90 Uplifting Notes Distributed To Connect St. Pete Strangers

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Ninety random people around St. Petersburg were recently surprised with pink notes of gratitude that were dropped off at homes, car windshields or neighborhood hangouts. Some notes found their way to postal workers, too.

Lauren Hubbard, 33, is a first-year Junior League of St. Petersburg member, and for its 90-year celebration of service, members were asked to create a mini community service project that helped integrate the league's missions such as community service projects.

League members are required to follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines to limit the spread of the coronavirus, which limits our social lives and interactions with others. But with a little thought of how to safely lift others up, "the pink notes of gratitude" idea came to Hubbard.

"How can we encourage the feeling of feeling good during this bizarre time," Hubbard told Patch. "I thought, when I was younger, Mom used to leave me little Post-It notes. She would decorate them and it would make me feel good, and I thought about how nice it would be if you just surprised someone with a little gratitude note."

In honor of the League's 90th year in service, Hubbard decided to write 90 gratitude notes.

Hubbard said it took her less than an hour to write 90 of "the pink notes of gratitude" that were decorated with hearts, doodles, smiley faces and said encouraging words such as "You are valued. You are loved. You have purpose. Wishing you the best day ever!"

Her mom helped put them in envelopes they decorated together.

#Gratitude and #pinknotes hashtags were included on each numbered note, 1-90, in hopes that others would share the love on social media and inspire others to do the same. Some residents did post their appreciation on social media, such as Erik Georgieff, who wrote on Facebook, "Don't know who dropped these in our mailbox, but the random act of kindness is appreciated."

It took Hubbard two days to distribute the notes in the St. Pete neighborhoods of Crescent Lake, Historic Kenwood and areas of downtown St. Pete.

"I hope this inspires someone in the community to pass it forward," said Hubbard. "We are in times where we have to be reminded that we are more connected than not."

Hubbard is a 2021 candidate for St. Petersburg City Council District 4.