For Mary Mendez of Bradshaw Farm, 'tis the season for people to think of others in need.

And, according to Mrs. Mendez, the Christmas season couldn't be a better time for people to give from their hearts.

Mrs. Mendez is the brainchild behind the city of Woodstock declaring Monday as Random Acts of Kindness Day.

The Woodstock City Council made the declaration at the suggestion of Mrs. Mendez, who recently served as "Mayor for a Day" of the city.

Mrs. Mendez, the fundraising chairwoman for the Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council, originally approached Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques about the idea during the organization's gala in August.

The city government had donated the opportunity of serving as "Mayor for a Day" as a prize to be auctioned off at the gala, and Mrs. Mendez won the prize.

She said Monday is the perfect day for a Random Acts of Kindness Day as it's the same day as the Feast of St. Nicholas, a Catholic observance celebrating his generosity to children.

"It's also the season for giving and doing kind acts," said Mrs. Mendez, 57, who works as a Nikken independent wellness consultant.

Mrs. Mendez and Henriques said they hope the day will inspire Woodstock residents to perform kind acts for their neighbors.

Henriques, who served with Mrs. Mendez on the VAC a few years ago, said he was impressed with her idea.

"It's a great idea, and if it promotes one act of kindness for on individual, then it's worth while," he said.

Along with doing good deeds for others on Monday, Mrs. Mendez said she hopes the attitude of "paying it forward" continues throughout the entire year.

She said she would like other cities in the county to jump on board and declare a Random Acts of Kindness Day in their towns, too.

Those who have worked with Mrs. Mendez on the VAC said she has a passion for doing good deeds in the community.

Pat Bowen, the organization's co-chairwoman, said Mrs. Mendez's promotion of random acts of kindness is in line with her philosophy of helping others.

"She is just a very giving person," she said.

Mrs. Mendez and her husband, Mark, live in the Bradshaw Farm neighborhood in Hickory Flat and have two adult children.

Along with serving on the VAC, she is a member of the Bradshaw Farm Women's Club and actively involved with her church, St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Woodstock.

"I hope that everyone can make this part of his or her everyday life," she said of random acts of kindness. "If each person pays it forward, it'll snowball."