THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 25, 1994 TAG: 9412230274
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Peter Bushman knows that the holidays often bring out the best in people, but he thinks kindness should be a 365-days-a-year matter.
That's why last year he started an organization to foster the idea.
Bushman founded the local chapter of Random Acts of Senseless Kindness (RASK) as part of a nationwide movement. He and several members of the group have exhibited that volunteer spirit this holiday season by helping out at Lynnhaven Mall.
``It's called the Holiday Helpers,'' said Bushman. ``We helped any way we could. We opened doors for shoppers, helped them with packages, tried to direct them to stores, helped them to their cars.
``We also hooked up with the Joy Bells, a little girls youth group. We visited Beverly Manor (a Portsmouth nursing home) with them. They sang Christmas carols to the patients. We made inexpensive doorbells for the patients' rooms, too.''
Bushman, 28, started the local RASK chapter in November 1993, during his last year at Commonwealth College while he was Student Council president. He earned an associate's degree in business and now works at Lillian Vernon.
Bushman heard about a New York college professor who had given his class an assignment ``to do something today for somebody without thought of gain.''
``Then one morning, a guy gave me 19 cents for the bus ride and it got me interested in doing acts of kindness,'' said Bushman.
And so RASK was born. The group's credo is simple, said Bushman: ``To be nice to other people without personal, political or financial gain.''
The group volunteers were more than nice, said Marnie Dyer, assistant marketing director at Lynnhaven Mall. They were extremely helpful and received positive feedback, both from shoppers and merchants.
``This is the second year we've had Holiday Helpers at the mall,'' Dyer said. ``We make a seasonal donation to a non-profit group and this year it worked out well, because Mr. Bushman had called me and asked if his organization could do something in the common areas. I asked if he wanted to be involved in the Holiday Helpers.''
Bushman and his senselessly kind volunteers were equipped with identifying vests. They carried umbrellas, flashlights and rain jackets. They manned the exits during business hours. If shoppers wanted them to do so, the volunteers helped them to their cars.
``We have four exits and we like to keep three volunteers at each,'' said Dyer. ``They usually worked three-hour shifts. About 150 volunteers a week were involved.''
``It has been very well received and I'm sure we'll try to continue it,'' said Dyer.
Bushman, though, wants to see it evolve into more than just a holiday event.
``If only goodwill lasted year-round,'' he said, ``think how much better a place the world would be.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS
Peter Bushman, 28, started the local chapter of RASK, Random Acts of
Senseless Kindness. The group's credo: ``To be nice to other people
without personal, political or financial gain.''
Graphic
GET INVOLVED
Doing nice things for others doesn't require joining any club, but
if you'd like to get involved in RASK projects, call Peter Bushman
at 425-1823.
by CNB