By Theresa Braine, New York Daily News

Krispy Kreme is giving away free dozen-donut boxes to the first 500 customers who walk into locations nationwide today, “World Kindness Day.”

“World Kindness Day is an opportunity to make a positive difference by being generous — from paying it forward to meaningfully connecting with each other,” Krispy Kreme’s chief brand officer Dave Skena said in a statement.

“Simple gestures of caring and thanks, including sharing a sweet treat, is a great way to do that. We hope a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts — one doughnut for you and many to share with others — will inspire millions of small acts of kindness.”

Launched in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, the day aims “to inspire individuals and connect nations to create a kinder world.” It was thought in 1997 when members gathered in Tokyo for a conference on boosting kindness.

“We have to make kindness the norm, not the exception,” Brooke Jones, vice president of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, said in a statement. “What if we stopped thinking about them as random acts of kindness and started thinking about them as intentional acts of kindness?”

At Save the Children, World Kindness Day is highlighting a list of “10 Ways to Help Others in to Your Community” from donating to checking in on a neighbor and volunteering.