November 10, 2026 | By Ariel Mondlak
Misty & River at the Mobil Station receiving a gift and card of appreciation in 2025. Photo courtesy of Discover Waterbury
For the fifth year, Discover Waterbury invites local residents to recognize the people whose kindness makes Waterbury a better place to live and work.
Through Nov. 30, nominations are open for this year’s Waterbury Acts of Kindness program, where anyone can nominate a community member who has brightened someone’s day, given support when it was needed, or simply made life a little better for someone else.
Nominees can be of any age, and acts of kindness can be big or small, public or behind the scenes.
Thanks to the continued generosity of the local computer software company Ivy Computer, those nominated will receive a gift of Waterbury Bucks in early December, which is redeemable at more than 50 local businesses.
This year, Harwood Union High School sophomores will assist with the project by promoting Acts of Kindness in school and assisting with writing the cards of appreciation that accompany each nominee’s gift.
Last year, more than 50 people were nominated, including teachers, parents, children, neighbors and even strangers. Their stories reflected the many ways people look out for one another and contribute to the character of our community.
“Every year it is a joy to hear about the individuals who strengthen and vitalize our community,” said Matt Larson, vice president of Discover Waterbury’s Board of Directors.
Larson recalled recent nominees such as a local primary school educator who “will go to the ends of the earth to help a student having a tough time in school,” according to the person who chose them, and another community member whose nominator said her “sole purpose is to spread love and light to everyone she meets.”
Ivy Computer President George Pierce said his business enjoys sponsoring the annual awards. “This program recognizes the kind of behavior that makes Waterbury a wonderful place to live, while supporting that very same community. Ivy Computer has made Waterbury its home,” Pierce said. “We bring just shy of 100 people into Waterbury every day. It’s our community where we spend our work days and support local businesses. Acts of Kindness reflects the same values that Ivy Computer lives by each day. Our special thanks to Discover Waterbury for hosting such a wonderful program.”
Anyone may recognize a neighbor, friend, colleague, teacher, young person or even someone you may not know well but whose actions have made a difference. Those making nominations may sign them or make them anonymously.
Nominations are open through Nov. 30 using an online form at discoverwaterbury.com/actsofkindness. Nominees will receive their gifts in December.
For more information, contact Ariel Mondlak, marketing and communications officer for Discover Waterbury, the local nonprofit economic and community development organization (formerly Revitalizing Waterbury), at ariel@revitalizingwaterbury.org.