Stempek starting ‘Kindness Revolution’ in Columbus

Jan. 17--COLUMBUS -- Shelley Stempek makes a living helping people prepare for the worst -- car accidents, fires, health problems, even death.

The local State Farm Insurance agent doesn't get many visits from people on their best days.

"I would like to have people see me as a happy person," she joked.

Stempek is a happy person. She's just tired of hearing about all the bad things happening in the world today.

That's why she jumped at the chance to be part of The Kindness Revolution when she was contacted by the nonprofit organization last fall.

"Automatically I was like, yes," said Stempek, who runs a State Farm office along 33rd Avenue. The insurance company's "good neighbor" motto likely led to her selection as a kindness ambassador.

"I was so glad that they contacted me," she said.

The Kindness Revolution was founded in 2007 by consumer advocate Ed Horrell, who wrote a best-selling book by the same name. Its goal is to promote respect and kindness in the workplace, schools and everyday life through events and by sharing stories of good deeds.

Stempek, who has four school-age children, signed on to be a local "community champion" for the national initiative because she wants "the norm" to be helping and caring about each other, not all the negativity she currently sees.

"If something's going to change, it's going to start with one person and just spread," she said.

Stempek's main focus right now is on spreading this message of kindness to young children.

She worked with the Columbus Public Schools after-school programs to get "It's Cool 2B Kind" bracelets to students, who have one to keep and another to hand out when they see someone doing something good.

"The kids were so excited about it," said Stempek, who hopes to spread the project beyond the after-school programs and into other districts.

One school, Emerson Elementary, even has a board to display the acts of kindness that happen there.

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The Kindness Revolution, which is based in Tennessee and entirely funded by business memberships, also uses social media to spread its message, posting weekly "kindness tips" and sharing feel-good stories.

The local Facebook page is just getting going, but already includes a post about a stranger paying for a Columbus family's meal.

Stempek wants to see more people sharing those messages, instead of using social media to vent and post negative comments.

She's working alongside Alisha Schuettler, a local mother who started #projectloveoneanother to promote the same cause, and plans to start other community outreach projects, including something to recognize paramedics, police officers, firefighters and other unsung heroes.

"That's what I'm really excited about is what we can do on a community level with it," Stempek said.

Nationally, The Kindness Revolution recognizes students, teachers, employees, volunteers and organizations for their good deeds, community service and values.

In Columbus, Stempek has "Pay It Forward" and "It's Cool 2B Kind" wristbands available at her 2457 33rd Ave. office for those who want to help spread the word.

"We need the positive," she said.

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