Stories of Kindness from Around the World

It Is Wheelie Hard To Reach Inside The Freezer Cabinet When You Are In Wheelchair.

I was just doing my shopping, reading from my list and getting things - when I noticed a gentleman in a wheelchair looking into the freezer display just along from me. I asked if he needed assistance and reached in and got a couple of items for him. He was also looking for another item which he mentioned but it was not in the section we were at. He thanked me for helping him and we went our separate ways, moments later I noticed the item he was looking for in a different freezer cabinet. I caught up with him and he came back to the freezer area. He was happy that I had found the item he was wanting, we then ended up next to each other at the checkout, I left feeling I had found a friend, and he left with the items he required.   ... Read Full Story >>

1311 Reads

Guardian Angel Plumber Gives Scholarships to Kids With Parents in Jail

"It can already be tough growing up without a parent – let alone trying to finance your own way through college without parental help. That’s why Karl Winsness is lending a hand. As a means of helping out local kids, Winsness created the only scholarship in the country that is given exclusively to children with incarcerated parents. Winsness, who calls his educational gift the “Willy the Plumber Scholarship”, only makes about $30,000 working as a plumber. The father of two says that he is able to afford the scholarship by living a relatively modest lifestyle. Winsness spreads word of the scholarship simply by spreading homemade fliers around Salem, Utah. While the sum of the grant is only about $1,000, the 17 recipients of the scholarship say that the financial boost means a great deal to their own wallets – as well as their self-esteem. One of the youths whose parents both went to jail ... Read Full Story >>

940 Reads

After Only Knowing Him For a Few Days, I Knew I Had to Help Him

A new driver started work a couple of days ago. He is an older man who seems to have seen better days in his life. I looked at him and felt that he must have worked at high paying jobs before but that he fell on hard times. He asked me if I thought that the company would lend him money to pay his rent for the month as he is not able to do that. I told him that it could be worth it to ask my boss. I imagined that my boss would be accepting and say yes. Lo and behold he did not accept and I was surprised. So I evaluated the situation and felt that this person was a decent man and decided to lend him the money for the rent for the month. I told him not to tell anyone that I did it because I was ... Read Full Story >>

1421 Reads

Meal Train

One of the parishioners in my church, who lives alone, recently had foot surgery. A meal train where people sign up to bring a meal to a person in need was set up. Last Friday I accompanied a friend who signed up to bring a pizza and visit. This week it's my turn. Looking forward to sharing time and putting a smile on someone's face.

884 Reads

Sharing More Than Coffee

I was at Starbucks and there was a homeless man who randomly approached me, asking me if I could buy him a coffee and a muffin. I thought about it and said to myself "why not" so I purchased him a coffee and a chocolate chip muffin. I don't really do that to a stranger but it made me feel good. ... Read Full Story >>

1241 Reads

Network of Connections Makes a Timely Gift Possible

I've been busy this morning organising more donations for the fire relief efforts. By complete chance I saw a crowdfunder which mentioned that a small community school had been destroyed.

I didn't know the lady, but by contacting someone that I do know in the area I've just arranged the delivery of three crates of children's books which they can restock with. The lady I spoke to told me that they have had rather a lot of bedding donated to the community already, but lots of small children in the area so I've also been able to dig out a pile of cot bed bedding which should help.

My task this morning is to get it laundered and boxed up, then the friend who is taking me to the hospital later is going to drop it at another friend's for me, who will deliver it to a third friend in the fire affected area, and finally on to where it's required. Don't you just love that chain of people coming together to make something happen?

