THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 11, 1994 TAG: 9409110056
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
Have you ever driven through a toll booth and discovered that the person ahead of you has already paid your way?
How about being stranded at a bus stop without any money and a stranger volunteers to pay your fare?
Chances are, to the average person, such occurrences are rare. But if it were up to Peter Bushman, kind gestures such as those would happen every day.
Bushman heads an organization called Random Acts of Senseless Kindness - or RASK - of Virginia, whose team members are trying to promote the power of being nice.
``We're just helping people bring the awareness of kindness,'' Bushman said. ``Too often we don't pay attention to people saying hello when we walk by. We put on our blinders.''
Bushman, the former student council president at Commonwealth College, said he began to develop the idea after he was on the city bus and needed 15 cents. To his surprise, someone stood up and gave him the money.
``I started thinking, `How often do people do something without being recognized?' '' he said. ``I constantly heard and read about violent things. .
Since it was founded last year, the RASK team has volunteered in hospitals and community centers, made flashcards for area schools, visited nursing homes and worked with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
The word, it seems, is getting out. Just ask Martine J. Mayfield of Norfolk.
Last Saturday, Mayfield was on her way to Lynnhaven Mall when she pulled into the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway toll plaza with a dollar in her hand. She was expecting change but got something else instead.
``The lady at the toll booth waved me through,'' Mayfield said. ``She said, `The lady ahead of you just paid for you, and she said to have a nice day.' Of course, I was surprised. I can't say anyone has ever spent a quarter on me in that way.
``It was a really nice way to start my day. The only thing I remember about her was that she had a bumper sticker that said something about world peace.''
Bushman said one of the group's first activities was updating toys at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. ``That kicked (RASK) off . . . those were little things but they made a big impact.''
Bushman said other Commonwealth College groups got involved in volunteer work and decided to do more activities outside the school.
That includes any individual acts RASK members decide to do, such as giving someone money to buy a cup of coffee, saying hello when they pass others or even returning a grocery cart.
``We're always looking for the opportunity to be kind,'' Bushman said. ``The possibilities are just limited to your imagination.''
Anyone can be a part of the movement, RASK team members say. Often, after volunteering, members will pass out a business card that says: ``You are an official member of the RASK Team. . . . Pass this card on.''
``This isn't really an organization,'' Bushman said. ``It's more of an attitude.''
Still, a four-member executive committee meets regularly to research ideas and projects.
``It's so simple a concept,'' said Jay Hollowell, a committee member. ``It's one from a behavioral concept that has a lot of power to it.''
Hollowell, who is the Business Administration chairman at Commonwealth College, has been with RASK since it began. He said being a part of RASK is an effective means of performing community service.
``A lot of organizations in the area are doing specific activities,'' Hollowell said. ``RASK is a way of incorporating all this together, to make a mark in the community . . . and become part of a RASK network.''
Kollyn Ilnitzki, an executive committee member, said using kindness techniques has helped her work with other community groups.
``It's contagious, even though people are not always nice to you,'' she said.
The group plans to start a blood drive in Virginia Beach and work with companies, such as Lillian Vernon, who have helped them before.
``Everything you do will have a direct impact on the person'' Bushman said. ``The whole process is a chain.''
For more information, call Bushman at 425-1823. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
CHARLIE MEADS/Staff
Peter Bushman, president of Random Acts of Senseless Kindness of
Virginia, serves cake to students at Commonwealth College's Virginia
Beach campus as he introduces them to his group. Behind him is Tina
Doyle, president of the school's student council.
by CNB