The Compassion Games, a new Seattle-based project aimed at gathering positive stories that will inspire others to get involved in our community, has launched, and it’s open to those living in Edmonds.

According to former Edmonds resident Rita Hibbard, who is involved with the project, the Compassion Games is a story contest sponsored by Compassionate Seattle and United Way of King County, with support from the City of Seattle and King County

The idea is to get people talking about the good things they do, in hopes that it “will inspire our neighbors to make our community a safer, kinder, more just and better place to live,” Hibbard said. “To that end, winners will be named in six different categories, including youth, those working to provide basic needs, faith communities, education and business.”

Stories can involve past experiences of compassion, or experiences of compassion that occur during the Games. Submission started Sept. 21 and will end Nov. 1. “Compassion can take many forms, but think of it as a commitment to appreciate and treat with respect all individuals we encounter, and to alleviate suffering when and where we encounter it,” Hibbard said. “How and where have you seen compassion demonstrated? How can you best tell this story?”

All stories will be displayed on the Compassion Games website as well as the Voices in Education website, becoming online galleries of acts of kindness and compassion. The stories can be text, video, MP3 or photography. Submission information is available on the website.

The Compassion Games also includes community service projects and other activities designed to involve people in doing good works in the community.