Throw Kindness Like Confetti: Interview with owner Kelley Legler of Baby Jack
World Kindness Day is an international holiday that was formed in 1998, to promote kindness throughout the world and is observed annually on November 13. World Kindness Day is a day devoted to promoting acts of kindness big and small. The purpose of World Kindness Day as outlined by the World Kindness Movement is “to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness which binds us.”
I spoke with Kelley Legler, Owner of Baby Jack, in depth about how kindness has impacted her business, and her desires to give back. She shared her kindness campaign and how it came to be. Kelley knew from the early stages of business that she wanted to have a KIND company, one that would give to others. Her son Jack received a bad burn on his arm and was taken to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. They had a closet filled with t-shirts, pants, toys and toiletries that the kids could pick out if needed. Jack received a donated Fire truck t-shirt since his was all stained from the spilled coffee. Seeing her son brighten up as a result of this kindness fueled her journey to give back.
Kelley shared "I am inspired by many of our customers and their stories about how our loveys were making a difference in their kids lives, even as hospital patients. I created a kindness campaign where real parents could bring in donations via their network for friends / family / coworkers and personally connect with families and see the impact they were making. It started a movement to prove that kindness is contagious. Recipients then began to reach out and wanted to do the same and pay it forward!"
As a small business owner, and a Mother, her efforts to bring comfort and awareness to kids is never ending. Baby Jack Co. designs fabrics that raise awareness for causes important to her customers. They support families of kids born with a congenital heart defect (CHD), down syndrome, NICU patients, pediatric cancer fighters, the foster care system, adoption organizations and those that experienced pregnancy and infant loss. Her biggest contributions are to child life at hospitals and to those associated with military, fire and police. Kelley shared that "Personally I have the utmost respect for hospitals, country and community. Children who are sick are the most vulnerable and if I can add a small comfort and happiness, it is an easy YES for me to donate. Also, any member that risks their life for my own freedoms will always get my personal respect and donation! For the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Baby Jack gave back 100 units of police, fire and our stars and stripes loveys to Tunnel 2 Towers, active duty military families. I try to go big every quarter to a different charitable organization that helps kids."
Kelley has shipped loveys to over 10,000 kids in the United States and Canada that were donated by Baby Jack Co. The Kindness project has been a huge success in bringing happiness to children in need. Every purchase made on the website makes a difference and helps our small business to continue to give. One of the biggest things I loved about Kelley's story is how she includes her children in not only the design but in teaching her children to give back whenever possible and in the end bringing smiles and joy to others.
With World Kindness Day around the corner, now is the time to think about what you can do to spread the kindness around. "To experience that feeling when you know you are doing good with no reason except to better someone's day. I teach my kids to open doors, smile, look into the eyes of a stranger and thank anyone that protects our country or community. I just hope to raise great humans who are kind".
Source: National Today
