Hello Beautiful People,
We’d like to bring your attention to five friends, who are committed to making this world a brighter & better & kinder place in 2013. This month, the Caz Girls are partnering up with us at The Write Teacher(s) to raise money for a family of educators whose son was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. Next month, the girls will nominate another cause and/or family, and continue this donation process for the rest of the year, choosing a different cause and/or person each month.
We’re so happy to know these girls, as we believe that the world can always use a little more kindness. Check out what their founder, Ashley Agresta has to say & what they do, as all the girls gave us an exclusive interivew.
But first, meet Ashley:
After the recent tragedy in Sandy Hook, Ashley was inspired to start a kindness mission in honor of each of the victims; what started as 26 acts of kindness moved to 365 rather quickly, for after posting her first day on her blog, Trista was moved to join her in the mission to spread the kindness. After that, Jess, Chelsea, and Kristin hopped on, and within moments the Facebook page was formed and the mission began.
The mission: to spread kindness in small (or large) ways – and to do it randomly. Within 24 hours we had 200 “likes” and within 48 hours we had over 300 ….and worldwide for that matter, (with participants in Austria and England). On the second day, the random acts started to come full circle. People who received an “act” started to post on our page, and said that they would begin to ‘pay it forward’ – the kindest gift of all. More and more people also started to post their acts and how they couldn’t wait to get started on their own journey. We’re hoping it continues throughout the year!
TWT: Have you been the recipient of a Random Act of Kindness? If so, what was it?
Ashley: I have been the recipient of a Random Act of Kindness! Last New Year’s Day, I was riding as a passenger to Mt. Sunapee to go snowboarding and the car ahead of us paid for our toll and then we paid for the car behind us! I have an E-ZPass now, so it is hard to do that, but I find other ways to spread kindness each day. It’s funny now that I think about it, one year later to the day; we started our own kindness movement! Sometimes it’s funny how things work out.
TWT: The 365 Random Acts of Kindness is spreading like wildfire. Do you foresee this project extending beyond 2013?
Ashley: Funny you should ask! On Day 3 that was my first thought. After seeing us gain 200 fans in two days I wondered what I was going to do after Day 365, and Kristin told me to just try to get through Day 5 first! I can’t wait to see where we will be in a year, and I hope to keep this going. I also hope that support will remain strong, and that this movement will continue to grow far past the one year mark.
TWT: Here at The Write Teacher(s), many of us work with “at-risk” youth. These students are recovering drug addicts; struggling drug addicts, teenage parents, and almost all of them come from broken homes. The struggles, demons, and anger that our students face is often a hindrance to their progress in school and life in general. Do you have any words of wisdom to offer these students?
Ashley: The only thing I can say to these students is that they can become whoever they want to be. Their past does NOT determine their present.
TWT: In today’s economy, arts programs in schools are being cut. What reasons would you give a politician for preserving the arts?
Ashley: I think it is important for children to have a healthy, positive, and creative outlet to express themselves. I think that cutting arts programs in schools would impede the growth and development of our youth, the future of America. In a country where we are so technological and innovative, it doesn’t make any sense to discourage people to be creative.
TWT: Here at The Write Teacher(s), we believe that art drives life, and theatre transforms lives. Would you agree or disagree with those statements? Why?
Ashley: I agree with both. Maybe it is just because I am in the Art + Design field, but my entire life revolves around creating, the concept of art, and the way things are aesthetically. I don’t have as much experience with theatre, but I would assume that it would be the same for any art form, – they all transform lives.
TWT: Just for fun, what’s your favorite movie, singer/band, play, and book?
Ashley: My favorite movie is 10 Things I Hate About You, I don’t really have a favorite band – I like all kinds of music depending on my mood, although the Goo Goo Dolls are one of my favorites. My favorite play is RENT, and my favorite book is The Secret.
TWT: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
Ashley: Would it be cheating if I said my Mom? She has taught me so much and I am so thankful to have had such a wonderful role model in my life.
Thank you, Ashley!
Please take the time to LIKE the Caz Girls on Facebook, & if you can spare it, donate to this beautiful cause by clicking right here.
And readers, be sure to stay tuned for our Q&As with the rest of the Caz Girls.
Live, Love, Learn,
My niece, Trista, is one of these 5 wonderful gals. I can assure you, they will NOT tire of this project before their 365 days has passed, and no doubt will have something in mind for the next year, as well. Makes me proud to know them!!
Pretty proud that the college I work for has alumni like this. You GO, girls!
Thank you for reading, Sylvia! You Caz Ladies ROCK!