Thomas County Community Foundation Spreads Gratitude During Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 18, 2026
The Thomas County Community Foundation is once again spreading gratitude and generosity across the community as Random Acts of Kindness Week unfolds throughout Thomas County. What began more than two decades ago as a national movement has become a meaningful local tradition — one that continues to expand in both visibility and impact.
Director Jada Tubbs said this year’s celebration includes a new daily challenge designed to encourage simple, thoughtful acts. The focus is not on spending money, but on intentional kindness. Whether it is a phone call, a handwritten note, a sincere compliment or choosing to support something local, Tubbs said the goal is to create momentum that carries beyond a single week.
Random Acts of Kindness Week traces its roots to the 1990s in the Bay Area of California, where a shift away from reporting violence toward highlighting compassion led to the creation of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Today, that organization operates out of Colorado and provides daily inspiration to communities across the country. Tubbs follows the foundation’s messaging closely and said those daily reminders reinforce how powerful even small gestures can be.
Locally, the Foundation has added a thoughtful new element this year by distributing donor appreciation gift bags. Each bag includes locally sourced honey from Sylvan Grove along with a message of gratitude that reflects the Foundation’s mission. Tubbs said the idea was to create something lasting, a small token that extends appreciation beyond a single moment. The gift bags are being delivered to donors and volunteers who help make events like Santa’s Workshop and Match Month possible.
Youth ambassadors continue to play a central role in the week’s activities. Seniors Shaylee Holzmeister, Brittany Swartz, and juniors Harper Vaughn and Dayton Johnson have been actively involved in selecting and delivering surprise grants across the county. On Wednesday, ambassadors presented $500 to Thomas County Genesis, $1,000 to the Denen Field Project through USD 315 and $2,000 to Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. On Thursday, they delivered $1,000 to Pioneer Memorial Library to support youth programming and afterschool supplies.
The week will conclude Friday morning as ambassadors deliver donuts and coffee to residents at Fairview, Prairie Senior Living Complex and Colby Health and Rehab. The students will spend time visiting with seniors and sharing information about the Foundation, reinforcing the idea that connection is just as valuable as any financial gift.
Wednesday’s daily challenge encourages residents to share a compliment and communicate gratitude in whatever way feels most natural. Tubbs said telling someone they matter or that you are proud of them can have a lasting impact. The emphasis, she said, is on paying kindness forward.
Beyond the week’s activities, the Foundation is also looking ahead to several important initiatives. The scholarship application deadline is March 15, and Match Month begins April 1. Last year’s Match Month, supported by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and Patterson Family Foundation, allowed TCCF to host its own Match Day with $30,000 in local matching funds. The organization hopes to build on that success again this year.
The Foundation now manages 72 funds that serve causes throughout Thomas County, ranging from churches and youth programs to healthcare and community projects. Tubbs recently spoke at the Senior Progress Center about estate planning opportunities through TCCF, explaining how residents can create lasting impact by including local causes in their wills. Even a small portion designated to community funds can help ensure that organizations residents care about remain sustainable for generations to come.
As the Foundation approaches its 25th anniversary later this year, Tubbs said education and visibility remain priorities. Despite decades of service, some residents are still learning what TCCF does. Random Acts of Kindness Week provides an opportunity not only to give back, but also to remind the community that the Foundation exists to partner with anyone who wants to do good in Thomas County.
In the end, the message is simple. Kindness builds momentum. Gratitude strengthens relationships. And when one act inspires another, the entire community benefits.