MISSION: Ice Cream, You Scream, We All Scream for...Kindness!

With summer officially over (but only by a couple of days), I thought I'd give one final shout-out to the time of year during which we all indulge in cold, refreshing treats: lemonade, iced tea, and...ice cream!

Affiliated Agent H of Ontario, Canada really used her creativity and kind heart to share not only the deliciousness of a local ice cream shop, but the opportunity to help out a small business owner.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this mission!

Date: Friday, 20 August 2010

Location: various stores; Orangeville, Ontario, Canada

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Affiliated Agent H shares a little bit about herself and tells us about her first mission:

Hi Secret Agent L (Laura!)

So it's done.... my first mission of random kindness.  It felt WONDERFUL!  Before I tell you about my mission I thought I'd share with you a little about me.  I'm a stay-at-home Mom to 2 sweet little ladies (3 years old and 9 months old) and my family is really important to me.  So is being able to teach my girls compassion, empathy and kindness..... so when I was directed to your blog by a friend of mine I knew it was the perfect opportunity for me to not just teach them but to SHOW them how little acts of kindness can not only make you feel good about yourself but more importantly can make someone else feel really great about themselves.

I asked my 3 year old what she would like to find if she were just out and about somewhere one day and her first reply was "ice cream!"  I thought about this for a while because I wanted her to feel connected to the whole process....but how the heck was I going to leave ice cream out to brighten someone's day?!  Then I happened to be reading our local paper and a letter to the editor caught my eye.  It was a new local business women who had written in to voice her concerns about not being allowed to participate in our community's annual bash held downtown along the main street because her business was located outside the parameters of the downtown core.  She was upset because she felt like as a new business here in Orangeville the town should try to help promote rather then shut out like that.  What is her business you ask?  She operates an ice cream store!  A light bulb went off in my brain and I knew exactly what I was going to do!  Not only was I going to brighten someone's day with a tasty treat I was also going to help promote a small business women's company right in our own hometown.... perfect!

I have had an ice cream cone from her store before and it was very yummy.  Her business is called "I Scream for Ice Cream" and part of the reason that her ice cream is so delicious is because she actually makes all of her ice cream right in the store fresh every day!  

So here is my mission:

I went and bought 5 gift cards from "I Scream for Ice Cream", each one good for one free kiddie cone of your choice of flavour (a $2 value per cone).  Then I stopped at a mom's favourite store for a mission on a budget...the Dollar Store. 

I bought some pink and green ribbon to help dress them up.  I had some blank note cards at home that were perfect....a green border with a nice pink flower at the top....it's like they were made just for SAL. :)  

I wrote out a little note on each, placed a gift card with each one and attached your calling card to the outside of each envelope with the ribbon. 

I told my 3 year old that we were going on a secret mission that day and she insisted on wearing her super hero leggings (as she calls them)  I think she is under the impression that secret missions are only carried out by super heroes.... I love how their minds work at this age.  I snapped a picture of her leggings before we got into the truck....

I wanted to drop my gifts off at stores that I know other moms shop at a lot so I picked (surprise, surprise) our local grocery store (Sobey's) and our local dollar store (The Dollar Store).  I spend a LOT of time in both of these locations....so much so that some of the employees will say hi to us by name.  What can I say.... the life of a stay-at-home mom can get pretty lonely so I like to spread our errand running out throughout the entire week. :)

I dropped 4 cards off on random shelves in the grocery store, sticking to the product sections that I knew other Mom's (or parents in general) would be browsing or at the eye height of smaller children.  I took pictures with my cell phone after each drop (except for one of the grocery store ones....I almost got caught leaving the card on the shelf and had to pretend to be looking for something else on a different shelf...)  I found out that it's also hard to try to blend in when you have a 3 year old following you around asking you where you are going to leave the treats for people, lol!

I was not able to witness any of the gifts being picked up but I did have to go back to each store later that night because in my excitement of the mission I forgot to grab something that I needed from both locations and they had all been picked up!

All in all it was a pulse racing, heart filling adventure and I hope to continue spreading random acts of kindness in our community with my little "super hero" helpers!

Thank you for being such a great inspiration!

Thank YOU, Affiliated Agent H (and your Super Hero Helper!) for being so aware of your community and how a simple act of kindness can help out so many people!  I LOVE this mission!

MISSION: Rest and Unwind

Several years ago, I found a lump in my breast.  It was pretty scary.  I had ultrasounds and doctor exams, all of which told me it was a cyst.  But after an excisional biopsy was done, it turned out to be an atypical papilloma.  It was benign, thank goodness, but it's since increased my risk for breast cancer by five times. I see an oncologist now twice a year, and let me tell you: waiting in the waiting room for those appointments makes me tense and anxious.

