Caribbean Atlantic District

All it takes is a simple act, a kind gesture, or a heartfelt smile to brighten someone's day, week, month, or even their year. That is what Key Club International and caring is all about. KCI's Service Marketing Project, "Caring...Pass it On" can instill and strengthen the value of caring in every community worldwide. Through our core values (caring, character building, leadership, and inclusiveness), everyone can make a difference in the lives of others while making Key Club International a household name.

Introduction

To initiate this project, one must participate in any act of kindness or selfless deed that can brighten the life of their fellow man. Whether it's raking a neighbor's yard or buying lunch for a stranger, every act makes a difference! Each time a simple act of caring is performed, a member will hand-deliver a Key Club card with the words, "Caring...Pass it On" written on it. In doing a thoughtful deed or an act of kindness, we can spread the spirit of caring to every community in the world. We hope that once a person is touched by this kind gesture, he or she will respond by passing on a kind gesture to someone else.

"Caring...Pass if On" is designed to be a simple, fast, and readily available project that both small and large clubs will be able to easily access, plan, and implement. As Key Clubbers, it is important for us to remain dedicated to service. With more than 200,000 members in 5,000 clubs, just think of the impact we can make on our homes, schools, and communities by showing them we care. By participating in this project, you can educate our members and community about the fundamental of Key Club International. Hopefully, every household in the world will eventually know what Key Club is. Just think of the impact we can make... just think of the lives we can touch... just think of the possibilities. It is remarkable and truly endless.

How to Get Started

The first step in planning the project is generating interest and participation in your club. Anywhere from five to even 500 members can utilize this project. Ask Kiwanis, Circle K, Builders club, or K-Kids members to participate with you and you may even want to get members of the community involved, too!

Second, hand each member a number of cards to pass out with each deed that they do. Be sure to go over safety issues beforehand. Members may go together in groups or they may go alone. There is no time limit for this project. There is no quota of kindness acts to be reached. Continue this project all year and for years to come. Kindness and caring should continue indefinitely.

The do's and don'ts of
"Caring...Pass it On"

Do

• Smile
• Be polite
• Stay good-humored
• Be respectful
• Continue with project even when faced with some rejection.
• Be aware of safety issues
• Recognize personal space of others
• Remember to encourage people to "pass it on"
• Try to inform others of Key Club International
• Have fun and make people smile. Service is rewarding in itself
• Participate in the project as often as possible

Don't

• Pressure anyone to receive the offering
• Chase or follow recipients
• Insult others
• Hold people up if they're in a rush
• Be nervous about talking to people
• Embarrass people
• Be too aggressive
• Grab hold of people
• Do anything unbecoming of a Key Club member
• Stop! Your kindness spreads!

Ideas for "Caring...Pass it On"

1. Volunteer at a hospital, shelter, or any nonprofit organization.
2. Cook dinner for your parents.
3. Give someone a lollipop or flower.
4. Write a friend or family member a thank you card.
5. Shovel a neighbor's walk.
6. Help rake someone's yard.
7. Pull over to help a stranded driver.
8. On a rainy or snowy day, wipe rain/snow off shopping carts and cars at a local shopping mall.
9. Take a sibling out to the movies.
10. Collect cans for a food drive.
11. Read at a children's hospital.
12. Help carr packages for an elderly neighbor.
13. Give your mom or dad the day off from chores or housework.
14. Send notes of appreciation to the school nurse, teacher, and/or principal.
15. Give blood.
16. Give an extra concert or ball game ticket to a passerby.
17. Anonymously place a flower on a teacher's desk.
18. Plant flowers in your mother's garden.
19. Be a friend to someone new.
20. Tip more generously than usual.
21. Let someone behind you in line go first.
22. Buy lunch for a stranger.
23. Give out stickers to any children you see in the neighborhood.
24. Make care packages for the elderly.
25. Pass out free coffee or hot chocolate on a cold day to a passerby.
26. Give toys to the children's hospital or shelter.
27. Wash your family or friend's car.
28. Take Polaroids of your friends at parties and give the photos to them.
29. Buy books for your elementary school's library.
30. Give someone $10.
31. Pick up trash in the park.
32. Give a late night clerk a crossword puzzle book.
33. Play with children at the park.
34. Walk a friend's dog.
35. Create cards for friends or strangers and hand them out throughout the day.
36. Deliver soup to a sick friend.
37. Offer to pay for a person's postage at the post office.
38. Help someone with his or her homework.
39. Call someone over to hang out.
40. Offer to pay for someone's toll on the highway.
41. Pass out free lemonade to a passerby on a hot summer day.
42. Mow a neighbor's lawn in the summer or clear his/her snow in the winter.
43. Make a donation to charity.
44. Hold free gift-wrapping drives during the holiday seasons.
45. Help out a teacher.
46. Distribute lollipops to kids.
47. Take your friends out for ice cream or yogurt.
48. Send a gift of appreciation to your postman.
49. Send your grandparents a surprise gift.
50. Eat lunch or breakfast with someone new or lonely.

Caring...Pass it On
Order Form

If you are interested in this new Key Club International service initiative, please download the order form or call 317-875-8755 (800-549-2647 worldwide), ext. 390. The cards will be printed on multi-colored card stock paper when ordered through Key Club International. Caring...Pass it On cards are an inexpensive and easy way to put a smile on someone's face.

Pricing Guide

100 cards, $1.50
200 cards, $3.00
300 cards, $4.50

You can also print cards from your personal computer using the online template.