A Birthday Brings Gifts For Needy
nbsp; I had a surprise 40th birthday party for my husband a few weeks ago and instead of everyone bringing my husband a gift that he did not need, I asked that everyone bring a food or paper product for our local food pantry. We had around 125 people that attended the surprise party. My husband was totally surprised. He was able to see people that he had not seen in a while. I had so many nice compliments on the party, but the special thing was that we were able to stock our local food pantry with $100 in cash and a whole truck full of food and supplies. If you are having a party, stop and think about doing the same thing. Others will benefit so much more than we would with a whole table full of gifts. "The world always looks brighter from behind a smile&q
- Posted by tressyanne
- Dec 10, 2008
- 8 Comments
- Share Story
My Son, My Hero
ust after his first birthday my son Cameron was struck down with a rare blood illness. In the following years he has needed four courses of chemotherapy, multiple blood and platelet transfusions, harsh immunosuppressive treatments, suffered a thrombosis in his leg and over 800 hospital visits, including stays of up to 3 weeks at a time. All this has led to him now also being an insulin dependent diabetic. Cameron is now 9 years old and raised over £71,000 to support other sick children. He has equipped his beloved children's hospital with books, televisions, game consoles, arts and crafts items, toys and games. To the hospital school that taught him how to tell the time, he also gave laptops so the most poorly children could work in
- Posted by babdiane7
- Jan 17, 2009
- 26 Comments
- Share Story
A Gift, 15 Years Later
wenty years ago my eldest daughter celebrated her thirteenth birthday. I worked hard at the deli the week before and got a paycheck of about $125. I went to the bank to cash my check and asked for one hundred one dollar bills, nice and clean and crispy if possible, please. I went home and grabbed a nice branch from a tree in my backyard and proceeded to use (almost) all of my paycheck to make my daughter a beautiful money tree with one hundred ones placed as carefully as I would have placed ornaments on the Christmas tree. It was a joy to behold! My daughter was thrilled. I wanted to take a picture of it, but all my money was gone and could not even afford a roll of film or a disposable camera. I asked the birthday girl, Jess, if she would buy
- Posted by lmil1954
- Feb 21, 2009
- 11 Comments
- Share Story
30 Days Of Inspiration For My Aunt's Birthday
unconditionally. She always listens and gives great advice. She is a real inspriration to me. She makes me want to be a better person, and trust me she has done just that. She always helps others, always thinks of others first, she helps strangers, family, and friends. She raises money for charities, and is very charitable with her money. They have been very fortunate. So her birthday comes around, and I say to myself what do I get her? She has everything she needs. I have to do something special. So I handmade these little envelopes with decorative paper, 30 of them, and bought some stock paper which I cut into little cards. On each little card I put an inspirational quote and wrote things from the heart&
- Posted by loverules
- Jun 14, 2009
- 6 Comments
- Share Story
Honoring Loved Ones By Feeding Orphans
y mother-in-law lives far away from her three children and usually doesn't get to spend their birthdays with them. There is always a card and a phone call, of course, but she does another amazing thing to celebrate her children---every year on their birthdays, she prepares a "birthday feast" for poor children in an orphanage near her home. Isn't that such a cool idea? Hope this idea might strike you when you are unable to be with a loved one for a holiday or birthday -- it makes you feel good by sharing the special day with those in need and know that you are honoring your loved one.
