MISSION: Triple the Kindness

September 17 is a special day.  It's my dad's birthday.  My dad is one of the greatest loves of my life, so September 17 is a day I like to celebrate.  It's also the day that Affiliated Agent K of San Francisco decided to complete three missions of kindness. 

It's like she knew it was my dad's birthday.

Date: Friday, 17 September 2010

Location: various; San Francisco, CA

Time: throughout the day

I love butterflies; I think they’re beautiful and cheery little fellows.  I collect anything and everything with butterflies.  So I knew whatever I decided to do for my first mission, butterflies had to be a part of it.  Awhile back, I had found these adorable butterfly print gift bags that had matching note cards, and I knew they would be perfect for this. 

The hardest part, for me, was deciding on what to put in the gift bag.  I am not a very artistic/creative type person at all, so I decided to think about things that brighten my day or inspire me.  Other than butterflies, I’m a big quote lover, so I was completely stoked when I came across these little pads called InspireNotes. 

These little note pads are not only eco-friendly and practical, but they have these great little quotes on them too.  I wasn’t completely sure what to write in the card, but I decided on a quote by Scott Adams which I hope inspires the receiver to continue my ripple.  I also incorporated two of the quotes from the pad, these two quotes are to remind the receiver that the world is filled with beauty and that you have to savor life’s moments…two things which are easy to forget in this frenzied, go-go world. 

So I put together everything and had three little bags ready to go.  I decided that September 17th was going to be my mission day.

Today was a perfect mission day; I had to drive my boss to a car rental agency to pick-up a car.  It was a two hour adventure to drive 11 miles, pick up a car, and drive 11 miles back to work.  The line was long and everyone was cranky, so I decided to leave one of the three bags somewhere around this car rental place.  It was almost 1pm as we walked to the parking garage; I noticed a bench, so I quickly placed the bag on the bench, snapped a quick picture and continued on my way.  My boss was like, “What did you just do?” And I said, “I left a gift.” No explanation was asked for or given; it was great the way she just rolled with it.

I left the second bag in my doctor’s waiting room; I thought it could cheer someone up, no one really likes going to the doctors.   However, I left the bag at 4pm (on a Friday) and when I left the office at 5pm it was still there…so I wonder if anyone found it. 

My third bag couldn’t have been placed better.  I was at Castro and 17th Street. There’s a bench right outside of a pizza place. I sat down and waited for a calm moment (it was 5pm and people were getting off of work).  A bus came, red lights hit, the sidewalk cleared, so I quickly stood, snapped a picture and walked away.  I walked a couple of businesses up the street to where the bus stop was and waited for my bus, I saw an older woman go and sit at the bench opposite of the one I had been at (there are two benches flanking the door to the pizza place).   A bunch of people were walking by, the woman was sitting at the second bench and nobody made a play for this bright, colorful gift bag.  Finally a bus came, two tourist women got off and walked toward my bench, they looked at the bag, chatted with the older woman and gave her the bag and walked away.  The older woman was sitting with her back to me, so I have no idea what happened next, I just hopped on my bus and came home. 

It was exciting to plan and implement but I realized I’d never make a great real-life Secret Agent.   I has fun and I hope that every time they use this little pad, they remember the day they got it and it brings a smile to their face.

 

MISSION: Covert Ops. With Mini Agents.

There are no words, other than this mission cracks me up.

Brilliant narrative, Affiliated Agent DS.  Brilliant.  Way to bring the family into the experience.  *high five*

Date: Thursday, 30 September 2010

Location: family restroom; Target; Harmar Township, PA

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Affiliated Agent DS (and troops) report in:

Date: Sept. 30, 2010
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Harmar Target
Agents: Affiliate Agent DS, Mini Agent HS (age 7), Mini Agent AS (age 3)

Agents acquired $5 gift card, which was left on the changing table in the family restroom. To remain covert, Mini Agent AS, currently "potty training" as part of her cover, needed to use the restroom. Photographic evidence of the completed mission is attached (all evidence of Mini Agent AS's cover have been destroyed). I am pleased to report Mini Agents followed protocol and did not release top secret information to civilians and we left the scene unnoticed.

