Seven-year-old Willow Hess spent two days learning and rehearsing the dance she performed Sunday morning with a crowd of about 100.
Her mother, Free Hess, organized Gainesville’s first “Dance for Kindness,” a charity event that took place on Flavet Field.
“Be kind to everybody, and kindness will come back to you,” Willow Hess said.
Free Hess, the Gainesville leader of nonprofit organization Life Vest Inside, said in 50 countries more than 15,000 participants do the same dance on the same day at the same time. This year, Gainesville was one part of the global crowd.
Hess said Dance for Kindness is an annual fundraiser and a way to build awareness of World Kindness Day, which is today. The crowd danced for about five minutes.
Other local organizations presented information at the event to encourage involvement in the community. Healthy Families Florida, Family Network on Disabilities and Best Buddies distributed information at tables and spoke with attendees.
Hess said the charity is still counting how much money they raised at the event. One anonymous donor gave $1,500. She said she hopes to hold the event again next year.
“The point is to just come out and have a good time with people and talk about being kind,” Hess said. “I’m hoping to make this something that will be huge in Gainesville.”
Children and adults gather on Flavet Field to participate in Gainesville’s first “Dance for Kindness.” They were among thousands around the world who danced in honor of World Kindness Day, which is today.
