Cienna Lazarus (age 11) created her first business called the Gift of Being Grateful during COVID-19 quarantine to focus on the great things we all have to be grateful for. According to Cienna, “Every night before you go to bed, you take a piece of paper and write down something you’re grateful for. This will help you keep focusing on all of the positive things in your life instead of the negative. Your gratitude box will keep filling up with grateful thoughts and you will realize or be reminded of what an amazing life you have.”
This story went viral after she was highlighted on the news in June, seen here – https://www.ktvu.com/news/danville-girl-starts-the-gift-of-being-grateful-to-spread-positivity. She has painted and sold almost 300 boxes to people all over the country. 
She has recently collaborated with Talulah (age 13) and Ruby Finkelstein (age 10) who are the co-creators of the Be Kind movement. Since 2016, they have distributed more than 20,000 of their iconic Be Kind buttons all over the world. They have also created the “Kindness Kids”, a youth-led group that brings people throughout our community together to organize acts of positivity and compassion.
Among their projects: collecting warm coats for those in need, preparing food for those who are hungry, and organizing birthday parties for children without homes. The “Kindness Kids” lead an annual event called the Kindness Day Walk and Celebration, a kid-driven and kid-led event that brings people together to spread and celebrate the power of kindness to strengthen community.
Now these three inspired girls are joining forces to bring gratitude and kindness to the masses. They will include a Be Kind button in every gratitude box for Thanksgiving and the holidays. Their mission is to focus on gratitude and kindness in a time when many people are facing challenging times. 
People can view and order the holiday gratitude boxes on Etsy – https://www.etsy.com/listing/832628871/custom-thanksgiving-gratitude-box?ref=listings_manager_grid.
The Gift of Being Grateful donates 10% of the profits to Oceana, which is an ocean conservation non-profit. Be Kind is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. More information may be found at bekindnapa.com and on Facebook: Be Kind Napa.
By Cienna Lazarus, 5th Grade | Ryan and Natalia Lazarus, Residents since 2010