Mini Agent HS decided future missions will be to leave a $20 gift card in someone's mailbox and to buy a Hot Wheels car and tracks. Affiliate Agent DS will take these missions into consideration and report future activity.

Signing off,

Affiliate Agent DS

MISSION: Cold Weather Caring

I hate being cold.  I mean, I really, really hate it.  And I'm always cold.  When it's 70 degrees out, I'm like, "Where's my parka?"  No joke.  I also have my space heater in my living room turned up to 94 degrees most winter days. 

Yes.  94 degrees.

But I love Pittsburgh with all my heart, so I "take one for the team" and freeze my little bum off many months out of the year in order to stay here.  So when a fellow Pittsburgher and Affiliated Agent decided to do a mission of warmth yesterday, I knew I had to post it immediately.  It warmed me up just reading about it!

Date: Monday, 8 November 2010

Location: local shopping plaza parking lot; Kittanning, PA

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Even though she was sick, Affiliated Agent T totally came through!  Now THAT'S kindness!

It is hard to believe it is November already, and it is time for winter coats and gloves.  As I put my winter coat on the other day, I thought of all the times I was caught on a cold day, without any gloves, and my poor hands froze.  Suddenly, I was inspired to create a wintery mission!

I bought some gloves and earwarmers, two earwarmer glove sets, and then 2 matching pairs of gloves.  I decided to make cards to go with the sets that had a wintery message.  Each card was different, and contained a lovely snow related quote along with my personal message of kindness.  I attached a card and Secret Agent L business card to each set.

Then, I went to a local shopping plaza, and located 3 cars to put the gifts on.  Even though it was dark, I almost got caught by a shopper, so I took the pictures as quickly as possible, and left.

I hope that these people will be able to warm their hands, and that the kindness warmed their hearts!

I had been sick all day, and decided that doing something kind might make me feel better.  It totally did!

Love, Affiliate Agent T

MISSION: Treats in Texas

I've never been to Texas, but they say everything's bigger there.  And I hope that includes the amount of kindness everyone bestows!  I feel confident that's true, because Affiliated Agent B  of West, Texas, did a double mission of kindness.  That's bigger, for sure!

Date: Monday, 27 September 2010

Location: 1.) laundromat; West, Texas; 2.) Whitehall Park; Waco, Texas

Time: 1.) 6:30 a.m. 2.) 7 a.m.

Let's hear our Texan Affiliated Agent's report!

Had my very first missions today! For some reason it was hard to choose my gifts, but I finally put them together yesterday and wrote the cards.

Mission #1: At the little laundromat I’ve used over the years I left a package containing quarters for a drink from the vending machine, a word puzzle book and a bright pink mechanical pencil. I tried to leave it all day Sunday, but the place was way too busy so I got up early this morning and got there just after the owners unlocked it and left so I was able to take my photo!

There happens to be a webcam pointed down that street and I saw quite a few cars pull in this morning so I’m pretty sure it’s been found by now. Yea!

Mission #2: A quiet little park where people like to exercise, walk their dogs and bring the kids. I also see a lot of people sitting by themselves eating lunch so I knew where I wanted to leave it. On a bench by the gate where it wouldn’t be noticed when you came in, but you would see it as you walked over to throw your trash away.

I wrapped a little notebook, pencil, quarters and a yoyo!

Got there about 7am, but there were dog walkers out so I had to stall and pretend to read a book until I got a few minutes where no one was around that area to set it up and snap the photo. I couldn’t stand the suspense so I drove back at lunch and it was gone! I checked the trash can for ribbons or wrappings but they took everything, which is really cool.

I missed the notice about the Quote mission, but now I’m hooked in on Twitter and Facebook so I won’t be AWOL next time. My job can be quite stressful and this is a wonderful way to relax, thanks Laura!

I used my letterbox stamp (smiling bunny) and signed Agent B…lol

Thanks for all the kindness you do and inspire!

