FLORENCE, Ky. — What started as a small idea to spread positivity about local businesses online has grown into a trending hashtag. Now, one lucky person will win some money for their kindness.
Emily Hatton, 38, started the Florence KY Community Group Facebook page nearly two years ago, hoping to connect community members and uplift local small businesses. She said leaving a review can change the trajectory of someone’s business.
While she was scrolling through social media, Hatton said she grew tired of the constant negativity she saw online. She wanted to change that, and the #KindnessMatters contest was born from there.
“What I did to start this was offer up $20 of my own money,” Hatton said. “I just said, ‘Hey, guys; if you could leave some positive reviews for local small businesses in the community, I’ll enter your name in a contest and one of you will win $20 from me.’
“I thought that was going to be it.”
David Draper, local business owner, saw the post. He agreed to match Hatton’s $20 donation and was the first business owner among dozens to donate.
“I was drawn to it because of the positivity part,” Draper said.
“David put in that extra $20, and it really kicked things off,” Hatton said. “I started to notice more and more businesses contributing and more and more people getting into it. I was surprised, but very pleasantly surprised that everyone was getting into something for kindness.”
What started off as just $20 quickly became $2,000 raised to give to someone who shares a positive message. Hatton said she thinks it’s because people want to see more positivity in the world.
“I think we all want to see more kindness online, and that’s what I think is really amazing about this,” she said.
Hatton said the group will stop accepting donations Jan. 24, and a winner will be announced Feb. 1. Some of the money raised will go to a Northern Kentucky charity.