Choose Kind With Wonder

From toys to T-shirts, films have given away a lot of stuff to get attention. But it looks like the upcoming Wonder is switching the equation by asking audiences to give back a little time to the community, instead.

Tomorrow, the film about doing small good deeds (based on the novel by R. J. Palacio) is hosting Choose Kind Day, as proclaimed by none other than Mayor Steve Adler himself. Working with Austin-based nonprofit Generation Serve, they have picked three local volunteer events to highlight:

• Helping tend the flower beds and collecting the fall harvest at Adelphi Acre Community Garden (3701 Adelphi Lane).

• Preparing meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House (1315 Barbara Jordan Boulevard).

• Painting a mural at Austin Pets Alive! Thrift Store (5801 Burnet)

For anyone that can't make those events, the organizers are encouraging any form of volunteerism, and they will be spreading the word on social media with the hashtag #ChooseKindAustin.

This weekend will serve as a warm-up for Generation Serve's own big event. Next week, it hosts its Austin Families Give Back day at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Center (1156 Hargrave), with volunteering opportunities for all ages, even kids as young as 3 years old. Families can sign up to volunteer here, and there are also opportunities to sponsor the event as either an individual or a business.

Wonder opens in Austin next week. Pick up our pre-Thanksgiving issue and or check back at www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/film/ for review and showtimes.