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Kindness Matters. It's a Superpower!

We believe kindness has the power to change lives, strengthen communities, and help create a culture where people feel valued, respected, and supported.

That's the vision behind Kindness Matters—an initiative of St. Thomas/Holy Spirit Church to encourage Everyday Kindness, expand opportunities to serve our neighbors, and invite our entire South County community to help create something better.

We're building on the programs and services already available through our church while exploring new ways to help people navigate everyday challenges—from practical assistance and educational opportunities to connecting people with the knowledge, expertise, and resources they need.

But our vision goes far beyond what one church can accomplish.

We're reaching out to businesses, churches, community organizations, and individuals to help spread the message and make kindness a more intentional part of everyday life.

We're reaching out to the South County Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations, inviting their members to help us reach employees, customers, friends, and neighbors—and explore ways their businesses, organizations, and expertise can contribute to a kinder community.

Because Kindness Matters isn't just about what we can give. It's about what we can create together.

Your donations can help us expand the services and opportunities we offer. But your ideas, your participation, your willingness to share the message, and your own acts of Everyday Kindness are every bit as important.

We believe kindness really is a superpower. And it's one every one of us has the ability to use.

Together, we can begin creating a path to a kinder South County.

Our Story

Kindness Matters. It's a Superpower!

Creating a Path to a Kinder Community

For decades, St. Thomas/Holy Spirit Church has been more than a place of worship. It's been a gathering place for neighbors, a support system for families, and a source of care for those in need across South St. Louis County.

Today, we're building on that tradition with a bigger vision.

We want to help create a community where kindness isn't simply something we admire. It's something we intentionally practice, encourage, and share.

Through Kindness Matters, we're inviting individuals, businesses, churches, schools, and community organizations to join us in strengthening the culture of our community—one act of kindness, one relationship, and one opportunity to help at a time.

Our $40,000 fundraising goal will help strengthen existing services, explore new ways to serve our neighbors, and expand the opportunities for kindness to make a meaningful difference.

But Kindness Matters is about much more than raising money. It's about what we can accomplish together.

Putting Kindness into Action

Every week, St. Thomas/Holy Spirit helps bring people together through programs and services that strengthen our community:

Seniors staying active and connected through community programs like SAJE Senior Ministry, which we support by making our facilities available.
Neighbors receiving care through Christian Community Home Care.
Families finding support through food and emergency outreach.
Local groups meeting, learning, and serving together.
The wider community participating in events like Ashes to Go, which has grown to include more than 400 people.

We're also exploring additional ways to help our neighbors with practical challenges that can make everyday life difficult.

That might mean helping someone with a household task they can no longer safely manage, connecting a family with resources they didn't know existed, or offering educational programs and discussions on Medicare, budgeting, healthcare coverage, mental health, and other issues important to our community.

It may also mean finding ways to make qualified professional guidance or educational assistance available to people who otherwise couldn't afford it.

And some of our most meaningful opportunities may be needs we haven't even identified yet.

That's why we need more than donations. We need ideas, experience, expertise, and people willing to help.

Kindness can mean sharing what you know, not just what you have.

Why We Believe Kindness Is a Superpower

We believe kindness is much more than simply "being nice."

It doesn't mean avoiding difficult conversations, abandoning our convictions, or ignoring behavior that needs to change.

Kindness is strength under control. It's courage without cruelty. It's love with a backbone.

So what is kindness?

Kindness is strength under control — Self Mastery.
Kindness is courage without cruelty.
Kindness is justice without vengeance.
Kindness is truth spoken with compassion.
Kindness is disagreement without dehumanization.
Kindness is refusing to become what we oppose.
Kindness is moral resistance without mirroring harm.

Anyone can retaliate.

It takes real courage to respond with restraint, compassion, clarity, and truth.

These principles matter most when emotions run high, convictions collide, and our character is tested.

Kindness is not weakness. It is the strength to stand for what is right without abandoning our humanity.

That's a quiet superpower—and one our culture desperately needs.

Everyday Kindness — Where Culture Begins to Change

But kindness isn't needed only in difficult moments.

It's just as important in the ordinary encounters that fill our days.

