The Kindness Project

Children

Thank You!

Dear West Hartford Community,

Thank you! You have responded to our requests for hygiene products for the Kindness Project 2023 with enthusiasm and generosity! We have received tremendous support and are able to supply the West Hartford Food Pantry and the Fern Street Universalist Church Back Program, plus a few other programs, with items to stock their shelves. We are working to organize and deliver the vast amount of donations and will be delivering soon. Wishing you and your families good health and much joy this holiday season.

Carol Waxman and Bailey Berardino (12/13/2023)

7th Annual Kindness Project

In the spirit of kindness toward others, the West Hartford Public Library will help those in need by collecting donations to help the community. We are proud to donate to The West Hartford Food Pantry and Fern Street Universalist Church Backpack Program.

Items we need (new and unopened):

Download the flyer HERE!
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dish soap
  • Disinfectant wipes / Tissues
  • Individually wrapped toilet paper rolls
  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste / Toothbrushes / Dental floss
  • Diapers
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Bar soap / Body wash / Shampoo
  • Water bottles
  • Bandages
  • Lip balm
  • Hand lotion
  • School supplies / Lunch snacks

Drop off at any West Hartford Public Library location between November 13 – December 8, 2023.

Using Amazon?

Items can also be shipped directly to the Noah Webster Library via the Kindness Project Amazon Wish List here: https://bit.ly/KindnessProjectAmazonWishList. Or simply scan the QR code to access the Kindness Project Amazon Wish List.

It started in November of 2017…

The Kindness Project: how the project started.

Inspired by the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio and its message of compassion and kindness towards others, the WeHa Libraries started The Kindness Project. Thanks to the generosity of our patrons and over a 4 week period in November 2017, our libraries collected over 3,000  items. The Children’s Department involved several local groups of volunteers to decorate “Kindness Cases” which were filled with trial size products and items. These cases were donated, in December, to the West Hartford Food Pantry.

It continued in the summer of 2018, 2019, 2020…

The Library's Kindness Quilt Wall!

During the summer, our patrons were encouraged to keep the kindness going! The library put together Kindness Project Mission Boards with suggestions such as “Read to a child”, “Pick up trash on the street”, “Teach your parents what you know about social media” and many more. Umpteen families, individuals, adults, teens, and children completed these random acts of kindness throughout the summer. Once completed, they returned to the library to add comments, ideas, and inspirations to the Library’s Kindness Quilt Wall!

Kindness Book Lists

Looking for great books to spread some kindness? In addition to Wonder by R. J. Palacio (the book that started it all!), here are book title suggestions curated by our librarians. Check-out this children’s booklist for a wonderful selection of picture books and chapter books for all levels of readers: Children’s KINDNESS Booklist (as a PDF).