- Posted by cabbage
- Jul 19, 2009
- 4 Comments
- Share Story
Virtue Is The Only Shelter We Have In This World
use my cell phone again. He calls his mother, and asks if she can put $20 into his bank account a few moments before we park. That's when I realized how I would test him. We find our parking spot, and I open my trunk to get his bag out. It was an unseasonably warm April afternoon, and I reach past his bag to my own to pull out a very nice sweater. "Many years ago on my birthday, my sister gave me this sweater. The label has her initials embroidered into it,", I say, showing him the label. "During my own journeys, my family has been an incredible support to me. I couldn't have done much without them, particularly my sister who has taken care of so many small things that might have been impossible from overseas." He nods and
- Posted by twocents
- Oct 19, 2009
- 27 Comments
- Share Story
Grandchildren To The Rescue
hile I was away for a brief holiday recently, I had my purse stolen from my handbag. It contained birthday money from my grandchildren, a small amount of my own money, and my bank card. Since my bank card was stolen, I could not withdraw any money from the cash machine. Being so far from home, I was in a difficult situation. My family assured me that money was there if i needed it, that they would buy me anything I required. However, that idea did not go down too well with my grandaughters, as they felt that I should have some spending money. So they started a collection among themselves to replace the money I had lost, and convinced their parents to chip in as well. This was entirely the idea of the younger ones, who do not have much money
- Posted by lindsgran
- Nov 9, 2009
- 7 Comments
- Share Story
My Mother: My Kindness Champion
book … all sorts of wonderful things have found themselves hiding under my pillow! The best part is that she’ll be hiding (agitatedly) outside the door to see what my reaction is when I find the hidden surprise. On the odd occasion that I haven’t found it and gone straight to sleep – she’ll be sure to come and poke me herself ;-) In the week approaching my birthday, this goes into overdrive! I find all sorts of wonderful gifts all over my bedroom for an entire week before my birthday. One of the things that my mum really enjoys is when she knows that all five of us are going to be home for dinner. (In our household this happens rarely because of everyone’s work and social commitments.) She will often cook up a wo
- Posted by Sydney
- May 9, 2010
- 14 Comments
- Share Story
An Unexpected Blessing
traveled two hours in the rain to be with my high school friend for her 50th birthday. I had a wonderful time. I stopped for gas on the way home, and after paying, I was walking back to my car and something caught my eye on the ground near a mud puddle. I bent down and picked it up. It was a $10 bill – soaking wet, but nevertheless, it was money :). It may not sound like a lot, but it was a true gift for me. Money has been tight for a while, and I almost chose not to attend the birthday party. However, my desire to be with my friend overcame my inhibitions, and this spontaneous money paid for the gas required to travel back and forth. Unexpected blessings are always welcome! I followed my heart and it “paid”
- Posted by Aurelia
- Jun 26, 2010
- 8 Comments
- Share Story
One Smile
By Cindy McKinley One breezy summer morning, Katie was walking through the park with her mother. “Hurry up sweetheart,” her mother urged, “Or we’ll be late for the bus.” “Oh Mommy.” Said the little girl, “I sure hope our van is fixed for Grandpa’s birthday party.” Just then they noticed a sad young man sitting alone on a bench. Katie stopped for a moment and smiled brightly at him. The young man had lost his job and was feeling very discouraged. Dozens of people had walked by that morning, but no one seemed to notice him. Then this little girl appeared and touched his heart with the sweetest smile he’d ever seen. He suddenly felt inspired to start looking for a new job. As he hurried down t
- Posted by Jacinda
- Jul 13, 2010
- 6 Comments
- Share Story
A Lesson In Compassion From My Brother
t was my birthday so my wife, my brother and my child treated ourselves to dinner in a restaurant that we had never been to before. As we walked back to our car a very thin man approached my brother saying he hadn't eaten in a while and asking for money. Usually my wife and I treat such requests with suspicion but my brother took a different approach and he started talking with the man. The man said he was a singer and had come to Dubai from Pakistan to find work. His visa was expiring in three or four days. He had no friends here, couldn't land a singing job, and was surviving hand to mouth. He had a return ticket that had to be confirmed. To do this he needed 70 Dirhams. My brother gave him 20 Dirhams for food and asked the man
