Civic Duty Inspired by Tucson Charity that Teaches and Encourages Kindness
(PRWEB) May 20, 2014 -- Cofounded by Dr. Michael Omidi and his brother Julian Omidi, Civic Duty is helping sponsor The Shyann Kindness Project’s “Kindness Week,” a special event to teach children about being kind and providing them with backpacks and school supplies for the coming school year. The Shyann Kindness Project is focused on spreading kindness and putting smiles on the faces of underprivileged, at-risk, and medically-fragile children. More than 15,000 children have received needed supplies, toys, books, dental items and snacks at charity events that promote kindness and acceptance of all people.
“The story of the Rosatis and their daughter Shyann, and the way they have chosen to keep her memory vibrant and impactful, is incredibly touching. And it is well-aligned with the mission of Civic Duty which is to recognize those who are making a difference in our world,” says Julian Omidi, Civic Duty cofounder. “Promoting kindness, and also dealing with the bullying problem prevalent in so many schools, is a noble thing and we are happy to support it. Please join us by donating to the Shyann Kindness Project and helping make this summer’s ‘Kindness Week’ a reality.”
At the end of July before the school year begins, the Shyann Kindness Project is partnering with the Valencia Library to coordinate “Kindness Week” benefitting kids in the Sunnyside Neighborhood in Tucson. Each day special activities are planned and stories focused on acts of kindness will be shared. At the end of the week, a special “Backpack Night” will be held, with balloon art and face painting, where backpacks and age appropriate school supplies will be given to all school aged children.
To help fill those children’s backpacks, donations of school supplies and backpacks will be accepted during the month of July at many Tucson area businesses, including all Starbucks stores. For a full list of donation locations, see http://www.Shyannkindness.org. Monetary donations can also be submitted at the same link.
The Shyann Kindness Project was founded by the parents of Shyann Ariana Rosati a year after their most precious daughter died. While she only lived a brief seven years, Shyann touched many hearts with her independent spirit and broad smile. At Shyann's Celebration of Life Service, cards were handed out with Shyann's picture asking friends and family to perform random act of kindness in her honor. The charity continues that challenge by teaching kids about kindness and encouraging random acts of the same.
The Project organizes Kindness Gift Giving Events twice a month at schools with a high percentage of children in need, shelters for women and children, hospital emergency rooms, low-income children’s clinics, homeless feeding programs, group homes, and programs that serve children with special needs or those living in stressful situations. At these events, children are read a story about kindness and acceptance and are led through a discussion of how they can be kind to others and what to do if someone is being bullied. Kindness gift packages of toys are then handed out along with books, stuffed animals, dental items, snacks and other miscellaneous items. Backpacks and school supplies are also included when needed. All gift packages are assembled with care and include a card asking the children to pass on a kindness to someone else along with the card. Each event closes with a free raffle where the children can win additional prizes.
The Shyann Kindness Project (http://www.shyannkindness.org) is a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves and puts smiles on the faces of underprivileged, at-risk, and medically-fragile children. In eight years, more than 15,000 children have been served by organizing fun events and providing needed gifts while promoting kindness and acceptance of all people.
Civic Duty (http://www.civicduty.org) is dedicated to mankind’s search for meaning and promotes the values of its founders, philanthropists Julian Omidi and his brother Dr. Michael Omidi. The charity’s mission is to inspire creative outreach, community service, and volunteerism through the stories of every-day people who are making an extraordinary difference in the world. Civic Duty does not accept monetary support, but instead encourages direct donations to the charities featured on the organization’s website. To get involved and help make a difference, send a message using the website’s Contact Us function. More information about Civic Duty can be found on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and Twitter.
Julian Omidi, Civic Duty, http://www.civicduty.org, +1 (855) 330-5600, [email protected]
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