8 Ways to Celebrate Thaddeus & Polly Seymour Acts of Kindness Day
From donating food to helping build a home, find out how you can celebrate the legacy of Rollins 12th president, Thaddeus Seymour, and his wife, Polly, and spread kindness on February 17.
By Luke Woodling, ’17MBA
February 11, 2026
Rollins’ 12th president, Thaddeus Seymour ’82HAL ’90H, and his wife, Polly, were known for their kindness, philanthropy, and decades of service to both the College and their local community. On February 17, the Rollins community can carry forward these ideals with small acts of kindness that reflect the Seymours’ passions and impact.
Facilitated by the Center for Leadership & Community Engagement in partnership with other service-focused campus departments, Thaddeus & Polly Seymour Acts of Kindness Day is a chance for Tars to come together to honor the Seymours’ legacy and to serve our community. Here are eight ways you can get involved.
1. Share messages of kindness
Join members of Omicron Delta Kappa on February 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. on Bush Lawn and February 18 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Tars Plaza to share messages of kindness and encouragement through sidewalk chalk message, sticky notes, and kindness stuffies. Think of it as a fun way to carry forward Thad’s reputation for colorful storytelling.
2. Contribute to Tars Pantry
Swing by Kathleen W. Rollins Hall at any point during Acts of Kindness Day to make a donation to the Tars Pantry. Rollins’ on-campus food pantry is available to all Rollins students and employees and accepts non-perishable goods, new and gently used business attire, and perishable goods with a long shelf-life.
3. Unplug and focus on kindness
Join Dorrell Briscoe, dean of religious and spiritual life, between 11 a.m. and noon for an interactive labyrinth walk focusing on how to spread kindness in our community and beyond.
4. Make a difference in a matter of minutes
Grab a Kindness Passport and collect stamps as you complete a series of 12 5-Minute Difference projects that range from making metal health and wellness kits for Brookshire Elementary School students to packing children’s goody bags for New Hope for Kids. If you collect six or more stamps, you’ll receive a T-shirt and be entered in a drawing for a goodie bag. Taking place on Mills Lawn and Tars Plaza from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., projects will be hosted by student and campus organizations and there will be sweet treats and refreshments to fuel your kindness journey.
5. Donate children’s books to the Polly Seymour New Leaf Bookstore
Spread the joy of reading by donating new or gently used children’s books to the Winter Park Library’s Polly Seymour New Leaf Bookstore. Bring your books to the Pathways of Kindness event on Tars Plaza and Mills Lawn from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
6. Celebrate the College’s uncommon commitment to community engagement
Head to Mills Lawn from 1 to 1:30 p.m. to help celebrate Rollins for being recognized as one of the nation’s best colleges for commitment to community engagement. Rollins is one of just 277 colleges across the country to earn the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a national acknowledgement of the College’s deep and sustained commitment to community partnerships and civic engagement. The program will feature remarks from President Brooke Barnett; recognition of the Seymour family, past Rollins presidents, and everyone who contributed the reclassification report; and a symbolic butterfly release.
7. Make a lifesaving donation
This year, we’re aiming to double our impact by hosting a pair of OneBlood’s Big Red Buses along Holt Avenue near the Knowles Memorial Chapel and Bush Lawn from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please consider donating if you’re able.
8. Help build a home with Habitat for Humanity
President Seymour served as co-founder and chairman of Habitat for Humanity Winter Park-Maitland, so grab a hammer in Thad’s honor and work on a local build near campus. This SGA-hosted event will run from 2:45 to 5 p.m. and has limited capacity so sign up today to secure your spot.
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