Central Oregonians help celebrate International Day of Happiness

More than 100 happiness walls popped up across the country — one in Bend — on Saturday in honor of Sunday’s UN-sanctioned International Day of Happiness.

“Science has really demonstrated that happiness is a precursor to success in all parts of your life, and the United Nations has recognized that,” Bend event organizer Fran Borcalli said. “And so we’re here to help them expand that happiness movement.”

The group Live Happy, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon and the Old Mill District wanted to spread the joy. The #HappyActs campaign asks people to do something that will make someone’s day a little brighter.

For Jenna McCann, a case worker at BBBSCO, being a role model is an easy choice.

“Being a good mentor and role model. I believe that change happens in your own backyard — that if you make one person’s life better, that can expand and eventually make the whole world a better place,” McCann said.

Once someone chooses their “happy act,” they post it on the wall. Live Happy donates $1 to Big Brothers Big Sisters for each pledged act.

Another good thing about happy acts? They’re free.

“My happy act is to love people that I meet,” Borcalli said.

According to Live Happy, happy people tend to be more successful and live longer. You can find out more about the movement at happyacts.org.