While we advocate for spreading kindness everyday, this week is an opportunity to take your kindness to the next level.

Be Kind to Humankind Week is an annual celebration of kindness recognized globally from Aug. 25-31.

Be Kind To Humankind was created in August 1988 by Lorraine Jara in Toms River, New Jersey, after she read an upsetting story in her local newspaper.

“Two young men, both in their 20s, were boating in my local town’s waterways. They were in a small rowboat which overturned…. As they clung to the overturned vessel, two young ladies in another boat pulled them out of the cold water. The ladies did not have a motor boat or a radio on board to call land for help. Two other boats with radio antennas passed them by, refusing their calls for help. When finally rescued, one of the young men died.”

Devastated by the story, Lorraine wanted to honor the deceased man’s memory with a memorial. His grief-stricken family thanked her but declined to have a memorial service.

Instead, Lorraine decided to campaign for more kindness in the world.

“In order to have the power to make the world a better place, we must first change our attitudes for the better,” Lorraine writes. “We can create our own good news if we choose to do so.”

Be Kind to Humankind Week is a time for us to reflect on what we can do in order to make this world a better place.

The entire week of BK2HK celebrates each day specifically guiding people on how they can be a kinder human being to others during that day. Here is a breakdown of each day of the week with suggestions on what you can do to be kind to others:

— Sacrifice Our Wants For Others’ Needs Sunday: Show others you care. Do you know someone who is unable to leave the house due to health issues? Offer to run errands or pick up groceries. Then stay for a visit. Friends with limited mobility enjoy offers of companionship for a walk in the fresh air. Even an opportunity to see family in a nursing home will help to meet others’ needs.

— Motorist Consideration Monday: Drive or travel courteously. Whether traveling by car or motorcycle, bicycle or public transportation, practice consideration and patience.

— Touch-A-Heart Tuesday: Spread kindness, one heart at a time. Encourage others in their dreams and goals.

— Willing-To-Lend-A-Hand Wednesday: Offer a helping hand. Offer to watch a neighbor’s house while they are on vacation and water their lawn and feed their pets. Offering to give a friend a ride to work is also a way to help. Offer to babysit for a couple who needs a night out. Cook dinner for someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

— Thoughtful Thursday: Treat each other well. If you’re out shopping, allow someone with fewer items to cut in front of you at the checkout. Hold the door for someone. Offer the help someone load their groceries in their car.

— Forgive-Your-Foe Friday: Come together. Contact the person in your life with whom you’ve let a disagreement divide you. The power of a sincere apology is worth more to an individual than never resolving issues.

— Speak-Nice-Words Saturday: Say something nice. Hold your tongue when tempted to be harsh. Teach your children to speak kindly towards others and they will grow into friendly, respectful adults.

This week, we encourage you to kick your kindness up a notch. Maybe it’s something that will stick and you can continue spreading kindness year-round.