, but I'm also doing it for myself and I don't think that's wrong.  Join me in my new kindness addiction!

This Week 10 Lucky Winners Will Earn $5 babeSKIN Gift Cards!

Keep encouraging kindness and enter to win for this week's awesome gift.  Check out babeSKIN below or here at http://www.thebabeskin.com/.

Remember, winners are chosen each Sunday.  Join me in completing one good deed, each and every day!

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again. ~William Penn

This Week's Sponsor Highlight: babeSKIN

The concept of babeSKIN (pronounced baby skin) is simple. Pure ingredients + a dash of good causes + 2 Tbsp humor = happy women with happy skin.

babeSKIN was started as a hobby so when we became a fully fledged company in 2007, we made it priority number one to give back. We thank you for all your support and in turn we donate 10% of each order to the charity of your choice. We have handpicked a few charities (non profit) and some local fundraisers (don’t have a nonprofit status), when you check out you decide what charity you want to donate to.
 
After a brief cancer scare, Christine learned just what it meant to never take anything or anyone for granted. "I am so blessed for so many things, I could go on and on", and she wanted to incorporate this into babeSKIN. We have been working on a fun page that’s called “I’m thankful for…” where woman can post (as much as they like) things they are thankful for. We will select some to put on our blog but each entry is entered into a weekly drawing for free babeSKIN products, giftcards, or another likeminded company’s product.
 
Lastly we have created the Minerals for Mommy campaign. Women with cancer are near and dear to our hearts. Christine’s sister, Kim, diagnosed with cancer at the age of 25 and passed away at the age of 31. We believe we need to do all we can to encourage, support and beautify mom’s going through cancer all the while connecting mothers and daughters, sisters and friends. If your mother, daughter or friend is going through cancer please write us a letter and tell us their story, what they mean to you and what they have done to encourage others while being strong themselves. babeSKIN will send them a copy of the letter you wrote to us and a care package that includes babeSKIN makeup. We pay for this program ourselves and from the time and donations from friends. It currently is NOT a not for profit program, but we hope to do so later in 2010.

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babeSKIN is one of those companies that is encouraging kindness and giving back in every aspect of their business.  I'm proud to have them listed on SproutLaunch.  Visit their site, buy some great makeup and check out the two programs "I'm thankful for..." and Minerals for Mommy. 

Congratulations to the Weekly Winners!

Thanks to Michael, Christina, Jo, Anna and T for launching sprouts of kindness. They were the chosen winners from today's (1/10/10) random drawing. Your Panera gift card is on it's way...Congrats!

Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how. ~Author Unknown

SproutLaunch Reaches All 50 States (and 16+ Countries)!

It's official, SproutLaunch has had visitors from all 50 states! SproutLaunch has also had participants from 16+ countries including Germany, Canada, France, Ireland, Switzerland, Israel, Puerto Rico, Romania, China, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belize, Italy, Brazil, Philippines and Australia. Wow...all this in just a few short weeks. How exciting!

I guess you could say SproutLaunch has gone INTERNATIONAL.

Join me in completing one good deed each and every day. Thanks to everyone for participating and continue to spread the word. Keep encouraging kindness!

SproutLaunch: Recent Good Deed Ideas

In case you missed these good deed ideas over the past few days, here is a list of some recent suggestions:

-Write a co-worker a handwritten thank you note
-Submit positive feedback to a business you appreciate
-Drop off a bag of canned goods at the local food bank (Find your local food bank here)
-Make someone lunch or dinner
-Send a friend an online greeting card (123Greetings.com)
-Give someone a hug
-Send a thank you to someone in the military (LetsSayThanks.com)

Sprout an act of kindness, submit that you did on SproutLaunch and you are entered into the weekly gift card drawing.  Join me in my goal to complete one good deed, each and every day!

Weekly Sponsor Highlight: Joshua Barber Fine Art

American artist Joshua Barber began painting modern icons in 2000, inspired by a three-week journey to Jerusalem, Egypt and Jordan. Hand-weathered paper and wood recalls the ancient scrolls and triptychs he saw on his travels. His stylized figures are distinctly modern, illuminated by dark and whimsical humor.

Barber also paints modern landscapes distinguished by muted pastels, the use of acrylic with oil and pencil details. One of his landscapes, a depiction of the Vice President’s Residence at the United States Naval Observatory, was selected as the official Vice President’s 2004 holiday card.

Barber’s paintings have been exhibited in London, New York and Los Angeles. His work has also been exhibited at the prestigious Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ “Art After Hours” for the last three years. Barber is represented by Tunnadine Fine Art in the United Kingdom and Gallery 5800 in the United States.

Barber was born in Richmond, Virginia. His father is John Morton Barber, an acclaimed maritime artist.

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I am a huge fan of Joshua Barber's work.  If you haven't seen his paintings before, I highly recommend you check them out, one of my favorite paintings is "home is where the cry is".  I consider his art whimsical, entertaining and above all, uniquely beautiful.

This Week's Sprout Reward: $5 Panera Gift Cards

Remember, one entry per day and winners are chosen randomly each Sunday. Visit SproutLaunch to enter your good deed! 

