Two Local Companies Partner to Spread Goodwill

From American Chronicle

Two Local Companies Partner to Spread Goodwill
Josee Archer
May 05, 2009

Umademyday.com and BeanTowne Coffee House of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Hampstead New Hampshire today announced a unique partnership with the intent of raising spirits and spreading goodwill in a time when both are severely lacking.

Umademyday.com, launched in October of 2008, is a website designed to motivate people to do something nice for one another without the expectation of something in return. Through the site, over 600 random acts of kindness have been performed. Unique to Umademyday.com is the ability of recipients of these acts to post thank you notes to the strangers that made a difference in their day.

"It's amazing how even the smallest acts of kindness can make such a significant impact on both the person who did the good deed as well as the one receiving it. The happiness you experience when doing random acts of kindness is like no other feeling, and it can truly make someone's day," states Josee Archer, creator of UMadeMyDay.com, "and it doesn´t have to be much; the most common random act of kindness is purchasing a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you at the coffee shop."

BeanTowne Coffee House of Cambridge and Hampstead are rooted in the concept of brightening people´s days and lives. Since 1993, employees have created an atmosphere in which customers are made to feel truly welcome. The company operates under the premise that if a way to forward the lives of others through their efforts exists, then it is their responsibility to do whatever is within their power to make it happen. To that end, the company donated 97% of their marketing budget over its´ first 24 months of operations in Hampstead to local charities and community groups.

"It´s a fantastic feeling to be able to make a difference in the lives of others through your work, " said Goyette, "and to be able to take it to the next level is something that we are all very much looking forward to."

"The perception is that it involves a lot of time and money to make a true difference in the world. The reality is that $2 left on the counter for the next customer´s order at a coffee shop could do more than you could ever imagine," adds Mrs. Archer.

A recent thank you message posted to the site shows how a small gesture can make a great impact, "…This past year has been SOOOO stressful that I guess without even realizing it, I had let it get to me. I just want to say thank you to the women who not only gave my daughter and I a much needed treat, we got dessert, YUM, but more importantly a huge wake up call to take time to smell the roses, appreciate what we have and do a good deed…"

In addition, the two companies will combine efforts to educate, inspire and motivate others to make small but meaningful differences in people´s lives. The long-term goal of the partnership is initiating a cultural shift through a "Random Acts of Kindness Day" both locally and beyond.

"At this moment in our history, there is a great opportunity to have folks reconnect with what is truly important. What we are trying to do is help make that happen, one person at a time."

Mr Goyette can be contacted via email at Goyette.ed@gmail.com or 603-275-6341

Mrs. Archer can be contacted via email at josee@umademyday.com or phone 603-234-1537

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