Random Acts of Kindness took over Scott City last year and residents became absorbed with being kind.

"It was so much fun. It made you want to think of doing something special," said civic leader Shirley Young.

As president of the Scott City Chamber of Commerce last year, she embraced the week of kindness.

Random Acts of Kindness is a weeklong observance promoted by the Southeast Missourian.

The third annual Random Acts of Kindness week begins Mother's Day, May 10, and runs through May 16.

Young already is looking forward to this year's celebration.

Young said numerous Scott City residents practiced various kindnesses last May.

Scott City's Main Street was turned into Kindness Central as the high school, library, grocery store and fire department participated in Random Acts of Kindness.

Future Business Leaders of America at Scott City High School handed out candy to students.

Librarians at the Scott City branch of Riverside Regional Library handed out brightly colored bookmarks with the Random Acts of Kindness flowers printed on them.

The Economy IGA Foodliner gave away food to a few lucky customers.

Young made cookies shaped like musical notes for each member of her church choir. The same day, she made a batch of candy for a friend.

Young doesn't dwell on her own acts. Instead, she points to the charitable efforts of others, such as Brenda Moyers.

Moyers chairs the chamber's community betterment and beautification committee.

Young said Moyers is already making plans to cultivate kindness for this year's observance.

"Once they do it, it is hard not to repeat it," said Young.

Doing kind deeds for others is fun, she said.

Scott City treated its kindness efforts as one of its community projects for Missouri's annual Community Betterment competition.

Last September, Community Betterment judges visited the city.

Young said civic leaders wanted to demonstrate kindness rather than just describe it.

As the judges prepared to leave, civic leaders gave each one a "hobo pack" that included a red bandana tied on a stick, a Scott City railroad heritage ornament and cookies.

"When you do something unexpected for people that may not be expecting anything, it is just a random act," Young said.

Scott City wasn't alone in its enthusiasm for kindness. More than 350 organizations, businesses, churches, families and individuals in a seven-county area participated in Random Acts of Kindness last year.

Hundreds are expected to participate this year. The Southeast Missourian is providing 25,000 stickers and 13,000 bookmarks for the 1998 observance.

Participants may sign up by calling the newspaper office at (573) 335-6611.

Random Acts of Kindness participants

First General Baptist Church in Jackson

Little Whitewater Baptist Church in Patton

Mississippi Valley Home Educators

Girl Scout Troop 131

New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson

Perry County Middle School

Orthopaedic Associates of Southeast Missouri

Southeast Missouri Hospital

Regional Employee Assistance

Project Charlie

Mary Kay Cosmetics

North Elementary School in Fruitland

Jefferson Elementary School in Cape Girardeau

New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson

The Lutheran Home

Trinity Lutheran School

You can sign up too. Just call 335-6611 to register. Sign up for free stuff as well: stickers, bookmarks, brochures, signs, teacher and community guides and idea sheets.