Thaddeus & Polly Seymour Acts of Kindness Day
Join us on February 17, 2026, for a day of service and kindness, celebrating the legacy of Rollins’ 12th president, Thaddeus Seymour, and his wife, Polly.
A Legacy of Kindness & Service
Find out how the legacy of Thaddeus and Polly Seymour inspired the College to create a new day of service in their honor.
Kick It Off With Kindness
5 – 7 p.m. | Bush Lawn
Omicron Delta Kappa is getting the goodwill going early. Stop by Bush Lawn on Monday evening to share and receive a message of kindness.
Jars for Tars Collection Drive
All Day | Kathleen W. Rollins Hall — first floor lobby, second floor Gathering Stairs
Swing by Kathleen W. Rollins Hall 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.
OneBlood Drive
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Holt Ave. near the Chapel & Bush Lawn
This year, we’re aiming to double our impact by hosting a pair of OneBlood’s Big Red Buses. Please consider donating if you’re able and bring your friends and family along!
Share a Message of Kindness
8:30 – 10 a.m. | Tars Plaza
Join forces with student representatives from Omicron Delta Kappa to decorate campus with messages of kindness and support. Grab a free coffee and doughnut to get your day started off on the right foot.
Labyrinth Peace Walks
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Behind the Mister Rogers Sculpture
Join Dr. Dorrell Briscoe, Dean of Spiritual Life & Interfaith Engagement, for an interactive labyrinth walk in which you’ll focus on how to spread kindness in our community and beyond.
Ringing the Bells of the Chapel
12:12 p.m. | Knowles Memorial Chapel
Listen at 12:12 p.m. because the Knowles Memorial Chapel bell will ring a dozen times in honor of Rollins’ 12th president, Thaddeus Seymour.
Pathways of Kindness: 5-Minute Difference Projects
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Tars Plaza and Mills Lawn
Grab a Kindness Passport and collect stamps as you complete 12 unique 5-Minute Difference projects that will range from making mental 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 into a drawing for a goodie bag.
Polly’s Book Drive with the New Leaf Bookstore
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Tars Plaza and Mills Lawn
Stop by Pathways to Kindness to make a donation of gently used and new books to the Polly Seymour New Leaf Bookstore. Your support will go directly to funding the Winter Park Library’s programs, technology, and collection. Our partners from the library will be on campus and ready to receive your donations!
Carnegie Classification Celebration
1 – 1:30 p.m. | Mills Lawn
This year’s Acts of Kindness Day will include a special celebration recognizing Rollins’ achievement of the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a national acknowledgment of the College’s deep, sustained commitment to community partnerships and civic engagement. The program will feature remarks from President Brooke Barnett, recognition of the Seymour family and past Rollins presidents, and a symbolic butterfly release.
Habitat for Humanity Build
2:45 – 5 p.m. | Meet in front of Rice Family Pavilion
President Seymour served as co-founder and chairman of Habitat for Humanity Winter Park, so grab a hammer in Thad’s honor and work on a local build near campus. Projects during this SGA-hosted event will vary and are dependent on the needs at the time of build. All supplies and transportation will be provided. Please Note: This event does have a capacity limit and requires an RSVP.