Random Acts of Kindness Week 2019

The Department of Chemistry is thrilled to participate in the MindHandHeart Initiative’s Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week, which will run from Monday, March 11 through Friday, March 15, 2019.

RAK Week is a time dedicated to connecting members of the MIT community through small acts of kindness. We hope to not only encourage people to connect with each other, but also to connect with support resources on campus. RAK Week is a fun, light-hearted week meant to encourage us to support one another, because MIT is not a place one can handle alone.

Check out the agenda below for information on the Department of Chemistry-sponsored RAK Week events open to all Chemistry staff, faculty, and students. All members of the department are encouraged to participate in this highly spirited and enjoyable event!

Monday, March 11, 2019 – RAK Week Tech Cash Cards

The first 100 members of the Department of Chemistry to come by the Chem Ed office (6-205) or Chemistry Headquarters (18-392) beginning at 9AM on Monday, March 11 can pick up a $10 Tech Cash card with which to do something nice for another person.

Then, tell us about your random act of kindness for a chance to win a prize for a RAK well done!

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 – Thank You Balloons

Is there someone in the Department you’d like to celebrate? Beginning at 10AM while supplies last, come to Chemistry Headquarters (18-392) or the Chemistry Education Office (6-205) and pick up a balloon to add a pop of festive color to their desk area!

Wednesday, March 13, 2019 – Give Back to the Community

Take this opportunity to perform a Random Act of Kindness by providing a donation that will be given to the CASPAR Emergency Service Center at 240 Albany St., Cambridge, MA. The Emergency Center is a shelter program of Bay Cove Human Services for adults experiencing homelessness in the Cambridge area. The ESC is a 107-bed facility which serves over 1,000 unduplicated clients per year. The CASPAR ESC was built by MIT, and continues to enjoy an excellent relationship with the Institute. You can learn more about the history of MIT’s relationship with the ESC here.

Donation boxes and note-writing materials will be set up in Buildings 18 (18-478) and 6 (6-203 / Graduate Student Lounge) from 10AM – 3:30PM. Stop by and drop off a donation to help someone in need, or take a moment to write them a kind note.

Suggestions for donations include: Hats (baseball and winter), gloves and scarves, Blankets, Umbrellas, Men’s and women’s socks (unused/unopened white cotton socks with a polyester blend), Sweatpants, Pajama pants, Underwear and boxer shorts (M and F, size Medium and up), Unisex T-shirts, size Large and up, (Clean, preowned T-shirts are perfectly OK!), Flip flops, Deodorant, Feminine hygiene products, Bars of soap, Bodywash, Shampoo, Conditioner, Lotion, Facial moisturizer, Shaving razors, Unopened toothbrushes and Unopened toothpaste.

Thursday, March 14, 2019 – Send a Candygram

Is there someone in your life you’d like to thank or reach out to? Notes are sweet, but notes AND candy are impossible to top. Note writing stations will be set up in Buildings 18 (18-578) and 6 (6-203 / Graduate Student Lounge) from 10AM – 3:30PM.

Friday, March 15, 2019 – Bring a Coffee Break to a Friend

Stations of coffee and treats will be set up in Buildings 18 (18-478) and 6 (6-203 / Graduate Student Lounge) from 10AM – 12:30PM. Come by to grab a morning pick-me-up, and then bring one back to someone else!

RAK Week is also a great opportunity to nominate your fellow Department of Chemistry members for other recognition awards, at both the School of Science and Institute levels.

School of Science Spot Award

Spot Awards are intended to acknowledge and demonstrate appreciation and recognition for the exceptional contributions of individuals and teams, large or small. The monetary value of these awards is relatively small, but their value is immeasurable.  Nominations can be made at any time and award-winners will receive a token of your appreciation soon after. Visit the School of Science website, and submit a nomination today!

MIT Awards

The MIT Awards Convocation honors MIT students, faculty, staff, and community members who have made outstanding contributions to the shared life of the Institute. The awards recognize many of the qualities we hold dear at MIT: excellence in academics and teaching, public service, community building, achievements in the arts and athletics, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Though the venue has been moved from Killian Court to 10-250 to the Samberg Center today, the spirit has remained the same. Nominations for the 2019 Awards Convocation are now open! The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, March 15, 2019. Submit a nomination at the MIT Awards website before it’s too late!