Thank YOU, Affiliated Agent B.  YOUR kindness is inspirational!

MISSION: Hershey Park Happiness

You know who has two thumbs and loves chocolate?

This girl.

You know who has two thumbs and loves missions that involve chocolate?

Yup, you guessed it. 

Date: Friday, 24 September 2010

Location: women's restroom; Target; Maryland

Time: 4:20 p.m.

Affiliated Agent V tells us about her very first mission:

Hello SAL,

I completed my first mission on Friday, man was it fun!

I happened to have 2 extra tickets to Hershey Park and decided they would be the perfect little something for my first mission.

I got everything prepared and ready on Friday morning and decided I would leave it in the ladies room of my local Target. I was taking my son to a school event and dropped in Target first. It was about 4:20pm on Friday the 24th, in Maryland.

I went into the Target bathroom and hung out in a stall while it emptied out, once empty I made my move. I put it on top of the paper towel dispenser quickly took my pictures and hurried out.

This was SO exciting and can not wait to do more!!

Thank you SO much!!

MISSION: On a Mission with Mr. Rogers

I have a special place in my heart for Mr. Rogers.  Why?  Well, there are two reasons.  The first is that he's from Pittsburgh.  {Holla!}  I know, right?!  So much awesomeness comes from Pittsburgh.  The second reason is because I hugged the television one day when he was on, and I pulled it right down on top of me.  My mother insists that it was my brother to whom this happened, but I remember it vividly.  I was so fond of Mr. Rogers.  So much so that I wanted to hug him right out of the TV set.

Mr. Rogers has another fan.  Affiliated Agent HM of Sterling, Virginia, to be precise.  And he went along with her on her most recent mission.  What a wonderful companion to have!

Date: Tuesday, 12 October 2010

Location: Cascades Public Library; Sterling, Virginia

Time: 1:45 p.m.

This was my second real mission and I have to say that I was considerably less nervous this time around.  When I saw this book, I thought that it would be perfect for a mission.  It's just a little something to make someone smile and remind them that they are special.  We all need that every once in a while.  

I decided that the library would be the perfect place for the drop, so after lunch my daughter and I set out to (hopefully) brighten someone's day and pick up a few books while we were at it.  

It was pretty busy when we got there, so it took a minute to find a place to leave the package where there wouldn't be any witnesses. 

The teen section was mostly abandoned, so I decided to stealthily (but not really) leave the card and min-book at a table in that section.  

I hope it brightened someone's day, because really, we're never too old for words of wisdom from Mr. Rogers.

Affiliated Agent HM, you are so right.  We are never too old for the words of wisdom (and love and kindness) from our dear friend, Mr. Rogers.  I'm sure he's smiling down on you from heaven.

NEW MISSION: Young Women Working for Kindness

I'm always so happy when I get emails from people who want to become Affiliated Agents.  I'm especially happy when I hear that our young people want to get involved. It's never too early to start learning about, teaching, and engaging in kindness.

When Affiliated Agent H of Charlotte, North Carolina, informed me that she wanted to get the young women of her youth group involved, I knew they'd do an excellent job!  And when I got their mission specifics, I was right!  They outdid themselves!

Date: Wednesday, 8 September 2010

Location: South Park Mall; Charlotte, North Carolina

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Affiliated Agent H tells us about her and her girls' first mission!

For our weekly church youth group activity, our girls (ages 12-18) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints took on making someone smile at the South Park Mall.  We placed things on car windshields, on the train table and on the shelf at the local bookstore, in the bathrooms and at drinking fountains.  We hid packs of gum in soda dispensers and left treats behind on the comfy chairs.  Our favorite drop spot was in the  basket of a pizza delivery bike.

We all had a great night completing our missions here in Charlotte, North Carolina and can't wait to do it again.  Thanks for letting us in on the fun!!

Affiliated Agent H (and team!), I am SO thrilled with your mission!  THANK YOU for extending your hearts to those around you.  I cannot, cannot wait to see what you do next!  Keep those missions coming!