Acts of Kindness: The Ripple Effect of a Simple Act of Giving

RBC celebrates and applauds the simple acts of kindness demonstrated by our colleagues. We remain committed to our vision of building stronger communities and find joy in helping others. While we are not all able to give back in large ways, it is the simple acts that can make a difference in someone’s day. During this holiday season and pandemic, giving back to our community in small ways will help us all get through this together. #Caribbeanstrong #Actsofkindness

Mitzie’s love for education led her to volunteer at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) teaching courses in the Cayman Islands Banking Certificate Programme and delivering presentations on money management. She also thoroughly enjoys organising the Annual RBC Royal Bank Primary School Spelling Bee competition in the Cayman Islands for the last 22 years. In keeping with health and safety protocols during the pandemic, this year’s competition will be deferred. Mitzie said, “I always wanted to be a teacher, and any opportunity I can get to transfer knowledge, I try to do it.” She knows all too well that the cost of textbooks can be high and would be especially difficult to purchase for those affected by the pandemic.

Mitzie had a lot of books in her home library that she acquired over the years along with books that her son no longer needed and she decided to help other students by donating them. She began by making the books available for free on an e-commerce platform called Ecay Trade. Students were then able to reach out to her and reserve the books that they needed. Mitzie recalled a heartwarming moment when, upon collecting a book, the student recognised her as a teacher from the local college and expressed her appreciation and how happy she was to have received the book.

A few weeks later, an employee at the main library in George Town contacted Mitzie when they heard of her project. They asked her to consider donating books to the Redley Powery Library, located on the West side of the island. It was the ideal time as COVID-19 lockdown measures were being lifted throughout the country and students would be able to return to the library. Mitzie loved the idea and agreed knowing that a larger number of students would benefit from the lending service. She donated approximately 35 books on various subjects for both adults and children as well as an encyclopedia set.

This is an encyclopedia set which were a part of the book donation made to the The Redley Powery Public Library.

As schools began reopening across the island, many students who had received books from Mitzie reached out to her for further assistance. She already had many supplies at home and purchased additional items which she donated to those who contacted her. As a guiding principle, Mitzie strives to emulate her father’s generosity and saw students visiting the corner store he owned when she was a child. She observed how he helped less fortunate students by offering them breakfast as they passed by the store on their way to school. She pondered on this, “Sometimes we may find that we have so many things and when you share with someone you see how it impacts them in such a positive way.” Mitzie’s donations were greatly appreciated and will undoubtedly have a ripple effect as her initial act of generosity to donate books spread to the library and will benefit both children and adults in years to come.

“All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as at the date of the publication and are subject to change. This article is not an express or implied endorsement of any third parties or their initiatives by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.”