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HERALD Vol. 26 No. 48
No repairs until lawsuit is settled
Carey grinds out a victory
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NoVEMBER 21 - 27, 2024
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Rei Wolfshon/Herald photos
Howie’s Heart and girl Scout troop 1422 members Jennifer Camacho, Leah Cujilan, Melissa Cox, Sofia Valentino and Haleigh Kolmos present the Little Box of Kindness.
Franklin Square locals spread kindness By REI WolFSoHN Correspondent
The local community service organization Howie’s Heart and Girl Scout Troop 1422 partnered to create a unique contribution to the community, The Little Box of Kindness which debuted at the Vida Coffee Shop on World Kindness Day, Nov. 13. “I think right now people are just so divided in the world that I think just a simple smile or holding the door for someone could just make somebody’s life a little bit better right now,” said Melissa Gee, who brought children to the event. The Little Box of Kindness is filled with key chains, stress balls, positivity stickers and cards, thank you cards, bubble
wrap stress relief, chocolate, affirmation tokens, and two kinds of books: “A Little Spot of Kindness” and “Kind Ninja.” “Things to remind you that you’re amazing, and that you can get through this, and it’s just stuff to make you happy,” said Leah Cujilan, one of the Girl Scouts who created the box. A person can host the box at their home, work, or school. Anyone who passes it can put something in it, take something out, or both. Two young girls brought things to put in the box at its debut: one made bracelets and the other made a crochet bee. “I feel good giving other people things,” said Peyton Koch, who put the bracelets in.
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indness is so important ... someone could always be there to help you.
HalEIgH KolMoS Girl Scout Anacarina Ramirez, one of the members of the family that owns Vida Coffee Shop, said their space is always available to host events or come together. She says they’ve only been there for four months, but they’ve gotten a very welcoming reception. Jennifer Camacho, founder of Howie’s Heart, first saw
Vida Coffee Shop when she came to meet the Girl Scouts to discuss ideas for collaboration. “We don’t have a place like this really, to kind of sit and relax, work on a paper or just meet with friends,” Camacho said. “I really loved it. Once I got to know the family that runs the business, I loved it even more. They’re very friendly, and welcoming. And I just think they’re bringing a lot to our community, so I wanted to
support them too.” She came up with the idea for the Little Box of Kindness. “We did other events when we first started Howie’s Heart with Little Free Libraries, where we donated books,” Camacho said. “After doing that I kind of got an idea about maybe doing a kindness box for our community.” Then Howie’s teamed up with the Girl Scouts to create Continued on page 9