Photo courtesy Create Digital
'Tis the season to be jolly, and a collection of Richmond businesses and organizations are using social media and random acts of kindness to spread as much joy around the city as possible.
The #CreateJoyRVA campaign is the brainchild of Create Digital, a full-service Richmond digital strategy and marketing agency whose website proclaims its intention to "make digital human again." The campaign's goal is simple: to "encourage Richmond residents to #CreateJoyRVA by performing random acts of kindness to give back to the city where we work, live and love this holiday season," Create Digital strategist Christen Daniels explains in an email.
"With all of the negativity in the world right now, what better way to remind us all that there is still good in this world — starting in our own backyard," Daniels says.
Richmond Region Tourism (Visit Richmond VA), Pasture restaurant on East Grace Street, local artist RVA Coffee Stain, the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund (and this year's Christmas Mother, Katherine Wintsch) and BOHO Cycle Studio are all backing the campaign, which asks Richmonders to share their acts of kindness and moments of joy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #CreateJoyRVA. This content will then be shared on the CreateJoyRVA website.
The campaign was created this fall, after Create Digital staff viewed an inspiring TEDx video at a staff meeting. "The video showed us that, yes, you can buy happiness," says Create Digital's founder and chief executive officer, Kendall Morris. "Your joy increases exponentially more when you do things or buy things for others than when you do things or buy things for yourself. This campaign is about paying it forward."
The #CreateJoyRVA website offers several ideas to promote a generous and joyful spirit throughout the Richmond community. "Pay someone’s toll or give the booth operator handwarmers," "Donate your kid’s outgrown coats and jackets," and "Bring a meal or treat to a neighbor or friend" are just a few of the easy ways the campaign suggests brightening someone's holiday season.
The #CreateJoyRVA campaign encourages Richmonders to perform small acts of kindness towards others, and share them on social media. The joyful moments will then be posted on the #CreateJoyRVA website. (Photo courtesy Create Digital)
Morris says the spirit of the city also inspired the #CreateJoyRVA campaign. “There’s so much positive momentum happening in Richmond right now and we are so proud of our city. We thought this was a great way to tie into it."
What's the key takeaway for participants in #CreateJoyRVA? Morris says it's simply about people relating to other people.
"There is a deep and powerful value in human connection. We have the power to create joy in people, whether it's people we know or strangers."
To participate in the campaign, share your acts of kindness on social media with the hashtag #CreateJoyRVA. For more information, click here.
