Kindness Matters: While February is the shortest month of the year, we hope it will still be the kindest!

By What Matters to Hatters Coalition on February 11, 2026.

The What Matters to Hatters Coalition is excited to share that we are launching a Kindness Challenge starting Feb. 13 in recognition of Random Acts of Kindness Week (February 15-20). As we work to “Make Kindness the Norm” in our community, you can help us by participating in the challenge while spreading good vibes and good deeds. Your efforts might even win you a prize!

To get started, you are invited to pick up a Kindness Challenge booklet beginning Feb. 13 at one of the following locations: the Big Marble Go Centre, the Crestwood Recreation Centre, the Esplanade – Guest Services, the Medicine Hat Public Library, Unison at the Veiner Centre, or the Y on 2nd.

In the booklet, you will find the simple instructions to do a variety of random acts of kindness and fill in a few hearts for the activities you do. Once all your hearts are “full” (pun intended), you can drop your booklet off at any of the locations listed above or you can submit your completed booklet via a QR code you will find in the Kindness Challenge booklet. Booklets must be submitted by Feb. 21 to be entered for a chance to win one of two prize packs.

What Matters to Hatters has been talking about the benefits of kindness and the connections it can bring for some time now. If you have been reading this column, you know kindness is good for our physical and mental health and that it can create a bystander ripple effect for all who witness acts of kindness. Beyond the health and social benefits, we think our world could just use a bit more kindness right now! We hope you will join us in spreading kindness through the challenge and all year long.

We are also going to be launching another community building project during Random Acts of Kindness Week but we aren’t quite ready to share yet. You are encouraged to follow us on Facebook at What Matters to Hatters Coalition where we will post about the project beginning on Feb. 15! Not on Facebook? You can check out our website at http://www.whatmatterstohatters.com or find us on X, where we will also post details about this project.

What Matters to Hatters is also continuing our bi-monthly Brews and Board Games Nights in partnership with the Medicine Hat Public Library. Our next event is planned for Feb.26 at note: comfort food + drink located downtown at 675 Second St. SE. Join us for this relaxed evening of games while helping to support local establishments. Treats are provided by the library and refreshments are available for purchase.

Thank you to everyone who is doing what they can to create a kinder, connected, and more compassionate community!

The Kindness Matters column is put together by members of the What Matters to Hatters Coalition