 

1401 Reads

Sylvie Sunshine Beams the Radiance of Love to Everyone

Sylvie and Bobby were life partners for 54 years and his financial success provides for her care now that he has transitioned. Every morning as the sun rises, she does her ritual of meet and greet with those  she encounters at the lovely wooded, end of life residential cottages facilities at which she now lives independently. As she requires more care, she will move into the next level of care provided here, but for now this is her daily ritual. Sylvie is nicknamed " Sunshine" or "Sylvie Sunshine" for her radiance of love that beams through her presence in any room. She literally draws others into her loving embrace and hugs with her entire 120 pound being. Strangers at the facility smile broadly after Sylvie gives them her "smiling treatment". The joy when Sylvie is around is palpable. I've known her now for over thirty five years,and my memories of her loving ... Read Full Story >>

1124 Reads

Rebuilding LIves, Bridging Languages

Following the terrible fires in my country recently, many farmers are struggling to feed their animals.  There is simply nothing green for miles, winter stores of hay are burnt and the tremendous increase in demand for hard feed means it is completely sold out in some areas. A friend has been organising a collection of money and donations for fire victims and came across the details of one such farmer. She was having difficulty communicating with him as she doesn't speak Portuguese, but she really wanted to help. At my suggestion, my elder son telephoned the man on her behalf and determined his exact needs. On Wednesday, my friend will visit him with a truck load of the feed his animals most need. I have asked her to buy an extra couple of sacks from me to add to the delivery. In the midst of so much devastation, it's easy to feel overwhelmed ... Read Full Story >>

1613 Reads

It's All About Connecting

Every day is amazing; how is it that I can actually be here, right now, with all of you? But today is extra amazing! I was able to spend the morning with 8 of my students as we provided breakfast to residents of the Villa. This is a place where people are living, as they work toward self-reliance once again. Everyone chipped in and the residents thanked us profusely. One came up to personally thank us for the "You Matter" card, which was placed at every table-setting. It's important for each of us every day to understand that "We All Matter". Sometimes we can forget that and we never should. As I was leaving, after 4.5 hours of cooking, cleaning, serving, I stopped at a table of young ladies who were just visiting. They thanked us again for coming and asked when we'd be back...I began to tear up. It was I who ... Read Full Story >>

1175 Reads

Reaching Out to Help a Neighbor

I will be assisting a 97 year old neighbor who has limited sight, hearing and mobility. She has difficulty preparing meals and is unable to navigate outside of her house. I will cook her lunch, retrieve her mail and cut her flowers from her garden as she is especially fond of a rose named 'double delight'.   ... Read Full Story >>

856 Reads

Soothing Socks

Today, I was doing laundry in the apartment laundromat when I noticed a lady at the window. She asked if I had some socks for her feet as she just injured her foot. I went through my laundry basket and picked out the 1st 2 socks I found, later finding out that they didn't match - oops! After I left the laundry room, going towards my apartment again, I saw her sitting on the sidewalk,  slowly moving to put socks on her feet. While it is still summer here, the weather is cooler, and I thought I'd offer thicker socks if she wanted some.  She declined though, saying she was okay, and also turned down my offer for water. As I continued towards my upstairs apartment and looked back, she was gone. I hope she is okay now, wherever she is.   ... Read Full Story >>

1242 Reads

Wishing You Well

Yesterday, I saw a young boy of about 3 asking his mother for change to throw in a wishing pond. As he gleefully threw in the change, someone asked him "what are you wishing for?" Without hesitation, the young boy answered "That all the sick kids in the world will get well". It made my day -- and I too threw in my coins and silently repeated his wish.   ... Read Full Story >>

1255 Reads

Ideas For Building Community In Your Neighborhood

Ideas for bringing a sense of community to your neighborhood (all of these tried and tested in ours!) Organize an international potluck block party to celebrate diversity (everyone brings a dish celebrating their heritage; everyone brings own utensils, chairs, congregate in a driveway or street, kids play freely in the street which you block off to cars) Host a movie night for neighborhood kids Host a gingerbread making afternoon/other baking activity for kids Support/organize a kids lemonade stand for charity Share produce from your garden Share homemade baked goods Take in mail/newspapers when neighbors are out of town Visit elderly neighbors with homemade food or flowers and see what they need (rides to grocery store, church, hairdresser, light chores outside) Communal fruit-picking and jam-making Close off the street and have potluck dinner in the middle of the street so kids can play Organize a neighborhood band to make music for a potluck Halloween party Maypole/May dance party Host an Easter egg hunt in ... Read Full Story >>

896 Reads

God Uses Us To Change Others

Sitting in my favorite restaurant one day I noticed a man who came in...he looked unhappy and mad with the world...A look I had seen many times before. I gave him my usual happy good morning but his response was less than friendly. He looked at me, sat down and buried his head in the menu. I was not shocked by his response but I was curious if he would look up and give just a small hello or smile...over an hour passed and every time he looked my way...he looked meaner and meaner. Finally he called the waitress over and paid his bill...I turned my head away for just a second and he was gone. I looked down at his seat and there it was -  a beautiful rolled up $100 bill. I was in shock...I quickly got up to retrieve the cash...in my head Right and Wrong were fighting it out. ... Read Full Story >>

1615 Reads

Even Flowers Know How to Hug!