If you aren't familiar with Panera, I must say I am officially obsessed.  There is one right down the street from where I live and I am a frequent (way too frequent) visitor.

*I know everyone isn't turning in their good deeds because they expect a reward, but if you are chosen and get a gift card that's not in your area, why not give it to a stranger! 

No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves. ~ Amelia Earhart

Weekly Sponsor Highlight: SeeClickFix

About SeeClickFix:
SeeClickFix encourages residents to become citizens by participating in taking care of and improving their neighborhoods. We allow anyone to:

See - see a non-emergency issue in your neighborhood
Click - open a ticket describing the issue and what can be done to resolve it
Fix - publicly report the issue to everyone for resolution

Imagine a world where every citizen feels empowered and part of their neighborhood. Imagine if everyone trusted and felt taken care of by their local government. We know there are already a lot of involved citizens and hard-working local authorities and service people. We seek to use the power of the internet to bring them closer together and reach even more people.

The founders of SeeClickFix live in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, Planet Earth. We love our home (in fact one of our founders is well known for designing and and selling a local-pride T-shirt) and at the same time we know that any community can be improved. The most avid users of SeeClickFix will be those that love their home.

A few local governments have enough sophistication to run functional websites or 311 hot lines. Most do not have the resources to do much more than brochure-ware. Our site is a place for citizens from anywhere to give their local government a website that tracks local issues. No set-up time. No hiring consultants to study the issue. Just SeeClickFix.

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Seriously, how cool is this idea? I know we all have seen something in passing that needs to be fixed in our community and it's easy to just sigh and think "oh....local government." Just keep in mind there are plenty of hard working people out there within the government who just may not be aware of your issue. Give those folks the benefit of the doubt and use SeeClickFix to proactively make a difference with your local issues.

Also- SeeClickFix is enabled in 72 languages and is looking for translators, contact them today if you are interested in being involved. Check out the community groups, they create watch areas on the site so that they can alert each other to issues in their neighborhood. SeeClickFix also has two iPhone apps in the store for reporting with City Gov!

Weekly Sponsor Highlight: Baking for Good

About Baking for Good:

Baking for Good is dedicated to providing high quality, irresistible treats that are perfect for any occasion. Moreover, we’re committed to helping great causes raise money for things that matter. That’s why 15% of every purchase you make on our site goes to the cause of your choice.

We use the finest all-natural, organic, local, and seasonal ingredients to make your delicious treats. Every purchase is baked fresh for your order and wrapped in beautiful, eco-friendly, secure packaging before it’s shipped overnight or priority (2 days to most locations) right to your door.

It’s simple: shop our Bakery, choose your cause, and check out! You can choose your cause at any time, including at check out.

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How cool to know there are so many companies out there doing good? Visit Baking for Good today to show them some love from SproutLaunch!

Food Donations & Messy Cabinets

So I cleaned out my cabinets and realized A.) I have lots of food to spare B.) I really need to organize my cabinets C.) I'm so OCD that I now can't sleep thinking about how utterly messy my cabinets are :).

I'll be dropping my bag off at the Central Virginia Food Bank today.  If you are interested in donating some food, but don't know where to find a local drop off, check out Feed America, you simply put in your zip code and they tell you the closest locations: Find the Closest Food Bank.

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. ~Nelson Henderson

Congratulations to the Weekly Winners:

Thanks to Ryanne, Lois, Christina, Patricia and Kelsee for launching sprouts of kindness. They were the chosen winners from today's (1/3/10) random drawing. Your gift card is on it's way...Congrats!

Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up. ~Jesse Jackson

A Kindness Revolution?

Ok, so maybe not a revolution...but with more than 700 visitors to the site in two short weeks, it's a possibility, right? Check out SproutLaunch to view a few of the good deeds that have been recently submitted. How great to hear about so many people out there doing acts of kindness simply because they can :). 

Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~ Author Unknown

Happy New Year!

So it's officially 2010! With more visitors and tons of new good deed-doers in just the past two weeks, SproutLaunch is gaining momentum. Thanks to everyone for their participation, I cannot wait to see where SproutLaunch can go within the upcoming year.

As I mentioned before in a previous post, it's my New Year's Resolution to complete one good deed each and every day. I hope you will join me in encouraging kindness!