Everyday Kindness might mean noticing someone who is struggling, giving someone our full attention, thanking a person whose efforts often go unnoticed, being patient with someone having a difficult day, or helping a neighbor with something they can no longer do alone.

Sometimes it's as simple as asking:

"Is there someone whose day I could make just a little better?"

Those moments may seem small.

But one person feels seen. Another feels appreciated. Someone else feels heard.

And perhaps they carry a little of that kindness into their next encounter.

That's how kindness travels.

The courage to practice kindness when it's difficult and the willingness to practice it in ordinary moments are not competing ideas.

Together, they help create a culture where dignity, compassion, respect, and accountability become the way we treat one another.

And that's how culture begins to change—through the difficult choices that reveal our character and the everyday choices that make kindness a habit.

Help Us Make Kindness Visible Throughout South County

No single church, business, or organization can change a culture by itself.

But imagine what might happen if more of us began intentionally practicing kindness—and encouraging others to do the same.

We're inviting businesses, churches, schools, community organizations, local government, and individuals throughout South County to become part of this effort.

You can help by sharing the Kindness Matters message with employees, customers, friends, and neighbors; connecting people with helpful community resources; contributing ideas; sharing your expertise; or encouraging kindness in your own workplace, organization, and family.

And here's one especially meaningful way you can help:

Invite us to share the Kindness Matters message with your business, church, civic organization, community group, or other gathering.

We would welcome the opportunity to talk about the power of kindness, what it means in both difficult and everyday situations, and how we can work together to create a kinder culture.

Because when enough of us begin walking in the same direction, the path to light becomes visible—and others begin walking it with us.

Why We're Asking for Your Financial Support

Our goal is to raise $40,000 to strengthen and expand the ways we serve our community.

Your contributions can help support existing outreach, senior programs, and assistance for families and neighbors, while helping us develop practical services, educational events, discussion groups, and new community initiatives.

We also hope to make helpful resources and qualified expertise more accessible to people who might otherwise be unable to afford them.

Every contribution helps—truly. But participation matters just as much.

You don't have to belong to our church or make a donation to help create a kinder community.

Your ideas, your willingness to share our message, your expertise, and your own acts of kindness are all meaningful ways to participate.

We would love to hear your ideas, learn about needs you've identified, or explore opportunities to speak with your organization.

Email us at:

kindnessmatters@sthschurchstl.com

The Meaning Behind the Kindness Matters T-Shirt and Coffee Mug

The vibrant, sun-inspired artwork featured on our Kindness Matters T-shirt and Coffee Mug reflects what kindness truly is—not passive or small, but a radiant force that brings light, strength, and hope into the world.

Just like art, kindness looks a little different through each of us. We don't all shine in the same way, but each of us can bring warmth, healing, and hope to others.

When we wear the T-shirt or use the mug, we're becoming visible reminders of the light we can bring into the world.

Supporters who contribute $15 per month (or $180 annually) and qualifying multiples can receive a T-shirt or mug as a thank-you for helping spread the message that kindness truly matters. See the FAQs below for details.

Together, We Can Create a Kinder South County

Culture doesn't suddenly change.

A choice changes an encounter.

Repeated encounters create expectations.

Expectations become patterns.

And eventually, those patterns become culture.

That's why we believe kindness really is a superpower.

It's available to every one of us, and there is no limit to the places or ways it can spread.

Together, let's create a path to a kinder South County.

Kindness Matters. It's a Superpower!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where does my donation go?

Your gift helps St. Thomas/Holy Spirit Church strengthen existing community services and develop new opportunities to put kindness into action throughout South St. Louis County.

Donations may support community outreach, senior programs, assistance for families and neighbors, educational events, practical assistance, and new initiatives inspired by the needs and ideas of our community.

We also hope to help people access helpful information, community resources, and qualified professional expertise, particularly when financial circumstances might otherwise prevent them from receiving assistance.

Our $40,000 goal is about more than funding programs. It's about expanding the ways kindness can make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

2. Why is financial support important to Kindness Matters?

Because turning good intentions into meaningful assistance sometimes requires financial resources.

