Sheriff Evangelidis of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office delivers Random Acts of Kindness goody bags to the staff at The Queen's Cups on Water Street. (Worcester County Sheriff's Office)
By The Worcester County Sheriff's Office
WORCESTER – During the week of February 13th, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office staff visited Worcester to randomly distribute goody bags to citizens, who were going about their daily business, as a part of the Department’s Random Acts of Kindness Initiative. For their second year, Sheriff Lew Evangelidis and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office celebrated Random Acts of Kindness week, this year falling between February 13th – 17th.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is the driving force behind the holiday. The organization was founded during a mid-1990s summer when violence was at an all-time high on the west coast. Inspiration to start the organization came from a television reporter who noted that people should stop reporting on “random acts of violence” and "practicing random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”
Sheriff Evangelidis, correctional officers, community support center staff, and volunteers distributed over 3,500 goody bags containing chips, cookies, candy, and water to lucky individuals they met at stores, public safety departments, bus stops, restaurants, or even just walking the streets of the county. By the end of the week, Sheriff’s Office staff and volunteers visited every Worcester County community to spread kindness and inspire a sense of friendliness in the cities and towns they serve.
This year, Tito’s Handmade Vodka was the bag sponsor for the Sheriff’s Office Random Acts of Kindness initiative. With the generous donation from Tito’s, the Sheriff’s Office and the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff Association were able to acquire the entirety of the 3,500 good bags at no cost, making this event possible. This tremendous charitable act has extended through every municipality in Worcester County.
“As a law enforcement agency, it is crucial for the Sheriff’s Office to build bridges, big and small, in the communities that we serve,” commented Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “This week allows our staff to engage with citizens 1 on 1, educating the public on the role of the Sheriff’s Office and the importance of fostering relationships with local law enforcement. Above all else, there is no doubt that we could all use a little more positivity and random kindness in our daily lives.”
What else is happening in and around Worcester? Click here or keep scrolling ⤵️
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:59). High of 17 today in Worcester
-Maps show how cold it will get this week from Arctic blast
-Snowfall totals in Central Massachusetts
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+9:00: Worcester Public Schools will have 2-hour delay on Wednesday, January 22nd
+9:00: Worcester residents battle leaky pipes and cold temps; warming centers open (1:47). Article
+6:00: Worcester man charged with murder in death of former employee (:25). Article
+6:00: Uxbridge Public Schools Superintendent Michael Baldassarre arrested, charged with O.U.I.
+6:00: Listen Up: OK Go, Carlos Odria and Between the Waves offer new music
+Noon: Major crash on Mass. Pike, Westborough Fire Department responding
+Noon: Central Mass. Jewish Film Fest is back with 3 "outstanding" movies
+Noon: Worcester County High School Club offers bowling to local high schoolers
-Worcester digs out from snow before cold sets in (2:10)
-Report, video show how Assumption "To Catch a Predator" case escalated
-City of Worcester to open warming centers Tuesday and Wednesday
-King's teaching a reminder of conflict, unity at Worcester breakfast
-Worcester food hub fast-tracked to Union Station via fed, state funds
-2 decades, 500 voices: Worcester project chronicles the lives of local women
-Trafficking victim advocate Chrissi Bates to re-receive key to city
-Worcester County Wonders: America's oldest Armenian Church
-Polar Seltzer releases 4 new "dessert cart" flavors
-Trash & recycling pickup delayed by a day in Worcester
-Mike Benedetti: Worcester City Council agenda preview
-Aislinn Doyle: Worcester's Literacy "Crisis" (Part 1)
-Faces of Worcester: Francisco Diaz, owner of Diaz and Sons
-Radio Worcester (14:30): City Manager Eric Batista addresses allegations of transphobia
-Radio Worcester (16:49): District 3 City Councilor George Russell announces retirement, addresses council controversy
>DINING OUT: Worcester Restaurant Week will be back from February 24th through March 9th
-ICYMI: Crews work to clear Worcester roads after overnight snow storm (2:34)
-Meet Mac: Worcester's new K-9 tracker (1:24). Article
-Worcester Airport saw busiest year since Massport took over nearly 15 years ago
-Investigation launched following Worcester councilor’s accusations of transphobia
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Holden Fire Department C.P.R. training February 2nd
-Longtime customer salutes Lamoureux Ford (3:53)
-Wachusett Echo: A beginners guide to midterms
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Millbury Police Association Ice Fishing Derby winners
-Man arrested for trespassing at Leominster bar after refusing to leave
-Clinton Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is Saturday
-Volunteers, supporters made renovated hearse house in Berlin a reality
-West Boylston police log January 6th to 12th
-Shrewsbury Select Board update (:35)
-Florence Sawyer honor roll announced
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Tuesday
-Mocktail recipes for Dry January (7:20)
>SHOWTIME: Concert to highlight unity between Black and Jewish communities
-Lindsey Ford: Our favorite Lego places
-Shaun Connolly: Tips for a new era
>OPINION: Geraldine Byrne Nason: Enduring bond between Ireland and Washington
-Giselle Rivera-Flores: An open letter — In solidarity
-WCCA-TV Newsletter for January
-WCCA-TV's Close to Home No. 582 (28:49): Our Lady of Hope
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester bar owner
>SPORTS: Robyn Glaser, Patriots’ executive vice president of football business, to resign
-Former NFL exec blasts Patriots for making "mockery" of Rooney Rule
-Celtics rout Warriors, 125-85
-Bruins beat San Jose, 6-3
-210 Sports: Worcester hockey alumni highlights, NHL week 15
>NATIONAL: A busy day in Washington. Complete coverage in National News
-When will Yellowstone's volcano erupt? Scientists have an answer
-Tragic: At least 10 dead, 32 injured in a hotel fire at a ski resort in Turkey
>NEW ENGLAND: Bird flu suspected after dozens of Mass. geese found dead (:28). Article
-Mass. unemployment mistake will cost $2.1 billion
>COLLEGES: Clark's Higgins Institute announces wide range of faculty grants
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): The U.S. just banned hidden hotel fees
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. business by the numbers
-Fighting fraud through awareness (2:15)
>SHOPPING: Victoria's Secret winter sale — Get 7 panties for $35 for Valentine's Day
>HOMES: See all homes sold in Worcester County, January 12th to 18th
>HEALTH: Expert tips for protecting skin in extreme winter weather (3:26)
-More men are getting vasectomies after Roe V. Wade overturned (:56)
>FOOD: McDonald's brand new value menu is here — including $1 deals
>TV/STREAMING: MSNBC bringing back Rachel Maddow 5 nights a week
>CELEBRITY: These are the most canceled celebs of 2024
>HISTORY: Holden the town, like the Harvard chapel, takes name from London banker
>ANIMALS: Senior dog who was left behind gets all the toys she wants (1:33)
>GOOD NEWS: Siblings sell coffee to raise money for L.A. fire relief
-Meanwhile, in Chicago, wild coyote yanked from refrigerated section of Aldi supermarket, shocking video shows
Latest obituaries | | Monday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
+Full-time firefighter/paramedics, Town of West Boylston
-Multiple positions, Holden D.P.W.
-Part-time maintenance position, Canal District bar/restaurant
-Hosts, wait staff & bussers, Worcester restaurant
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather