Othello mayor proclaims next week Kindness Week

by Rachal Pinkerton Staff Writer
| October 8, 2019 11:14 PM

OTHELLO — Othello Mayor Shawn Logan proclaimed Oct. 13-20 as Kindness Week during a regular city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 7.

“We’ve never had an event, or a week long event, like this,” Logan said.

Kindness Week is being done in memory of Kyle Lutey, a fun-loving, generous, outgoing, 10-year-old boy who passed away unexpectedly last year.

“Thank you to the city council and Mayor Logan for remembering Kyle with us,” said Lisa Lutey, Kyle’s mom. “While this is inspired by Kyle, it is also inspired by the citizens of Othello who reached out and lifted us up. It’s not just about Kyle, although it is, it’s about the community.”

The idea for Kindness Week came together a few weeks ago when the Lutey family invited friends and family over to discuss how they could celebrate the one-year anniversary of Kyle’s passing. From that meeting, individuals and groups from all over Othello have sprung up with ideas of how they can show kindness to those around them.

Kindness Week will start on Sunday, Oct. 13 with a Kindness Rock scavenger hunt. Two hundred painted rocks will be hidden around Othello. Three of the rocks will be prize rocks. All rocks will be in outdoor, public spaces. Boundaries for the hunt are 14th Avenue, Olympia Street, Broadway Avenue and Columbia Street. Prizes for the rocks will be awarded on Sunday, Oct. 20.

Monday will begin a food drive at McFarland Middle School, a coat and blanket drive at Othello High School and a drive for the Adams County Pet Rescue. The drives at the schools are not just for students. The community is invited to participate as well. Supplies for the pet rescue may be dropped off at their location or at NW Supply, next to Burger King in Othello.

On Tuesday, a remembrance vigil will be held for Kyle at the Lutey home. A music flash mob will take place on Wednesday. Anyone who can play an instrument or sing is invited to participate. On Thursday, Chalk the Walk will take place at downtown Main Street starting at 4 p.m. The meeting place for the event will be available at the corner of Main Street and Seventh Avenue.

Friday is the day to wear kindness shirts, the color blue or superhero shirts in memory of Kyle. At 1:30 p.m., individuals will be playing games with the residents of the Avalon Care Center, in Othello. There will be a supply drop off at Walmart for anyone wishing to donate to the Adams County Pet Rescue. There will also be a special remembrance of Kyle at the Othello football game that starts at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, there will be a mobile petting zoo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sunny Farms, next to Walmart. A pumpkin patch will also be open. That evening from 7 to 9 p.m., a family friendly country line dance will be held at the Lions Park skating rink.

Kindness Week will wrap up on Sunday, Oct. 20 with a community worship service at 5:30 p.m. on the lawn next to the Life Center, across from the Lions Park swimming pool. Prizes from the Kindness Rock hunt will be awarded during this event.

“We wanted to wrap up the week with celebrating the worst days of our life,” Lutey said. “It’s hard to imagine surviving them.”

“On the anniversary of that (tragic event), something beautiful is going to come out of it,” Logan said.

“Kyle would be out there loving it,” Lutey said.

More information on Kindness Week can be found on the Kindness Week event section of the Facebook page “In Loving Memory of William Kyle Lutey~Your Bright Light will Shine Forever” or on the “Othello Yard Sale Online” Facebook page.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at rpinkerton@suntribunenews.com.