Chris Hammons | June 12, 2025 | Community Outreach
While those across the United States are handing out Valentine’s Day gifts and going on dates, communities in Oklahoma come together for another reason every February 14. United Acts of Kindness Day is celebrated annually and has become a beloved tradition in Oklahoma City.
This day is more than just a feel-good campaign; it’s a call to action for neighbors, schools, businesses, and individuals to create lasting change through small but meaningful acts of kindness toward others. Read on to learn more and to find out how you can make a difference.
What Is United Acts of Kindness Day?
United Acts of Kindness Day started in 2021, when residents gave back to their communities by completing at least one act of kindness on February 14. It began as a local event in Dallas, Texas, but has since expanded to Oklahoma.
Through 2024, there have been over 1.4 million acts of kindness recorded on United Acts of Kindness Day. From handing out free coffee to citywide cleanup efforts, there are many ways that individuals give back to their communities on this day.
What Oklahoma City Citizens Do to Give Back
Oklahoma City has been actively involved in this movement since soon after it began. Participants have organized school drives and given thank-you cards and baked goods to essential workers.
The event continues to grow in popularity each year. The city’s police and fire departments, schools, and hospitals may participate to help build bridges between residents and public service agencies.
Recent examples of giving back in the community include:
- Participants partnering with Meals on Wheels to deliver care packages
- Police officers handing out gift cards instead of tickets
- Students creating handmade Valentine’s Day cards for nursing home residents
These efforts help foster trust in neighborhoods where hardships or civil rights concerns have sometimes had a profound impact.
Kindness Creates Safer and Healthier Communities
Acts of kindness aren’t just good for a person’s mental health; they can also drastically improve the well-being of the communities impacted by them. Communities where residents foster growth and connection tend to have lower crime rates and better overall mental health, and people who look out for one another often intervene in unsafe situations.
While one day of kindness doesn’t solve everything, it can plant seeds for more lasting change and the greater good.
What Can You Do to Make a Difference?
Anyone can participate in United Acts of Kindness Day. There’s no cost, and even the most minor gesture counts.
Some everyday things others have done to help include:
- Pay for someone’s meal at a drive-through or buy them a coffee
- Bring in snacks for coworkers to enjoy
- Deliver thank-you cards to police officers, firefighters, and EMTs
- Leave uplifting sticky notes in public spaces
- Drop off diapers or hygiene supplies at a local shelter
- Visit a local nursing home and chat with residents
- Help a neighbor with yard work or errands
- Send someone you care about a note of gratitude
- Compliment a stranger or offer a smile
Small moments of goodwill like these can brighten someone else’s day, and they often inspire others to continue to pay it forward.
Be the Reason Someone Smiles
You can make someone smile by giving back and showing kindness to strangers, coworkers, neighbors, and even yourself. An act of kindness is a reminder that love isn’t just a feeling but a choice that’s demonstrated through action.
Participation in United Acts of Kindness Day is open to everyone. No act is too small. And no one is too busy to brighten someone else’s day.
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For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. Our law office is located in Oklahoma City.
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