The event started last year in memory of a ten-year-old boy who had passed away the year before.

Kyle Lutey, who passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 13, 2018, was known as an out-going, generous young man who spread kindness wherever he went. After his death, his parents heard numerous stories about the kind things that Lutey had done to help a friend or brighten someone’s day.

Last year, as a way to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his death, Lutey’s family and friends planned a week of kindness and encouraged others in the community to participate. Prior to Kindness Week, Logan issued a proclamation encouraging residents to do acts of kindness. Through the week, events were planned, flash music mobs were held and kindness rocks were discovered around town.

This year, because of COVID-19, Kindness Week is being held differently. On the “Smile for Kyle” Facebook page, some ideas for a socially distanced Kindness Week have been proposed. Ideas include writing a letter to grandparents, making a cup of cocoa for a family member and watching a movie with a friend via a video call. There are also specific ideas for each day of the week.

“It was something we really had to think about,” said Amy Sporcic, coordinator for this year’s Kindness Week and a friend of Lutey’s family. “We still wanted to challenge the community. Most of the activities we’re doing are virtual. We’re encouraging people to send in their pictures this year. Most of the activities are geared towards acts of kindness in ways that kept social distancing in the forefront.”

Anyone posting their pictures to Facebook are encouraged to use the #smile4kyle hashtag.

“They (Lutey’s family) really, really want kindness week to be a success,” Sporcic said. “It helps them to remember what a joy Kyle was to everyone, the joy he could find in everyday.”

The family and friends that planned Kindness Week hope that kindness isn’t done just during one week a year, but everyday.

“When looking at our goal, yes, it is to eventually raise money for the (Smile 4 Kyle) foundation to help underprivileged kids in our community,” Sporcic said. “They (Lutey’s family) want to see that this Kindness Week can go on forever, everyday in everyone’s life.”

To learn more about Kindness Week, visit facebook.com/Smile4Kyle.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at [email protected].