Network of "angels" working to spread kindness through the community | Community Spirit

The "angels" gathered around a great wooden table at a Puyallup Forza on a recent Sunday.

Piled in front of them was a heap of bright paper hearts, glitter, pens, stickers, inspirational messages, and Valentine's Day-themed treats: ingredients for what will soon be a community-wide valentine.

Jennifer Westby calls the mysterious project "Hearts of Gratitude," and says it is just the first of many projects she and new group "the Kindness Angels Network" will tackle this year.

Westby launched the network this January, as part of an ongoing tribute to her late mother.

"We just want to spread acts of kindness," says Westby, who says kindness saved her life after her mother died unexpectedly of a brain hemorrhage in 2009.

Westby says she suffered anxiety and panic attacks after her mother's death, and finally realized she had to get out of the house and get into the community to begin healing.

"Kindness is such a simple word, you know, and the impact of it ... it means so much more," says Westby. "I've found my purpose."

Since starting the group last month, Westby has been joined by about 10 people - mostly women from around the South Sound who want to spread cheer through the community.

Kelly Bermingham drove from Sumner to help create the community valentines. She says she wants to remind people how easy it is to brighten someone's day - and what an impact even the simplest of gestures can have.

"It's as simple as smiling at someone, saying hello," she says. "That stuff isn't commonplace anymore."

The group is planning a monthly project, kicking off with a scavenger hunt-style valentine drop through Puyallup and downtown Tacoma next week.

They also say they want to spread the message that kindness counts, and have already taken to their Facebook page with specific ideas about how to spread kindness and stories of people whose lives have been touched by acts of kindness. 

"I don't think our communities are as conscious as they could be of just the simple acts," Bermingham said. "It could make all the difference in the world to someone who's having a really, really bad day."

The Kindness Angels Network, or KAN, will start changing those bad days with their first big project next week.

Westby and the KAN crew spent their Sunday at Forza creating sixty anonymous valentines, that they plan to hide around the community for Valentine's Day.

The simplest valentines have messages like "you are important," or "somebody loves you." Others might have a little something extra attached, teases Westby.

Westby plans to post clues about where to find some of the hearts to the Kindness Angels Network Facebook page. Others, she hopes will be found by strangers who need a boost.

Amanda Robinette says she just hopes the valentines she makes will help brighten someone's day.

"Kindness is really powerful and I don't think people think of it that way anymore," she said.

Interested in joining the network? Membership costs $24, with dues going to support KAN projects and member-selected charities. Visit the Kindness Angels Network website for more information.