Cape Kid of the Month – Mallory Aronne: The teen who left kindness as her legacy!

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019 twhimsLeave a comment

Mallory Aronne, an 8th-grader at Rumson Country Day School in Rumson, New Jersey, had a mission! She wanted to leave a legacy at her school, before graduating this May. She decided she wanted her legacy to be her kindness.

After mentioning the idea to her mother, Mallory rolled up her sleeves. She designed the mission, spoke with her head of school and service coordinator, and ironed out details until her vision became a reality. She then enlisted the help of teachers, parent coordinators, and the student council to launch her mission. These adults were so inspired by her heart that they held a special assembly for the students, which discussed spreading positivity.

*Mallory’s mission to spread kindness was not the first time she left a special mark in her school.*

Using the school’s four pillars – Kind, Honest, Responsible, Respectful – Mallory created and distributed a checklist of simple ways her schoolmates could spread kindness throughout the school over the course of a week. Several ideas included holding the door for others, saying, “thank you,” and visiting classrooms to play a special game or read a story. The week-long challenge ended with a bake sale, from which proceeds were donated to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s pediatric cardiac unit.

In addition to her kindness challenge, Mallory is involved in the school chorus and is excited about beginning cross-country and track in high school. She also takes vocal and keyboarding lessons outside of school, as well as kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu at a local gym. What’s more, she is presently working towards receiving her confirmation at church.

Mallory’s mission to spread kindness was not the first time she left a special mark in her school. When in 6^thgrade, Mallory courageously spoke during an assembly at Rumson Country Day School’s Upper School about her struggle with anxiety. She speaks openly and honestly about mental health issues and concerns, with her friends and adults.

Mallory shared, “As children/young adults, it can be hard to find ways to make a positive change in your community. In the end, it doesn’t matter if what you did is big or small. What matters is that you made an effort to impact someone’s day, and maybe even make it a bit brighter.”

Her mother Sarah Ahmadi proudly states, “I’m doubly impressed that she had the courage and drive to see this large-scale project through.”

It is amazing to see the great impact one person can make for so many. Mallory, you certainly did this at your school, as well as inspiring us at Wear the Cape. We are incredibly proud of you for acting on your idea and for spreading kindness.

If you have an amazing kid whom you would like to nominate for Wear the Cape’s Cape Kid of the Month, please email leighann@wearthecapekids.com.

Spreading Kindness and Cheer throughout the Past Year

December 20, 2018December 20, 2018 twhimsLeave a comment

As this year comes to an end, we would like to pause and celebrate the seeds of kindness that were sown over the past 12 months. Wear the Cape is incredibly proud of the work its team has done to help spread goodwill throughout our communities, and hope you feel inspired to continue doingthe same.

This past year, Wear the Cape brought its assembly program to over 2,000 children! We’ve now reached over 50 elementary schools, recreation departments and clubs throughout the country. The Hero Strategies that we teachare being used to build positive relationships between students, teachers, parents, and coaches. We could not be prouder and more humbled by the impact this program has had on participants – students and teachers alike.

In fact, due to the heartening feedback we’ve received, Wear the Cape is pressing on with the creation of a middle school program, which will further extend our mission of teaching kids that IT’S COOL TO BE KIND by being BETTER THAN THAT™.

Helping others is what we do best at Wear the Cape, and this year we decided to expand our efforts through the creation of THE LUNCHBOX MOVEMENT. The Erricochildren, who act as Cape Kid ambassadors, created a program to help feed underprivileged children during the summer months, when they do not have access to school lunches.

Thanks to their hard work and outreach, they received donations from local businesses, such as Burger King, Costco, Stop and Shop, Acme, and ShopRite, as well as a donation of reusable lunchboxes from kidkind foundation. These lunchboxes were filled with nourishing food, as well as handwritten notes of encouragement, and delivered by the Errico children and other Cape Kid ambassadors to Team Walker Summer Camp in Jersey City.

Cape Kids even gave an interactive presentation on nutrition and etiquette to the campers before they enjoyed their meal. It was a joy-filled day for all, one that Wear the Cape hopes to relive again next year. Please email leighann@wearthecapekids.com if you know of a camp or organization that is in need of summer lunches.

