Rochester Business Owner Wins First CAKE Kindness Award
I heard through the grapevine that a Rochester business owner was winning the first ever CAKE Kindness Award today...and it is so deserved. This individual is demonstrating this quality in so many ways throughout the Rochester community and I knew I needed to be there to watch this surprise happen. Yep...this person had no idea!
This week is RAK week in Rochester. I had a few people ask me during the show today what RAK meant - and it simply stands for Random Acts of Kindness. The acts are also simple but what can happen because of one smile, one cup of free coffee, or even shoveling out a driveway...well it is a ripple effect that can spread kindness to thousands.
On Monday, I even had a chance to hang out with my co-workers at Townsquare Media - Samm Adams and Dunken from 106.9 KROC, Curt St. John from Quick Country 96.5, and James Rabe from Y-105FM - as we handed out free coffee and cocoa! Townsquare Cares and we were all so honored to not only bring smiles and warm coffee to people but to be part of such an amazing community! It is so much fun being part of this team but I also love seeing how we help. We've even got a few fun pictures of the team at other events..take a look at this link (click here).
Mayor of Rochester, Kim Norton, was the first person to share a few words during this
special meeting that took place at Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria. She proclaimed that today, Monday, February 19th, 2019 to be Rochester Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Day. It was a special moment as she shared how businesses, leaders, residents, and organizations display this kindness throughout the community.
This next part made me tear up just a bit because this was all a surprise...and the person had no idea! Danielle Teal, founder of CAKE - Caring Acts Of Kindness Everywhere, brought Pasquale Presa up to the front of the crowd and shared the following words,
Now, I especially want to thank Pasquela Presa for opening his doors today so that we can do the proclamation. With many establishments being closed, we needed a spot to read the proclamation. When I asked him if we could do it at Pasquela’s Pizzeria Neighborhood, I sorta knew he’d say yes. Why? Because he continues to show us and live the true meaning of kindness. Which brings me to the second part of this event. Pasquela, I had an ulterior motive asking you to open your doors today to do this (your wife is in on this by the way). Each year on Rochester RAK day, CAKE will award a recipient in the community that goes over and beyond the call of duty in the name of kindness. You exhibit exactly the intentions of CAKE, eat your cake and share it too…or in your case pizza – you live kindness, share about it and inspire others to do the same. This is the secret ingredient on how kindness continues! Without question, Pasquelas, you and your staff have continuously permeated Rochester and beyond with your thoughtful compassionate hearts. It gives me great pleasure, as well as everyone in the audience I am sure, to present to you, the very first CAKE Kindness Award!
Thank you, Pasquale, for demonstrating this in our community and for your amazing heart that shows everyone love and kindness!