Waterford, a small town of 8,100 people in Northern California, is celebrating "Random Acts of Kindness Week" this week. City officials decided are trying to remind residents of Waterford that a nice deed can turn a stranger into a friend, which is an important message in trying times like these.

Susan Herendeen, of the Desert News, reports:

There are no rules to follow: A motorist could give up a prime parking spot. A pedestrian could plug quarters into an empty parking meter. A farmer could offer free vegetables from his garden. An appreciative person could pen a thank-you note. Hugs count, too.

This is not the first year Waterford has held a Random Acts of Kindness Week. Pastor Glenn Stanford, along with the Waterford Ministerial Association, began campaigning for this week in April years ago but in recent years the awareness of the week had dissipated. With all the economic turmoil this year, Stanford and Waterford town officials were encouraged to bring the week back.

Read the whole story here.

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