Many grown adults spend much of their time telling others what’s wrong with this world and what’s wrong with so many of the people in it. They do an awful lot of complaining and criticizing and whining. They point out
Many grown adults spend much of their time telling others what’s wrong with this world and what’s wrong with so many of the people in it. They do an awful lot of complaining and criticizing and whining. They point out errors and mistakes that others make as often as they can. They find delight in talking stink.
What they don’t do is offer to help, to volunteer, to donate.
What they should do is be more like Kadee Parubrub.
Who, you ask?
Well, if you don’t know Kadee Parubrub, if you haven’t heard about what she does, allow us to explain.
For her recent 11th birthday, she didn’t ask for a party and make a list of gifts she wanted. She actually didn’t even want a party or gifts for herself. Instead, she is doing 11 random acts of kindness. One of those acts was donating 11 backpacks to the Backpack Brigade collection at Kukui Grove Center. Those packs go to kids who need them as they prepare to return to school.
Her kindness and generosity isn’t just a one-time thing.
Last year, for her 10th birthday, she collected 1,750 pounds of food that she donated to the Kauai Independent Food Bank. In exchange for a birthday party, Kadee held a food drive at her home. In lieu of gifts, she asked everyone who was invited to bring at least 10 pounds of food to help her reach her goal of 1,000 pounds to be donated to the KIFB. They more than met their goal because they have hearts to help.
And the year before that, Kadee, then 9 and a fourth-grader at Wilcox Elementary School, was inspired by her time on the student council and what was called the “Attitude for Gratitude” movement. The idea was to recognize people who are not often appreciated for their hard work, and she decided to follow up on the concept.
So Kadee turned to her parents, William and Sherri Parubrub of Lihue, with the idea of forgoing her ninth birthday and money that would go toward gifts and instead donate it charities. Family members got on board and chipped in. In less than two months, Kadee had enough money to donate to several charities.
In case you were wondering, that year Kadee gave 20 backpacks to the Backpack Brigade program; then blankets to the Care Home Hale Kupuna Heritage Home in Omao; 353 pounds of canned food to Kauai Food Bank; sports balls, cleaning and school supplies to the Boys & Girls Club of Lihue; snack packs to officers of the Kauai Police Department; roses to random people; Starbucks gift cards to teachers at Wilcox Elementary; someone’s groceries; and unused items to the thrift shop at Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
Whew.
Rest assured, Kadee Parubrub makes a difference.
Imagine if everyone, particularly adults, had the same caring, giving, loving attitude that Kadee has displayed in her young life. Imagine the difference it would make. Imagine the joy and laughter and smiles it could create.
The good thing is, we don’t have to just imagine. It could happen.
All we have to do is be like Kadee Parubrub.
