17
MISSION: Donuts and Coffee and Pirates! Oh, My!
Something I love: having donuts and a delicious coffee-type beverage
Something I don’t love: being scared.
Affiliated Agent K–who has her own awesome kindness project going on and considers herself a true affiliate of the Secret Agent L Project–knows the importance of a good donut and delicious coffee-type beverage, as is evidenced by her gift selection for this mission. (Hello, Tim Horton’s!) Also, she can handle being scared, whereas I cannot. She decided to make her way into her area’s Pirate Festival and Haunted House to complete her second mission with the SAL Project. Who says it has to be Halloween to get a little thrill? And we know that every day is a good day to spread kindness! Plus, Affiliated Agent K’s kindness skills were requested! That’s right! Requested!
Date: Saturday, 31 July 2010
Location: Country Heritage Park; Milton, Ontario; Canada
Time: mid-day
Affiliated Agent K reports:
THE DETAILS: This is the first time I have been specifically requested to perform a RAK at an event.
Many times I just show up, but this time Rick Di Lorenzo (candidate for town council) contacted me to present me with a mission which I chose to accept without really thinking it through.
He wanted me to RAK at a Pirate Festival and more specifically at a haunted house he was running to raise money for our local hospital. I am a big chicken so the though hadn’t occurred to me that I might have to go INSIDE.
Well I did and I was scared and I dropped one RAK and raced out, it was dark so I couldn’t get a photo (or perhaps I was really to scared to think of it).
Then I planted another one on a zombie that was outside the haunted house.
2 more RAKs were left at random on the grounds of the Pirate Festival.
Best part of the day for me was the thrill. It was very difficult to drop these because everywhere you went the characters were following and interacting with you. The pickle man made my job very difficult. He was also crude but I got a laugh from him. He was actually selling massive pickles on a stick for $2.00 and would run around making innuendos about his pickle wares…..
Until my next mission, have a kind day!
Affiliated Agent K, you’re the best. AND, it’s clear that your skills are appreciated and needed! How impressive that you got a special invite to share your gifts with your community! And Tim Horton’s is pretty great for donuts and coffee, from what I hear. I mean, they’re no Dunkin Donuts, but… *wink* Thank you for your awesomeness!
16
MISSION: Searching for Fun, Word-Style
Remember when I said that we needed more male Affiliated Agents? Well, it’s true. We do. Our culture has taught us that women are the caregivers, the tender-hearts, the nurturers. I want to show the world that men can be–and already are–those important things as well. Thankfully, I’m getting a few more men joining the ranks of Affiliated Agents, and I couldn’t be happier. But we still need more! *ahem* *nudge, nudge*
I thought I’d highlight one of our new gentlemen agents today, not only to share the kindness he sowed, but to inspire other guys to get out there and give!
Date: Thursday, 12 August 2010
Location: the parking lot behind a strip mall; Derby, Kansas
Time: not specified
Let’s hear about Affiliated Agent GM’s first mission!
It was a hot day. I decided that leaving any meltable tangibles would be a bad idea.
So, I grabbed a simple word search book created a simple letter and slapped it on the window of an unsuspecting victim. It was a cool experience, though the sneakiness was a bit awkward. I have lots to learn as a new agent.
I was concerned that perhaps someone could trace my handwriting so the next day, I bought stickers in the shape of letters so I can create more mysterious notes in the future. I’m already planning my next hit for next week.
I’m looking forward to it.
And so are we, Affiliated Agent GM! Thanks for stepping up and showing the world that when men give, it’s AWESOME! Looking forward to next week’s mission already!
15
MISSION: Construction Junction, What’s Your Function?
I gotta tell ya. My Affiliated Agents are not only thoughtful and kind, but they’re creative, too.
In keeping with the recent post concerning the well-being of our construction workers, Affiliated Agent T of Texas managed to knock one out of the park. And I must admit: her sidekick, who she refers to as The SOTH, is a much-welcomed addition to the Affiliated Agents Team. Despite The SOTH’s less-than-amused facial expression.
