July 15-17, 2023
Melissa's Days of Kindness
July 15-17, join us as we spread love and kindness in honor of Melissa.
Love never dies.
Melissa was caring, insightful, creative, and generous. She brought joy to others with her candor and her humor. She lit up the room with her spirit and her smile.
Melissa cared about doing the right thing, making the world a more compassionate place, and offering encouragement to others.
Brain cancer took away her body, but it can never take away her love. On her 42nd birthday, we join together to continue her legacy of love and kindness.
We need kindness more than ever,
and no act of kindness is ever too small.
Whether you knew Melissa or you simply want to see more tenderness in the world, we invite you to join us.
Join us in sprinkling love all around.
To participate, all you need to do is spread a little kindness sometime between July 15 and 17, 2023.
Read on for some ideas and inspiration!
Spread kindness in honor of Melissa.
On Saturday July 15 through Monday July 17, we're going to throw love all around like it's eco-friendly confetti. Participating is as easy as spreading a little kindness on one of those days!
Simple acts of kindness are perfectly wonderful.
Little bits of love are what it's all about.
You might reach out to someone in your life who needs a little extra support. Conjure up a surprise random act of kindness. Give your money or time to a cause that's close to your heart. Make your corner of the world a little more beautiful.
Spread kindness in whatever way feels good to you.
Need some help to get the kindness wheels turning?
Below are some ideas, many of which are inspired by things that were close to Melissa's heart.
Show love to animals.
Support your local animal shelter by volunteering or making a donation. Take action to protect wildlife habitats. Switch cosmetics or household products to cruelty-free options. Reduce or eliminate animal products from your diet.
All hail snail mail.
Drop a letter or card in the mail to someone who could use some support. Surprise someone in your life with an amazing care package. Send love letters to your friends.
Share little surprises.
Leave treats for your neighbors. Surprise a friend (or a stranger!) with flowers. Pay for someone's coffee or grab the check for the table next to you. Use sidewalk chalk to write encouraging messages around your neighborhood.
Care for our planet.
Plant some plants or trees that are native to your area. Commit to a day (or a week!) when you don't buy anything. Invest in eco-friendly items like shampoo bars or other plastic alternatives. Take action to preserve natural spaces.
Embrace your inner kid.
Wear something goofy like a silly hat or crazy glasses, preferably in a public place. Bring bubbles and frisbees to hand out at a local park. Pick out toys you would have loved as a kid and donate them for others to enjoy.
Stand up for what's right.
Get brave on social media and speak out in support of justice. Have a respectful conversation with someone whose views differ from yours. Contact your legislators. Support a cause.
Can we count you in
for kindness?
About Melissa
Melissa Ashlee Oglesbee (July 17, 1981 - December 10, 2021), also known to many as "Missy," was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.
A lifelong animal lover, nature lover, and creative spirit, Melissa graced us with her many gifts. She was a highly skilled and deeply caring veterinary technician who also loved to sing and play music, draw and make crafts, go hiking and camping, and who embraced all things silly.
Melissa was treasured for her compassion, candor, intelligence, and humor. Inquisitive and insightful, she never hesitated to ask the hard questions or to tell the truth with love. Generous and creative, she left imprints on everyone around her. Melissa could always be relied upon for a good dose of humor with just the right amount of snark, even on the hardest of days. Caring, reliable, passionate, and deeply loyal, she had a giant heart and was eager to make the world a little better than she found it.
Melissa faced a long road with brain cancer which began in April 2016. Despite the numerous challenges of her illness over many years, her generous sense of humor, insightful nature, endless curiosity, and concern for others all remined intact. On her 42nd birthday, we honor her legacy of love by spreading a little kindness, bringing a little joy, and making the world just a little bit brighter and more beautiful.
The world needs kindness more than ever. Let's make love visible, one small act of kindness at a time.
Share the love.
If you'd like to share your act of kindness with Melissa's loved ones, you can send us an email here.
You can simply let us know that you've participated, or you can tell us more (photos are welcome). We would love to know that you are joining us in keeping Melissa's memory and love alive. Thank you!
