Local elementary students receive kindness-themed coloring books
Area students are learning the impact even small acts of kindness can make this week, with the help of SSM Health’s Kindness coloring book.
SSM Health team members dropped off the donated books to Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac third grade children, as well as SSM Health Treffert Academy three- and four-year-old children.
The books, created by SSM Health Communications Manager Laura Morris, offer children a creative outlet, while offering up simple ways to spread kindness.
The books feature SSM Health’s friendly mascot Bearnard to color along with pages of puzzles and games. Included throughout the book are suggested acts of kindness kids of any age can complete, like wearing a smile, helping a friend, or writing a note to a teacher.
“Kindness is a superpower – it really is. It’s magical the way it can change everything for the better,” according to Morris. “All of our actions have a ripple effect and I think it’s important that we’re mindful of that.”
This project and the Day of Kindness donations are part of SSM Health’s Year of Kindness campaign, which encourages everyone to spread kindness in everyday ways.
At the SSM Health Treffert Academy, Meg Puddy, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Community-Based Behavioral Health director, read “Kindness Makes Us Strong” by Sophie Beer to children, followed with sharing of different ways to show kindness. Each child took a moment to color one of the activity book pages, which will be shared with employees at SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital.
“World Kindness Day reminds us all of the power we have to create a kinder world, Puddy shares. “By sharing these experiences with our children, we’re nurturing a generation that values empathy, compassion, and connection. At the SSM Health Treffert Center, we follow an approach that celebrates each child’s unique strengths and encourages social and emotional development. The Bearnard activity books align perfectly with our mission, helping children connect with others and understand the value of their own actions in building a supportive community.”
Jenny Thompson, SSM Health Treffert Academy supervisor, shares that kindness is a frequently shared message with the children and families the team serves.
“Kindness activities are important for children to participate in because it helps teach them that something so little, like coloring a picture, can make a big difference in someone’s day,” according to Thompson. “It shows them hands on how simple and easy being kind can be. Sharing a smile, using good manners, helping out others, words of affirmation, sending a card, etc. are all small acts that can make a big change in this world. Teaching them early on helps wire their brains to not only see the positives in every day but teaches them to be the positives in every day.”
Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac children also enjoyed the many activities each book offered.
“This activity was an exciting addition to our afterschool programs,” according to Dan Hebel, Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac chief executive officer. “In a world where it is easiest to put ourselves first, this activity showed our youth the benefit of making kindness to others a priority. Thank you, SSM Health, for being a beacon of light on the importance of kindness in our community.”
Tara Rhodes (right), Vice President of Operations with SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital, Ripon Community Hospital and Waupun Memorial, spends some creative time with Audree Flood, an SSM Health Treffert Academy child.
Meg Puddy, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Community-Based Behavioral Health director, shares ideas on how to color Bearnard in a kindness coloring book from SSM Health in honor of World Kindness Day. Meg was joined by SSM Health Treffert Academy Children Eli Birschbach, Delilah Purdun, and Madison Wilhelm.
Henry Murphy, an SSM Health Treffert Academy child, spent part of World Kindness Day completing special activities as part of SSM Health’s kindness coloring book with friendly mascot Bearnard.
Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac children (left to right) Alex S., Mauriae T. and Isabella A. enjoyed World Kindness Day by completing activities in an SSM Health kindness coloring book.
Dominick J. and Ms. Maile, with the Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac, enjoy some creative activities thanks to an SSM Health kindness coloring book as part of World Kindness Day.