Date: Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Location: construction site; Texas (city withheld)
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Affiliated Agent T’s report is, perhaps, one of my favorites:
During the assembly of the project, my side kick known as “The SOTH” was in attendance, and assisted.
A emergency kit was also assembled to carry in my super stealth getaway car, just in case I am called on a spontaneous mission.
On 8/9/2010 I scoped out my mission field and prepared to make my drop. The mission was aborted due to activity in the targeted area.
I am pleased to report that today 8/10/2010 at 4:15 my mission was completed. I carefully eased up on the target site, when a witness drove by. I cleverly moved past the construction equipment, and when the witness passed I, U-turned and quickly pulled up to the dozer with camera and goodie drop in hand.
I strategically placed the drop on the seat with my camera ready to point and shoot, I snapped off this pic.
MISSION COMPLETED!
Affiliated Agent T, YOU rock! I can’t wait to see and hear all about your next mission! Make sure your super stealth getaway car has plenty of gas!
15
MISSION: Welcome to Hydration Station.
This summer has had a few really hot days. And since I live in the city, I see people out and about during those days. Some people love the heat. Others? Like construction workers? I bet they don’t. Those men and women are outside in the blazing sun, often wearing long pants, sweating and doing really tough manual labor, all so that we can have better and safer roads, stronger buildings, and a host of other things to make our cities and towns better.
When Affiliated Agent M of New Jersey sent her mission to me, I knew I wanted to post it straight away. If you’re from Pittsburgh or you’ve ever visited here, you know that we’re the Kings of Construction. It always seems that our roads are being torn up and put back together. Sidewalks are closed off around construction of new or soon-to-be-renovated buildings. We grumble about it. Oh, yes. We do. But Affiliated Agent M’s mission has helped remind me just how difficult it must be for the men and women doing those jobs. And because of that, I’m going to keep my grumbling to a minimum. Or nix it all together.
Date: Friday, 13 August 2010
Location: Construction Site; Route 36; Eatontown, NJ
Time: “way too early in the morning”
Affiliated Agent M shares her first mission with us:
New Jersey has been exceptionally hot this summer. Each day when I drive by a road construction project, I see workers out in the blazing sun wearing long pants. From my air-conditioned car, I wonder how they can stand laboring in the heat for so many hours. When I heard about Secret Agent L, these hardworking people immediately came to mind.
I purchased a Styrofoam cooler and bottles of Gatorade and headed over to the construction site early Friday morning. Deciding where to place the cooler was the hardest part because I didn’t know which piece of equipment would be used that day and I wanted my gift to be discovered. (I almost left it near the port-a-potties but thought better of that one… heee heee.) I finally chose a large machine and placed the cooler next to it.
I drove by hours later, and it appeared as if I chose an unpopular piece of equipment L. However, the cooler was discovered anyway! I am so happy that I was able to give a little something to such deserving individuals.
It’s a simple concept really. These are people I pass everyday, but it never dawned on me to leave them a gift until you planted the thought. Thank you again for opening my eyes to random acts of kindness—you are truly inspiring.
Affiliated Agent M, YOU are inspiring. Thank you for looking beyond the comfort of your air-conditioned car during these hot summer days to the men and women around you and for taking care of them. That just makes these summer days all the more sunny!
14
MISSION: Cards and Cash (well, sort of) at Kohl’s
Remember the other day when I was all I-like-to-shop-but-have-no-money? Well, yesterday was payday, so I got a little bit of money. And, well, I wanted to spend it. I also got a sweet card in the mail from my mom (who lives 30 minutes away, but writes me letters anyway), in which she enclosed a $10 Kohl’s gift card she received in a flyer. She said to use it in one of my missions. So I thought I’d go to Kohl’s, do a little shopping for myself (hooray!), and then leave the $10 gift card for someone else (double hooray!).
