Some years ago, before Covid-19, Deven Alimchandani, scouting leader, counselor and volunteer of Troop 199, got amazed by trading posts at Del Valle, Camp Royaneh, and Disneyworld. Considering the urgency of climate change, he decided to introduce Planet Kindness Station at T199 meeting on September 4th 2024 and coined it as PKS199, with hope it will inspire scouts and families. While shopping for troop advancement, from San Leandro, Pleasanton, San Jose, Deven would also personally buy books/goods to support stores and share with others to learn and appreciate scouting program. Weekly he decided to pass on the brand new or gently used scouting items with others.
PKS199 kindness station is like kindness trading post, but nothing is stored and there is sale or money transactions. Anyone can bring new or gently used items and give it away free to anyone that needs or scouts could exchange books or item. Nothing is stored or managed, it’s a self-serve station and the troop guide or anyone in troop can put a PKS sign on a temporary desk. The purpose of this idea is to inspire kindness, reduce waste, and help others in need. Some scouts like to upgrade their own gear, some sell their older items on ecommerce websites. Alternatively, this could be one way to give away the gently used items and possibly buy new gear to support scouting too. PKS199 has been working most weeks little new and used items are being passed, keeping hygiene and safety into consideration.
Deven is grateful to Troop199 and family, for the cooperation, to motivate scouts on the acts of kindness.