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Our third Kindness Matters Award Presentation was awarded to Tiogue Elementary School in Coventry, Rhode Island!   An ENTIRE school of kindness!  Although the principal and teachers were notified of the award-winning nomination / story submitted, the award presentation was a complete surprise to the children / students of Tiogue Elementary School! 

NBC Channel 10 News and Kent County Times were on site to capture the event!   The news story ran on Channel 10 - NBC News at 12:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm that same day!   Kent Count Times published this heartwarming story in Thursday, December 6th's daily newspaper. 
Mrs. O'del (Marcia Liss) had trouble holding back tears of gratitude and love for the 
school her children attend while reading her winning nominating story during this 
Kindness Matters Award event!  


The Story of Kindness that was written on behalf of Tiogue Elementary School may be read below.
(This was presented along with 4 other personal testimonies of kindness!)

 
KINDNESS MATTERS AWARD WINNING NOMINATION LETTER

Date Received:                  10-16-07

Award Recipient:             Tiogue Elementary School, Coventry, Rhode Island

Nominated by:                 Marcia Liss and the O'del family

 
MESSAGE RECEIVED:

 
In Spring of 2006, my husband became critically ill and needed well over a year of medical attention. From the beginning and without being asked, the school was unwavering in their commitment to my children's (and our entire family's) wellbeing.

Their teachers in each grade "stepped up to the plate" and offered constant support, kindness and compassion; while providing a safe and "normalizing environment" for them while still making sure that they received the strong academic experience that this school does so well.  Their flexibility and kindness with my husband and I, too, was regular, consistent and always appreciated.... and usually given without being asked.

The ACTS OF KINDNESS ranged from the purely emotional support to the functional and concrete. Not only were they always available for my children to go to, but there was food made for us, groceries delivered, a huge Thanksgiving basket delivered, gas certificates, etc...

As an example of their "concrete giving" while my husband was in the hospital... my children and my husband were given a stuffed animal... where my husband hugged theirs and then gave it back... and vice versa. The idea is that as the children held those animals at night... they could know that Daddy's hugs were there... even if Daddy couldn't be there with them. One and a half years later, these animals continue to be the ones that my children still sleep with... they have not lost their importance or meaning!

In closing, it is my husband's and my sincere hope that they receive this kindness award. They are wonderful people. We are honored to be a part of their school community. As the principal had once told me... "Once you walk through those doors, you are always a member of the Tiogue family!"


Marcia Liss and the O'del family

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Our second Kindness Matters Award Presentation was once again, a wonderful success!   This Kindness Matters Award was supposed to be our first... as it is meant to be our GRAND OPENING Kindness Matters Award kick off!  (however, last month we ran into a bit of a snag... which delayed and postponed this award presentation.)

This month's award was awarded to Staci Fischer, M.D., FACP, at Rhode Island Hospital's Transplant Infectious Diseases Unit.in Providence, RI.    This award was a complete surprise thanks to Gerri, Nicole, her patients and other hospital staff... who were also in attendance!  Dr. Fischer was caught completely off-guard and didn't have any idea what was happening or why!   

The Providence Journal was on site to capture the event... and printed a news story the following day - Tuesday, October 16, 2007.

Once again, tears flowed and hugs prevailed... during this GRAND OPENING Kindness Matters event!  


(This was presented along with 12 other personal testimonies of kindness!)



KINDNESS MATTERS AWARD
STATEMENT / NOMINATION OF KINDNESS

Date:                            10-15-07

Award Recipient:          Staci Fischer, M.D., FACP
                                     RI Hospital Transplant Infectious Diseases Unit

Comments by:              Kerrie Amatelli,
                                    Founder and President of Triple Your Heart® 



MESSAGE:

 
Having created a unique and heart-warming business with a KINDNESS MATTERS Award Program, I wanted to personally choose the FIRST recipient of this award I created.

Although I have many family members and friends who have been kind to me through the years, I wanted to choose someone who was not really connected to me in any personal or special way… yet someone who had shared a random Act of Kindness towards me… through my eyes.

You are the one person in my life that immediately came to mind, as you are a person whom I admire, look up to, and respect for taking the time to properly listen and care.  After going through so many doctors who wouldn’t listen to my cries for help… doctors who wouldn’t listen to my insisting that something else was wrong… doctors who just wanted to continue to pump me with depression medication and sleeping pills... finding you was a blessing.   

