United States of Kindness campaign shows momentum going into the last half of 2026

Launched just two months ago, the United States of Kindness has taken off and is picking up steam in 2026. The response to this initiative has been extremely positive within the United Church of Christ, with 106 distinct UCC sign-ups, representing 6,117 people from 29 states across the country.  

The UCC is part of this collaborative effort with the Values in Action Foundation, bringing together national brands, schools, civic leaders, first responders, influencers and nonprofits to create a more connected, compassionate country through the simple power of everyday acts of kindness. Celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States, the campaign challenges all Americans to complete and share 250 acts of kindness in 2026. 

“United Church of Christ congregations are showing what it looks like when faith is put into action through kindness,” said United States of Kindness director of community outreach, Julie Kronenberg. “We’re grateful for every church and individual who has joined the effort, and we’re eager to welcome many more.  We also hope participants will share their acts of kindness with us, because every story has the potential to inspire another congregation, another community, and another act of kindness.”

The UCC social media posts about the #USKofKindness have been shared hundreds of times and many have thousands of “likes.”

Meanwhile, some individual UCC church members have submitted acts of kindness on the U.S. of Kindness website. These have included J.C. from Washington State who reported monthly sandwich making for unhoused people living on the streets of Seattle. Barb from Congregational Church of Mercer Island shared that she recently crossed the Puget Sound to visit a friend in a mental health and substance abuse treatment program.

Other projects have included a 250 Acts of Kindness tracker being created at the Burr Ridge Community Church in Illinois, as well as a program initiated at the Middleburg Heights, Ohio UCC described in this email from Sandra Swafford-Uhl, the Outreach Chair:

“We are pleased and grateful to participate in the #USofKindness. Several times during the year, especially when there are 5 Sundays in a month, we have WorKship–a Sunday when we perform service projects outside of the pews. We had WorKship on Sunday, May 31, and asked everyone to write a brief description of their act of kindness on a slip of paper. These slips will be made into a paper chain that will continue to grow as we add acts of kindness. In between WorKship Sundays, we encourage acts of kindness that will be recalled and written on slips of paper during the regular church service and added to paper chain.” 

Individuals, UCC congregations, organizations, and businesses are invited to sign up to commit to 250 Acts of Kindness this year. You can share acts of kindness here and select your church from the drop-down menu or share on social media and use the hashtag #USofKindness. 

“We are excited to walk alongside the UCC this year as we celebrate America’s tipping point, where kindness can become the norm,” said Shaun Sweet, director of community partnerships with USK. “The United Church of Christ is now part of a growing movement of organizations choosing to lead with positivity, intention, and love. Together, we will make 2026 a year that truly reflects what is possible when people come together with purpose.” 

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