(Updated May 9, 2025)
#BeKindHFX
January 4th, 2021 marked the first day of Insight’s original year-long challenge: Make Kindness the Norm. And to say we were excited is an understatement. The year prior, our physical health and mental well-being took a big setback due to the pandemic, but we were determined to change the narrative. Scientific studies show kindness has major health benefits: it increases oxytocin (the love hormone), serotonin, energy, happiness, lifespan and pleasure. It is also known to decrease pain, stress, anxiety, depression and blood pressure.
Watch this video:
40th Anniversary – Worth Celebrating
2021 also coincided with our 40th anniversary. We wanted to celebrate in a way that was meaningful and hoped the ripple effect of kindness would have a lasting and positive impact. It did, and still does! We continue to strive to Make Kindness The Norm an integral part of our culture at work and in our community.
Our Community
Each month, we try to spread kindness with local businesses through social media love and other initiatives. How can you help?
- Write a kind online review
- Follow them on social media
- Share their posts
- Enter their giveaway
- When you do visit them, make sure to SMILE, it’s contagious!
2025 Monthly Gift Certificate Giveaway
Since 2021, we have purchased monthly gift certificates for local businesses to give away on their social media platform. Although only a small gesture, we hope it brings joy to the businesses and their recipients. Follow us @insightoptometry to find out our next feature and for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate, while supporting a local business. Below is a list of our upcoming, current and past features:
Dry January – Soberish Mocktail Shoppe
Are you sober curious? This giveaway might be just what you’re looking for! 🍹✨ Soberish, which was recently featured on Global News, focuses on non-alcoholic mocktails and spirits. They also offer a large selection of bitters, barware, glassware and cocktail ingredients to level-up your home bar experience!
From Dry January to everyday choices, it's all about prioritizing wellness, clarity, and connection—without the booze. The alcohol-free movement is gaining incredible momentum, with more people choosing mindful drinking or exploring alcohol-free lifestyles.
Their Mocktail Workshops are already sold out but check out their website for additional dates.
Soberish Mocktail Shoppe is owned and operated by Nor'easter Apparel.
Located
📍 2443 Agricola St, Halifax
📱 (902) 410-8350
CLOSED: Sunday & Monday
🕑 Tue - Sat: 11:00 am – 5:30 pm
🍸 https://noreasterapparel.com/pages/soberish
@soberishmocktailshoppe
Giveaway: CLOSED
February – Obladee
Obladee isn’t just a fantastic spot for a staff appreciation party (where we had ours)—it’s also the perfect place to celebrate Valentine’s Day! ❤️ This year, it coincides with Random Act of Kindness Week (Feb 11–15) and Random Act of Kindness Day on Feb 17. What better way to show a little love and kindness than by sharing good wine, food, and company in such a thoughtful space? 🍷✨
Located
📍 1600 Barrington St, Halifax
📱 (902) 405-4505
CLOSED: Mondays
🕑 Tue – Thu and Sun: 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
🕑 Fri-Sat: 4:00 pm – 12:00 pm
🕑 Happy Hours: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
🍷 https://obladee.ca
@obladeewinebar
Giveaway: CLOSES Feb 19th
March – The East Coast Dog: Shop & Grooming Co.
Halifax’s newest boutique specialty pet store, professional groom salon, and on-leash dog walking services located in the historic Hydrostone District, in Halifax’s North End. All Natural. High Quality. Local & Canadian Products: Only the best for your best friend
Located
📍 3180 Isleville St, Halifax
📱 902-200-8332
🕑 Mon – Thu : 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
🕑 Fri-Sat: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
🕑 Sun: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
🐕 https://eastcoastdog.ca
@eastcoastdoghfx
Giveaway: CLOSED
April – Dee Dee's Ice Cream
Dee Dee’s Ice Cream began in 2004 as a family-run business scooping delicious, homemade ice cream out in Peggy’s Cove. In 2010, Dee Dee’s found a year-round home at in Halifax and has been a community staple since. We not only serve ice cream, but HUGE burritos, chilis, soups and baked goods.
In June 2022, the ice cream baton was passed on from Founder, Ditta Kasdan, to two local business owners, Jenna Mooers (CHKN CHOP, EDNA) and Lindsay MacPhee (The Floatation Centre).
902-407-6614
🕑 Mon: CLOSED
🕑 Tue-Sun: 12:00 am – 6:00 pm
🍨https://deedees.ca
@deedeesicecream
Giveaway: CLOSED
2024 Gift Certificate Giveaways
- December – Feed Nova Scotia
- November – Espresso 46
- October – Agricola Street Brasserie
- August – Shakespeare ByThe Sea
- July – World Tea House
- June – Audrey's Little Shop of Plants
- May – The Wine Spa
- April – Almonak
- March – Tribeca Bistro & Bar
- February – Vandal Doughnuts
- January – Agricola Street Bookstore
2023 Gift Certificate Giveaways
- December - Feed Nova Scotia
- November – The Nook Espresso Bar and Lounge
- October – Nurtured
- September – The Narrows
- August – Michelle Ashley's Bakery
- June – Uncommon Grounds
- May - My Mother's Bloomers
- April – Biscuit General Store
- March – Strange Adventures Comix & Curiosities
- February – FireWorks Gallery
- January – Layers
2022 Gift Certificate Giveaways
- December – Feed Nova Scotia
- November – Potikki's
- October – Sweat pea
- August – Café Lunette
- July – Saint Lou's Barbershop
- May - The Tare Shop
2021 Gift Certificate Giveaways
- December Five Holiday Giveaways:
- Highlander Spa
- The Garden
- Duly Noted
- Sweet Janes
- The Lemonade General Store
- November – Black Market
- October – The Stubborn Goat
- September – The Tare Shop
- August – Bookmark
- July – The Carleton
- June – The Board Room Game Café
- May - Inkwell Boutique
- April – Mary's African Cuisine
- March – Black Sheep Restaurant
- February – Tokyo Roll
- January – Steve-O-Reno's
A big thank you to Nikon Lenswear, our Official Lens Partner, for joining the challenge and showing their support for LOCAL businesses.
Beware of Scams
Unfortunately, there has been a surge of fraudulent accounts on social media platforms during Covid and Black Sheep Restaurant, as well as Downtown Halifax, were targeted. Their pages were duplicated, and the fake accounts reached out to people telling them they won the giveaway contest and asked them for their credit card information. Please be vigilant, never give personal or financial information on social media platforms and report suspected fraudulent accounts.
Random Act of Kindness Foundation
For this challenge, we were inspired by many individuals and organization from around the around world. One that stood out for us was the Random Act of Kindness (RAK), which we decided to join as RAKtivist and recently took the Kindness in the Workplace Pledge. They have several valuable resources available for everyone.
#Share Your Story
Let’s upstage the negative stories by sharing your experience of a random act of kindness. Someone left you an anonymous note to lift your spirits? We’d love to hear from you. Share them on social media using #BeKindHFX
IMPORTANT DATES
February 9-15th – Random Act of Kindness Week – #BeKindHFX
February 17th – Random Act of Kindness Day
November 13th – World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day is an international observance on 13 November. It was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of nations’ kindness NGO’s.