- Posted by advaitin
- Nov 20, 2010
- 11 Comments
- Share Story
A 5 Year Old's Extra Special Birthday Kindness
five. We always have a party for her with all of our friends and family. I am often a little embarrassed by all the riches received by her. I thought that this year, with her parents blessing, we could do something different. A nearby elementary school was devastated by fire over the summer and lost nineteen classrooms and the library. I thought we could use this birthday to create an opportunity for Lily, even at the young age of five, to understand service to others. The day before her party we drove to the school and took her on a tour of the devastation. Since Lily has been attending nursery she understood the concept of school and seeing the burned buildings helped her understand why we wanted to help. We asked the party-goers to bring donati
- Posted by Puppatina
- Dec 2, 2010
- 22 Comments
- Share Story
50 Acts Of Kindness In 15 Days
had decided to do as many acts of kindness as possible during the month of September, and I must say that I have surprised myself. I I never thought that I would get that much done in such a little space of time. I haven't done anything extra-ordinary, but I have been making sure to keep doing them. For example today is the birthday of a friend from HO and also from a very good friend (almost like a sister) from PT so I decided to top up their birthday presents by donating a small amount to a charity on their behalf that is going to allow 1 child to have clean water for a year, and 1 child to have medical care for 3 months, that didn't cost me the earth and I think it gave their birthdays a RAOK touch. Other things I've done include:
- Posted by Bluebell
- Jan 14, 2011
- 15 Comments
- Share Story
The Insight Of Children
took my children into the city last night to meet up with my husband to celebrate my daughter's 6th birthday. We walked through the downtown area while we waited for him to get out of owrk. In front of one of the subway stops was a woman sitting with a can. As we walked by, my daughter asked what she was doing and I told her that she was probably homeless and was trying to get some money. My daughter looked back and asked if on the way back she could give the woman some money. I told her that she absolutely could do that, and we continued exploring. Later on during our walk, we found a bed of cardboard and blankets. My daughter knew what it was and wanted to know who it belonged to so she could give them a dollar or
- Posted by Sian
- Jan 30, 2011
- 6 Comments
- Share Story
Bringing Spring Early
had a lovely surprise yesterday. It was snowing like crazy outside when my doorbell rang. There standing in my doorway was a delivery man with a beautiful bouquet of lilies for me. And this is why I received them... I was telling a close friend of mine how much I was wishing for Spring and how I loved spring flowers. It happens to be my mom's birthday on the first day of spring.. she passed away in 2007, but I always got her daffodils or some type of pretty spring flowers for her birthday. My friend knew I needed some cheer and I am delighted. They are so pretty and smell wonderful. Flowers - what a perfect way to make someone Smile! :) Thank You my Friend :0) I'm Smiling each day looking at them.
- Posted by Aurelia
- Jun 3, 2011
- 3 Comments
- Share Story
A Surprise 50th Birthday Gesture
went in early to the school where I work and I decorated the caretaker's little office with balloons, banners and streamers, with a choc orange, for his 50th birthday. He gets to school early each morning, so hope this will make him smile when he arrives this morning.
- Posted by damsel182
- Jun 7, 2011
- 4 Comments
- Share Story
Sharing My Birthday With A Stranger
nbsp; I celebrated a birthday recently and wanted to share my special day in a special way! I bought a bouquet of flowers at the local shop and went to the nearest nursing home and gave them to the lady at the reception desk. I asked that she pass them on to someone in the home who needed cheering up that day. She said she knew exactly who. I'm not sure if she divided the bouquet up into smaller ones or gave the entire bunch to one person. But I do know one thing. my special day was shared and extra smiles where made!