Affiliated Agent  KR from Florida is such a kind soul, because she knows all too well the tension associated with waiting around in medical facilities.  Her mission reflects that kindness, and I'm delighted to share it with you all here.

Date: Thursday, 23 August 2010

Location: Osceola Regional Medical Center; Kissimmee, Florida

Time: 2:46 p.m.

She shares her first mission with us:

This was my first mission. YAY! A few years ago, when my mother was in intensive care, I remember spending hours in the lobby ,along with other anxious people, worrying about my mother and watching tired doctors and nurses run up and down hallways.  I know what it feels like to wait in a lobby for hours before visiting a loved one so I decided that I would spread some cheer in a hospital lobby. 

After picking my target I visited my local craft store. I had so much fun picking out the notecard, magnets, chocolate and matching box and ribbon.

I took the goodies home and assembled them into a neat package.

I decided to write a message about relaxing.  It's easy to lose sight of one's needs when a loved one is ill. 

The next day, I went to the hospital and decided to leave the package in the third floor lobby bathroom. The lobby is close to the neonatal unit and the labor and delivery ward.  

I hope that whoever found the package enjoyed it.  They deserve it. 

I'm sure they did, Affiliated Agent KR.  I'm sure they did.

MISSION: Notebooks and Niceness in the U.K.

I used to live in London.  Years ago, of course.  In the East End.  Right on Mile End Road.  I studied at Queen Mary College, which is part of the University of London.  It was part of my study abroad experience.  I even got to act at the Harold Pinter Studio Theatre.  It was an amazing experience!
 

So when I got Affiliated Agent W's mission, I felt a twinge of homesickness.  Hopefully someday I'll get back to my old stomping grounds.  Any British Affiliated Agents want a house guest for a bit?
 

Date: Friday, 27 August 2010

Location: Heaton Park; Manchester, UK
 

Time: 9:15 a.m.


Affiliated Agent W tells us about her amazing (and mega!) mission!

Had a big mission today!  As a lover of stationery I decided to distribute notebooks and pencils to help people dream!

The dream books were packaged with Secret Agent L cards and details, plus a note telling the finder that this was a dream book in which to write their hopes and dreams.

Pre-mission - all the notebooks and pencils were laid out ready to go.

I decided to leave the notebooks in my local park where I knew lots of people would pass by and, hopefully, find them.  I set out early so that I could do the drops without being noticed.

The first notebook was left on a wall in a secluded part of the park and should be fairly easy to find.

The second notebook was hidden between the branches of a tree a little further down the path.

I took a detour down towards a more densely wooded area and perched a notebook in the "v" of a lovely tree.  Across the pond I could see two dog walkers but I don't think they saw me!

I found another great tree with a fabulous hiding place and popped another notebook in the tree.

At this point I was nearly spotted and had to quickly photograph the next notebook and move away without being seen.

The next notebook was left in a slightly more visible spot perched between a tree and some fencing.

The next drop had to be abandoned as a dog walker in the distance turned round and caught sight of me.  I pretended to be studying trees to put him off the scent and once he had moved on I placed the next notebook on a bench.

I didn't want to make the notebooks too easy to find so I went a little off the beaten track and hid a package on a friendly tree.

As tradition dictates a notebook was left in the ladies' loos!

Then on to a favourite part of the woods where only the intrepid and observant will find the next few drops.

This one looks obvious but it's concealed up a slight incline, very near the old swimming pool.

And that was the last one.  All dropped without being observed, I believe.  A successful mission and a smile on my face!

 

MISSION: New Orleans Double Mission

Know what I had for lunch today? Subway. I love Subway. There's a shop right on our campus where I work, so I frequent the joint quite a bit. I'm a creature of habit: toasted flat bread veggie delight sandwich. Nom nom nom!

Affiliated Agent K of New Orleans has the right idea. Maybe she'll come do a mission in Pittsburgh? For, um, me? I mean, she DID do TWO missions within two days of each other. Not too shabby, Affiliated Agent K. Not too shabby at all.

Date: Saturday, 14 August 2010

Location: Tanger Outlet Mall; 40 miles outside of New Orleans, Louisiana

Time: not specified

Affiliated Agent K share her adventure with us:

I am so happy to be an Affiliate Agent. I had my first experience this weekend.

I put a $5 gift certificate to Subway in a greeting card along with the Secret Agent business card.

On the outside of the envelope was written "Yes! This is for you. Open it and have a great day". My pictures will show the Subway where I purchase a $5 gift card, the greeting card, what I put on the envelope, what I wrote inside the card, and where I left it.



As you know, I live in the Metropolitan New Orleans area. I am about 40 miles from a Tanger Outlet Mall. I left the card on the counter of a Bath and Body Works in that mall. The pictures show where I left it and also shows someone checking out and not noticing the card.

This made me feel wonderful and I hope that whoever found it feels as good knowing that someone to pass a little kindness their way.

