Civic Groups Mark Random Acts of Kindness Week

Dozens of hospitalized veterans at West Los Angeles’ VA Medical Center received glittering valentines Tuesday made by a UCLA service organization as part of the Westside’s celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Week.

Teary vets happily accepted the valentines from volunteers who wandered the halls of the medical center distributing hundreds of pink and purple cards handmade by members of Bruin Belles, a UCLA community service group.

“It’s a wonderful surprise--I think I’m going to cry,” said Robert Johnson, 72, a Navy veteran hospitalized with a broken hip, as he accepted an armful of early Valentine’s Day greetings.

“I think it’s great,” said Eddie Fedrick, 52, a Marine Corps veteran recovering from depression. “It breaks the routine and it makes me happy that someone cares.”

Random Acts of Kindness--a philosophy that has spread from bumper stickers to an annual celebration--is even being practiced this week by Santa Monica mounted police whose horses will don “Be Kind to Humans” signs. Members of the Coast Guard will also get into the spirit by doling out good wishes at a kindness table at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade.

The valentine distribution goes to the heart of the kindness philosophy, participants said.

“It’s an expression from the heart to show unconditional love and dispense happiness,” said Spring de Haviland, a Santa Monica resident coordinating local Random Acts of Kindness activities. “It’s a day brightener that buoys the spirit.”