Meet Marsha.
Marsha Winters is from Terre Haute, Indiana and recently celebrated her 40th birthday. Similar to many others, Marsha was not particularly looking forward to turning 40. Regardless of how much Marsha dreaded that day, 40 was going to come sooner than later. Instead of focusing on the wrinkles and reading glasses that came along with 40, Marsha decided to celebrate her 40 wonderful years of life.
“I do have to give credit to becoming older because I think it has allowed me to start seeing what really matters in this life… and that is, life is short. I needed to start the change I wanted to see in this world,” Marsha stated.
In order to properly celebrate her 40 years of life, Marsha’s Birthday Project came to fruition. This project was inspired by a similar one Marsha came across on the Internet a few months back.
For her 40th birthday, Marsha created a list of 40 random acts of kindness that she could set out to do in her own community the week of her birthday. Marsha planned to document all 40 random acts of kindness by sharing each act through photos and comments on her Facebook page.
Marsha compiled a list of 40 random acts of kindness and set out to accomplish her list of good deeds. From sending a thank you note to gifting cupcakes to the nurses at her local hospital, and from donating blankets to donating money to the disaster relief fund, Marsha was able to give back to more people than she had hoped. (See complete list below).
When asked what the most rewarding random act of kindness was that she performed, Marsha responded, “donating blood.”
Marsha and her husband, Bobby, donating blood at Indiana Blood Center's Terre Haute donor center
“I couldn’t think of a better way to give back, pay it forward, than helping others in need.”
As a first time blood donor, Marsha offers words of encouragement to those who have never donated before, “Just think about it. Think of all the people that it can help. Make it personal. Think of someone who you know that has benefited from a blood transfusion and do it for him or her as an appreciation.”
From saving lives to putting a smile on a strangers face, Marsha received the best birthday gift of all, a happy heart.
One year older, five days later and 40 random acts of kindness checked of her list, Marsha’s Birthday Project was a success. Although Marsha’s 40 candles are no longer burning, her wish is that the gift of kindness will shine forever.
“I hope that in some small way that by me sharing this with you that you will become inspired to make a difference in someone else’s life. It doesn’t have to be big and as you can see, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, but it is something that can change a world…one person at a time, one birthday at a time.”
Follow Marsha’s lead. Begin today with good deed number 26, donating blood. Make an appointment to save a life, today.
Marsha’s 40 Random Acts of Kindness
- Donate money to the Disaster Relief at the Grocery Store
- Send a Thank You to someone who has made a difference in my life
- Take treats to the Humane Society
- Give someone a Free Car Wash
- Tape popcorn to Redbox for Movie night
- Take cookies to Fire Dept
- Take flowers to Nursing Home
- Take cookies to Groomer
- Take change to Laundromat
- Take cookies to Police Dept
- Take cupcakes to nurses at the hospital
- Take crayons and coloring books to the waiting room at the hospital
- Take balloons to sick patients in Hospital
- Free drink at vending machine
- Donate old phones to Hope Line
- Put money in donation box at McDonalds
- Pay for someone in line behind you at McDonalds
- Push up Grocery Carts
- Give someone a Walmart Gift Card
- Give a Food Donation for Feed the Hungry Program
- Pick up neighbors Trash cans
- Give juice box donation to preschoolers
- Read to the preschoolers at Ryves
- Give clothes donation to Kiducation
- Give Starbucks gift card to someone in drive thru
- Give blood
- Thank the Mailman
- Thank the Trash man
- Donate bottle caps
- Send care package to Solders
- Give one hour massage to single mom
- Donate blanket for Project Linus
- Take lunch to a friend who is at work
- Take cupcakes to Deborah’s house for the kids
- Pay for 2 kids admission to museum
- Take quarters to vending machine at museum
- Leave gift card in favorite children’s book (Olivia)
- Take close to Lighthouse Mission
- Donate to Reading Buddies Program at Library
- Buy a gas card and give to someone at the gas station
