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The Great Kindness Challenge 2025

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

The Great Kindness Challenge 2025

 

The GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE kicks off Monday, January 27th and runs through Friday the 31st. Thousands of schools around the country, as well as over 100 other countries take part in this global event, impacting millions of students.

 

Kindness is a wonderful idea anytime for us all, and not just in our schools but everywhere, isn’t it?

 

The Great Kindness Challenge was founded in 2011 here in Carlsbad. The Kindness Challenge was started by Carlsbad resident Jill McManigal, co-founder (with Danielle Gram in 2006) and Executive Director of the non-profit, Kids for Peace. The Great Kindness program was piloted at 3 schools in Carlsbad in 2011, and the Great Kindness Challenge has expanded, not surprisingly, and pretty dramatically, since its creation.

 

 

Kids for Peace offers several programs in addition to the Great Kindness Challenge – Kids Club for Peace, a virtual after school program; a Racial Justice Program; and the Peace Pledge Program.

 

The Great Kindness Challenge website stats convey a powerful message about the impact thus far, with over 20 million students in over 115 countries and 41,000 schools taking part, resulting in more than 1 billion acts of kindness! Just imagine the impact!

 

What a powerful way to inspires and empower people to create a culture of kindness everywhere.

 

The Great Kindness Challenge is based on a checklist of different acts of kindness that kids can perform during the week, some easier than others...like smiling at 25 people. Hope Elementary here in the Calavera Hills area of Carlsbad (my neighborhood) was one of the first schools to take on this awesome challenge.

 

There is also a family edition of the Great Kindness Challenge if you are interested in family participation. We can all find ways to be kind to others all year long, and every day? Have you heard of anything special in your area to celebrate this Challenge?

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
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Show All Comments Sort:
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Jeff, kindness should be practiced everyday, and something our country is in much need of.

Jan 25, 2025 11:14 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

I wholeheartedly agree George Souto . I think this special week serves as a reminder of all the ways we CAN be kind. It's true for everyone.

Jeff

Jan 25, 2025 12:11 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks for shedding light on such an inspiring initiative, Jeff Dowler, CRS! It’s heartwarming to see how kindness can spark real change in our communities and beyond, and I can’t wait to get involved!

Jan 25, 2025 12:10 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Thank you Lew Corcoran  I think kindness begets more kindness...and it's not hard to do!

Jeff

Jan 25, 2025 12:13 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jeff, great post, but would hope people would express kindness on a daily basis.

Jan 25, 2025 01:42 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Agreed Joan Cox  This is a good reminder especially for kids in the participating schools to learn about being kind always!

Jeff

Jan 25, 2025 01:46 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Jeff, good to see the initiative has spread so much!  It seems simple acts of kindness have become ever more surprising to many, little things like holding a door open, taking someone's empty grocery cart in a parking lot or picking up something someone has dropped can almost shock people when it comes from a stranger.

Jan 25, 2025 01:46 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

I agree Liz and Bill Spear . And yet such acts of kindness are so simple, and appreciated by the recipient, even if a surprise. And will perhaps influence the recipient to also do something kind.

Jeff

Jan 25, 2025 02:00 PM
Kathy Streib

Liz and Bill Spear I agree. It says something about who we are now that we are surprised when someone is kind to us. 

Jan 25, 2025 02:37 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jeff- what a wonderful challenge!!!  Every step towards making kindness the norm and making it a daily habit is a good step!  I looked at the Checklist and there's no reason any of them can't be done. I'm sending this to my niece who is a teacher. 

Jan 25, 2025 02:39 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

I think it's pretty cool, too Kathy Streib  Kindness is not the norm these days. Hope your niece does something with it!

Jeff

Jan 25, 2025 03:37 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

What a wonderful way to get people in the habit of being kind! Anything helps!

Jan 25, 2025 03:56 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

I think it IS a good reminder for us all and especially for kids Kat Palmiotti 

Jeff

Jan 25, 2025 08:17 PM
Joe Mojica
Laer Realty Partners Bowen - Port St Lucie, FL
Your Home Adds Value to You

Jeff- what a wonderful and kind program and challenge.  Imagine kindness in steroids. wow, what would that be like?  

Jan 25, 2025 05:19 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Can you imagine?! The more the better, Joe Mojica 

Jeff

Jan 25, 2025 08:19 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good  evening Jeff,

I love this program and challenge and wish it were every where! What a powerful way to inspire and empower people to create a culture of kindness everywhere!👏👏

Jan 25, 2025 05:36 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Any school can participate and we can all benefit from the checklist on the website Dorie Dillard Austin TX . It's good remined about being kind whenever possible!