This year, during National Volunteer Month, Wear the Cape’s Cape Kid ambassadors also lent a hand at Bounce Factory in Warren, New Jersey, during their Gentle Bounce session. Beautiful friendships were formed, as Cape Kidsassisted children with special needs in their jump session. We’re excited that Wear the Cape will be offering children more volunteer experiences throughout the new year to continue teaching the importance of giving back to others!

Additionally, Wear the Cape had several firsts this past year. For one, our organization was invited to present a lesson on kindness and heroism, as part of Take Your Child to Work Day at Willis Towers Watson in Short Hills, New Jersey. We were thrilled to be a part of this very special day, while spreading the word that it’s COOL TO BE KIND.

Additionally, we received countless calls and emails this past year from people throughout the country sharing how they learned of Wear the Cape and how the organization’s educational resources have helped them and their children(feedback is one of our greatest rewards).

One of the most surprising calls came from the NJ Devils hockey team. They heard about the work Wear the Cape isdoing to spread kindness and the positive impact our assembly is having in many communities. They were so impressed with our program that they invited Wear the Cape to present at a NJ Devils game next year. Wow!

We thank YOU for helping to spread kindness in your community and beyond, through support of Wear the Cape and your independent endeavors. If you would like to gift an assembly or IT’S GOOD TO BE KIND books to an underprivileged school, donate to THE LUNCHBOX MOVEMENT, or purchase our merchandise, which donates 10% of profits to kidkind foundation, please visit https://cape.myshopify.com/products/donate-to-wear-the-cape-kids. All donations to the kidkind foundation, a registered 501 (c)(3) charity, are tax-deductible.

Wishing you many blessings throughout the new year!

In kindness,

Leigh Ann Errico

Cape Kid of the Month – Michael Ricciardi: Volunteering from the Heart

November 29, 2018November 29, 2018 twhimsLeave a comment

It is a pleasure to introduce to you Michael Ricciardi as our Cape Kid of the Month for the month of November. Michael has grown up with many great role-models, including his parents and three older siblings. He watched his older sister and brothers volunteer and help others throughout his childhood. Observing the sense of pride and accomplishment that his siblings received from volunteering, gave Michael the desire to volunteer himself.

Like most 11th graders, Michael is very busy. Every summer, he travels between Virginia and Massachusetts for his summer travel team’s lacrosse tournaments. During the school year, in addition to his school studies at Mendham High School, in New Jersey, he plays on the varsity Lacrosse team. This is something he has done since his Freshman year. He also plays intramural basketball with his friends noting that, “It is competitive along with being a fun time.”

Michael admits that finding time to volunteer is difficult. However, he finds time in his off season schedule because he also knows the reward is great. “What motivates me as a volunteer is helping people and giving back my time while not seeking anything monetary in return. It makes me feel good and that I am accomplishing something good in the world,” he states.

For the past 4 years Michael has volunteered at Glen Ridge’s Rotary Turkey Drive, where he hauls heavy turkey donations to gathering trucks, where they then go to those in need. This was done, always with a smile, in rain, snow, and cold temperatures.

Taking his passion for lacrosse and turning it into a volunteer experience, Michael assists younger children at Kiddie LAX programs in his town. During the summer months, he volunteers at a children’s reading and writing camp. His director stated that Michael is, “kind, caring, and hard working.” He has also helped to prepare a reception for Confirmation candidates at St. Joseph’s Church, in Mendham, NJ.

Michael’s compassion and generosity have not gone unnoticed. He was chosen by his church administration to be on the SEARCH teen retreat team. His role was to provide a religious weekend for his peers, while making it fun. His biggest challenge was to suspend all cell phone use throughout the weekend. Although this was tough, it was beneficial. It allowed those teens in attendance to form new friendships without the use of technology.

Next June, Michael will be going on a mission trip to Kentucky to help the underprivileged in Appalachia. In this one week he will spend his time helping families better their living conditions, by assisting in rebuilding and restructuring their current homes.

Michael’s mother, Debra Ricciardi shared, “Michael is a very humble and kind young man. He is very caring and a good hearted person. He has a great sense of humor and fits well in any situation. He is confident and demonstrates maturity.”

Thank you Michael for showing others that it’s COOL TO BE KIND through serving others. You are a great rolemodel and we are grateful for what you give back to the world.

To nominate a Cape Kid, please contact Leighann@wearthecapekids.com.

In Kindness,
Leigh Ann Errico