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~ Mark Twain

Weekly Sponsor Highlight: Lenox Reign Creative

Lenox Reign Creative is an independent creative services agency founded on the straightforward idea that brands should be stylish, while connecting with the target audience. Being a small shop allows full concentration on each client. Lenox Reign Creative makes a point to ensure the work we produce identifies with your business, your target audience and your goals.

~~~~~

Thanks to Lenox Reign Creative for encouraging kindness!

SproutLaunch: Recent Good Deed Ideas

Complete a good deed and submit that you did on SproutLaunch to be entered into the weekly gift card drawing. Start encouraging kindness in 2010!

In case you missed these good deed ideas, here is a list of recent suggestions:
-Leave your mail carrier a thank you note
-Leave 50 cents in a vending machine
-Give someone a compliment
-Forgive someone you have been holding a grudge against
-Refrain from saying anything negative about another person today
-Open the door for a stranger
-Pick up trash you see outside on the ground
-Donate an old coat to a local charity
-Drop an anonymous “Have a great day” card in a neighbors mailbox
-Let a stranger in front of you in line (while driving, at the store, anywhere!)

Weekly Sponsor Highlight: Virginia Blood Services

Within one year of its 1974 founding at the direction of the Richmond Academy of Medicine, Richmond Metropolitan Blood Service - now Virginia Blood Services (VBS) - took Richmond from a haphazard system of paid and volunteer blood sources to an all volunteer blood supply.

Donate blood today!

What if I get a Kindness Reward that is not applicable in my area?

Sorry, there are no trades on rewards. If you end up getting a reward that is not redeemable in your city, SproutLaunch is not able to provide an alternative reward. You could always take it upon yourself to look up the name and address of a stranger that lives in that city and drop it in the mail!  Why not always focus on brightening someone else's day?

Weekly Sponsor Highlight: Wythken

In 2003, Richmond locals Ric Withers and Chuck Aiken had a great idea: printing should be easy for everyone. So, they established Wythken Printing.

Located in Downtown Richmond, Virginia, Wythken offers digital and offset printing for businesses, non-profits and VCU faculty, staff and students. Whether you need five posters or 50,000 business cards, Wythken will make it easy for you. Our experienced Graphic Design team can even help you design your project.

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I've worked with these guys for over two years now and they never disappoint.  Contact them for your next printing needs!

Shouldn't good deeds be done without needing a reward?

I'm eager to have this site promote kindness and as an effect, help us all in little ways –whether it's a free cup of coffee from Starbucks or an extra pair of socks from Target. Yes, virtue is its own reward, but if I can use these rewards to help promote a little extra kindness in the world, why not? :)  Visit SproutLaunch today to join in the fun!

Weekly Sponsor Highlight: Stand Up Fitness

About Stand Up Fitness:
Stand Up Fitness was created by Brody Welte, a long time fitness and recreation enthusiast. Working in the industry for over 10 years Brody has worked as a Personal Trainer, Recreation Leader and Adventure Guide. Studying Wildlife Biology at Michigan State University and growing up in rural Michigan, Brody fell in love with the outdoors and recreational sports at a young age. Stand Up Fitness was born from his passion for fitness and wellness and love of stand Up paddle boarding.

Visit Stand Up Fitness for more information.

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I've been wanting to try this stand up paddle boarding for a while and I am hoping next time I'm in the area I can participate.  Thanks to Stand Up Fitness for encouraging kindness!

12.28.09 Good Deed Suggestion: Donate an old coat to a local thrift store.

Ok, so I will admit, I have a coat obsession.  I love them.  I wish I could wear a different one every day.  The good news about that, I have a ton I can donate :) Off to Goodwill...

Weekly Sponsor Highlight: Justin Sheets Photography

About Justin Sheets Photography:
I have a passion for photography, plain and simple. When shooting an event I enjoy capturing moments as they occur; naturally, from a candid and photojournalistic standpoint. The priority, however, is to capture the essence of the moment at each event or session.

Justin Sheets Photography is a licensed business in Richmond, VA.

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Justin is a personal friend and great photographer.  Visit Justin Sheets Photography for more details.

This Week's Sprout Reward: $5 Target Gift Cards

Remember, one entry per day, winners are chosen randomly each Sunday. Keep encouraging kindness :) Visit SproutLaunch.com to enter your good deed!

Congrats to the Recent Winners:

Thanks to Shana, Andi, Jennifer, Mike and Beverly for encouraging kindness.  They were the chosen winners from today's (12/27) random drawing.  Your gift card is on it's way...Congrats!

Thanks to PayItForwardToday.org

Thanks to PayItForwardToday.org for listing us on their site :)  Check them out!

Drop them a line and let them know how you're Paying it Forward and they may add it to the blog. Life is short and the days are long so start paying it forward now.

12/21-12/26 Favorite Good Deed Submissions

So far this week has had an outpouring of good deeds, some of my favorite submissions are listed below:

~Bought a Soliders breakfast and coffee this morning standing in line at WaWa. Thanked him for his service and went on with my day.

~I live in Fort Pierce FL where there is a lot of homeless on the street. There is a park downtown that many homeless go to every day. I wanted to bring Christmas to them so my son and I went to the park with a 1 foot Christmas tree, backpacks filled with MRE's, water, socks and toiletries. we also gave them wraped christmas gifts and baked goods. We helped about 22 homeless men

~I gave gift cards to the paper, mail, and hair person for Christmas to show appreciation for all their hard work.

~Set up and funded a savings account for a 5 year great niece recently diagnosed with ALL Leukemia

~I helped and encouraged my mother in law to quit smoking, she also has cancer!

~I have a co-worker who is a real jerk, but I have chosen to forgive his annoying personality........of course that's easier to do right now because I won't see him for 10 more days!....Ha ha

There were lots of compliments, forgiveness and thank you’s that happened this week as well! We are just in the first week of the site launching, I could not be more excited about how this will grow in 2010.

Happy Holidays!