Chester County resident Lisa Gisone, the founder of Kindness Rocks Chester and Montgomery County (KRCMC), has found a way to share happiness with others by randomly hiding painted rocks throughout the area for people to discover. Those who find a rock may keep it or re-hide it, but the recipients are asked to post a photo of the found rock on the group's Facebook page.

The effort began in 2017 after Gisone heard about a similar project from her cousin, who lives in California. "I started a Facebook group to encourage Chester County residents to impact their community by doing random acts of kindness, such as painting and dropping rocks to cheer up the recipient," Gisone explained. "Amazing things (started) happening. In a little over a month, we hit 1,000 members. Now we are at 6,500 members. People find them and want to join because they feel such joy from it."

Gisone noted that Montgomery County was added to the group's name to include rocks found in that area.

Those who paint and hide rocks are asked to include a message, either by creating a label or by writing on the back of the rock with a marker. The message states: "You found it! Keep it or hide it, but first post it to Kindness Rocks Chester and Montgomery County."

Since the group's formation, rocks have been placed and found throughout Chester and Montgomery counties at locations such as Kerr Park in Downingtown, the Parkesburg POINT youth center, St. Peter's Village in Pottstown, the Brandywine Trail and convenience stores and other local businesses.

"Sometimes I will leave (rocks) outside a craft store or supermarket. I leave them at parks when I go for walks and outside libraries. Wherever I go, I carry them in my purse and leave one," said Gisone, adding, "The first rock I ever found was at a Starbucks in Exton."

In addition, rocks that originated locally have made their way to other states and even other countries. "People take them on vacation," said Gisone, noting that painted rocks have been placed in Florida; Rehoboth Beach, Del.; and even Egypt.

Kindness Rock gardens have also been established at local libraries and businesses. "People have rock gardens in their front yards. There was a chiropractor in Parkesburg that had one outside their business, and we had a Scout build a rock garden at Twin Valley High School, as part of her Eagle Scout Project," Gisone noted.

Some rocks feature an image of a sports team or a favorite pet or loved one that someone has lost. "We have a woman who lost a baby, and she paints butterflies on rocks and leaves them everywhere. It can help people who have been hurt; it is an outlet for them and a way for them to (honor) the person's memory," Gisone said. "People have discovered that painting rocks is therapeutic and creates peace and joy in their lives."

Gisone noted that the Facebook group continues to grow. "Every day there are random people posting," she said. "(We are) a group of people who really believe and love the group and what it stands for. What we are doing matters."

To learn more and to view or post photos of found rocks, join the "Kindness Rocks Chester and Montgomery County (KRCMC)" Facebook group.