Stories by lewski711 (133 matches)

"Two Bits" of Fun!

Today was really fun! I went to my local grocery store with a handful of quarters and I loaded up all of the candy/gumball/toy machines so when a child came across what he/she wanted, there'd be quarters waiting to pay for them. I also added a "Smile" Card so they can learn to pay it forward. 

The Man At The Bus Stop

I live about a mile from a gas station. In front of that gas station is a bus stop. I see people at that bus stop every single day, but I never really have looked at them. A few days ago in the morning, as I was waiting at the light in front of the gas station, a man pushing a loaded down cart walked in front of me at the intersection. I recognized him. He was someone I had seen at the bus station before. When I came home later in the day, I noticed him sitting at the bus stop again. And, the next morning, there he was. When I came home that evening, he was still there. Suddenly I started noticing this man at the bus stop and realized he wasn't catching any bus. So, today I finally pulled into the gas station and introduced myself. The man's name is Bill. ... Read Full Story >>

A Third Grader's Gift Economy Experiment

I run a classroom economy with my 3rd grade students where they apply for jobs, get weekly pay, pay monthly rent for the desks, can buy their own desks and even buy their classmates' desks and become landlords.

With their income they can buy items at our class store, purchase bigger items at our monthly auction, or pay for experiences (lunch with me, rent me for recess, paint my nails).

One student decided to cash in a lot of his funds in order to do a RAOK for the class. He bought a class party...for $2,000. Just to give you an idea of how difficult that is and how giving it is, most students are paid $15 weekly. Rent is $100 a month.

So, instead of using his savings for himself, he decided to use it for his peers. Warms my heart.

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother

Anything helps!

I was just stopping by the grocery store yesterday when I saw a guy outside with a sign that said, "Anything helps". As I turned my car around and he was just about to pack up and leave. I asked what he needed in the store. He asked for a can of ravioli. I picked him up ravioli, spaghetti, and beef stroganoff in the car. He seemed to be appreciative when I gave them to him. 

A Child's Truth

This kindness really touched me, and it looks like it may ripple for years to come.

Probably the best note I have ever gotten from a student in 21 years of teaching. This was spontaneous, not an assignment. Had to frame it. Let me translate:

"I will write perfect. I will never break a rule. I will clean my desk. I will get blue money (classroom cash). I will go to college. I will have a job. I will become the boss of all the knuckleheads. I will participate. I will have a growth mindset. I will never bully. I will be nice. I promise."

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother
 

Being Kind to One Another

I went to the grocery store today and saw a very young couple holding a sign: "Please Help. Don't need rent money, just food for our family." So, I asked what I can buy for them. The young woman spoke in a strong accent I didn't recognize, "Sandwich, please." I asked if she wanted fruit and what kind of sandwich. Through hand gestures, she asked if she could come with me. So, she accompanied me inside the store. I bought her tomatoes and a chicken breast sandwich. She started speaking to me in Spanish and I learned that the two were Yugoslavian, and she knew some Spanish/Portuguese/Italian. Her Spanish was better than her English, and my Spanish was better than my Yugoslavian. I finished my shopping and delivered the tomatoes and sandwich to the couple who had been collecting other grocery items that I would guess were donated. They thanked me and said, "God bless you." I don't ... Read Full Story >>

Most Fun Yet

That was SOOO much fun! My daughter went out to the bike path and a corner in the neighborhood and offered people cold drinks (soda and water) and Smile Cards. Many said "no thanks," but were appreciative.

Lots were suspicious and asked, "why?" When we told them it's what we were doing it for RAoK Month, they were so happy! Almost everyone offered generous thanks.

One person felt compelled to pay, and couldn't believe we wouldn't take the money. He shook our hands.

One person said he'd give the drink to his homeless friends. So we gave him as many as he could carry.

And, one person took a photo of us...Spreading kindness! #AprilRAoK

Bowl Of Twisted Goodies

When my students came in from recess today, they all had a treat on their desks, a small bowl of pretzels, and a RAoK card to pass on and Pay It Forward. #AprilRAoK

Children Hand Out Ice Cream Vouchers On State Street In Kindness

Children hand out ice cream vouchers on State Street in kindness: I saw the video last night on TV, but it doesn't look like it's available online, but the story is. These are my students and the kindness flash mob we did yesterday! #AprilRAoK

He Sent A Stranger A Gift Off of Their Amazon Wish List

I was reading "Kindness Boomerang" (a book that gives ideas and inspirations of kindness for each day of the year), and I saw this one. I went to Amazon and found a random person's "Wish List" using this link.
Then, I was able to find an item, buy it and ship it to them, as well as leave a gift note. I don't know personal info about them, but their name and city.

Wish I could be a fly on the wall when they open the box.