- Posted by Aurelia
- Jul 29, 2011
- 9 Comments
- Share Story
An Unexpected Gift At The Restaurant
he other night, me, my husband, and his girlfriend took our oldest son out for a steak dinner for his 21st birthday. The restaurant was crowded so we gave our name and they were to call us when a table was ready. While we were waiting, my husband saw a representative from a company that supplies product for the company where he works. He went over to chat and say hello. Once we were seated, we looked over and the representative and his wife were seated just behind us. In the course of our conversation, it casually came up that it was our son's birthday. After our meal, the waitress came over and told us that the representative had paid for all our meals! We were so surprised! I've often read on help others about such grand gestures by stra
- Posted by lindaavonne
- Nov 9, 2011
- 6 Comments
- Share Story
A Birthday Kindness Challenge
had a ‘eureka’ moment today. It was an idea for celebrating my birthday month :). I’ve decided to do 1 act of kindness for each year of life. Oops, I’ve just assigned myself to a whopping .... number of acts of kindness during this month! I started my mission to do my whooping number of acts of kindness today. I visited an old friend (over 80 years old) and spent some time with her. I took her recycling (I also had some of my own in the car) to the recycling site where I had to wait more than half an hour. I noticed that one of the people working at the site went from car to car explaining the delay and also let us know when we could go and dump our stuff, and then at the end he said “thank you” to ev
- Posted by Bluebell
- May 5, 2012
- 7 Comments
- Share Story
Birthday Tulips
I meet with a group of friends each Wednesday to quilt, visit, and laugh.   We take turns bringing lunch but the same dear lady always opens her home to our group.  Last week was her birthday and for once I was on the ball. I stopped at the flower shop and purchased a pot of tulips for her.  I am happy to report that she was both surprised and pleased with them, and we all enjoyed them as we spent the day with her.  She was especially pleased that they were tulips since she is Dutch and most tulips come from Holland. I was just lucky with that!
- Posted by annjav
- Aug 10, 2013
- 11 Comments
- Share Story
Slum School Birthday
My daughter asked her friends not to bring any gifts to her eighth birthday party. Instead, she asked them for a voluntary donation to help a slum school. All her friends and their parents contributed generously, putting their donations into the charity box she made. In all, USD 200 was collected and we topped it up to USD260. In addition, we bought stationery items and cup cakes and celebrated the birthdays of my daughter and son (their birthdays are just two days apart) with the children of Gulshan literacy program (GLP) school, Badda, Dhaka. It was a great party sharing our joys with those children. I was overwhelmed and so proud of my kids. The GLP school kids presented beautiful h
- Posted by anjana.aa
- Oct 14, 2012
- 9 Comments
- Share Story
Visiting My Ex
I visited my ex-wife today. She is wheelchair bound. We split up years ago and there were some bitter and difficult times along the say. But it as her birthday recently, so took her a birthday cake, some flowers and perfume. She was genuinely happy. I always find it a humbling experience when I am with her. She bears up so well and inspires me every day. Whenever I think I have something to worry about she comes into my mind and I realize that I have choices I can make while she doesn't have any real choices except to keep going. I was feeling so low today but this was the best thing I could have done. When I got home she called me to thank me. It all made the world seem a bett
- Posted by jcmunrouk
- Jan 30, 2013
- 7 Comments
- Share Story
Drying Birthday Tears
When I went in to work I heard that a co-worker of mine had been crying. When I asked why they said it was her birthday and nobody did anything special for her - not even her mom! So, I asked her what her favorite kind of cake was and she said confetti cake. Tonight, when I got home from work, I made a special confetti cake to take in for her. It will be so nice to see her smile!
- Posted by AURELIA
- Apr 1, 2013
- 12 Comments
- Share Story
Can I Have Kindness For My Birthday?
This year, instead of birthday presents, dinners, etc, my husband and I decided to pool our resources and request acts of kindness, compassion and generosity be done on our behalf. We aimed for one kind deed for each year of our lives. I'm turning 42 and he's turning 41 this month so that adds up to 83 acts of kindness! We sent out an email today requesting this gift, and posted it on Facebook. So far the response has been fantastic! We've asked people to share what they did so we can inspire others with the stories. My favorite so far involves my girlfriend's 12 year old daughter who got so inspired that she's currently brainstorming things she can do to be kind and generous.
