Along with mineral water bubbling up for the taking, a steady parade of parades and an overall quirky vibe, the small town of Manitou Springs also is becoming known for a newer movement.

A kindness initiative that began in January 2025 is growing and gaining worldwide attention, says former Mayor Ken Jaray.

A $10,000 donation to the nonprofit he started in 2020, the Manitou Springs Community Foundation — which awards grants to local projects and hosts events to inspire and strengthen community connections, stewardship and well-being — jumpstarted the organization’s Infectious Generosity Fund.

Now, 16 months after intentionally spreading kindness throughout the community using several initiatives, Jaray said the campaign is proving that generosity, warmth and compassion can be contagious.  

“When we first kicked off the initiative, 40 to 45 people showed up for an event; this year it will be double that,” he said.

The next free, public event, “Paint the Town Kind,” happens from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Manitou Art Center, 513 Manitou Ave. It will feature multiple projects, including the popular Pay It Forward Experience.

For this go-around, 15 randomly selected people each will receive $100, which they must spend on making an impact on themselves or others and report back to organizers where the money ended up.

The campaign’s most popular project, Pay It Forward began last March with five people each receiving $100, and in the fall three students each getting $100 to do as they wish. A local educational urban farm, a food pantry and a homeless person on a street corner were among the receivers of the cash.

“We’ve collected stories from a 16-year-old to a 90-year-old, who have told us the impact to pay it forward has made on them,” Jaray said.

People do not have to be a resident of Manitou Springs to be entered to receive the money. Just “come to Saturday’s event, get a raffle ticket and have your number picked out of a hat,” to get the cash to spread around, Jaray said.

There also will be rock painting with positive messages for creating rock gardens around the city to “uplift neighbors,” a screening of “The Power of Small,” a film highlighting the ripple effect of minor positive changes, along with live music, food and local nonprofit booths.

Two new programs also will be introduced: free medical equipment on loan for Manitou Springs residents and D-14 students, and Spreading Kindness through Music, which will provide local musicians with an unsolicited stipend of $150 to $250 to use their musical talents to spread kindness.

“Through these and other programs, we are proving that kindness and generosity are measurable community assets,” Jaray said.

The event is sponsored by Jaray’s Manitou Springs Community Foundation and the TDB Family Foundation.

Jaray said he’s also working with people from around the world to develop a “global kindness index,” which would allow communities to measure results and focus their efforts on areas that need particular work.

And he’s one of 20 founding speakers who will present at the inaugural “k20 Global Kindness Without Borders Summit” being held this month in Fort Myers, Fla. The event is hosted by the Roots of Compassion and Kindness Center at Florida Gulf Coast University.

With a focus on “kindness as a superpower,” the summit convenes researchers, business leaders and community members to explore how kindness, empathy and compassion can drive positive change.

“We’re really excited and proud that Manitou Springs has been recognized globally for the work we’re doing,” Jaray said. “To think we’ve been recognized is cool. Our community is open to receiving this message.”

For more information, go to https://peaklivingmanitousprings.org/.