Jeff

Jan 25, 2025 08:21 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jan 25, 2025 06:42 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Thank you for helping to spread the word about a wonderful event Kathy Streib 

Jeff

Jan 25, 2025 08:22 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jeff Dowler, CRS  I had no idea, now in all fairness this should be an everyday occurrence, but like many things have fallen to the wayside including kindness Endre

Jan 25, 2025 09:50 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

No doubt there are many who are not aware of the Great Kindness Challenge Endre Barath, Jr. OR National Kindness Day on November 13th!

Jeff

Jan 26, 2025 10:06 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I love that kindness challenge and I am sure that it will lead to a lot of smiling faces!  I wish everyone would be kind to each other every day of their lives, haha.

Jan 26, 2025 04:28 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Thank you Brian England  That's a wonderful thought...we can dream!

Jeff

Jan 26, 2025 09:59 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Oh, I love this, Jeff! It's really so easy to be kind... more people should try it. Our world would be such a better place if we all practiced more kindness.

Jan 26, 2025 04:30 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

It really IS pretty easy and there are abundant opportunities every day Nina Hollander, Broker The more kindness the better and it's never to early to learn about being kind.

Jeff

Jan 26, 2025 09:57 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

When I taught the grandchildren how to affirm, we added kindness: Make a new friend, appreciate what you have, improve yourself to help others, and thank God for his gifts. 

Jan 26, 2025 06:02 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Thank you Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518 

Those are wonderful affirmations.

Jeff

Jan 26, 2025 09:55 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Jeff - the Dalai Lama has no shortage of quotes on the subject. 

Be kind whenever possible.  It's always possible. 

Our primary purpose in this life is to help others.  And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them. 

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion. 

Some "talk" a good game, others practice it on a regularly basis.  Each day it is my goal to do and be better than the day before.    I remain a work in progress - not always successful in my pursuit. 

Jan 26, 2025 06:42 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Thank you for sharing such wonderful quotes from the Dalai Lama, Michael Jacobs Such powerful inspiration!

Jeff

Jan 26, 2025 09:52 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

Loved every bit of this! Jeff Dowler, CRS This was a delightful read! Your insights on their passion for kindness and raising kids t be kind really comes through and what a great project and I did check out the lists...wonderful movement and how cool it started here in San Diego County!

Jan 26, 2025 08:28 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

I think it's a terrific idea, great learning for kids, and a good reminder for adults, too, Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP .

Jeff

Jan 26, 2025 09:54 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Wow this is an awesome idea - I love it Jeff!  I'm so glad Kathy Streib featured your post!  Kindness makes the world go round!

Jan 26, 2025 10:34 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

I would sure like to think so Jeff.  This is what we learned as kids in school, church and girl scouts. It builds great human beings and a kinder world.

Jan 26, 2025 11:15 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Thanks Anna "Banana" Kruchten  I so agree.

I was doing some quick research and see that the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, along with Kids for Peace, has sponsored a Corporate Kindness Certification. I suspect there are some corporations around the country who now include kindness as one of their core values...at least I hope so.

Jeff

Jan 26, 2025 10:44 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good information to share.

Let's continue to spread love and kindness every day.

Jan 30, 2025 11:28 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Thank you Roy Kelley  We can all use more love and kindness daily!

Jeff

Jan 30, 2025 01:15 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, what a wonderful challenge, Jeff! I love this and it gives me an idea to propose for a challenge in April. It's something that seems so 'normal' for most and perhaps we can encourage the world to follow suit!

Feb 01, 2025 08:57 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Sounds like a wonderful challenge, Debe Maxwell, CRS 

Kindness acts witnessed, kindness acts one can perform, etc.

We can all share more kindness, and hopefully experience it.

Jeff

Feb 01, 2025 10:09 PM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Had never heard of this Jeff.  Surprised not to have with the numbers you state.  Enjoy your Bowl day and hope your team does you right, or at least the team you are rooting for just to beat the other...lol.  m

Feb 09, 2025 07:49 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

The Great Kindness Challenge has grown over the years particularly in the schools, Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho  I suspect there are many who are not aware of this Challenge or Kids for Peace and all that they do.

I have no strong feelings about the game and the players today - I will check in online periodically but have no plans to watch.

Jeff

Feb 09, 2025 11:02 AM