The North Idaho Kindness Project aims to strengthen community relationships through small acts of kindness in Kootenai County. The effort is led by Ali Orjala, who's motivated to remind people of our shared humanity in a positive way.
Orjala says the organization's marquee program is its kindness cards, created by local children and adults. Volunteers deliver thousands of handmade cards each year to hospice care residents, fire departments, educators, government workers and anyone else who may need a boost.
The North Idaho Kindness Project also provides local businesses and residents with signs and stickers to display on doors and windows that reaffirm people's commitment to being part of a welcoming community that accepts everyone. New sticker and sign designs are currently being created for supporters to display.
North Idaho Kindness Project
northidahokindnessproject.org"I will say that kindness cards have taken over, but our declaration and the stickers are our roots," Orjala says. "It is such a simple program, but it provides a visual reminder to community members, tourists and anyone that kindness does live in this space."
Kootenai County has had multiple high-profile hate-driven events that made headlines in recent years, including the 31 members of the white nationalist Patriot Front who were arrested near the 2022 Coeur d'Alene Pride event, and racist slurs that were directed at a visiting women's basketball team last year. Still, Orjala says it's time to celebrate small moments of kindness that get overlooked.
"I had this sweet little boy open the door for me when I went into a parent-teacher conference this morning, and he was 6 years old," Orjala says. "No one writes news about these things, but they happen all the time, and they are worthy of being acknowledged and remembered when talking about a community."
Orjala says financial donations are great for the organization because it's volunteer-driven and has limited expenses beyond purchasing card-making supplies. Volunteering to create kindness cards is also a great way to contribute.
"Our overhead is very low," she says. "I always think it's important to note because even a $100 donation funded 15% of kindness cards next year." ♦
