Random acts of kindness to brighten up Nashville

Put a smile on your neighbor’s face with these random acts of kindness.

A faint rainbow over the Ryman Auditorium, a music venue that was originally constructed as a church in the late 1800s.

A rainbow over the Ryman will put a smile on your face. | Photo by @susie_saladino

From simple gestures to volunteering your time, here are six random acts of kindness you can perform this week to make a neighbor’s day and brighten up the Nashville community, including a few thoughtful ideas submitted by readers.

Bring treats to work

The next time you’re on the way to work, grab your coworkers some coffee or pastries from one of these local spots.

Show local businesses some love

It’s no secret that we love our small businesses. Consider writing a positive review after your shopping trip, lunch, or date night.

And local musicians, too

“Support Nashville artists by buying their music and tipping if there’s a way. And getting merch from the show!” — Hillary J.

Get involved with Adopt-a-Street

Show your street some love through the city’s Adopt-a-Street program. Get a group together (your neighborhood, family, or friends) or adopt as an individual. Pro tip: You can adopt as little as four blocks, or as much as you’d like.

Write a letter or send a postcard

“Does anyone send snail mail anymore? Opening the mailbox and seeing something that’s not junk mail or bills always makes me feel good.” — Suzanne G. | If you’re running low on stationery supplies, check out Hester & Cook’s collection.

Help our furry friends

Consider fostering or adopting a furry friend in need of a home, or volunteer at local shelters like Nashville Humane Association and Metro Animal Care and Control. You can also donate monetarily or drop off blankets, toys, food, and supplies.

Volunteer with local organizations

Check out our growing list of 50+ local volunteer opportunities across 12 categories. Plus, find immediate volunteer needs via Hands on Nashville’s calendar or learn how you can help keep the @nashvillecommunityfridge stocked.

Gift something just because

To brighten up your loved one’s day, we suggest gifting a card or something colorful from shops like Gift Horse, Electric Mixer, and A Shop of Things.

More from NASHtoday
We’re asking our readers to submit their top questions about Nashville. We’ll do our best to answer them in 2026.
These city gifts are way better than a Jelly of the Month Club membership.
Whether you’re looking forward to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Christmas, here are some ways you can celebrate around town this year.
It may not change for you, but if it does, expect a new pickup day starting in early February.
Billy Strings? Check. Rascal Flatts? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
From plows to color-coded routes, Nashville has outlined how it will handle whatever winter brings.
A grassroots effort is helping Middle Tennessee properties become part of a nationwide habitat network.
It’s that time of year again — Spotify Wrapped is out and so is our annual roundup of your year in local news.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Eastpoint is the new name for the mixed-use district planned on Metro-owned land along the East Bank.