Helping community is family affair

"When you do something kind for someone, there are so many times you don't expect that person needs it, but they really do," said Elayne, who finds it personally fulfilling to spread unexpected happiness. "I have heard people say later, 'You have no idea how much I needed this today, because I just picked up my daughter from the hospital' or 'I just had a flat tire' or something. So though it may seem random sometimes, in a weird way maybe it is not."

She discovered the ideal venue when she was approached professionally in her position as Starbucks Coffee Co. district manager by the Shyann Kindness Project, which is dedicated to passing on kindness, one act at a time. The nonprofit organization was founded last year by Sandy and Glenn Rosati in memory of their daughter, Shyann, to serve children and caregivers who are in stressful situations due to illness or other traumatic events.

Since its inception, the organization's Kindness Gift-Giving Program has provided more than 3,400 gift packages and books to children in hospital emergency rooms and clinics, homeless feeding programs, shelters, the Ronald McDonald House, after-school programs for children and other locations.

Shyann's Mentors Program offers a unique service for parents and caregivers of children with special needs: free support from social workers, specialists and volunteers who deal with a wide range of medically specific conditions and issues.

"I love this program, because when you have a child with special needs, you can feel very isolated," Sandy said. "You are a caregiver, and at the same time you have all of these problems and emotions to deal with, and most people who are not in that situation don't understand."

As another testament to Shyann's spirit, Shyann's Helping Hands promotes social responsibility through youth volunteerism.

"We welcome kids as volunteers," Sandy said. "I think it's great that kids get to see how helping other children affects them and see the importance of giving back at an early age. . . . It's all about spreading kindness."

Cameron, 13, said he has enjoyed his volunteer efforts on behalf of the organization, which have included distribution of gifts on Christmas Eve at Tucson Medical Center and assistance with the current school-supplies drive at local Starbucks coffee shops.

"Most people might think volunteering takes too much time, or they have something else they need to do, but it doesn't take that much time at all and is very fun," he said. "Seeing the joy of the kids you help makes you feel very good inside."

Cameron also said it shows that everyone can make a difference in the world.

"Shyann has made a big impact on a whole bunch of people: people with special needs and foster children and so many others," Cameron said.

Lindsay, 9, said volunteering has helped her appreciate all that she has.

"A lot of the kids don't have a lot of stuff, and a lot of the other kids are sick. It makes me feel lucky," she said.

How you can help

Stuff a backpack for the Shyann Kindness Project

Through July, Starbucks coffee shops throughout Tucson are accepting donations of school supplies and backpacks in partnership with the Shyann Kindness Project. Drop donations in designated baskets at 22 local Starbucks sites, excluding those in grocery stores. The drive will benefit needy children in the Sunnyside Unified School District. Wrapped snacks, juice boxes and water bottles also are needed and can be dropped off with store managers.

The Shyann Kindness Project also welcomes donations of new toys and books, including Spanish books. Mentors and Spanish-speaking interpreters also are needed to help families of children with special needs. The project also seeks a donation of space for storage and gift assembly. For more information, go to www.shyannkindness.org or call 749-4021.