SEATTLE, September 11, 2014 —Communities around the world are invited to play in the Compassion Games: Survival of the Kindest, a worldwide “co-opetition” running September 11 through 21, 2014. Over the following 10 days, neighborhoods, organizations, businesses, families and individuals will organize and participate in games of their choice. Scores will be tallied and displayed online, so “co-opetitors” can track the progress of teams worldwide.
In 2010, Seattle affirmed the Charter for Compassion, and committed to a ten-year Compassionate City campaign. In 2012, the city of Louisville Kentucky challenged Seattle to see which was the most compassionate city. Jon Ramer, co-founder of Compassionate Seattle, rose to the challenge, declaring “Game on,” and the Compassion Games were born. This year, more than 150 communities, organized as teams within leagues around the world are participating.
“The Compassion Games are inspiring and challenging us to create new ways of learning, playing, and serving each other and the world,” said Ramer. “We call the games a “co-opetition” because we’re cooperating to compete – we’re competing with each other to create a culture that promotes compassionate action. The Games are a chance to focus attention on all the opportunities and the compassionate actions going on around us every day.”
Participants can choose to do random acts of kindness; sign up to be a Secret Agent of Compassion and receive a daily mission by email; contribute to a service project organized by a business, organization, or neighborhood; pledge to drive with compassion; or create their own games. Players will record their activities by submitting a quick online report. Results from all participating communities worldwide will be tallied and shown on a Compassion Map online. Details and instructions for participating are at compassiongames.org. An events calendar will identify all gatherings, festivals, and opportunities for service during the Games.
Sponsors of the Games to date are: LUSH, United Way, PEMCO, The City of Seattle, New Stories, Kind Living, International Day of Peace, and many others!
Visit compassiongames.org to learn more, find events, submit reports, and check the leaderboard for the status of the “co-opetition.” Volunteers and additional sponsors are welcome – contact Jon Ramer at 206 972-7356 for information.
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