Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation is kicking off the month of September with the third annual #BeKind21 campaign, which calls on participants to do good deeds for 21 straight days.

With hundreds of partners and nearly five million people already pledging to "integrate kindness" into their lives, the foundation's goal this year also includes combating trauma caused by COVID-19 and social unrest, Maya Smith, executive director of the Born This Way Foundation, told Cheddar.

"Kindness can do everything from brighten someone's day to save someone's life, so the more of us that can think about how to include kindness in our everyday lives, the better off we'll all be," she said.

For those looking for ideas, the foundation will provide tips, Smith continued, saying there is no such thing as a small act of kindness.

The #BeKind21 challenge also aims to draw attention to mental health, as September is also recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. 

"These are uncertain and unprecedented times, so make sure you know the resources that support you, the people who you can talk to," Smith noted.

Spearheaded by a group of Channel Kindness reporters, — a Born This Way Foundation digital platform — the foundation is capping off the #BeKind21 campaign with a book release that includes a collection of goodwill stories. According to Smith, those personal stories aim to inspire people as the stresses of today become increasingly challenging.

"As you know [at Cheddar], telling the good stories, telling the stories of kindness and hope that keep you going, really matters," she said. "We wanted to present and offer a platform for young people to tell the stories of kindness in their communities and share their own brave voices."

Share:
More In Culture
Potential Legal Consequences Of 'Rust' On-Set Shooting
Could Alec Baldwin face legal consequences after accidentally shooting and killing a cinematographer on the set of 'Rust'? That's a question many in Hollywood are asking after the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins. Some in the industry are even asking for a ban on guns on the set of films and television shows. Dan Gilleon, lead trial attorney at the Gilleon Law Firm, discusses the potential legal consequences for all involved in the accident, saying "everyone will be sued."
Behind the Record-Shattering Halloween Spending
Deacon Hayes, founder of Well Kept Wallet, joins "Cheddar Reveals" to discuss how 2021 Halloween spending compares to previous years and how to best prepare for the influx of holiday spending.
A Look At the Iconic M&M Candy
Tim LeBel, President of Sales and Chief Halloween Officer at Mars Wrigley, joins 'Cheddar Reveals' to discuss the M&M's 80th birthday, what goes into maintaining an iconic brand, and how Mars Wrigley plans for future Halloweens.
The Makings of an Iconic Candy; Behind the Record-Setting Halloween Spending
On this episode of Cheddar Reveals, Tim LeBel, President of Sales and Chief Halloween Officer at Mars Wrigley, discusses the M&M's 80th birthday, what goes into maintaining an iconic brand, and how Mars Wrigley plans for future Halloweens.; Deacon Hayes, founder of Well Kept Wallet, joins to break down how 2021 Halloween spending compares to previous years and how to best prepare for the influx of holiday spending.; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'Witches: A Century of Murders.'
The Real Reason We Check Our Halloween Candy
If you went trick-or-treating as a child, did your parents warn you against the possibility of poisoned candy? Did they forbid you from trying anything before they inspected your Halloween haul? We asked some experts from The Conversation to explain the fanciful origins of this annual panic and its very real consequences. Stay tuned to discover the real dangers lurking on Halloween night…
UN Report: Countries "Nowhere Near" Ambition Needed To Limit Climate Change
According to the latest report from the UN, several countries around the world are "nowhere near" towards their goal of limiting gas emissions. This report comes ahead of the COP26 which is slated to take place in the month of November in Scotland. Senior Advisor at CDP Paula Diperna, joined Cheddar to discuss what the report highlights and what this tells us about the future plans of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Load More