(Updated Feb. 18, 2026)
January 4, 2021 marked the launch of our original year-long challenge, Make Kindness the Norm, inspired by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, to celebrate our 40th year in business. After months of uncertainty brought on by COVID—at a time when many local businesses were struggling—we chose to shift our focus toward something more hopeful and human. Rather than celebrating in the traditional way, we decided to honour the milestone with intention. As we approach our 45th anniversary this April, that mission remains just as vital. Kindness continues to guide us, and we’re committed to nurturing it every day.
Kindness isn’t just good for the soul — it’s good for the body too. Studies show that acts of kindness boost oxytocin (the “love hormone”) and serotonin, which can lift your mood, energy, and overall sense of happiness. Kindness has even been linked to longer life and greater feelings of pleasure. At the same time, it can reduce pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure, making it a simple yet powerful way to support both mental and physical well-being.
Watch this video:
Kindness starts within our walls
Every day, we make kindness a priority—for our team and our patients. We focus on the small moments: supporting one another, stepping up when it counts, and creating an environment where everyone feels seen and valued. Through simple, thoughtful initiatives—like surprise treats, handwritten notes, team activities, and shared moments of appreciation—we intentionally foster connection. These efforts are about recognizing each other and showing that support and care matter, whether at work or in the care we provide to those who trust us with their vision.
Our Community
Each month, we 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!
2026 Monthly Gift Certificate Giveaway
For the last five years, we’ve been featuring local businesses by purchasing monthly gift certificates, who in turn give them away through their social media platforms. It’s a small gesture, but one rooted in connection — supporting local businesses while sharing a little joy along the way.
Follow us @insightoptometry to see who we’re featuring next and for your chance to win a $200 gift certificate, all while supporting a local business we love. Below, you’ll find a list of our upcoming, current, and past features.
January – The Summit Spa
The Summit Skin Care & Hair Removal is a multi-award-winning boutique spa in downtown Halifax known for its expert, personalised approach to skin care and hair removal. Open since 1990, The Summit has built a reputation for professional, caring service in a quiet, private setting, offering clinical skin treatments, laser hair removal, electrolysis, advanced pedicures, and more. Over the decades, it’s introduced innovative services to the region and earned recognition locally and nationally for excellence, making it a trusted destination for relaxation and results.
Located
📍 5495 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax
📱 (902) 423-3888
CLOSED: Sundays
🕑 Mon:10:00 am – 5:30 pm
🕑 Tues-Thur:10:00 am – 7:30 pm
🕑 Sat: 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
www.summitspa.ca
@thesummitns
Giveaway: CLOSE
February – Neptune Theatre
Neptune Theatre plays a vital role in Halifax’s cultural landscape, offering live performances that reflect, challenge, and connect our community. From nurturing local artists to presenting bold, engaging productions, Neptune continues to be a place where stories are shared, perspectives are broadened, and the arts are celebrated year after year.
Located
📍 1593 Argyle St, Halifax
📱 (902) 429-7070
www.neptunetheatre.com
@neptunetheatre
Giveaway: LIVE
March – Sea Smoke Restaurant and Bar
Sea Smoke’s chefs bring decades of restaurant experience to the table, serving fresh, delicious seafood in creative preparations that will delight your senses. Located on the boardwalk at Bishop’s Landing, the restaurant and its large patio offer sweeping views across the harbour to George’s and McNab’s Islands and out to the open Atlantic, where much of their menu is sourced.
Located
📍 1477 Lower Water St, Halifax
📱 (902) 406-1051
www.seasmokehalifax.com
@seasmokehfx
Giveaway: TBA
May – The Bonfire
The Bonfire is a welcoming neighbourhood pub on Robie Street in Halifax’s North End, built on a progressive no-tipping model where staff earn fair wages and share in profits. Known for its comfort-food favourites, inclusive menu options, and laid-back atmosphere, it serves hearty burgers, sandwiches, gluten-free and plant-based choices, plus creative alcohol-free cocktails—making it an easy, community-minded spot to gather around the table.
Located
📍 2394 Robie St, Halifax
📱 (902) 474-3076
www.bonfirehalifax.com
@bonfirehalifax
Giveaway: TBA
2025 Gift Certificate Giveaways
- December – Feed Nova Scotia
- November – Aerobics First
- October – Bliss Caffeine Bar
- September – Besharam Bar & Grill
- August – Creme
- July – Cafe du Port
- June – Lou Pecou
- April – Dee Dee's Ice Cream
- March – The East Coast Dog
- February – Obladee
- January – Soberish Mocktail Shoppe
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 organizations from around the 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 15-20th, 2026 – Random Act of Kindness Week – #BeKindHFX
February 17th ,2026 – Random Act of Kindness Day
November 13th, 2026 – Kindness Day
World Kindness Day is an international observance on November 13th. It was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of nations’ kindness NGO’s.
