NAHANT — In a local take on a national movement, Nahant residents have been painting rocks with encouraging messages to boost town morale during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspired by the Kindness Rocks Project, Heidi Fiore, a parent and librarian at Johnson Elementary School, felt the organization’s motto — “One message at just the right moment can change someone’s entire day, outlook, life” — would be especially impactful for those affected by the current health crisis.
In an effort to bring a similar movement to her community, Fiore brought the idea to student council advisor Camilla Brett, who then teamed up with the Nahant Education Foundation to spread the word and encourage other families to participate.
“When we promoted it, we wrote that all you need to do is paint a rock in a way that makes you happy,” Fiore said. “A rainbow, hearts, sunshine, smiley faces, animals, positive words. They’re just a few ideas to brighten someone’s day, (and are) a creative way to cultivate connections within the community and lift others up through simple acts of kindness.”
Originally, the plan was for kids to place their creations around Forest Playground at Johnson Elementary, but with the playground closed indefinitely and social distancing measures being strictly enforced, NEF and student council have encouraged participants to place the rocks in front of their homes, along walkways, or anywhere else strangers might happen upon them.
“We thought it would be best if people just put them in front of their houses,” Fiore said. “For all the people out walking, it’s a pleasant surprise or positive reminder to brighten someone’s day.”
Liz Carlson, president of Nahant Education Foundation — which raises money for STEAM-based initiatives at Johnson Elementary — said the project promotes ideals supported by NEF.
“The Education Foundation of course wants to encourage foundations of learning in the STEAM aspect, but as parents and humans on the planet, we also think it’s important that children grow up learning kindness and empathy, and learning to support one another in our community is a very big part of all of that,” she said. “Learning that now is important to all of us.”
It’s hard to tell just how many Nahant homes have participated in the project, but Fiore said she’s stumbled across a few colorfully-painted stones during regular walks in her neighborhood.
She added that her own children, who are in first and fifth grade, have enjoyed the project and also decorated rocks to place outside their front door.
“This was a chance for (kids) to write messages with empathy and kindness in a creative way,” Carlson said. “And also thank members of our community who are doing so much to keep us safe and protected in these unprecedented times.”
