— Culminating the Thoughtful Campaign with a Special Screening of Lionsgate’s Upcoming Film Wonder Held on November 16 —
Today, the City of Miami Beach announced its participation in the #ChooseKind City initiative — a campaign, inspired by the upcoming film Wonder, in partnership with City of Kindness, Lionsgate, and Participant Media that invites people in cities across the country to participate in kind acts as part of World Kindness Day on November 13 and beyond. This initiative will culminate with a special screening of the film Wonder in Miami Beach on November 16.
The theatrical debut of Wonder works hand in hand with Miami Beach’s City of Kindness initiative, which engages local communities by encouraging residents, visitors and employees to practice kindness in every area of their life — spreading love and positivity throughout the urban-island.
“In today’s age, kindness is something we could all use a little more of,” said Miami Beach Commissioner Micky Steinberg. “Its benefits are contagious and engaging the community in random acts of kindness creates a cycle of paying it forward — that’s what being a City of Kindness is all about.”
Based on R.J. Palacio’s New York Times best-seller, Wonder, which is set for release on November 17 from Lionsgate, in association with Participant Media and Walden Media, tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August “Auggie” Pullman — a boy who was born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to discover their compassion and acceptance, Auggie’s extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out. The film stars Academy Award® winner Julia Roberts and Oscar® nominee Owen Wilson as the parents of Auggie, portrayed by Jacob Tremblay.
The City of Miami Beach joined City of Kindness, Lionsgate, and Participant Media, in addition to the other U.S. cities involved, to deliver Auggie’s message of kindness to local community members.
“We are thrilled to see so many schools, businesses and community groups decide to participate this month by holding their own #ChooseKind initiatives,” added Steinberg. “What’s more exciting is to see residents of all ages find the smallest ways to lead kinder lives every day and make Miami Beach an even better place to live, work and play.”
The City of Miami Beach kicked off #ChooseKind observances with a movie ticket giveaway to Wonder’s pre-screening on Thursday, November 16. For a chance to win tickets, people followed the city’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and shared an act of kindness by tagging the city and using #MBeKind. Five lucky winners were selected at random. City employees also entered to win a free movie ticket to Wonder by participating in an internal giveaway.
Children in Miami Beach are not only spreading the love, but feeling it as well. Thanks to the generosity of Procter & Gamble’s Crest, at-risk families and youth enrolled in the All Stars, Success University and Parent/Child city programs will be encouraged to share a smile after receiving free toothpaste as part of Crest’s #ChooseSmile program, meant to show the power of smiles as a universal act of kindness.
Miami Beach believes every day brings an opportunity to be kind in the workplace, schools, at home, to strangers and more. That’s why the city is encouraging random acts of kindness from employees, residents and visitors – hoping to create a trail of kindness that crosses paths with each and every person in the vibrant metropolis.
