Acts of Kindness Continues to Grow in our Community (Oneonta, NY)

A special report by Kindness Team member, Nickcole Hunt

The Oneonta bar crawl for students has become a long time tradition, and last night wasn’t any different. Many students participated in the bar crawl and found their way to The Redemption Movement’s Kindness Station at some point during the night.

#OneontaRides #seniorcrawl #oneonta #ActOfKindness pic.twitter.com/hZ3pf5J2xJ

— Redemption Movement (@RedemptionNY) May 12, 2016

When The Redemption Movement had the Grand Opening in Oneonta back in March 2013, they started with 30 Days of Kindness, along with church services, but they’re not the normal church program, since they find ways to go out in the community to help others.

They have offered services to families by providing parents with a night out by providing free child care and a free meal at Ruffino’s restaurant, they offer mobile church services, free food on the first Sunday of every month, groceries to those in need, money to holiday workers, and much more.





They have become famous here in Oneonta by students and the community by providing a Kindness Station throughout the year, usually of Fridays or during events like OH-Fest and the bar crawl. The Kindness Station provides free drinks, snacks, breathalyzer testing, and even a safe ride home, all free of charge. 

9 people lined up for the @BACtrack Breathalyzer. Definitely given over 100 tests tonight #OneontaRides #seniorcrawl pic.twitter.com/0EMmFxKZhF

— Redemption Movement (@RedemptionNY) May 13, 2016

The safe ride program was established due to a need that The Redemption Movement saw in the community; students and community members can’t always afford a taxi home or they may not have the abilities to make it safely to a bus stop after a night of drinking. The safe ride program has given 2,771 rides in total since they started, and 1,741 rides during the 2015-2016 year alone. 

But finances can be tight at times for them to operate this service. On average, it costs The Redemption Movement between $485-$1,000 to operate the safe ride program, which doesn’t include the cost of water, snacks, and other services provided at the Kindness Station. However, without regular sponsors The Redemption Movement always finds a way to keep going through donations (not accepted during the rides), volunteers, and fundraisers. 

Students always rave about The Redemption Movement with positive remarks such as "amazing," "wonderful," "kind," and, "we love you guys, you’re the best!" With remarks like these, who wouldn’t want to keep this program available to our community?

@RedemptionNY thank you so much for all of the rides this semester! Love getting to know the kindness team. What you do is inspiring ☺️☺️

— sara d (@BiggieSquals) May 17, 2016

Kaler Carpenter from The Redemption Movement states the goals for next year are:

Buy a van and/or raise enough money to be able to regularly rent extra vehicles, be able organize enough volunteers that we can go out both Fridays and Saturdays (without me having to do both nights), get more student/community groups and churches involved, and have first aid available at the Kindness Station. 

With a program that has helped our community in many ways and has goals to continue helping our community to change it for the better, who wouldn’t be willing to help? If you’re looking to provide an act of kindness, contact The Redemption Movement to find out how you to can help our community.