Students at St. Gabriel School help seniors, cheer on fellow students, and do what they can to spread kindness as part of a program inspired by a school in Florida. (Provided; Christina Lee Knauss | Catholic News Herald)CHARLOTTE — Kindness. It’s a simple two-syllable word and a quality that many people will agree is sorely lacking in our society. But for the past several years, third-graders at St. Gabriel School have been working to promote it through a fun program known as the Kindness Squad.
Teacher Nikki Warren got the idea about seven years ago after hearing of an elementary school teacher in Florida who launched a similar program. The Kindness Squad gives members a chance to share the virtue with fellow students and parishioners at St. Gabriel Church.
Six students from Warren’s class assist at the parish’s monthly senior luncheon. The kids serve drinks, help some guests get their plates and have conversations with them.
On Feb. 10, the students served, talked and laughed with the roomful of senior citizens, many dressed in red to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Students then got to call out numbers for the bingo game that was part of the day’s activities.
Helping at the luncheon requires some sacrifice – students miss their normal lunch period, recess and PE – but they don’t mind.
“I really enjoy helping out, working with the people and serving them their drinks,” said Ainsley Cowman, 8.
“When I know I’m helping lots of people, it feels great and it warms my heart,” said Colin Hinrichs, 8.
Serving at the luncheon benefits the students as well as the seniors, said Ana Lothspeich, pastoral care coordinator at St. Gabriel Parish.
“It’s an opportunity for kids to learn how to connect with the older generations,” she said. “Many don’t have grandparents close by, so they get a chance to learn how to relate to senior citizens.” 
“I enjoy doing this – being kind to others makes me feel good,” said Beckett Belcastro, 9.
Lunch attendees enjoy seeing the students and are impressed with their work.
“I love seeing the kids – their youth and energy is wonderful!” said Belle Radenbaugh.
Every month, the students also send birthday notes to parishioners over the age of 80. The notes include prayers, short reflections and a photo of the student. Each person receives 28 notes – one from each of Warren’s students.
Warren said the birthday notes are meaningful to recipients, many of whom write back.
“Parishioners have written and said my family forgot my birthday, and the letters were the best present they ever received,” Warren said. “Some people who are in nursing homes put the cards up on the walls of their rooms, and many recipients say they’ve kept the cards close to their chair and read them repeatedly. These senior parishioners are sometimes forgotten, and this little thing can mean a lot.”
The Kindness Squad also raises their schoolmates’ spirits. Every other month, Warren’s class greets students in the morning carpool line holding signs with positive messages such as “Have a great day!” and “Glad you’re here!” Warren stands alongside and rings a cowbell.
At Christmas, the students dressed in their Kindness Squad T-shirts and Santa hats and gave students candy canes wrapped with positive messages. They also frequently give gifts and flowers to teachers and staff.
Students also used to deliver flowers and notes to parents picking up their children from The Cradle preschool run by St. Gabriel Parish. Warren heard firsthand the impact of that simple act from a preschool mother who received one of the notes.
“She told me that she received one of the notes when she was having a really rough day, and it really made her day,” Warren said. “Four or five years later, she still remembered it. That shows that the little things we do can go a long way. Our idea is that we’re really being the hands and feet of Jesus when we do these things.”
That story came full circle when the woman’s child later became a member of the Kindness Squad.
— Christina Lee Knauss
