Stories of Kindness from Around the World

My Chicken Flock Is Growing

The Blanket In The Dug-Out

In my new position as manager of parks and recreation in a small California mountain town I have the great privilege of being able to visit parks and playgrounds as part of my job responsibilities.  A month or so ago, on a cold autumn morning, I walked through a ball park near my office. In the dug-out I noticed some trash and an old blanket which I picked up and carried toward the trash bin. As I lifted the blanket to dispose of it I caught a whiff ... and it occurred to me that it was being used, probably by a homeless person. I stopped, thought about it, and reluctantly returned the blanket to the dug-out.   Over the next couple of weeks I would pop my head into the dug-out. The blanket was always there, always in a different place. As our maintenance men were in the park often I assumed ... Read Full Story >>

A Frustration Pinata

Someone I know was going through a tough time and feeling pretty depressed.

Salvation Army Snail Mail

I recently got some smile cards and was looking forward to doing something great for someone, but I wasn't quite sure what to do.

Then, the other day, I received a random letter in the mail. It was from the Salvation Army.

Inside, there was a blank card. Attached was an invitation to write a note for a homeless or lonely person inside the card. There was a free post envelope to mail it back, as well, and this could all be done anonymously!

It was the perfect opportunity-- I absolutely jumped at the chance to do this! As I wrote the card, I smiled at the thought of its future recipient--whoever he or she is. I thought about how that person might feel when they receive it. I hope they know that someone out there cares about him or her!

I also included a Smile Card before mailing it off! :)

Lost License And A Bonus

When I arrived at work this morning I had an e-mail from a co-worker saying he had found someone's driver's license.  I stopped by his office and picked it up. I didn't recognize the face on the license so I e-mailed the manager of our housekeeping staff to see if it was one of our 3rd shift staff that I hadn't met.     As luck would have it, it was indeed one of his employees! So I told the manager that I would leave it in an envelope at the front desk. I would put the gentleman's name on the envelope and he could pick it up when he came to work later that night.   I quickly printed out an anonymous note thanking him for all his hard work and then stuffed $10 and a smile card - along with his license - into the envelope.     Who knows ... maybe he will treated ... Read Full Story >>

A Chocolate-Chip Birthday Cake

I work in a small department store. I decided to celebrate my fellow employees birthdays - if they wanted to be remembered! 

Pumpkin Pie And A Smile Card

This past Thanksgiving the company I work for decided to open up its doors and serve a Thanksgiving meal for the less fortunate.  I couldn't pass on this and decided that I wanted to help!    I arrived at my work around 11 and found a line of families waiting outside the doors. I wasn't sure who I wanted to give my card to because there were so many people there but I knew I wanted to give it to a mother.    I served numerous tables plates of turkey with all the fixings and slices of pumpkin pie for desert. Everyone was so happy and honestly seemed thankful for what my co-workers and I were doing.    At my last table there was a older lady with about eight kids, ranging from toddlers to teenagers. She looked tired, but happy that her children were eating. After talking to her for a while she told me that ... Read Full Story >>

The Gift Of A Vacation

I was a single mother of two, trying hard to make ends meet. I had not taken a day off work for several years. 

Grocery Store Kindness

As I was finding a parking spot at the grocery store today, I noticed someone sitting outside. She appeared to be selling something. I knew it wasn't the season for Girl Scout cookies, and in that moment, I was feeling irritated that someone would be out there at this time of year.

Then, as I walked into the store, I saw a sign saying she was collecting food, hats, and gloves for those in need. As soon as I read those words, my irritation at a potential solicitor dissolved. As I shopped, I picked up some canned goods and pasta, and gave her the bag when I left.

I knew if she was sitting out in the cold and rain it must be important. And it felt so heartwarming to do a spontaneous act of kindness!

Free To Me - A Gift To Them

Six months ago I joined an online couponing/saving website. They post a lot of free samples of products, coupons and some instant-win and other sweepstakes!   I try to enter these sweepstakes as often as possible.   Well! I won a $50 giftcard to Olive Garden recently. Instead of keeping it for myself I sent it, anonymously,  to a couple I know where the husband has been off work due to health problems. So, I know money has been tight and I know a night out would be a real treat for them.   Neither one knew it was me but the wife posted on her Facebook page that, "An angel sent me and my husband a gift-card in the mail today. I dont know who it was but they probably didnt know our ten year anniversary is coming up and now we can afford to go have a nice meal. So, thanks!"   This is something I ... Read Full Story >>

160 Dresses

We are five women who wanted to make a difference in the life of our local girls. 

