JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – More than 400 runners hit the sand at Jacksonville Beach Saturday morning for the second annual “Kindness Matters 5k and Fun Run”.
This run aims to cut down on bullying and raise awareness about mental health.
For Anne Patrick, this is personal.
“I was bullied as a kid and as a result, I also struggled with suicidal thoughts as a teenager,” Patrick said.
When Patrick learned what the mission was, she decided to share this experience with her 4-year-old son, Asher.
“I learned that I am definitely a stronger person than I thought I was,” Patrick said. “Through all of that, building my testimony, I have been able to minister to other kids and help build them up out of those dark places.”
The event is hosted by the American Civility Association. All of the money raised will go toward bringing school programs with a focus on mental health.
In addition to the run, there was also the “Kindness Challenge”.
People were encouraged to complete a list of 11 acts of kindness, The top three items in that list are: make a new friend, smile at three people, and pick up trash.
Amy Barnett, ACA’s founder and president, said the challenge is like a kindness road map.
“We like to put it into action and not just tell children or tell people that you need to be kind. We want to show them how to be kind. Get them into the action,” Barnett said.
Harris Wiltsher oversees the Arts department at Florida A&M University. He made the trip from Tallahassee to participate.
“Being, as an educator as well, I have to navigate that sometimes. If we can all kind of come together and make sure that bullying is not a part of our society, then it makes the educational system much more better support for everyone that is involved,” Wiltsher said.
With a call to action — also comes a message of hope.
“It is not over. The world might seem hard, but it is incredible of how quickly things turn around when we just start doing kindnesses to one another and caring about one another,” Barnett said.
Patrick said being kind helps everybody.
“You never know what someone is going through throughout the day or throughout the week or their a lifetime. Sometimes just sharing that smile or just lending a helping hand or opening a door for someone at a gas station can really impact their life in many ways,” Patrick said.