Stories of Kindness from Around the World

When I was a young girl, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents, who lived in a community especially for the elderly and near to an old people's home. I remember when my sister and I played our instruments for them, which was something my grandparents had encouraged. They used to tell me that if someone elderly engages you in conversation, to make time for them, as you might be the only person they got to talk to that day. I've never forgotten this and still spare time to chat with an elderly person if they do engage me in conversation.

So, when I saw the "make a suggestion for how your community would benefit from a $100" idea on this website, I immediately thought of the elderly!

As one of the lucky people to win the $100 dollar kindness contest for my community (it converted to £56 in the UK), I then contacted my local community centre, and explained about HelpOthers, and what we as a group were trying to do. I then told them how I had made a suggestion, that if I had a $100 dollars to benefit my community, that I would use it to benefit the elderly who were alone, and had no family. I asked them if there was some way I would be able to do that through them, and they said that they did do things for the elderly at least once a week.  I asked, "Could you do something a bit special" I asked them, "so that they could all benefit from this donation?"  "Yes of course, we could do a buffet and dance," the centre Manager told me!

I thought this was a fantastic idea and a very worthwhile use of the money.  We spent the donation towards food and beverages to cater for about 30 elderly residents. A poster was put up to announce the buffet and dance and it was arranged for an afternoon. They also put on bingo with winners being able to win a prize.

I went up to see how it was all going and it turned out to be a very enjoyable afternoon.  I was very pleased to see that the people I wanted to benefit had a wonderful and enjoyable time. It reminded me that you are never too old to have fun!  I knew my grandparents would have been very proud of me -- the feeling that I had helped to make this day happen for them was overwhelming and very fulfilling. It also helped me to remember that whatever is going on in the world, we can and do make these kinds of differences to peoples lives, with an "Act of Kindness", but we never realise that the biggest kindness of all, is seeing the difference we make anonymously and without condition.

I was very pleased to represent our HelpOthers group in this way, and to be able to show that you don't need to give a lot to get a lot, because what you get back is priceless!