Kindness Bridges the Gap: Building Connections One Act at a Time

Imagine finishing a long, exhausting day of work, and on the way out the door a colleague greets you with a warm smile and a kindness card that simply states YOU MATTER. In that moment, something lifts. You feel seen. You feel valued. And, hopefully, you feel inspired to Pass it On!  

Through the exchange of YOU MATTER cards, Gulf Coast Community Foundation launched a kindness campaign in March of 2025. The mission was simple. Share a YOU MATTER card with someone who brightens your day – from a barista at your favorite coffee shop to a neighbor on your morning walk. The special cards include a QR code that links to a public Facebook group page where people can share their experiences of giving and receiving kindness. The response was universally positive both online and in person. 

As the kindness campaign kicked into high gear, we saw YOU MATTER cards placed all around the community, tucked beneath coffee cups, slipped into books, and left gently on store counters—quiet reminders that we are surrounded by kindness every day. Our Facebook group began growing from a dozen members to several hundred. Then, a chain reaction of kindness occurred one good deed at a time. Joyful moments of giving the YOU MATTER cards were shared of people laughing and smiling, dozens of small moments that each make a big impact. 

In the Facebook group we saw photos of children in elementary school giving cards to their crossing guards and teachers, as well as baristas, an employee of a veterinarian’s office, and a cashier at a grocery store receiving cards. All reminders of the goodness that lives in people. J-Five Experience, a local nonprofit whose mission is to inspire daughters and mothers through advocacy, education, and support, shared about giving a YOU MATTER card to their mail carrier, Stephine. “She goes above and beyond to assist me with any questions or concerns. Her support makes a significant difference, and I’m grateful for her kindness and dedication,” said Sherry Martin with J-Five Experience. In the photo, Sherry hands a card to Stephine who beams with surprise and joy. 

Our friends at Harvest House shared many messages of hope, including a photo of people placing bags of food into someone’s car at the Harvest Sarasota Food Pantry – needed nourishment for our community members. They shared, “To every family who comes through our food distribution each week, we see you, we know you, and we are so glad you’re here. You are not a number of a need. You are our neighbors, our community, and our ‘why.’” We couldn’t agree more. 
 
With bright t-shirts and hearts filled with positivity, the Gulf Coast team celebrated YOU MATTER in person at Embracing Our Differences’ “Celebration of Kindness” on Sunday, March 30. We are proud to support Embracing Our Differences’ and their positive message of kindness, inclusion, and respect. As a part of the YOU MATTER Kindness Campaign Gulf Coast performed a random act of kindness offering hundreds of park goers free frozen treats from the Carousel ice cream truck.  

In a world where you can be anything, we’ve learned that being kind is the most powerful and rewarding choice you can make.