2020 has been a difficult year for all of us, and it often seems like more people are in low spirits than ever. That’s why it’s so great that the mayor of Fishers, Indiana is launching the “2,000 Acts of Kindness Challenge”, encouraging residents to complete 2,000 acts of kindness by January 18, which is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Not only does Mayor Scott Fadness hope to boost spirits with this challenge, he also wants to boost the economy. He’s been giving out $100,000 in gift cards at local restaurants to residents in order to keep the economy going, but he only gives out the $50 rewards on the condition that recipients must conduct an act of kindness to receive them.

“2020 has been a year that has challenged us as a community, but it has also given us new opportunities to come together,” Fadness said in a statement. “I’ve seen neighbors helping neighbors, offering to pick up groceries or deliver meals. I have seen our residents step up to support strangers, participating in food drives and creating holiday care packages for those in need.”

Fishers, It’s time to show who we really are!!! Let’s finish this difficult year on a positive note. Do something kind & receive a $50 gift card to support our local restaurants! 2000 acts of kindness=$100k going to our Fishers restaurants!!! https://t.co/nzzQaSLSVe

— Scott Fadness (@ScottFadness) December 16, 2020

The mayor is asking residents of Fishers to share a kind act they completed, or nominate someone who has performed a kind act, through an online form and on social media using #FishersKindness. The acts of kindness can be anything from picking up groceries for an elderly neighbor to sending thank you notes to co-workers to cleaning snow off a stranger’s car.

“Shovel a neighbor’s driveway, send a letter of encouragement to a friend, hold the door for a stranger,” Fadness said. “Find opportunities to serve others in new ways and let us showcase what Fishers is all about.”

With all of the horrors that have happened in 2020, it’s easy to forget that there are still good people out there doing kind things for others. We applaud Mayor Fadness for finding a way to encourage good deeds while also boosting the economy at the same time. We can only imagine how much better off communities around the country would be if they adopted similar challenges to the one currently happening in Fishers!