Pictured: Baskets like this were delivered to nonprofit organizations to inspire teams to spread kindness during the YOU MATTER campaign. Photo by Barbie Heit.

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) believes that every person in our community matters, and they’re launching a region-wide movement to spread this important message. From March 24-30, GCCF invites everyone in the region to participate by sharing YOU MATTER cards – a simple yet powerful way to brighten someone's day and spark a ripple of kindness. The foundation will distribute these cards to donors, nonprofit partners and the general public.

Here's how it works: Simply give a card to anyone who could use a little encouragement. Then, you can share your story by scanning the QR code on the card to join the YOU MATTER Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/1711979363087897and inspire others with your act of kindness!

“This year we wanted to do something focused on kindness. So, we decided to try and activate the community by spreading kindness and gratitude to all the wonderful people that we get to experience every day,” explains Director of Brand Engagement for GCCF, Kelly Borgia.

The inspiration for the campaign came from Jennifer Johnston, GCCF’s Director of Community Leadership, and her mental health initiative, alongside the generosity of an anonymous donor who funded a project aimed at helping human service organizations become trauma-informed. This project, known as Project Heal, provides organizations with the resources and training needed to better support those they serve. When the first workshops and gatherings were launched for the initial cohort, the team created small paper hearts with the words “you matter” written on them. “These simple construction paper hearts were given to everyone participating, and the response was really positive,” recalls Borgia.

Inspired by the impact of these small gestures, Borgia wanted to find a way to spread kindness on a larger scale. After conducting some research, she created the YOU MATTER kindness campaign. To launch the campaign, Borgia and her team selected 12 nonprofit partners serving diverse communities. They delivered kindness baskets filled with Kind bars, YOU MATTER cards and other small gifts, intending to inspire these organizations to activate their own teams.

Borgia herself tested the campaign’s potential by giving a YOU MATTER card to the barista who prepared her morning coffee, telling them how much she appreciated them. “My hope is that this small act helped brighten their day,” she says.

Join the Gulf Coast team at Embracing Our Difference’s “Celebration of Kindness” event at Bayfront Park in downtown Sarasota on Sunday, March 30, from 12–3pm. Come celebrate kindness, diversity, and the incredible people who make our community shine! 

Pictured: Baskets like this were delivered to nonprofit organizations to inspire teams to spread kindness during the YOU MATTER campaign. Photo by Barbie Heit.

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