Tag: Teenager

Cape Kid of the Month – Dean Ciccarelli – May 2018

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Dean-CiccarelliIt is a privilege to name Dean Ciccarelli as our Cape Kid for the month of May.  Dean, who is a student at Chatham High School, in New Jersey dedicates much of his time to kindness…and we are incredibly proud!

Dean has been involved in his school’s sports teams, as he was a member of the Cougar’s varsity wrestling team and freshman lacrosse team.  As well, he has shown great commitment and determination to both himself and his peers, as he spent seven years training to become a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, when he was a fifth grader. When he was overwhelmed and wanted to quit, Dean persisted until he reached his goal.

Dean-CiccarelliWith all this, Dean makes time to volunteer, and serve his community, on a regular basis. Each year Dean is a Cape Kid volunteer at kidkind foundation’s holiday event, where he collects guests’ donations for our military overseas and gifts for underprivileged children.  Also at this event, he works with our youngest Cape Kids to help facilitate a fun evening.

Along with his Youth Ministry group, Dean volunteers to make food for the homeless throughout the year. He also volunteered at a local food pantry with his lacrosse team, to help those in need.

Dean has been a constant source of support to Wear the Cape, his family, and friends.  His mom, Ann states, “Since the day he was able to talk we knew that Dean was going to be one special kid.  He has always been wiser than his years and always has been very concerned with others well being. I have seen various occasions where Dean has seen something that just didn’t seem “right” to him and stepped in to make sure that kids are OK and not being treated poorly. “

Dean-CiccarelliWith this in mind, it came as no surprise that Dean met with his superintendent of schools to propose a kidkind kindness club, which he will facilitate, in his district’s elementary schools.  It is Dean’s goal to work with middle school students to help transition them to middle and high school, while promoting kindness, heroism, good character and being BETTER THAN THAT™.  As Dean states, “Being BETTER THAN THAT™ is doing good things, whether that means to be accepting of someone or to even just hold the door for someone.”

Dean, we thank you for your commitment to kindness. You are a true example of being BETTER THAN THAT™ and we are excited to see your kidkind club come to fruition.

Cape Kids with Extra Big Hearts – A call to Volunteer

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National Volunteer MonthApril is National Volunteer Month – a month dedicated to helping others through volunteering. In honor of this special month, and to help live out our mission of spreading kindness and helping others, Wear The Cape organized a very special volunteer activity that was open to all kids looking to make a difference.

Wear The Cape collaborated with The Bounce Factory in Warren, New Jersey to create a fun-filled and meaningful volunteer experience for both young and old. Our Cape Kids spent an early evening assisting both children and adults during a dedicated bounce time for those with developmental disabilities, called Gentle Bounce.

Staff and caregivers praised our Cape Kids for their selflessness and care. There were lots of smiles and hearts were filled, due to the service of our Cape Kids. We are incredibly proud of all of the young children who gave their time to serve and name you all our Cape Kids for the month of April for your selflessness and heroism. Congratulations to Samantha Errico, Tom Errico, Charlotte Errico, Niko Errico, Michael Mancino, Sarah Husain, Sara Allian, Nadine Greybek, Lexie Mancino, Nick Mancino, Kayla Cullinane, and Kate Allian on a job well done!

Thank you to Cheryl Taylor, owner of The Bounce Factory and her staff, for your guidance and support, and for opening your doors to those in need each week.

Keep your eyes open for more volunteer opportunities from Wear The Cape in the future.

Cape Kid of the Month: Ava Proves KINDNESS ROCKS!

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Ava BilleciThis month we are excited to feature Ava as one of our youngest Cape Kids of the Month. This sweet girl has taught us that, regardless of age, you can be a hero!

As a kindergarten student in New Jersey, Ava has been spreading random acts of kindness through The Kindness Rocks Project, which encourages people to “…inspire others through randomly placed rocks along the way.”

Ava loved all the pretty rocks and inspirational sayings that were posted. She was so moved by the mission that she decided she wanted to spread kindness through the Kindness Rocks project, as well.

Ava BilleciThe very next day, Ava spent hours looking for the perfect rocks to share. She painted them, and wrote a message of kindness on each one. Then, this five-year-old rode her scooter up and down the block dropping off rocks on her neighbors’ front porches.

As the week went on, and she continued her quest of making a rock for everyone on the block, the neighbors were surprised to discover that the mastermind behind their special gifts was a young child. They each shared how the rocks and messages of kindness had brightened their day. This thrilled Ava, who genuinely loved watching her neighbors smile.

Ava BilleciBest of all, since the Billeci Family had only moved to the neighborhood a couple months before, Ava was excited that it gave her the chance to meet everyone and spread some kindness. Needless to say, Ava has become quite popular on the block!

Ava has inspired some of her friends to join her in spreading kindness through rocks. For her 6th birthday party, Ava has requested a Kindness Rocks paint party, so that all of her friends can participate in helping to make someone smile by donating all the rocks from her party to her local library in order to create a Kindness Rocks garden for everyone to enjoy.

Ava BilleciAva’s mom Jennifer states, “Ava has forever been a loving and caring girl. She hates to see someone upset and frequently tells me how she is an upstander, and not a bystander. I can always count on her to include the child left out at a play date or be the first one to settle an argument among friends. She likes to see people happy and smiling!”

Ava became a big sister this past August. She loves looking after her little sister, Lyla, and always takes the best care of her. She can’t wait for Lyla to be old enough to explain to her that KINDNESS ROCKS and to join her in her mission!