Date: Saturday, 14 August 2010
Time: 10:01 a.m.
Location: Kohl’s Department Store; Robinson Township; outside Pittsburgh, PA
It’s really true that sometimes you’re just $10 over the total amount you want to spend in a store.
And it’s also important to remember to be kind. Even to yourself.
My friends at Quotable will help you remember.
I always add my business card, so people know that there’s goodness out there.
And on today’s mission, I wanted to include my signature note.
There really are some very nice people out there.
And I always wish them happiness. When people are happy, they’re more inclined to be kind.
And wrapping it up all nice and pretty doesn’t hurt, either.
I had a bunch of errands to run today, so I thought I’d start the morning out with a visit to Kohl’s. I did, in fact, do a little shopping. (No worries. What I got was on sale.)
And on my way out, I stopped at this bench. Noboday was around, so I had ample time to set up the gift, take a couple shots, and be on my way.
I hope that whoever came in to shop at Kohl’s this morning finds this little treat and leaves not only with a little something extra, but also a smile on their face.
Boy! Did it feel good to do a mission again! It’s been too long!
13
MISSION: Summer Wishes in Spain
You know what I love? Spreading kindness around the globe. So does Affiliated Agent J in Spain. He’s an American who was recently working there on (if I remember correctly) his Master’s degree and teaching at the same time. Next, he’s on to Budapest. You can see his other mission here. We love him. Oh, yes. We do.
Date: Friday, 23 July 2010
Location: Universidad de Alcala; Madrid, Spain
Time: not specified
Affiliated Agent J states:
This week, the students have their midterm exams, and everyone is panicking! The students are stressed about their final marks, the teachers about packing all of the grammar into the section, and the monitors because they have to balance work/study relations. I decided to help my students put their eyes on the prize and realize how awesome summer camp is and how lucky they are to be in such a great town.
In my class, we made thank you cards and handed them out to people that we normally don’t talk to, i.e. the cleaning ladies, the cafeteria staff, the bus drivers. The class really got a kick out of it, and hopefully I made some converts to the random act of kindness group.
As for my mission, I decided that I would target some of the younger students at the camp and another camp (sort of our rival). I purchased two lime green photo frames at a local shop,
wrapped them in tissue and bubble wrap, with a note in Spanish telling them to enjoy their summer holidays and remember how lucky they were and how awesome their summer was (despite the fact that they have midterms).
The younger kids dormitory is actually filled with floors that I am not allowed to go onto, so I had to be super stealthy when I placed the first photo frame below the fire extinguisher (so that the young ones would be able to see it!).
The second photo frame was put at our camp rival group. I snuck in while their group went to the beach and left it in the elevator. I know that they won’t be expecting a present, and certainly not a present from our camp!
Affiliated Agent J, you’re awesome. And way to go spreading kindness to your rivals! THAT’S true kindness there! Can’t wait for your next mission! From BUDAPEST!
12
MISSION: Inspirational Affiliated Agent-in-the-Making
Alright. I usually don’t post stuff like this, because I really believe in keeping to the theme of actual missions, but this…this I couldn’t keep from you all.
Meet one of my new Affiliate Agents-in-training. A 17-year-old young man from McKinney, Texas. Who is completely and utterly changing the world, one small act at a time. Just a reminder that the smallest acts can change lives in the biggest ways. He sent me the email below, and by the time I finished reading it, I had goosebumps on my skin and tears in my eyes. It’s long, but I promise you, you will be inspired by the end.
Scratch that. You’ll be inspired way before the end.
Enjoy.
I am 17 and about to be a senior at Boyd High school in McKinney Texas and I want to tell you about the organization I have started called The Secret Drawer Society. I heard about you and the work you are doing through CNN, and I quickly copied the link and sent it in a message on facebook to the other officers in my group.
