Make Kindness the Norm Challenge

 

(Updated July 16, 2025)

#BeKindHFX 

January 4^th, 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 40^th 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 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) 

Located
📍5668 Nora Bernard St, Halifax
📱 902-407-6614

🕑 Mon: CLOSED
🕑 Tue-Sun: 12:00 am – 6:00 pm
🍨https://deedees.ca
 @deedeesicecream

Giveaway: CLOSED

June – Lou Pecou Artisanal Pizzeria

They are an inviting pizza restaurant in the North End of Halifax, offering European-style artisanal pizza with the highest quality, fresh, local ingredients. Our dough is made with a proprietary blend of organic flours and a slow, attentive fermentation process, making it easier to digest and leaving you satisfied without the guilt.

From alluring appetizers to craveable cocktails, our chef uses his love of food science and pursuit of culinary excellence to create an elevated dining experience with bold flavor combinations that linger long after you’ve said “bonne nuit. “

📍 5567 Cunard St, Halifax
📱 902-423-0300

🕑 Mon-Thur: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
🕑 Fri-Sat: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
🕑 Sun: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
🍕https://www.lou-pecou.ca
 @lou.peco

Giveaway: CLOSED

July – Cafe Du Port 

Café Du Port is your new cozy corner of France right here in Downtown Halifax!

"We are here to fulfill your dreams of buttery croissants, delicate crêpes, and the sweet hot chocolate—perfect for sharing with family & friends. But wait, there’s more! We're all about bringing people together with affordable prices and extended hours (7 AM - 11 PM daily), so you can enjoy your French fix all day long."

Located
📍 1597 Barrington St, Halifax
🕑 7:00 am - 11:00 pm 
@cafeduporthfx

Giveaway: CLOSED

August – Besharam Bar & Grill

Be Besharam at the first Desi bar in Halifax! Besharam is a term used to describe people who are honest and open about themselves. At the same time, Desi can mean local in an Indian-context context because it refers back to where you’re from or your culture – which Besharams have plenty of! 

Located
📍 5680 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax - First floor, Red door
📱(902) 444-0484
🕑 7:00 am - 11:00 pm
@besharamhfx

Giveaway: TBD

September – Beyond Hospitality Group

Beyond Hospitality Group has a standout presence on the Halifax waterfront featuring La Crème, Asia, Sea Smoke, and Vandal. Their multi-restaurant gift card is a perfect fit for this initiative—giving winners the flexibility to choose and the chance to experience some of the city’s most exciting dining destinations.

• Asia Restaurant & Bar - Pan‑Asian Dining, Elevated
• Crème - Casual Elegant Café & Patisserie
• Sea Smoke - Upscale, Contemporary Fine Dining
• Vandal Doughnuts - Casual, Artisanal Doughnut Shop

Located
📍 1341 Lower Water St., Halifax 

Giveaway: TBD

October – Bliss Caffeine Bar

Giveaway: TBD

 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 9-15^th – Random Act of Kindness Week – #BeKindHFX 

February 17^th – Random Act of Kindness Day

November 13^th – 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.