If someone comes up to you and presents you with a playing card — don't worry, it's not a joke: you've just been the recipient of a random act of kindness.

The Centre on Philanthropy is introducing a new idea called The Giving Game which aims to encourage people to carry out good deeds throughout the Island.

It is an initiative of Learning to Give, a US-based organisation that creates philanthropy-inspired worksheets, activities and classroom lessons. The Giving Game consists of playing cards, which people pass onto others by doing a good deed, such as paying for a stranger's coffee or helping a neighbour to carry out the trash.

The card recipient then does a good deed for someone else, so that the card continues to get passed on and on.

Programme manager Danielle Riviere said: "The Centre on Philanthropy is very excited to introduce The Giving Game, in partnership with programme sponsors Catlin Insurance. The goal of the programme is to facilitate a network of good deeds that will travel across the Island."

The programme includes 5,000 playing cards, each with a unique tracking number, which will be handed out to all Primary 5 through to Middle 3 students, Catlin employees and Centre on Philanthropy members. A few hundred cards will be available to the general public.

"The exciting part of The Giving Game is a component that allows all players to use a unique tracking number to register their card online and track how far their good deed travels," Ms Riviere added.

"The Centre on Philanthropy will be able to see how many cards are in play, the number of good deeds that have been accomplished, how many people have been impacted, and what other countries the cards have visited.

"If you choose to, you can write the story of your kind act on the website, to provide ideas and inspiration to others. Just think, the parking voucher you give to someone 'stranded' in a parking lot, or the grass you cut for a neighbour can spawn a good deed halfway around the world."

Catlin charitable donations committee representative Alexandra Porter said: "Catlin is very excited to be a part of this fun initiative to encourage acts of kindness throughout Bermuda, and potentially overseas as well.

"We think young people of all ages, adults included, will be fascinated to see the ripple effect that follows from their good deeds."

The cards have already been distributed to Catlin employees and Centre on Philanthropy members and will be handed out to school students during the course of next week.

Senior Programme manager for YouthNet Shirley Mullan said: "I think this is an excellent idea. Our young people need to learn that not everything is given to them and they have to give back. They also need to learn the value of giving without expecting anything back in return so this is a very good idea."

The Centre on Philanthropy was established in 1991 to help meet the need for more effective and efficient voluntary action in Bermuda.

The Centre's mission is to lead the Bermuda community in building an effective, efficient and sustainable third sector by: advancing knowledge skills and performance, fostering effective partnerships, creating a unified voice for the sector, and supporting and increasing volunteerism.

The Centre is a membership organisation offering a range of programmes and services to nonprofits, corporations, and individuals.

For more information visit www.centreonphilanthropy.org.