My (our) story starts back in December of 2008. A friend and I had just watched the movie the Secret the weekend previous and we were sitting in the library in my school. We have these black chairs with a small table in between them with a drawer on it. Being curious, we opened the drawer and there was nothing there, but we thought, “What if there was something there that could change the course of someone’s day for the better?”
We took that idea and wrote a letter and signed it The Secret Drawer Society. In the letter, we urged people to step outside of themselves and look around at the people they were surrounded by. To try to put themselves in their shoes, to reach out and interact with them in some way, to try and make a meaningful connection, to really make people prioritize the things happening in their lives. We wrote that if this letter has inspired them, to write another letter, or draw a picture, or put anything they want into the drawer for the next person who opens it.
From that December until the end of the year, more and more letters started showing up. Some were anonymous, some were signed, and they were all positive messages for whoever happened to come along and look in the drawer. One day one of the librarians happened to find the drawer and brought the letters to our Principal. He read them, and had a mandatory faculty meeting. What I was told he said was basically: “Look at the kind of students we have here, and we didn’t even know it. We go through our days teaching children that honestly we don’t always like, but we had no idea how special some of them were. This is why we teach. For these kinds of kids.”
The following year I made the SDS a club/organization at the school that anyone could join. (Interesting fact: The librarian who found the letters became our sponsor and gave us the backing that got us running.) I got comments from other students like; well how can it be a secret if everyone knows who is in it? I would tell them, I want us to be known by what we do, and not who we are. I saw from all the letters that we had collected (we had to empty the drawer because it got so full of letters) that there was a large number of students out there who wanted to make a positive impact in someone else’s life. There is power in numbers, and so with a large group of students all working towards a common goal, positivly impacting someone’s life, we really are able to make a difference!
We meet once a week during the year, and I try to come up with demonstrations for certain “lessons” and I could tell you so many stories if you would want to hear some, and I think to truly understand the SDS I would need to tell you all the stories. They carry the real punch. The feeling that I get when I hear about people who are being helped by the little things we do makes it all worth it.
I urge the members of the group to do community projects, such as a benefit concert I organized called “Project Purple”. The librarian, our sponsor found out she had breast cancer this year. That and so many other events that year made me see how important and never ending the fight against cancer was, and so Project Purple was raising money for Children’s Medical Center’s cancer fund. The $1200 we raised that amazing night, started the construction of the Cancer and Blood Disorders Outpatient Clinic with Children’s. These community projects are to make an impact outside of the school, but to teach the members that small actions can have HUGE impacts.
I teach them to live by the Henry Ford quote: “If you think you can, or that you can’t, either way you’re right.” They go into their day’s positive, and try to teach that to others.
We have an event I call Share Your Story, which is very much like MTV’s “If you really knew me,” where we meet up and tell the stories of our lives that make us who we are. The point is to show that we are never alone in the problems or issues or events that we come across in our lives. Although so often we just roll through the days feeling like we are the only people who know what it’s like to feel a certain way. You said “I think people are so hungry to not feel alone and not feel weird and that they don’t matter,” and I completely agree. They are starving for the need to feel accepted, and I think it’s so important that we address that early on in STUDENTS so that they can grow up and spread that mindset.
It’s is an amazing experience, and I hope that after I graduate high school and I go off to college at Mizzou, I can make the SDS into a real Nonprofit organization where we can continue to make a difference in people’s lives. We started through the school, but I believe we can go much further.
I want to someday speak at Poptech or a TED conference where some of the most amazing thinkers, movers and doers of our lifetime meet to talk about their important ideas. I want to talk about the power of a positive thought and how it can affect people physically.
Your story really hit home for me, the small acts really make an impact. I would love to talk to you about how you took secret agent L and made it into such a big deal I know you said social media, but I would love to hear more.
Thank you so much for your amazing work and for hopefully taking the time to read this long message.
12
MISSION: Shop After You Shop!
