Angels Camp, CA – A simple message carries a powerful reminder across Calaveras County this February: Kindness Starts With Me.

(Left to right): Vice Chair Benjamin Stopper, District 5; Chair Martin Huberty, District 3; Autumn Andahl, District 2; Jared Hungerford; Debbie Strand; Amanda Folendord, District 4; Gary Tofanelli, District 1

In celebration of Kindness Week, the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors formally proclaimed the week of Feb. 14-20th as National Random Acts of Kindness Week, Feb. 17th as Random Acts of Kindness Day, and once again designated Calaveras County as a Kindness Zone. The Board first began recognizing Kindness Week in 2010, marking 16 years of countywide commitment to fostering compassion, respect, and community connection.

Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools Jared Hungerford and Calaveras County Office of Education (CCOE) Communications Coordinator Debbie Strand accepted the proclamation on behalf of local schools and students.

Kindness Week traces its local roots to “The Seeds of Kindness,” founded in 1994 by Jim and Judy Bergantz. Since that time, the movement has grown into a sustained collaboration among schools, community organizations, and local leaders.

Through a long-standing partnership with Jim Bergantz, on behalf of CCOE, Strand coordinates the annual distribution of kindness supplies to schools throughout the county. This year, a total of 5,575 wristbands bearing the message “Kindness Starts With Me” were provided to students and staff across all Calaveras County campuses. The wristbands serve as both a symbol and a daily reminder that even small acts of kindness can create lasting impact.

The Angels Camp City Council has proclaimed Kindness Week and designated Angels Camp as a Kindness Zone since 1995, demonstrating a long-standing tradition of civic leadership in promoting kindness. During this week’s City Council meeting, Strand shared remarks about the importance of modeling kindness for young people and presented wristbands to City Council members and the Mayor, highlighting the countywide effort to ensure every student receives a visible reminder that kindness begins with individual choice.

“Kindness Week reminds us that each of us plays a role in shaping the tone of our community,” said Hungerford. “When our students see kindness modeled by adults and leaders, it reinforces the values we hope they carry forward.”

Now in its 16th year of county recognition—and more than three decades of community tradition—Kindness Week continues to ripple through classrooms, campuses, and neighborhoods across Calaveras County, proving that when kindness starts with one person, it has the power to reach many.

Calaveras County Board of Supervisors proclamation presentation to Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools Jared Hungerford and CCOE’s Communications Coordinator Debbie Strand.

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