Regular acts of kindness have spurred a Ladner family to do more.
Erin Sandland and her husband Robbie have been heading out with their young daughters for the past eight months in what they call Thoughtful Thursdays.
“On Thursdays every week we do something intentionally kind for someone in our community. The idea started as a way to encourage kindness, generosity and a sense of community in our own children, but since then has started to grow to include many other people,” said Erin.
“We very recently started an Instagram account to document and spread the idea that small acts of kindness can create big changes.”
People can follow along with the family’s Thoughtful Thursday adventures on social media @lifewithminiandcheese on Instagram.
With the success of their Thursday adventures, the family came up with the idea of a Thoughtful Thursday fundraiser for BC Children’s Hospital and Toys for Tots.
“Our girls ages four and two decided that they wanted to take toys to Children’s Hospital,” said Erin. “My youngest has asthma and spent some time there before. She really liked when people brought out the toys, so she wanted to give back. My oldest said she wanted to bring 100 toys. I started thinking we could do this if we got our friends and others in the community together.”
On Thursday, Nov. 22, the Thoughtful Thursday fundraiser will accept donations of new, unwrapped toys as well as cash. The event, which Erin hopes will become an annual event, is by invite only due to parking restrictions in their Hampton Cove development. But if members of the public want to donate, they can email Erin at: [email protected]to arrange a drop-off location.
Erin has also gone out into the community and received tremendous support with more than 15 businesses offering donations.
“I wasn’t really sure what the response would be from businesses, but it has been amazing,” she said. “Everyone has been so kind.”
