It started with a lemonade stand…
Keys to Kindness started when Sharri Cagle’s son, Colin, was in 5th Grade. He came home on a Thursday from school wanting to do something to help a student in 3rd Grade who needed a heart transplant. Friday night, the Cagle Family was building a lemonade stand to host in their neighborhood on Saturday. Colin rallied his classmates, friends, neighbors, and anyone who would listen to come and help with the lemonade stand. He set a goal of $200.00. A little boy, his friends, family, the community, and many KINDNESS raised $2000.00. This led to a “Month Long Be Kind Initiative” to raise the additional funds needed for their fellow student to receive his heart transplant.
What inspired Keys To Kindness was a child’s heart, a community connecting to share kindness, seeing the impact, and knowing the need and opportunities to share more kindness. Keys to Kindness has now hosted dozens of gatherings and events to help other families and provide awareness for other causes in our community. We have connected hundreds of people and provided opportunities to make an impact, truly connect, and build lasting relationships!
The key to our mission is our Annual Kind Camp, which has served over 1,000 youth and allowed them to serve. Our Kind Camp has also provided hundreds of scholarships for children in need to attend Kind Camp. Our focus is to provide an empowering and encouraging environment for all children, with an emphasis on providing opportunities for children with special needs, such as children with Autism, Illnesses, children in the Foster Care System, and more.
Our Mission Statement
To inspire, educate, and empower children, adults, schools, communities, and businesses by providing tools and support and to teach all that each one of us has the power, with simple acts of kindness, to be the key to changing their lives and the lives of others as well as the environment in which we live.
How do we do this?
Annual Keys to Kindness Summer Kind Camp
High School Student Scholarships for College or a Trade School
Providing opportunities for High School and College Students to earn community service hours
Opportunities for those with disabilities or special needs
Connecting the Community with individuals of all ages to learn about and share kindness
Partnering with other organizations to help with the needs of others
Community Grants to help with local schools, special needs teachers, foster care families, and hurricane relief