Inspiring Kindness in Thurmont

Alisha Yocum

Thurmont resident, Lousie Schafer, had an idea to inspire kindness throughout the town of Thurmont, her idea being to spread kindness and joy through rock painting and creating several “Be Kind” rock gardens throughout the town of Thurmont.

With Kindness Day approaching on February 17, Schafer approached the town with her idea to create a kindness rock garden, which is a space that is filled with painted rocks that include positive messages. The town staff loved the idea and launched a full campaign: “Be Kind, Inspire Thurmont.”

 “With the tough times we are in, people need to be reminded to be courteous and respectful. When you do something kind, it makes everyone feel better,” said Schafer. She hopes the rock garden will be a small reminder of that.

Residents are encouraged to participate by dropping off their painted rocks to the Town of Thurmont Municipal Offices, located at 615 E Main Street in Thurmont, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Paint as many rocks as you like that display words of kindness, art, or both.

Each person who brings ten painted rocks or more to the offices will receive a free tote. Local real estate agents Elle Smith and Cathi Miller of J&B Real Estate, Inc., along with CYA Track & Field, sponsored bags.

Once enough rocks are collected, a garden space will be created at Thurmont Community Park. The kindness rock garden is just phase one of the campaign. The second phase will be murals on the back of the basketball courts at the park as well. The first mural will be painted by local artist John Nickerson, owner of  Gnarly Artly Design Shop (and cartoonist for The Catoctin Banner)

So, as Kindness Day approaches, consider grabbing a few rocks and some paint and help spread kindness throughout our community!

(left) Lousie  Schafer, a Thurmont resident, poses with a “Be Kind, Inspire Thurmont” bag as part of her idea to create a Kindness Rock garden.

As part of the “Be Kind, Inspire Thurmont” campaign, murals will be painted on the back panels of the basketball court in Community Park. The first will be completed by local artist John Nickerson, owner of Gnarly Artly Design Shop.