Community Kindness Campaign
On June 1st, the Alliance kicks off a four-month Community Kindness Campaign that leads up to their Lantern Festival, an official program partner of the Portsmouth NH 400 Celebration.
The Alliance Kicks Off Its Community Kindness Campaign
On June 1st, the Alliance kicks off a four-month Community Kindness Campaign that leads up to their Lantern Festival, an official program partner of the Portsmouth NH 400 Celebration. According to Joanne Wolfe, Alliance Treasurer & Cofounder, “We're on a mission to inspire acts of kindness, shine light on the growing need for mental health services and raise funds for Seacoast Mental Health Services. We are partnering with the Portsmouth Historical Society, who will sell lanterns in the gift shop and serve as the place to pick up online lantern purchases.” Proceeds from these sales will go to the Seacoast Mental Health Center.
"We're on a mission to inspire acts of kindness, shine light on the growing need for mental health services and raise funds for Seacoast Mental Health Services..." - Joanne Wolfe, Alliance Treasurer & Cofounder
In addition to selling lanterns, the Alliance is working with local schools, youth programs, the Portsmouth Library, and the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center to offer lantern decorating activities for children of all ages.
"This is a great way to engage children (and adults) in conversations about kindness and spread the word about the Lantern Festival, and we are so grateful to our community partners for their enthusiastic involvement." - Diane Alie, Alliance Vice President
Plus, the Alliance will reach out to local assisted living facilities to explore their interests in lantern decorating activities for their residents. The Alliance plans to fund these activities through the generous donations of kindness champions.
On June 3rd, the Alliance and friends will march in the Portsmouth NH 400 Grand Parade. Come see their giant replica of a floating lantern. Use your imagination to picture hundreds of lanterns, containing messages of kindness, floating on the South Mill Pond at dusk. The parade starts at 11 AM at Goodwin Park, which is located on Islington Street in Portsmouth.
On June 10th, visit the Alliance booth at Market Square Day to meet Alliance board members and purchase lanterns. Market Square Day is held from 9 AM – 4 PM in downtown Portsmouth.
The Alliance’s Community Kindness Campaign culminates with the Lantern Festival on September 30th (rain date is October 1st) from 5-7:30 PM. The theme of the Festival is “Illuminating 400 Years of Community Kindness.” It is a family-friendly, community event and fundraiser where participants can listen to some good vibes with DJ Skooch, enjoy facepainting with the kids, and have fun decorating lanterns to light and float on the South Mill Pond at dusk. Through the generosity of community members, the Alliance hopes to raise thousands of dollars for Seacoast Mental Health Center.
Julie Johnson, Alliance President & Cofounder adds, “We could not host the Lantern Festival without the kind and generous support of our sponsors, backing from the City of Portsmouth management team, help from the PNH 400 team, and encouragement from Alliance subscribers and friends. We give a BIG shout out to our Lantern Festival sponsors—The Rosa Restaurant, M&T Bank, Torrington Properties, DJ Skooch, Kennebunk Savings, and WIN Waste Innovations. Additionally, we thank the Portsmouth Historical Society for selling our lanterns and allowing our online purchasers to pick up lanterns at their gift shop.”
The Alliance invites you to join their Community Kindness Campaign by purchasing lanterns, becoming a kindness champion, and/or joining them at the Lantern Festival. To learn more, visit the Alliance website at www.allianceforgreatergood.org/lantern-festival.
For more information or to share ideas for future events, email the Alliance for Greater Good at alliance.greatergood@gmail.com, visit its website and follow it on Facebook and Instagram.
