Five-year-old Elgin girl creates project to spread kindness and love
Hadley Paul of Elgin has had many influences in her short five years.
Her grandfather is a retired police officer of 45 years, her Elgin grandparents spend a lot of time volunteering, and her parents have always guided her to lift others and be kind to all.
In 2018, Hadley started spreading kindness with notes of encouragement to others and then her goals grew. When the COVID-19 shutdowns began, Hadley found new ways to deliver happiness to those isolated with handmade yard signs, ding-dong surprises, and sending cards to those in nursing homes.
In November, Hadley's godfather and biggest fan passed away after a two-year battle with kidney cancer. He left her a letter written when she was five months old explaining what his hopes were for her and what he wanted her to take from the world. The project was discussed with her godfather and he thought it was very fitting for her. It was the final push for Hadley and her parents to launch the "Happy Hadley Project."
Hadley has set out with friends to spread love and happiness from Elgin to worldwide with weekly acts of kindness to businesses and those in need.
On Wednesdays, the project spotlights someone who is spreading love in the world through their job or hobby, it has been named "William Wednesday" in honor of William C. Leon who passed away shortly after he was born. By focusing on someone in the community, they feel it's keeping William's memory positive and putting smiles on others faces.
Over the next few months throughout the northwest suburbs, the "Happy Hadley Project" will be working on community events that help raise awareness of mental health and bullying as well as celebrating "Mental Health Awareness" in the Month of May.
On Feb. 17 National Random Acts of Kindness Day, Hadley and company will be heading out to local businesses giving away cookies. They look forward to coming together with the community and spreading kindness!
Learn more at www.facebook.com/HappyHadleyProject or by emailing happyhadleyproject@gmail.com.