Random acts encouraged for World Kindness Day

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 12, 2025.

Thursday is World Kindness Day, and the What Matters to Hatters coalition is encouraging the people of Medicine Hat to share stories of kindness and engage with their neighbours to celebrate.

What Matters to Hatters was launched in 2022 to respond to the social isolation, lack of connection, and loneliness experienced in this community. Supported by partners including the City of Medicine Hat, Recovery Alberta, Medicine Hat Public Library and the YMCA, the coalition organizes events all throughout the year that encourage connection and kindness.

Earlier this month, the coalition hosted the Project UnLonely Film Festival at the Monarch Theatre. The event screened four short films exploring themes related to loneliness and the healing power of human relationships in an attempt to reduce stigma. The screenings were followed by a community mingle.

It’s just one of the many programs the coalition runs to bring Hatters together. The coalition also ran a monthly column called “Kindness Matters” in the News promoting it Kindness Campaign and highlighting local stories of kindness from October 2024 to June 2025.

What Matters to Hatters have also put on Sidewalk Talk events that invite passersby to sit down with a stranger and experience the restorative power of being listened to. The next Sidewalk Talk will take place Thursday to mark World Kindness Day.

Coalition members will set up shop at Medicine Hat College between the cafeteria and Common Grounds Coffee Shop from noon to 1 p.m. to listen to whomever is looking for a friendly ear.

What Matters to Hatters also encourages individuals to share stories of unexpected kindness online at https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-stories.

“Last week, I saw my elderly neighbour struggling to carry her groceries up the stairs. I immediately offered to help and carried them for her. She was very thankful and told me a heartwarming story from her childhood while we walked,” reads one story.

Stories highlight small moments of selflessness that made big differences, and demonstrate that sometimes all it takes is a little kindness to feel much closer to the people around you.

“Kindness starts with one,” wrote What Matters to Hatters members in a column earlier this week. “Be the one.”