Yesterday I needed the cable repairman to come and fix our phone and internet. I was irritated with the company because it has been twice in the past two months we have had to call for these issues.

The repairman was prompt and efficient. He fixed our problem in less than an hour. I did not show my frustration to him, just went about my day while he worked. Before he left, we began talk
ing about my woodstove and how much I love using real firewood to warm up the room during the winter months. 

He said that last year he had to keep his stove blazing because his wife was very frail. I asked how she was doing.He replied she passed away from bone cancer. I felt tears welling up and asked if I could give him a hug. He smiled shyly and said yes.

Sometimes a hug might just help aid the healing of the wounds of grief. Always be kind, you never know the path of another. Even this flower knows how to hug!
 

1489 Reads

Road Rage Takes A New Turn

Tonight, I went to see a play by, and full with, women I consider fierce. En route, a car cut me off. I turned my bright lights on him and I drove right behind him. At the next stop light, I pulled up beside him. He was angry, and I gave him the bird as he seemed to shout profanities at me. I rolled down my window and said, "Really? You're mad at me when YOU cut me off?!" He retorted, "YES!" And then threw what I think was his coffee grande (with cream) in my face! It covered my face, my car, and my steering wheel. Thankfully, it was cold. I didn't know what to do but I was angry and tired and not feeling 100%, so I followed behind him with my bright lights on. I called 911 to report an assault by a taxi driver. A very nice and calm operator ... Read Full Story >>

2755 Reads

Goodbye Tension Hello Compassion!

Yesterday was my 10th year in the office!

As a token of thanks to my colleagues, I gave away (through a raffle draw) 10 gift certificates for an hour massage.

Each gift certificate went with a smile card.

 

965 Reads

Outside the Box Answers for Big World Problems

The two of us sat across from each other sipping coffee and staring bleakly at the news. We are Mohawk students from Hamilton, Ontario and we had gotten together to think of a way that we could make an impact on some of the problems we saw in the world. However, as we talked and sifted our way through problem after problem, corruption after corruption, and issue after issue, it became depressingly clear to us that there was little we could do. After a long silence, Mike looked up at me with a smile and said, “What if we do something small?” I laughed, thought about it, then replied “what about bus drivers?” That set us off on a mission to surprise bus drivers with their coffee orders. We believe that anyone can do the sort of small acts of kindness we did and that it's the simple actions in life that have ... Read Full Story >>

864 Reads
  • Posted by jacobvalkmedia
  • Nov 11, 2017
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Pizza Thanks

I was in our local pizza takeout today when a couple of teenagers came in to order pizzas. They each ordered a small personal size pizza for themselves and 3 large pizzas to be delivered to the fire department. which was having a training night. They asked the delivery person to include a note they had written thanking the members of the fire department for all they do for the community and for helping their friend when he was in a serious accident. They explained that their friend had lived because of the actions of the emergency personnel. I don't know these kids, but I am very proud of them.   ... Read Full Story >>

2070 Reads

Profound Connection While Shopping For My Father

I was called to go do some shopping for my Father yesterday. I had other plans, but he needed some clothes and a pair of shoes. Things do wear out, but sometimes he gives some of his things away or throws them out as he often doesn’t recognize them as his own. So, off I went to Target. I approached a kind, young woman, who works in the men’s department there and simply explained that I needed to buy some things for my Father, but there was a really good possibility that I would have to return them as he was ill and often doesn't care for new things at all. It was to be the start of a very profound conversation. She said that my Dad sounded a lot like her husband about new things. He was in a rehab center for those with very early onset dementia. I then told ... Read Full Story >>

1813 Reads




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