21 Days to Be Kind challenge returns

(PRESS RELEASE) -- MGM Resorts has joined Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation for its second annual 21 Days to Be Kind Challenge to encourage young people, families and teachers to build habits that foster kindness and promote the strength and wellness of their communities.

Inspired by the idea that habits are formed by repeating an activity for 21 consecutive days, the challenge calls on participants to practice an act of kindness each day during the month of September. The challenge, which will culminate on the U.N. International Day of Peace, is an opportunity for schools and colleges to kick off the new school year by establishing kinder habits that will last all year, and for corporate partners, nonprofit partners, and all other participants to head into the fall with a spirit of compassion and action.

"At MGM, volunteering in the communities which we live and work is in our DNA," said Tony Gladney, Vice President of Community Engagement at MGM Resorts International. "Caring for one another is what we do, so joining one of our resident performers in her quest of 21 Days to Be Kind is natural for us. In fact, we encourage all our employees to be kind 365 days a year."

During the month of September MGM Resorts employees will participate in the challenge by volunteering in nearly a dozen community activities across the country.

"We were overwhelmed by last year's response to our BeKind21 Challenge. This year, we hope to build on the excitement we saw from thousands of people and dozens of partner organizations," said Cynthia Germanotta, co-founder, and president of Born This Way Foundation. "Kindness is a simple yet powerful practice. That's why we're inviting everyone to join us in establishing kinder habits and building a culture of kindness by putting kindness into action each day from 1 September to 21 September – being kind to your body, mind and community."

A growing body of research has demonstrated the tangible benefits of kindness, for communities and for individuals. According to a survey commissioned by Born This Way Foundation, young people who describe their environments as kind are also more likely to be mentally healthy. Performing acts of kindness has also been shown to boost reported levels of happiness, self-worth and calmness while decreasing symptoms of depression.