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToOneAnother

Warm thank you to our principal

The teachers I know didn't expect how hard this remote teaching would be. There are so many issues that arise: families not responding, students who can't get on new platforms, new platforms not doing what they are supposed to do. The list goes on. But that's just from the teacher's point of view. Principals have to hear the teachers' issues, they have to deal with parents calling trying to get their kid in the virtual classroom, getting directives daily from the district, finding devices for everyone, and much more. Our principal was incredible BEFORE the world turned upside down. Now, she's handling it all, helping teachers, parents, and students, while dealing with what the district is implementing. There are sleepless nights and incredible stress. I organized a little drive today from the staff. We were all on campus today to drive through the local neighborhood with signs on our cars, honking our horns ... Read Full Story >>

A Birthday Gift Magnified

Today was incredible! One of my students, Miriam, gave me all of her birthday money ($25) to donate to Charity:Water, and organization that builds wells in communities that have no access to clean water. The following week was our school book fair and she had no money to buy any items, but she told me it was okay, that the water was more important. I shared this on social media and many helped: donating to the charity in her name, and raising hundreds of dollars for Miriam to replace the $25 she so selflessly gave away (https://www.gofundme.com/maribel039s-surprise). Today she received her surprise! First, Miriam found out that others were impressed by her selflessness so much so that they donated to Charity:Water in her name. Next, she got to see the 45 second thank you video that Charity:Water made for her. Then, I gave her the check that so many made possible. She was shocked and ... Read Full Story >>

Special Delivery

I left a package of sunflower seeds in the mailbox this morning with a note to the mail carrier and a "Smile Card". I remember when I was delivering mail and one customer always left a cold drink in the mailbox for me.

When I returned today, with my mail was a thank you note. :)
#AprilRAoK

Let's Play

I'm a teacher and at recess I usually stay in and correct papers or help students with work they are behind on. 

Today, I surprised them all and went outside to play! 

I taught them a new game and now they are teaching the rest of the school to play it. 

April RAOK showers bring May flowers

My daughter and I love doing this RAOK every April. It's a great opportunity for her to see kindness in action as well as the skepticism in our society. This year was similar to the others. Some people politely declined our drinks, but you could tell that many others were skeptical of "kindness with no strings attached."  I believe it's because it's so unusual in our society. "There's got to be a catch. They must be trying to sell me something or hand out religious materials." Some ignored us completely. But then, there are those experiences like the dad and his 5th-grade daughter today who stopped and got cold water.  They wanted to know what we were doing, why, and what prompted it.They stayed and wanted to hear our story. Then there was the tourist from Italy on his motorcycle who couldn't believe that we wouldn't take money in exchange for the drink. There was the ... Read Full Story >>

This Is Norma. She ...

This is Norma. She lives in my neighborhood. I see her walking every night with her new red walker. I tell her to slow down because she's going to get a ticket. She laughs at the idea.

Tonight I surprised her with a bike bell I ordered for her and the walker. I told her when slow-pokes are hogging the sidewalk, to just ring the bell and they'll move.

Again, she laughed. I asked if I could take a picture and share it. She told me I could as long as I could make her look sexy. I showed her the photo and she approved! 🙂
#AprilRAOK
 

Random Acts of Kindness Bags

In April I put together a RAOK bag for my car. I stocked it with food, water, candies, gift cards, lottery tickets, and the like. During the month, if I saw someone in need, I would look in the bag for something to help them.

After April, I still had some items in my bag, and I've reached in a few times since then.

Today, I was at a convenient store returning a DVD I had rented for my daughter when a guy asked if I had some money for bus fare. I rarely carry cash, and I was driving my wife's car (my car has change in it). I told the man I would look to see if my wife had left any change in the car. She hadn't! But she had put my RAOK bag in the car.

So, I looked, and lo and behold, there was a scratcher in there. I handed it to the man and told him good luck, and if it hit $500 to be sure to pay it forward. As I pulled out, he scratched and yelled that he'd won a free ticket.

I certainly hope that ticket was a big winner!

#AprilRAOK

Pizza anyone?

I have to share with you the wonderful kindness of others in my community. I am an elementary school teacher and I run a program called Improvement Week where my students focus on individual self-improvement and I surprise them with goodies that I get donated from local companies. I got an envelope in the mail today from a local pizza place that usually donates a large pizza every year, but the envelope was opened and empty. It appeared that someone took the certificate. I didn't feel right asking the restaurant for another, seeing that the first one was probably going to be used by someone. So, I posted online on a community page asking if anyone might have a pizza gift card that they were gifted, but has been collecting dust, and if they might want to donate it in lieu of the missing gift certificate. Within a couple of hours I had a ... Read Full Story >>

For The Heroes

My daughter and I just went to the local fire house and dropped off some homemade brownies for the firefighters. Felt good. :) #AprilRAoK

Anything Helps!

Went to the 99 Cent Store a week or so ago and stocked up a grocery bag with snacks, water and toiletries. Kept it in my car, until a couple days ago when I saw a guy on a freeway off ramp, holding a sign "Anything Helps".

I asked if my bag would help him, and he graciously said it would. Time to head back to the 99 Cent Store and make another bag.

#AprilRAOK #BeKindToONeAnother

What I Overheard

I saw a man who looked like he was really down on his luck today, and another man walked up and said, "How you doing? Are you hungry?"

He responded, "Yeah, kind of."

"Can I get you a sandwich in the store?" asked the other man.