A Bus Ride, a Lost Hat, and a Happy Ending

Some days ago, I decided to leave my bike at home and take the bus instead. It was cold outside. I put on my only warm cap and my gloves, glad of their protection. I was glad I'd managed to quit my habit of losing gloves and caps as I couldn't easily afford new ones. On the bus, I pulled the cap off, it being warm inside. When I got to my stop, I jumped up and got off the bus. As I crossed the street, I realized something was missing: My only cap! In the middle of the street, I turned around, ran to the doors of the bus, pushing the button to open them, but to no avail. The bus pulled away from the stop. I kissed my cap goodbye. Just then, the bus stopped a short distance away because of a red light. While I sadly looked on (drivers aren't ... Read Full Story >>

A Special Delivery to the Post Office

Though I am a little late in posting this, I would not want to miss sharing it. For my final day of World Kindness Week I wanted to do something in honor of all of the wonderful volunteers here at HelpOthers who ship Smile Cards. Their hard work and dedication help spread smiles and enable others to do the same. How could I best do that? I had a few things to send out so I needed to go to the post office. They know me there as the "Smile Card guy" because of some of the things I send out. They know about Smile Cards as they have asked me in the past. I decided to bring them a dozen donuts. The clerk did not notice the box as I set it down while she stamped my packages being sent. As she rang me up, I slid the box of ... Read Full Story >>

Runaway Coffee Barrels and the 'Angel of Mercy'

Coming home from a coffee shop today, we had our old truck loaded down with three 50-gal. barrels of mostly coffee grounds that we use to make compost.  My husband had laid them down in the truck, and as we came up the ramp to a major intersection the tailgate hinge broke and all the barrels rolled out into the street behind us. Thank goodness there were no cars immediately behind us, which was a bit of a miracle since it was lunch hour. One barrel rolled right into a lane, and the two others were partially in a lane.  We slammed on the brakes, jumped out, and I retrieved the closest one while my husband started running back toward the ramp to get the other two. I knew that one of the ones he was going to get was extremely heavy; we had had a horrible time getting it into ... Read Full Story >>

A Lesson In Kindness From My Mom

When I was about twelve, I was headed to a restaurant for dinner with my family. It was winter, and on that particular night, the wind was really blowing. As my mom and I headed towards the restaurant from our car, a girl about my age and her mother came up to us. They asked if we had any spare change. My mom immediately asked where they kept their things. They pointed to an old car in a parking lot across the street. The girl said there were six of them living in that car, which was the same size as my own family. My mom said she had something to do, and after handing the people a few dollars, we said good-bye. Then, my mother sent me inside the restaurant with my dad and my three siblings. But she didn't come. Later, I found out that she had gone home and practically emptied ... Read Full Story >>

One Garbage Bag at a Time

I live in an apartment building where there are several elderly people and other tenants that are on a low or fixed income. There is a older gentleman neighbor of mine that is always willing to help out and go out of his way to help anyone in need. A few weeks ago, I was taking a large amount of trash out to the dumpster. This neighbor saw me and stopped to help me as he was taking out his own trash. When we got to the dumpster, he dumped his trash out of the bag. However, he kept his trash bag. "Why don't you throw the trash bag away?" I asked him. He replied that he has been using the same trash bag for a couple of months because he really didn't have money to spare to buy new ones. This immediately made me tear up. I thought about how we can ... Read Full Story >>

The Art of Waving

It began a year ago, around Christmas.   While driving around the corner of our townhouse complex, I always notice an old man sitting by his front yard. He is usually smoking or drinking and looks rather grumpy.   One day, while I was driving past him with my daughter, I decided to wave at him with a lot of excitement. Initially, when he noticed me waving at him, he looked a bit shocked. Then, I saw his hand go up and he waved back.   "Why did you wave at him?" my daughter asked.   I told her that it's just an act of kindness that doesn't cost anything, and it gives both him and me a sense of joy. She responded by saying that she was a bit embarrassed to wave to a stranger, but next time she would try it as well.   Lucky for us, we live close to the old man, so we saw him ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Act on Garbage Day

Every Tuesday morning, the garbage gets collected on our block.

Most people are at work during collection time and don't get home for eight to ten hours after the trash has been picked up.

After noticing all the empty bins sitting on the driveways, I've started going around the block after the collection, picking up all the trash and recycling bins, and putting them back beside the house or in the little passageways between houses. That way, the bins don't blow around, the lids don't get lost, and I can pick up the bits of trash that didn't quite make it onto the truck.

I have no idea if my neighbors are pleased, but it makes me feel good, and the block sure looks better for the whole day! :)

A Week of Kindness Adventures

World Kindness Week last November was a great excuse for my family and I to go on some kindness adventures! On Thursday, my daughter was in a play for her school. She really wanted me to bring some flowers like I do for her when she has ballet recitals or other events. It makes me smile that it means so much to her and that it makes her feel special. So I bought an extra bunch to give away to someone else to spread some smiles! Then, on Friday, I brought a box of individually packaged crackers and cookies. I put them in our break room with a note telling people to help themselves, along with some Smile cards. On Saturday, there was a parade in our town. My wife and daughter were in the parade for their Girl Scout troop, so my son and I watched along the parade route. It was ... Read Full Story >>

An Extra Ticket

Recently, when I went to the movies, I bought an extra ticket. I left it with the cashier, along with a smile card and a request to give it to the next person asking to see that particular movie.

Later, I overheard a couple exclaiming what a wonderful, truly unexpected surprise that was! I also left my 'free drink' coupon at the concession stand for someone else to enjoy...

Becoming aware of these opportunities for kindness opens up such a compassionate perspective on life. I am so grateful for this online community for helping me see it!