Photo of The Week #19: “Mother and Daughter”

Photo of the Week #19: “Mother and Daughter”

“It’s a special bond that spans the years. Through laughter, worry, smiles and tears, a sense of trust that cannot be broken, a depth of love sometimes unspoken, a lifelong friendship built on sharing, hugs and kisses, warmth and caring,  Mother and daughter, their hearts as one – a link that can never be undone.”

Photo and Text by Mina Farahani.  This image was submitted to Envision’s 2017 Our World is Kind Photography Contest.

Photo of the Week #18: “Motherhood”

Photo of the Week #18: “Motherhood”

Kindness is inherent in nature. The seeds of kindness are sown from the time one starts the journey of life.

Photo and Text by R. Sanwal

This image was submitted to our 2017 Our World is Kind Photography Contest.

 

Bennett’s Books: A Bookstore by the Community, for the Community

#NiceWork! When you enter Bennett’s Books in Deep River, CT, you’ll find nothing but cozy. Between narrow corridors and massive columns of books, you’ll meet the warm and welcoming owner, Colin Bennett. These days, it can be difficult to find independent bookstores like Bennett’s. With e-readers and large chains, it’s almost impossible for small stores to compete. Luckily, Bennett found a creative (and compassionate) solution— he involved the community. He operates the store as a CSB, a Community Supported Bookstore.

“Our…program is the only such program in Connecticut, in fact, as far as we know, it is one of only three in the entire country,” said Bennett in an interview with Zip06.com. Most of the books in the store are donated from community members, and Bennett works tirelessly to return the favor.  In fact, this entire bookstore is centered around one thing: the community. Bennett is on a mission to promote affordable literacy. Everything in the store sells for $10 or less (though most books are $5 or under). He also has a laundry list of promotions, from a free book on your birthday to encouraging the exchange of a canned good for 10% off your purchase. All donations go to Shoreline Soup Kitchen.

Bennett is involved in a number of community-focused causes. Not only does he donate much of his proceeds, he also encourages customers to donate whatever they can. He’ll encourage different items during different times of the year, from hats and gloves to boxtops. One of his Facebook posts even calls on community members to collect acorns for the town’s squirrels because of limited access to natural resources.

When you meet Bennett, you’ll realize that he is not only fascinating, he’s fascinated. He tries to read a book a week. In fact, the idea for this bookstore started back in 2000, when Bennett started selling books from the trunk of his car to finance a road trip across the country. He estimates 40% of all stock comes from his own personal collection.

Bennett is also passionate about the environment, peace, and love. His bookstore might be most well-known in Deep River for their infamous Vigils for Kindness. Every Friday from 5:00-6:00, dedicated community members gather with peace and love signs in the town center. They do it to remind everyone of the importance of kindness, compassion, and community. Brandy Richards, Killingworth resident, explains that there is something magical about the smiles you see in the cars driving by during the Vigil. Bennett has been involved in a number of environmental organizations, including his role as the founder and director of  the Great Land Conservation Trust. He also hosts a “green” drinks get-together, where interested people come to discuss environmental issues while enjoying eco-friendly refreshments.

Moving forward, Bennett says he’d like to support more member-voted initiatives. “I would like to get to a point where profits over what are needed to keep the bookstore running can be given to social justice organizations or to community organizations—I would love to sponsor a little league team,” (Zip06.com).

In the Deep River area? Come stop by the store! Inspired by this story? Look around you. What can you do to get more involved in your community? Kindness is connection and community.

Photo Credits: Thanks to Brandy Richards (Envision Kindness), Bennett Books, and Catherine Avalone (New Haven Register)

Be Kind and Do Good Onto Others – Gifts of Smiles and Love in Oaxaca, Mexico

simply smiles trip

The name Simply Smiles meant so much more after reviewing this story submitted by Evelyn Fenick. The photo submission name “Give” lends us just a little insight into the amazing charity work and joy that Simply Smiles and Evelyn gave to the Oaxaca village in Mexico.

Evelyn’s mission trip with Simply Smiles was full of eye opening experiences. Each day brought new challenges but at the same time companionship and understanding from all involved. One day consisted of visiting an orphanage that Simply Smiles built. Here the volunteers got to play with the children, cook, do crafts, and even listen to a mariachi band. Even though many of the volunteers knew little Spanish, “the children still welcomed me and we were able to communicate solely with smiles.” says Fenick. Despite having so little, the children were cheerful and excited to have the extra companionship.

One of the most remarkable experiences in Oaxaca was when the organization and volunteers visited the city dump. There were families living and working in the dump. Families spend most of their days work searching through the dump to collect items they can then sell. Each bag that they collect is worth one dollar. Volunteers were instructed to shake all of the families and workers hands. The reason why is heart wrenching. Buyers of the collected bags will not even place the dollar in the workers’ hands. Instead, they put the dollar payment on the ground. Shaking the workers’ hands gave a sign of respect and was very appreciated.

Late in the week the organization returned to the dump and had a drive of shoes, clothes, sheets, milk, towels, toilet paper and non perishable foods. Families lined up to choose what they needed. Even though each family was very much in need, the love and compassion the villagers had for one another was undeniable. A family chose a pair of shoes, as another family stood behind them, the man offered the shoes he had just chosen to the man behind him – he thought that this other family would have liked the shoes very much.

The week culminated with a fiesta. Invitations were passed out to all of the villagers from the village where the Simply Smiles base is stationed. Villagers helped with the cooking and there was a huge meal for everyone to enjoy.
We couldn’t sum up this story any better than from Evelyn’s words:
“After the trip I was so much more thankful for the small things that happen throughout the day and seeing the generosity of people. I realized that life’s meaning is to be kind and do good onto others. It taught me to not take anything for granted and to have an open mind to new adventures and meeting new people. There is a quote by Margaret Mead that states, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. ‘ “
Evelyn Fenick studied Fine Arts at the University of Connecticut in 2013 with a concentration in Photography.