KINDNESS Project delivers roses and message of gratitude

Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox and LoveIsARose.com have partnered to honor and recognize the nurses and essential workers who are the "Heroes of the Decade" during the month of November.

LoveIsARose.com is donating 3,000 gift packages consisting of a live, long-stemmed red rose in special museum case gift packaging, a 2-inch "KINDNESS" pin, and a message card of gratitude, inspiration, and love to Silver Crosses nurses and essential workers.

Nov. 13 is "World Kindness Day" however Silver Cross, a 302-bed acute care/general hospital, is taking the entire month of November to honor these heroes.

For LoveIsARose, every day of every month can be a day of kindness. They believe that each moment in time is an opportunity to define who we are as human beings.

LoveIsARose.com has distributed 15,000 rose gift packages to hospitals and senior care facilities in Illinois including Delnor Hospital in Geneva; Central Pupage Hospital in Winfield; Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village; Friendship Village in Schaumburg; Northwestern Orthopedics in Warrenville, and many others in the past three months.

Kathy Fey, co-owner with Sid Fey, of LoveIsARose.com stated, "The tears of joy and the loving smiles shining through the protective masks have filled our hearts with inspiration and have provided us the energy to keep our mission alive."

When asked what prompted Sid Fey to start this initiative, he responds: "I have been deeply concerned by the normalization of bullying, racism, hatred, and division in our country. As a parent and grandfather, I want my children and grandchildren to grow up in a world that works for everyone, with no one left out. I wish to see a world where people can be openly kind to each other and where our leaders come forward with compassion and integrity. I wish to see a world where the rights of everyone, everywhere, are acknowledged. Then the world can be a better place for you and me," stated Fey. "We have created a successful model for KINDNESS. We hope others can find their own way of expressing it. This is our time, our stand, you and me. Be kind. Our children deserve it," Fey said.

Highlights from a message from Beth Frigo, a registered nurse on the Northwestern Medicine Ortho Team in Warrenville, on the project's impact: "The love, excitement and appreciation seen was incredible! … Thank you for making our day, having us feel the love, warmth and care that came with the delightful rose. The KINDNESS pins and message from the rose boxes are pinned up to many of the recipients desks in our phone room. This is a great reminder of what you all stand for."

Sid and Kathy Fey, co-founders of this initiative, invite individuals and corporations to join them inKINDNESS Project and make a tax-deductible contribution (EIN 86-1872480) or sponsor a hospital or nursing home in your locatlity so that the KINDNESS Project can expand nationally. They can be reached at mail@loveisarose.com or (630) 393-1111.

The Fey's company in Warrenville has been creating relationship gifts of gold roses and engraved family trees since 1966 and a portion of sales is donated to fund the KINDNESS Project.