Revy Kind Day calls for a celebration of good deeds

An annual tradition for one local resident is getting a bigger push and its own swag this year to help boost spirits after the holiday rush. Revy Kind Day, hosted Friday, Jan. 9 has long been a celebration for Sandra Gregory who has used the day to intentionally do as many small acts of kindness as possible. 

Now, with the help of Alyson Isherwood, local graphics designer and select businesses that will be hosting Kindness Baskets stocked with Revy Kind Day cards and stickers, Gregory is aiming for Jan. 9 to be a celebration for everyone.

“Revy Kind is all of us, whether you’ve been here 50 years or you’ve just moved here. That intent is to be kind as the spirit of the community,” Gregory said.

While there is no official list of deeds to do or registration required, participants are encouraged to stop by the Revelstoke Senior Centre, Mountain Goodness Natural Food and Royal LePage Revelstoke office and collect a sticker or card to help promote the day. Designed by Isherwood, the cheerful keepsake can be passed along with good deeds.

“It can be as simple as holding a door open for someone or it can be doing a grocery run for someone stuck at home. You don’t have to do these big things and spend lots of money, it’s what your capacity is,” Gregory said. 

Gregory is the creator of Revelstoke Unstuck, a group that started as a way to connect seniors and disabled residents with folks who could shovel sidewalks after major snowfalls. Since then the group has expanded to include offers to hang holiday lights, requests for kids looking to be read to from seniors in town and the annual Surprise Valentine’s Day project. No matter the initiative, all of it has been rooted in helping the community as much as possible.

“Valentine’s, that’s been a way to celebrate folks who don’t always get celebrated. But Revy Kind Day is just trying to spread as much joy as possible in the colder months,” Gregory said.

While combatting the seasonal mental health drop isn’t the original drive behind the day, she does see it as part of the call to action.

“The holidays are not always a good time for everyone, and the start of the year can be hard for folks. So, if we can just intentionally set out to do these little deeds and maybe help folks through January, that’s part of the goal,” Gregory said.

The inaugural Revy Kind Day is also marking a more behind-the-scenes shift for Revelstoke Unstuck and Gregory’s work in the community. While she doesn’t see the need for snow shoveling disappearing anytime soon, the group has continued to evolve to match the needs of community members with that kindness she sees as integral to Revelstoke.

“We’re not willing to compromise on that, and that’s really special to me,” she said. “That’s what I want to keep fostering.”