Scouting youth inspire change, one Good Turn at a time

10 Good Deeds Anyone Can Do During Good Turn Week, April 13-21

TORONTO, March 12, 2013 /CNW/ - If one good turn deserves another, then 100,000 good turns deserve the same. Designed to spread friendliness and compassion throughout the country, Good Turn Week returns on April 13-21 and Scouts Canada invites all Canadians to participate.

Good Turn Week was established by Scouting youth to encourage Canadians of all ages to reach out and make a difference in the lives of other people and contribute to the development of stronger, friendlier communities.

"Every Scout lives by the principle to always help others. With Good Turn Week, we simply ask Canadians to perform one act of kindness to help create a happier society," says Kaylee Galipeau, National Youth Commissioner and Chair of the National Youth Network, Scouts Canada. "The best part is that it works both ways - doing a Good Turn not only makes someone else's day, but the individual also reaps the reward through the gratifying feelings it brings."

During the week, potentially more than 100,000 Scouts will pass along a Good Turn bracelet for each act of kindness they perform and encourage the recipient to pay it forward, creating a chain of goodwill spreading across the country. Of course, those who don't receive a bracelet can still do a Good Turn and share it with Scouts Canada by texting "Good Turn" with a description of their good deed to 51051 or submitting it via scouts.ca/goodturn.

A small gesture of kindness has the power to brighten someone's day - and even leave a lasting impression on their lives. A York University study found that people who did perform acts of kindness saw a marked increase in their happiness and self-esteem.

"It is very important for our youth to develop and derive a sense of community, and we can only begin instilling these values through example," said Andrew Price, Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors of Scouts Canada. "Each Good Turn has the power to help shape and change the world in a small but significant way to make it a friendlier and happier place. It all starts with one simple Good Turn."

These 10 Good Turns are easy to do:

1. Donate blood, clothes, furniture, toys, books or food - or give money to a charity.
2. Volunteer for a community program, or at a local food bank or shelter.
3. Help an elderly neighbour with grocery shopping or a household chore.
4. Write a letter to the Canadian forces thanking them for their service.
5. Feed or adopt an abandoned animal.
6. When shoveling snow or raking leaves, do the same for your neighbour.
7. Visit a nursing home just to chat with one of the residents.
8. Bring a special snack or lunch for your colleagues/classmates.
9. Buy a homeless person a meal.
10. Help someone who is short of change at the store checkout.

To follow the Good Turn Week momentum and see what Good Turns other Canadians are doing visit the interactive website at scouts.ca/goodturn, follow @scoutscanada on Twitter and like Scouts Canada on Facebook http://facebook.com/scoutscanada.

About Scouts Canada
Scouts Canada is the country's leading co-ed youth organization with more than 100,000 members nationwide. Scouts Canada offers programming for children and youth aged 5-26 in more than 19 languages, reflecting Canada's multicultural landscape and communities. Kids in Scouts have fun adventures discovering new things and experiences they wouldn't discover elsewhere. Along the way, they develop into capable, confident and well-rounded individuals, better prepared for success in the world. For tens of thousands of children and youth across Canada, Scouts is the start of something great. For more information visit scouts.ca.

Scouts Canada is a not-for-profit organization (Charitable Registration # 10776 1694 RR0028) and a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

SOURCE Scouts Canada

Image with caption: "Scouting Youth Collecting Food for Food Drive (CNW Group/Scouts Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130312_C4037_PHOTO_EN_24459.jpg

Image with caption: "Good Turn Week Bracelets (CNW Group/Scouts Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130312_C4037_PHOTO_EN_24457.jpg

Image with caption: "Scouting Youth Participating in Good Turn Week (CNW Group/Scouts Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130312_C4037_PHOTO_EN_24461.jpg