- Posted by magicmuffin
- Apr 6, 2013
- 20 Comments
- Share Story
100 Acts Of First Grade Kindness
teach first-grade children and the 100th day of our school year is approaching soon. This is a big math day with lots of activities centered around 100. Last year I connected the 100th day to kindness and I have just kicked off the same project today with my current class. We had been talking about Martin Luther King Jr and his dreams of peace and kindness. His birthday was approaching so we talked about acts of kindness we could do at home or in school, then I challenged the children to do 100 random acts of kindness from Doctor King's birthday until our 100th day of school. The children were so excited to get started. Today was the official day to begin. We finished the day with 10 acts of kindness recorded. Paren
- Posted by kidzfirst
- Sep 20, 2013
- 12 Comments
- Share Story
Red Velvet Cake And Birthday Surprise!
had never made a Red Velvet Cake until recently! A friend at work said it was her favorite so I told her I would try to make one for her birthday. I made it in a bundt pan and it turned out delicious. She loved it! She hugged me and said thank you with tears in her eyes! I told her that I loved seeing other people happy and it was my pleasure to be able to make her favorite dessert for her. And you know what ... it's a win-win situation. I made her day special and I also learned how to make a new dessert! Red Velvet Cake with cream cheese frosting is now going to be one of my favorite cakes to make!
- Posted by AURELIA
- Nov 13, 2013
- 14 Comments
- Share Story
25 Choices That Lead To Happiness
Quarter century markers have a certain weight carried with them; a recognition that much has come before to get to 25 and that there is much to follow before the half century marker arrives. April 16 marks what would have been or what is, depending on your perspective, Josh’s 25th birthday. Since he left this world at age 15 ½ in October 2002, the number associated with his “missed” birthdays did not have a particular poignancy, other than 16 and 21(these are birthday markers in our culture for everything from driver’s licenses to an ID that allows you to legally consume alcohol and presents you as an “adult”). Yet, 25 evokes a feeling I can’t quite put my finger on, yet I know it is
- Posted by Nancy
- Apr 11, 2013
- 21 Comments
- Share Story
The Cupcake Connection.
replied with a somewhat puzzled, "No." So, I took the cupcake out from behind my back and presented it to him with a smile. "That's good!" I said. "Because Mom made cupcakes today she would like you to have one!" His smile was a beautiful thing to see and he said, "Well you tell Mom thank you. I don't know how she knew today was my birthday!" Now it was my turn to smile. I thought I had just done some random nice thing but turns out I was a vessel for the love he deserved to receive on this great day of his birth. Amazing! I am in awe of service! "I don't know," I told him. "Moms just know these things! Happy birthday, handsome!" Back in my c
- Posted by peacehunter
- May 23, 2013
- 34 Comments
- Share Story
Visiting The Orphanage
y aunt took me to visit the local orphanage and I spent some time with the children. I couldn't sleep that night for thinking about them. I have made up my mind to do something for them. I would like to go there every month and spend some time with them. I went back there on my birthday, distributed sweets and spent some time with them. The last time I had gone there they asked me my name and they talked very well. A month later, on my birthday visit, they remembered my name which really amazed me. They prayed for me that day and I cried like anything. They don't know much about me but their concern made me feel very cared for. We have many things from children. I am glad I got to give a little back by helping the orphanage.
- Posted by TLRavali
- Aug 28, 2013
- 13 Comments
- Share Story
How To Make Someone's Day
like to anonymously pay the restaurant tabs for strangers who catch my interest. The last one, for instance, was an elderly lady who came into the restaurant where I was having lunch with my daughter. She was alone and I heard her tell the waitress that it was her birthday and she would like a piece of pie and some coffee. As I left I told the waitress that I wanted to pay that lady's tab and I asked the waitress to wish the her a very happy birthday but not to tell her who it was. I try to do this once a month. When I was a young mother I was at a restaurant with my husband and two little boys and we were surprised to learn that someone had paid our bill because he thought we "looked like a nice family.&qu
- Posted by nlmccoy
- Aug 24, 2013
- 22 Comments
- Share Story
