Students launch kindness initiative

Education

Mar 18

Written By Staff

Back row left to right: Francis Nguyen, Lucy Rempalski, Daya Lewis | Front row left to right: Akol Abol, John Nguyen, Gracie Zimmer

A group of West Michigan middle and high school students is spreading positivity throughout their communities through a student-led service initiative designed to promote kindness, combat bullying, and remind people they are valued. “Odyssey Angels of Love,” was inspired by the students’ participation in Odyssey of the Mind, an international STEAM program that encourages creative problem-solving. After witnessing bullying and negative messaging in their schools and communities, the students decided to design a service project focused on spreading encouragement through positive affirmations and acts of compassion.

Students involved in the initiative include John Nguyen, a fifth grader at St. John Vianney School; Daya Lewis and Gracie Zimmer, seventh graders at St. John Vianney School; Francis Nguyen, a seventh grader at City Middle School; Akol Abol, an eighth grader at Grandville Calvin Christian School; and Lucy Rempalski, a ninth grader at Grandville High School.

Together, the students have created and distributed a variety of items designed to spread encouragement, including “Share the Love” bracelets, keychains, pencils, and bookmarks featuring positive affirmations that students can share with classmates and community members.

They have also launched a comfort initiative benefiting families facing medical challenges. The students created “Share the Love” Peace Pets, handmade stuffed animals that contain positive affirmations and can also serve as stress relievers, microwaveable heat packs, or ice packs. The items are being donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan to provide comfort to families navigating difficult situations.

“I wanted some people to have some comfort, even if sacrificing my own,” said Lucy Rempalski.

The project has grown quickly as students and community members have rallied around the idea. To prepare for upcoming events at schools and youth groups, the students have sewn more than 200 fabric “socks” used to create the Peace Pets. So far, they have completed 167 Peace Pets and more than 30 stress balls during events held at Grandville High School and Grandville Calvin Christian School, with additional events planned.

During one recent event at Grandville Calvin Christian, 28 students created 79 Peace Pets in just 20 minutes and 16 stress balls in 10 minutes, demonstrating the enthusiasm the project has generated among students. For some students, the project resonates on a deeply personal level.

“It impacted a couple of my teachers because they had to stay at Ronald McDonald House while their son or daughter was in the hospital,” said Akol Abol.

Beyond the comfort items, the students have organized activities designed to create a culture of encouragement in schools. One initiative encourages students to write positive affirmations on pencils and give them to classmates who ask to borrow one. Others distribute affirmation bracelets and bookmarks to share supportive messages with peers.

“To love is to will the good of another,” said Gracie Zimmer. “I was born to love, and loving is something I will leave this world doing.”

The project’s impact continues to grow as other young people become involved. Inspired by the initiative, several students have begun crocheting stuffed animals with positive affirmations for children at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and residents of local retirement homes. So far, 14 crocheted animals have been created, with more expected.

Organizers say the goal is to create a movement that encourages kindness and reminds people they are not alone. As the initiative continues to expand, students hope their actions will inspire others to share small acts of encouragement that can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.

“These kids are spreading their love to make a better world, and it’s contagious,” said Karen Zimmer, who helped organize the project alongside other parents.

West Michigan Newspop Digital Partners