By Mia Cerrato – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law High School had Jeanette Mare, the founder of Ben’s Bells, and Dr. Erin Bowen, the creator of Kisses for Conor, speak at an assembly entitled “The Kind Mind” which addressed the need for kindness in the community.

Kindness Club planned this PSA to encourage kind acts at Jonathan Law, which is the sole purpose of the affiliation.

“The purpose of Kindness Club is to spread kindness throughout the community and wants the community, especially at Law, to be kind and respectful towards one another,” junior Tess Rosato, a member of Kindness Club, said. “We try to promote that.”

Kindness Club got in touch with the founder of Kindness for Conor, Dr. Erin Bowen, back in September. Ben’s Bells, an organization that advocates intentional acts of kindness, also reached out to attend the assembly.

“Dr. Erin Bowen, a pediatrician in Milford, lost her 17-month-old baby, Conor in 2016 due to complications created by Sudden Death Syndrome and created ‘Kisses for Conor’ to spread kindness in Conor’s name,” Kindness Club advisor Mrs. Murphy said. “We invited her to the assembly and to meet Jeanette Mare who also lost her baby boy Ben from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.”

The women discussed the science behind kindness and the difference from being nice and kind. They also explained how students could practice kindness and encourage others to do the same.

“The purpose of the assembly was to spread kindness and allow Jonathan Law students to understand the true meaning of the Kindness Club,” said Rachna Vipparla, a sophomore in the club. “The assembly explained how everyone could show random acts of kindness and how impactful it could be.”

The assembly seemed to influence many students in the Jonathan Law community to cultivate kindness.  Many students decided to join the club as well.

“The assembly went really well and I learned how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference,” said new senior member Carly Mancinone. “I joined Kindness Club to get involved with the community and make a difference.”

The Kindness Club and their many generous acts all began after the loss of a beloved friend Maren Sanchez.

“One of the things Maren Sanchez was known for was her kindness and spreading kindness throughout the community,” Murphy said. “She was the girl that sat with the kids that had no one to sit with at lunch.”

The Kindness Club will continue to honor Maren and encourage positivity at Jonathan Law.