I didn't want to stand there and stare. I continued to walk, and didn't hear any more, but I thought the act was very kind! #AprilRAoK

Kindness Flash Mob!!!

That was so much fun. About seven students from the school where I teach, as well as their families, came out today for our "kindness flash mob."

We contacted our local McDonald's who donated 250 free ice cream cards. So, in the rain, about 15 of us on the main street downtown passed out ice cream cards to locals and tourists, as well as a "Smile Card."

You should have seen the kids. They were interacting with the people, making them smile, explaining RAoK Month. There was a reporter and a photographer from the local paper.

We really made people's day, but my students and their families got a terrific experience of spreading kindness in the community, something I think none of them will forget...I know I won't! #AprilRAoK

I Was Dropping My ...

I was dropping my mom and sister off at the train station after their holiday visit. On the way I saw a man in a wheelchair in an empty lot. It looked like he wasn't wearing shoes. After dropping off my family, I went back to the lot and he was there. His chair was on the incline that lead to the street and it looked like he was struggling with his bare foot to keep from sliding into the street. I asked if he wanted me to pull him back up. He nodded. I asked him to pick up his feet and pulled him back up into the lot. He didn't respond when I asked if this was far enough. Then, I opened the box I had brought with me. It was a shoe box with an old pair of shoes that I had kept in my car in case I ... Read Full Story >>

I Was Touched ...

I was touched in a way that was unexpected. After we distributed our students' belongings to them, the entire staff drove around the neighborhood in a giant car parade. There were signs on our cars. We all honked. It took about 30 minutes. I got choked up three times when I realized the magnitude of what was going on. Most of our families struggle financially. Most parents don't speak English. Many had multiple jobs in order to feed their kids, but are now unemployed. As we drove through the neighborhood, families were recording the parade on their phones. They wore authentic smiles. They waved excitedly. Some had made signs for us telling the teachers that we were loved and missed. Families who had no children at our school stood outside and participated. They were all so genuinely happy that we did this for them, for this neighborhood, for the community. I had to hold ... Read Full Story >>

You Never Know Who is Watching

I was at the grocery store today and there were two lines; one short and one a bit longer. Of course, I chose the shorter line. I started to unload my items when a guy came up behind me with only one item to purchase. I told him to go ahead of me. Here's the cool part. In that longer line right next to mine, there was a guy with a decent amount of groceries, and behind him was a guy with just one item. Next thing I know, he tells the guy to go ahead of him. Maybe that gentleman saw what I did and he decided to follow suit. Or, maybe he did it all on his own. It doesn't really matter. It does give me pause to think, though. Our acts of kindness don't always just affect the ones that we are being kind to...they may inspire others to be ... Read Full Story >>

Sharing

On Easter, what do you do with the extra daffodils you got on sale on Friday? This!

My wife and I put bunches of daffodils and a Kindness Card on three different cars in the grocery store parking lot today!
 

A Kindness Role Model For My Daughter

Today was a gift. Since starting the 'Random Act of Kindness Challenge' in 2012, I have been a lot more aware of others and trying to be helpful.

My youngest daughter knows this, but has not seen it in action much. Today I took her on two errands and she saw me give a guy holding a "Hungry" sign a water bottle and bag of trail mix from my car's "Helper Bag". Then, we saw a dad and his two kids asking for help, and I bought them all sandwiches.

This was not all that miraculous, but I really appreciated my daughter's reaction. She said, "I know you say you do this kind of stuff, but it's amazing to actually watch it." I think this kind of modeling will lead to her helping others as well. 

 

Cleaning Kindly

My students went on a field trip to the Santa Barbara Watershed Resource Center today. They learned about how plastics affect ocean life, then went on an hour-long beach clean up.


That's definitely an act of kindness. :)
 

A simple act of kindness during the holidays

Was the recipient of a surprise act of kindness this holiday season. A friend of mine had seen me in the grocery store a month ago. The store is doing a promotion where you get stickers for every $10 you spend which can be used to "buy" kitchen items. She was ahead of me in line and the cashier asked if she was collecting the stickers. She looked back at me and asked if I was. I told her I was, so she collected them and gave them to me.
A few weeks later we got a Christmas card from their family and attached to it was a bunch of the stickers. Apparently, she continued to collect them for me and sent them for the holidays.

Not really random, but definitely a surprise that I appreciated. 
 

Celebrate with Giving

To celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, Mary and I bought 5 scratchers [lottery tickets] and 5 Gerber Daisies. Then, we looked for couples out and about.

For each couple, we introduced ourselves and told them we were celebrating our silver wedding anniversary by spreading love and luck to other couples.

Reactions were great! Some were shocked at first, but everyone was smiling by the end. Gave our luck and love to couples who'd been married 23 years, 39 years, 48 year, and 59 years.

We also gave a set to our 18 year old daughter and her boyfriend. One couple wouldn't take the scratcher, but gladly took the flower, so we gave the scratcher to a woman with a sign reading "Anything helps."

What a wonderful way to share our celebration with others!

##AprilRAOK #BeKindToOthers
 

A simple act of kindness during the holidays

Ripples In The 5th Grade