And Mission #2!


Date: Monday, 16 August 2010

Location: A Clerk's Desk; Office Building; New Orleans, Louisiana

Time: not specified

Today, August 16, 2010, I left a Greeting Card, a Subway Gift Certificate and a Bath and Body Works very small hand lotion on the desk of the Clerk's Office in my building.

I wanted a specific person to get it, so I put it all in a bag and just wrote her name on it. I left it on the counter while no one was watching. I am sure she got it, but don't know her reaction. I really wanted to do something nice for her. The pictures labeled SAL-8, SAL-9, SAL-10 and SAL-11 are what I sent to her. I was not able to get a picture of where I left the package since it was during work hours and then everyone would know who left it.

Thank you so much for including me as an Affiliate Agent. I will let you know when I complete my next mission. I can't tell you how excited I am.

Affiliated Agent K, you are awesome. TWO missions within TWO DAYS of each other? I could learn a lot from you. *high five*

MISSION: Sneaky in the Shoe Section

Panera and I are pretty tight. Cinnamon Crunch Bagel? Yes, please. Decaf mocha, with whipped cream? Yes, please. Gobs of plain cream cheese? Yes, please.

I also happen to have a pretty tight relationship with Kohl's. In fact, I'm wearing a rather nice top from there as I write this!

Affiliated Agent N in Hanover, Maryland? You're my girl.


Date: Wednesday, 15 September 2010

Location: Kohl's Department Store; Hanover, Maryland

Time: approximately 6:20 p.m.

She writes:

Agent L....

I completed my first mission today! I spent the last couple of days thinking about what I wanted to do and where I'd want to do it. Yesterday, while hitting my routing morning spot (Panera Bread) for my coffee, I was thinking about how I really need to stop stopping for coffee every morning (I'd save a lot of money!), but how I really enjoy my little stop, how its something just for me, not for my husband or my kids, its my 5 minutes alone time before I rush off to work. That's when I decided to get a few $5 gift cards so that others might get to enjoy that 5 minutes of alone time to get a great cup of coffee.

So I rushed home and printed out the business cards and found a cute note card to pen my first mission's note. I got a little side tracked because I was also going through my mail, which included a Kohl's advertisement for a big sale that started today. Panera coffee is but one of my vices, shopping at Kohl's is yet another.....Oh! The light went off, I'll hit the sale and get to surprise someone with a RAK while I shop!

Today after work, I rushed to Kohl's armed with my little package. But where to do it? First day of a big sale (their semi-annual handbag and shoe sale!), so lots of people in the parking lot, so I didn't want to pick out a car. Even the benches out front and in the foyer had people on them, so those were out too. I figured I'd be inspired once inside. I started shopping and (again) got side tracked when I hit the shoe department, because if there is one thing I'd give up Panera coffee for, it's shoes (I own about 60 pair, it’s a sickness, yes, but an oh so stylish one!).

While trying on a cute pair of flats, it dawned on me that the shoe dept would make a great place for my first mission, since it was all of my favorites rolled into one! So I took out a box of the same shoes I was trying on, just in a different size, and slid the envelope on top of the shoes! I hope that whoever tries on those shoes next enjoys their 5 minutes of coffee heaven while wearing their new shoes!

Well done, Affiliated Agent N! And creative, too! I'd LOVE to be the gal that found the perfect shoes AND a cup of coffee to go with them!

MISSION: Aircraft and Awesomeness

Maybe it's because I pulled 7 Gs.

Maybe it's because I broke the sound barrier.

Maybe it's because I went 750 mph.

Maybe it's because I totally rocked my flight suit like nobody's business.

But I TOTALLY love military aircraft.

So this mission? Yeah. I'm all over it. Affiliated Agent GM of Kansas (by way of New York State), who is an aircraft maintainer on the KC-135R Stratotanker (read: crew chief that makes the pilots look good) rocks.

Date: Wednesday, 25 August 2010

Location: Chicopee, Massachusetts

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Affiliated Agent GM tells us about his mission:

I'm on day 3 in Chicopee, flying out of Westover ARB, MA. Today was a rather cloudy, cool day, which for a naturally born and raised New Yorker brings wonderful memories of my childhood.

After completing a mission and having a drink with the aircrew, I decided to drop my "kindness package." I made my way over to the Big Y grocery store, next to the Hampton Inn that I was staying at and couldn't decide how to make my drop. It wouldn't have been good to do it outside because of the drizzling rain.

I then remembered another agent who slipped their package into one of the grocery carts.

Since many of the carts were outside, I placed mine into a basket, quickly snapped a picture and left.

Too bad we're not allowed to take the "getaway vehicle" until Friday when our temporary duty to Westover ARB ends.

Affiliated Agent GM? We love you.

Lots.

Also, take a look at some video that Affiliated GM shot during his real-life mission: