With the aim of covering the Illawarra with random acts of goodwill, the Kindness Crew are set to host their first Kindness Advent Calendar Launch Party on October 20. 

To be held at the Novotel Wollongong North Beach, the event will provide the Illawarra community with the opportunity to learn how to be involved by implementing the innovative Kindness Advent Calendars in schools, workplaces and community groups. 

Founder Jodie Cooper said she was inspired to develop the concept as a way to change her children’s focus in the lead-up to Christmas. 

“My children loved working their way through our kindness advent calendar,” she said. 

“I watched it completely shift their focus from receiving to giving.” 

Ms Cooper said she hopes the Illawarra will join the Kindness Crew and begin spreading the kindness. 

“Our hope is that the Illawarra will join the Kindness Crew by downloading one of the kindness calendars,” she said.

“Generally we try to fix our big world issues with money, programs and policies, but if we just educate our children on the value of kindness, every single element of our world would be better for it.”

Former St George Illawarra player and media personality, Matt Cooper is a local advocate of the Kindness Advent Calendar and said a small gesture can have a huge impact on someone’s day.

“We should never underestimate the impact a random act of kindness can bring to someone’s day,” he said.

“It’s something as small and simple as greeting a passing stranger on the street, or holding the door open for someone.” 

All random acts of kindness can be shared on social media using the hashtag #KindnessCrew.

For more information, please visit the kindnesscrew.com.au website.