I love to shop. I mean, I’m a girl. Most of us do. But I don’t actually do the shopping, since I don’t really have any money. Still, window-shopping is fun.
I also love stores like TJ Maxx. And not for the clothes, actually. I love it for its housewares, especially the dishes.
I love dishes. Like, a lot. All kinds. (Well, except ones that have chickens and roosters on them.) I love Spode. I love stuff that looks antique. I love dishes.
When Affiliated Agent M from New Hampshire sent me her mission the other day, I thought, “Oh, how fun it’d be if I was the one who found it! I’d buy dishes in a heartbeat!”
Yup. Her mission involves TJ Maxx and a gift card. Awesome.
Date: Thursday, 5 August 2010
Location: women’s dressing room; TJ Maxx; Plaistow, NH
Time: around 6 p.m.
Affiliated Agent M of New Hampshire states:
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at TJ Maxx and found a dress, pants, bathing suit, etc that I took into the dressing room and wanted to buy but then realized… it was really $10 more than I wanted to spend that day. That must happen to other people… so I decided to help someone out!
I made my SAL card and my love note to go with my purchase.
I went to the store and bought a $10 gift card and put it together with the card and the note.
I took some things into the fitting room.
And laid out the package…
But then I decided that it would be better if I tucked it in between the stool and the wall, so I put it on the inside, so someone really wouldn’t see it until they were in there trying something on!
And I walked out with a big smile on my face. 
It’s killer not to know who gets it!!!
11
MISSION: Sunny Days, Sweepin’ the Clouds Away
You know what I love?
Sunflowers.
I think it’s pretty difficult to look at a sunflower and not feel instantly happy. I mean, they practically smile right at you! So when I got today’s mission from Affiliated Agent D in Ontario, Canada, I knew I had to post it. He said he felt so good doing this mission. How could he not? It’s a sunflower!
And you’re smiling now aren’t you? Mmm hmm. I know you are. Feels good, doesn’t it?
Date: Sunday, 8 August 2010
Location: park bench near popular local dog park; Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Time: afternoon
Affiliated Agent D states:
I have good news. My first of hopefully many missions to initiate random and anonymous acts of kindness in my town of Chatham, Ontario is complete.
I successfully (and hopefully) was able to brighten someone’s day with a gift that is also ironically bright. 
I cut off one of the flowers from my sunflower garden, and left it, along with your business card and a poem-message on a park bench close to a very popular dog park in my city.
Loving it, Affiliated Agent D! Your photos are beautiful! And you’re quite a poet! Can’t wait to see what your next mission is. I’m so excited!
I’m going to just keep smiling all day today…
10
MISSION: Cashin’ in at the CVS
I love CVS Pharmacy. It’s right on my way home from work, and it has, without a doubt, the best cotton balls ever. (Why, yes! It does!) It’s clean, it’s well-lit, and the employees at my local shop are very nice. While it’s a little more expensive than, say, Target, sometimes I stop in for a little pick-me-up or, of course, my cotton balls.
Affiliated Agent B thought it’d be nice to leave a little something special for someone who parked their car in her local CVS parking lot. Maybe when they got to their car, they’ll turn right around and go back in for an extra little treat!
Date: Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Time: 12:05 p.m.
Location: CVS Pharmacy parking lot; corner of State Road 70 and Lockwood Ridge Road; Bradenton, Florida
Affiliated Agent B gave up some of her lunch break to spread a little kindness today. Somebody take this girl out for lunch in return!
She says:
Today I completed my very first mission!
I targeted a car in the parking lot of CVS Pharmacy at the corner of State Road 70 and Lockwood Ridge Road in Bradenton, Florida.
I left the note card at approximately 12:05pm, during my lunch hour. I think I was stealthy enough, no one noticed me!
I had fun with all the creating and planning … can’t wait to do another one!
Well done, Affiliated Agent B! And nice touch with the plastic bag to protect your gift in the event of bad weather! *high five*
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