Life can be stressful even at the best of times, but some Richmond students selflessly went out of their way to make it a little less grim for others.
Students at Richmond’s Canada Star Secondary School, in partnership with students from Valleyview Secondary School in Kelowna, launched the Magnet Project last month.
It is part of a year-long kindness initiative, and this specific project saw students placing thousands of magnets around the city with positive and uplifting messages.
Daily Hive connected with the principal who spearheaded the project about how and why it happened.
“The inspiration for the Magnet Project came during a recent trip I took to Chicago,” said Robert Anstey.
“As I was walking through the city, I noticed a small magnet on a stop sign that simply read, ‘You Are Beautiful.’ It stopped me in my tracks. That simple message, placed so intentionally in a public space, really struck me — it was a quiet yet powerful reminder of the impact positive words can have.”
The messages include phrases like “you are valuable” or “you are capable.”
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Anstey mentioned another initiative that students took part in, and you may have spotted it. Students handed out 1,000 flower bouquets to random people at Waterfront Station earlier this month.
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Speaking on the importance of spreading kindness like this, Anstey referenced the impact of COVID-19.
“Spreading positivity is especially important in the aftermath of COVID-19, which left many people feeling isolated and disconnected. Small acts of kindness — like giving out flowers or donating supplies — help rebuild a sense of community and remind people they’re not alone. For our students, it’s a powerful way to turn empathy into action and see firsthand how even small gestures can make a big difference.”
He added that the entire project was a labour of love.
“There’s no school logo or organization name on the magnets — just messages meant to uplift anyone who finds them. It’s about creating small moments of connection and hope in everyday places. We were also incredibly grateful to collaborate with Mr. Evan Christian in Kamloops and his students, who embraced the project with such heart and enthusiasm,” he said.
Anstey adds that this project and experience speak to what is possible through kindness.
“Seeing educators, students, and staff come together around something so simple yet meaningful has been a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we lead with kindness.”