When I finally stumbled upon you… I was so very sick, tired, depressed, hopeless and at my very wits end…. and, not to mention, sick and tired… of being sick and tired.

At first, I thought that you would just be the same… and that nothing would change.  Maybe it was luck… or perfect timing… simply because you were the new doctor on the block at that time, and didn’t have a very large patient load?   But you really amazed me with the time, patience, and care that you gave me.  I felt that you treated me no differently than you would one of your own family members.  For the first time in a very long time of doctor visits, I felt like I was being treated as a human being… instead of yet another “medical insurance number”.  

Maybe it wasn’t a big deal to you?  Maybe you didn’t realize you were doing something so special?   But for me… your kindness, concern, and sincerity was a bright LIGHT!  An inner light I could see shining through you.   Something I had not seen in any of the other doctors.   And because of it, you investigated and quickly found out what was wrong with me… and gave me a new handle on my life. 

So in my eyes, YOU, more than anyone else I know of, greatly deserves this Kindness Matters Award.  Thank you for caring and sharing that inner light… not only with me… but with ALL your patients.   You make an amazing difference in our world… and it can be seen and felt!

I hope that you will always continue to provide this level of care.   I hope that in the future, as I’ve seen happen with so many other doctors, who either became too busy… burnt-out… or “forgot” how to care… that you do not become over burdened with trying to take on far too many patients and problems than one person can handle or bear… which would eventually lead to too much stress placed on you… which could lead to a lower level of care for others.  I hope those who are ABOVE you in hospital staffing… value and are mindful of the care that you provide… just as much as the patients you care for… value, treasure and are very much aware of your care.   I hope they will provide you with help, support, and extra staffing should you ever need it.  Please don’t ever lose that quality in you… that makes such a wonderful difference for those whose lives you touch.

Thank you again for all your care and all you’ve done! 

Kerrie Amatelli


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Our first Kindness Matters Award Presentation was a wonderful success!   Awarded to Gail in Wakefield, RI.   A job well done to those who surprised her... she didn't have any idea what was happening or why!    Tears flowed and hugs prevailed... during this first-time event! 


THE SUBMITTED STORY OF KINDNESS RECEIVED BELOW.

(posted with permission)

***Received along with (I kid you NOT!) "20" additional nominations by other individuals who know this woman... and who wanted to back up this claim!***

To Whom it May Concern:

I am writing this letter to nominate Gail (last name omitted) for the "Kindness Matters" Award. I can think of no better recipient than Ms._________. I have been a colleague and friend of hers for almost three years, and she is someone who inspires me everyday to be a better person. In her actions and her words, Gail demonstrates compassion and empathy for her family, friends, patients, and colleagues alike. In addition to working for ____OMITTED____ as a coordinator, she also volunteers for the organization during her time off, making sure the needs of the clientele are met.

Gail has been an exemplary role model and has inspired me to grow as a person both professionally and personally. She has taught me through her actions and her words that no matter the circumstance, one can learn and grow from it and should use the knowledge gained to help others. She has taught me with her silence, how to listen, and be still for others and yourself. She has taught me the importance of having an open mind. To never judge anyone or any situation too quickly, for there are always two sides.

Gail is a woman whose heart overflows with compassion for others. I believe that in your life, you meet people for reasons... good or bad. I can honestly say that I have met few people in my life that have had a greater impact on me than Gail, and I feel blessed every day to have met her. In her is a special strength and kindness that I know she downplays, and those who know her will say the same. She makes a lasting impression upon you, and from only one meeting, you KNOW that you've met a special person.

I know of no other individual who deserves this award more than Gail ____. She is a truly exceptional woman with the heart to match. It is an honor to be her friend, for she would walk through fire for you. She is an absolute joy to work with and has me laughing all day. While so many profess to practice what they preach and do not... Gail actually does.

What I like most about her is the fact that while she can keep you on your toes, she never has you guessing. With her, what you see is what you get, and as you get to know her with the passing time, you come to adore her even more. Her laughter is infectious and her attitude contagious. Everyone should be so lucky to know a person like Gail, for this is much to gain from her.

I cannot say enough how much of an impact Gail has had on me, and what a role model she has become over the past three years. I can only hope to become half of who she is in the coming years.

I am nominating her for this award because she has done and does so much for me.

I am nominating her for this award because she does so much for her fellow man.

I am nominating Gail because she is just an extraordinary human being. Everyday, in her actions and words, she proves that KINDNESS MATTERS!

Sincerely,

Kristin (last name omitted) 



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