Friendly Notes for Strangers

I recently bought postcards that have positive, friendly quotes on them and have left them on stranger’s cars around town. I hope it brings a smile to people’s faces. Normally, something on the windshield is a ticket or sales flier. (I put a sticker on the back with this website, hoping people will check it out and want to take part).

An Update from Hope to Home – March 2023

From Tom Young with Hope to Home:

2022 was a record year for delivering furniture and home goods to those just starting their new lives. 

Thank you for your generosity!

From the warehouse this year, we moved over 225 households into new homes.  We saw many more families escaping homelessness, domestic violence and human trafficking than in previous years.  

So many children! To see their joy when we bring in a “real bed” is just priceless.

For the year, we delivered furniture and other household goods, valued at over $194,654.00 to over 225 families and individuals. We have turned empty and often depressing places, where people were sleeping on the floor, into comfortable, safe “homes” of new beginnings. 

Most of all, we delivered Hope.  It’s hard to describe the joy in both those we serve and in our volunteers when furniture arrives for those so much in need of comfort and encouragement.

  • As one of our stalwart volunteers wrote, “I never realized how many people are in need-right where I live. ‘Writing a check’ while important, isn’t all that people need-it really does take time and talent-and yes, treasure…but it all really starts to happen when you can contribute some of your time.”
  • [Thanks to] Tina Arnoldi’s group, BeKind Charleston, who create and handcraft welcome/inspiration notes for all our deliveries

What an incredible community we have been blessed with!! 

So much good…more than we could ever ask or imagine!!

These new beginnings are a reality because of our donors’ and volunteers’ generosity.  

You’ve provided homes filled with Hope.

In-person get together- Friday, March 17th

Our next in-person get together is at the Mount Pleasant Library on Mathis Ferry/Anna Knapp from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm on Friday, March 17th. (While children are encouraged to help out by making cards at home, this event is for adults only. If you want to coordinate an event for the under 18 crowd, let me know.)

Please bring card making supplies if you have them. If not, you are welcome to borrow what’s available.

The whole purpose of this is to spread kindness, not make works of art. In March, we will focus on MUSC. If you would like to be a card recipient as a group or individual, please let us know!

If you are coming, please RSVP to hello [at] bekindcharleston.org so we know how many tables and chairs to set up.

In-person get together- Friday, February 3rd

Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash

Our next in-person get together is at the Mount Pleasant Library on Mathis Ferry/Anna Knapp from 12:30pm – 1:30pm on Friday, February 3rd. (While children are encouraged to help out by making cards at home, these events are usually for adults.)

Please bring markers, glue sticks, blank cards, colored pencils, scrapbooking supplies, etc.. if you have them. If not, there is plenty to share.

The whole purpose of this is to spread kindness, not make works of art. Learn about the organizations we currently support and let us know if you would like to be a card recipient as a group or individual.

Please RSVP to hello [at] bekindcharleston.org.

In-person get together- Sat, Jan 14th-

Photo by Mei-Ling Mirow on Unsplash

Our next in-person get together is at the Mount Pleasant Library on Mathis Ferry/Anna Knapp from 10:30am – 11:30am on Saturday, January 14th. While children are encouraged to help out by making cards at home, this event is geared towards adults.

Please bring markers, blank cards, colored pencils, scrapbooking supplies, etc.. if you have them. If not, there is plenty to share.

The whole purpose of this is to spread kindness, not make works of art. Learn about the organizations we currently support and let us know if you would like to receive cards as a group or individual.

Please RSVP or direct questions to to hello [at] bekindcharleston.org.

Kindness Cards from Kids

In an after school program at James B Edwards Elementary School, a group of kids made cards for a total stranger. It’s a great project for anyone to lead but even better when the leader is an 8-year old. Kayden is the daughter of one of our volunteer card makers. She’s come to a couple of our adult events and was excited to take part in our cards for kindness initiative.

Kayden asked her teacher if they could do this one afternoon in their Kaleidoscope program. This is a definitely a case when images are more meaningful than words so I have pictures below of some cards made by kindhearted 8-year-old kids. If kids can say nice things to strangers, I think we can do the same as adults, don’t you?

If this is something you want to do with a group of kids, I’m happy to provide some simple ‘how-to’ guides for drawing and suggested messages to include in your cards. We have a couple organizations you can learn about on this site but there are other ways to share, such as leaving a card on a car windshield or at someone’s front door.

An Update from Hope to Home – November 2022

From Tom Young with Hope to Home:

This has been a record year for delivering furniture and home goods to those just starting their new lives. 

From the warehouse this past quarter, we moved in a total of 60 individuals and families.  We saw many more families escaping homelessness, domestic violence and human trafficking this past quarter.

For the year, we have delivered furniture and other household goods, valued at over $137,000  to over 180 families and individuals.  Of these, 56 were veterans.  We have turned empty and often depressing places into comfortable, safe homes – places of new beginnings. 

So far this year, we’ve delivered: 293 beds and frames, 224 dressers, 120 kitchen tables, 398 kitchen chairs, 39 microwaves, 117 sofas , 118 stuffed chairs,113 coffee tables, 181 end tables, 360 table & floor lamps, 181 Linen Kits, 114 Kitchen Kits and over  200 adult and children’s Bibles, as we worked, laughed and prayed together with those we serve.  [Note from Tina: Our handmade cards are placed in the kits.]

Most of all, we delivered Hope.  It’s hard to describe the joy in both those we serve and in our volunteers when furniture arrives for those so much in need of comfort.

These new beginnings are a reality because of your generosity.  Thank you!

In-person Get together- Sat, Nov 12th –

Photo by Kate Macate on Unsplash

Our next in-person get together is at the Mount Pleasant Library on Mathis Ferry, It is scheduled for 09:15am – 10:30am on Saturday, November 12th. While children are encouraged to help out by making cards at home, this event is geared towards adults.

Please bring markers, blank cards, colored pencils, scrapbooking supplies, etc..

The whole purpose of this is to spread kindness, not make works of art.

Please message hello [at] bekindcharleston.org to let us know you’re coming.

Where to Buy Notecards

There are plenty of places – from online retail to local business – for buying notecards. I found a good deal at Hobby Lobby recently so I figured I’d share. The cream colored ones on the left are regular folded notecards. The white stack on the right are flat cards – like a postcard.

Both have fifty in a pack and include envelopes. These are often on sale so with the 40% discount, the total for both was $11.00. (Not bad for 100 cards). I’ll bring them to the next get together. We can try them out and see how the quality is for this brand.