Lilbourn is a rural community of 1,370 smack in the middle of New Madrid County.

Most residents would agree it's a nice place to live. But this week, the town is overflowing with extra kindness thanks to efforts of a growing number of residents who have signed up as Random Acts of Kindness Week participants.

If you pay your water bill this week, you'll likely get a yellow smiley face or bookmark for Random Acts of Kindness. Patsy Schaffer, city clerk the past seven years, thought it would be nice to spread a little cheer.

"My son lives in Cape and works for the visitors and tourism bureau. He told me about it and I thought it would be nice to do," said Schaffer.

Yvonne Morgan, city collector, also signed up as a Random Acts of Kindness week participant. "I think it's a good reminder about the importance of being kind," she said.

As the clerk and collector hand out the stickers and bookmarks, they tal0k about kindness to customers. "It really gets people talking when they come in," Morgan said.

The idea is spreading through word of mouth in Lilbourn.

As people receive stickers, they ask about the week, and others sign up. Freda Reid learned about the week from Schaffer and signed up as an individual. She and her husband are "growing a church" in Lilbourn called Grace Bible Church.

"It takes very little to make some person's day," said Reid. "It doesn't take much to call someone on the phone or speak with a smile or give a good handshake."

Susan Gist of Lilbourn read about the week in the newspaper and signed up as an individual. She works at the Lilbourn branch of the Bank of New Madrid. She plans to hand out stickers and bookmarks to customers this week.

"I think we need more kindness in the world," she said. "I really like the smiley faces."

She also plans to do some "spur of the moment" kindnesses during the week. "It's a great idea to pass a little love around," she said.

Christine Lewis of Lilbourn works at a local radio station. She signed up her youth group at Big Ridge General Baptist Church, situated between Matthews and Canalou.

She wants her youth group members to understand that showing kindness is part of being a Christian.

"I want them to know it's their responsibility as a Christian to spread not only the God of love, but to spread joy everywhere," said Lewis.

There are a lot of smiles this week in the town of Lilbourn. Local participants hope the good feelings continue. Added Morgan: "You know it would really be great if the whole world would do something like this."