California town first to reward kindness year-round

CONCORD, California (CNN) -- As a pessimist might say, no good deed goes unpunished. But people see things differently in Concord, California, where being a do-gooder brings dividends.

The city council is asking residents to nominate anyone who performs a random act of kindness -- be it holding a door for a stranger in a wheelchair, helping a stranded motorist or any other spontaneous, unselfish action.

The reward isn't cash, it's public recognition -- a letter of recommendation from the council.

"This is an opportunity for us to focus on the positive things that happen in the community," says Laura Hoffmeister, mayor of the San Francisco suburb.

CNN TRANSCRIPT Morning News: Mayor Hoffmeister: Concord, California, to Recognize Random Acts of Kindness

"No offense," she told CNN, "but a lot of times the press seems to dwell on the negative. This is a way for us to recognize those individuals that contribute to our community."

While some cities honor do-gooders during Random Acts of Kindness week in November, the mayor believes Concord's approach is unique. "This would be an ongoing program, happening throughout the year as those acts of kindness come to our attention," says Hoffmeister.

Kena Leek, a spokeswoman for the Denver-based Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, says no other city has enacted such a program year-round. "It's wonderful what Concord is doing," she told the Contra Costa Times, a local newspaper. "It keeps kindness out in the eye of the public the whole year."

For more US news, myCNN.com will bring you news from the areas and subjects you select.

City of Concord, California
Random Acts of Kindness

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.