By Maria Renee Solano, Contributing Writer
On Saturday, Sep. 26, the Majestic Theater showed a screening of the documentary “For Such a Time as This” as part of Kindness Week. The event was free and sponsored by Healthy Adams County and the Center for Youth and Community Development. Kevin Smith is the writer of this documentary, the creator of Kindness Worldwide, and a Gettysburg College Alumnus.
Hanover Safe Home, Healthy Adams County and YWCA hosted tables providing information about suicide awareness, domestic violence and overdose awareness. Attendants brought food items to be donated to the SCCAP Pantry.
The event began with an introduction and welcoming message by the Pennsylvania Worldwide Kindness Ambassador. He introduced the film by saying, “This film is a story about kindness, and it sparked a movement in Kevin. For many of us, we just said heaven’s a wonderful thing, and let’s move on. But in Kevin, it struck a tone, and it became a moment where, for such a time as this, was something more than just saying thank you.”
Kathy Gaskins, the director of Healthy Adams County, said she wanted to share this film with Gettysburg after seeing it. Gaskins thanked the organizations that supported this screening and welcomed a short proclamation from members of the Youth Coalition of Adams County.
Smith’s story begins with the moment that he says “changed his life” at 9:57 a.m. on Good Friday morning in 2023, when a young woman hand delivered his lost wallet to his house. Smith emailed the local news with the story, wanting it to “be a way of thanking this young woman in a more meaningful way.”
Smith contacted the young woman, Brooke Dubs, after looking for her on Facebook and connecting with her profile picture of her and her dog. Based on Dubs’ love of dogs and passion for the York County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Smith decided to donate to SPCA in her honor. Smith says how, “this idea of a community celebration of kindness at which she would be honored, that’s when that took root.” This celebration grew into Kindness Week.
From Nov. 11 to 18, 2023, the city of York celebrated Kindness Week. During this week the York police commissioner, Michael Muldrow, wrote citations for people doing good in the community.
Smith explains in the film, “I had proclamations by York County commissioners and Adams County commissioners and Governor Shapiro. The state of Pennsylvania was engaging, and it was getting bigger and bigger.” This led to Smith starting Kindness Worldwide.
Smith said, “I’m just an ordinary guy who was touched by the actions of an ordinary woman who did an extraordinary thing. She was kind. My story is proof that no act of kindness is too small to make a difference and change a life, and that anyone can make a lasting impact, and even change the world through kind actions.”
Commissioners have proclaimed Nov. 7 through 14 as Kindness Week in Adams County, PA. Mayor Alison Lintal gave more information about the events during Kindness Week. People can submit their own stories of kindness, kindness awards will be handed out during the week, and the local newspaper will share stories. Gettysburg College will form its own chapter of Kindness Worldwide.
The first kindness citation was given to Lisa Beaver, SCCAP director by the Chief of Police. This award recognizes Beaver’s “care for her fellow community members through her work with the food pantry and partners in the community.
