Story
Six Seeds began with one family attempting to instill the values of generosity, hard work, and service in the midst of busy lives. John and Jean Kingston, who live in the Boston area, found raising their four children more complicated than their own parents’ efforts many years ago. Today, children live with more “stuff,” choices, media options and demands on their time than ever before.
John is an Executive Vice President of Affiliated Managers Group, and Jean is a Penn graduate, a “household manager,” and a writer. As a couple, they wanted to instill virtue in their kids, even in the midst of the competing demands of work, soccer games, little league games, and church functions. In the spirit of “we don't know exactly what we're doing, but let's give it a go!”, they formed SixSeeds in 2006.
Quickly, they realized they weren’t the only parents struggling with teaching their kids how to lead others-centered lives. Over the next few months, many families across the country began attaching themselves to the idea. Mark and Linda Basnage, friends from college living in the San Francisco Bay Area, helped develop the first public materials for the organization. The bicoastal dimensions of SixSeeds grew as Curtis and Jody Chang out in Silicon Valley joined the efforts.
Since the first small seeds were planted in the hearts of their closest peers, however, SixSeeds has really grown. Now a national non-profit organization, SixSeeds has a signature family-sized service project, a weekly e-zine devoted to bringing good stories home, and partnering friends all around the world.
Our Name
Why SixSeeds?
The “Six” part of the name represents each of the Kingston family members, who each have the power to invest themselves in other people’s lives. The “Seeds” part represents everyone’s ability to pass along traits between generations, share best practices between families; and grow opportunities for those in need. John perhaps said it best.
“If one family plants small seeds - whether it’s effort, compassion, or just time - the results might grow to benefit many.”
After all, it’s important to transfer virtue from one generation to the next. Whether you know it or not, you’re giving your kids more than just your blue eyes and athletic ability (or inability). Your kids will grow up mirroring the way you serve, work and give. Indeed, we have a wonderful opportunity to cultivate these virtues most vibrantly in our families.
Plus, it’s good to partner together!. In agricultural communities, farmers share seeds. Regular cross pollination from each others’ stock — along with hard-won advice — results in the hardiest varieties for everyone. We believe family based service and giving similarly benefits from sharing ideas about what works and what doesn’t.
Lastly, we believe there’s great untapped potential in families pooling their resources to make a difference for those in need. Indeed, sometimes the smallest seeds represent the biggest potential.
SixSeeds families on the Mexico Service Trip