Donations can help us strengthen existing services, explore new programs, bring people together for educational opportunities, and make practical assistance available to those who need it.

But financial support is only one part of our mission.

Kindness Matters also depends on volunteers, shared expertise, community partnerships, and people who are willing to practice and encourage kindness in their everyday lives.

3. What is the Kindness Matters initiative?

Kindness Matters is a community-wide effort, initiated by St. Thomas/Holy Spirit Church, to encourage kindness as a powerful force for strengthening relationships, helping our neighbors, and creating a kinder culture.

We believe kindness is more than simply being nice. It includes the courage to stand for what is right without cruelty, to speak truth with compassion, and to treat others with dignity even when we disagree.

It also includes Everyday Kindness—the thoughtful, intentional choices we make in ordinary encounters.

Both matter. Together, they can help change the culture of our community.

We're inviting individuals, businesses, churches, schools, and community organizations to join us.

4. Can someone speak to our business, church, or community organization about Kindness Matters?

Absolutely! We would welcome the opportunity.

One of our most important goals is to share the Kindness Matters message with as many people as possible.

We would be delighted to speak with businesses, churches, civic organizations, neighborhood groups, schools, and other community gatherings about the power of kindness, its importance in both difficult and everyday situations, and how we can work together to create a kinder culture.

If you have a group that might be interested—or know someone who could help us arrange a presentation—please contact us.

Email: kindnessmatters@sthschurchstl.com

5. How can I participate if I have ideas, expertise, or time to share?

We would love to hear from you!

You might have an idea for a new community program, know of a need that deserves attention, have professional knowledge you're willing to share, or want to help with existing outreach.

You can also participate by sharing our message with others and encouraging Everyday Kindness in your workplace, neighborhood, and family.

Not every idea will be possible, but every idea can help guide our efforts.

Email your ideas or interest in volunteering to kindnessmatters@sthschurchstl.com.

6. What do I receive if I give $15 per month (or the annual equivalent)? How do the T-shirts and coffee mugs work?

You become a Kindness Leader—someone helping spread the message and shape the culture of our community.

As a thank-you, eligible donors can receive Kindness Matters T-shirts and coffee mugs featuring our vibrant, sun-inspired artwork.

Recognition levels are based on your monthly donation or an equivalent single annual gift:

$15/month or $180 annually: 1 T-shirt.
$30/month or $360 annually: 2 T-shirts.
$45/month or $540 annually: 2 T-shirts and 1 mug.
$60/month or $720 annually: 2 T-shirts and 2 mugs.
$75/month or $900 annually: 2 T-shirts, 2 mugs, plus 1 additional T-shirt or mug of your choice.

For every additional $15/month (or $180 annually) above the $60/month level, you may select one additional T-shirt or mug.

You can receive up to two T-shirts and two mugs through the first $60/month recognition levels, with additional items available at higher giving levels.

After donating, you'll be able to select your T-shirt sizes and quantities or the number of mugs you're eligible to receive.

The artwork is a visible reminder that kindness truly is a superpower—and that each of us can bring more light into the world.

7. Is my donation tax-deductible?

St. Thomas/Holy Spirit Church is a nonprofit religious organization. Donations may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Givebutter will automatically provide a donation receipt for your records.

If you receive a T-shirt or mug in connection with your donation, the value of that item may affect the deductible portion of your gift. Please consult your tax adviser for guidance.

8. What if I can't give financially?

You are still an important part of Kindness Matters!

Your ideas, encouragement, willingness to share our message, and acts of kindness are all meaningful contributions.

You don't have to make a donation—or belong to our church—to help create a kinder community.

Everyone has something to offer. And every act of kindness matters.

9. How are T-shirts and coffee mugs delivered?

We cover the shipping costs for eligible T-shirts and mugs delivered within the United States.

Unfortunately, because of international shipping costs, we cannot ship these items outside the United States.

A Home for Hope, Service, and Radical Kindness

Kindness is our community’s quiet superpower. Help us unleash more of it. Every $15/month (or $180/year) earns a Kindness Matters T-shirt or Coffee Mug with the graphic shown below.

Team Members