Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Community Compassion


--by Sydney, posted Mar 19, 2011

Last Sunday, I walked into the house in the afternoon to find my brother scurrying around in a hurry.  As soon I had taken my coat off, he placed a bunch of papers in my hands and asked if I could start folding them up (so they could fit into an envelope) as quickly as possible.  He said it needed to get done quickly before it turned dark. 

I assumed it was probably something for his business and just got right to it, although I was a little surprised that something could be so urgent on a Sunday.  It wasn’t until I was halfway through that I actually looked at what I was folding – and when I did – it put the biggest smile on my face!  It was a lovely letter to all the residents of my street and the nearby streets in my neighbourhood. My brother was asking everyone to let him know if anyone needed helping get food, medicine or any other necessities.  He left his contact information on there and said that anyone that needed help should get in touch with him and he would figure something out.  He also asked people to get in touch if they were able to help out and he would co-ordinate it.

By way of background, London received an unusual amount of snow last week and the city was completely underprepared for it.  As a result it made it quite difficult to get anywhere, only the major roads had been cleared, so smaller roads and pavements etc. could be quite treacherous.  There are a good number of old people (and young families) in our little community and my brother thought that the snow may have posed some difficultly for some of them, particularly because we live on a hill.

He had a few elderly people get in touch asking for help for things they needed.  One of them was especially appreciative because his carer couldn't make it.  To our surprise, he got way more responses from people offering to help then he did from the people who wanted to help.  Everyone was really touched by his gesture and wrote wonderful emails.  One of our neighbours (who we don’t know) wrote an email to him saying that although she wasn’t able to help, she was “very proud of having a neighbour like [him] who puts other people's interests first.”

I love living on this street which has such a wonderful sense of community!

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Readers Comments

moral12 wrote: Great story and great brother!
David wrote: A brother to be proud of, a total act of kindness and compassion.
oldgirl wrote: It is great to read these stories. What your brother did is simply fantastic and the fact that many others ofered help shows what good can happen when people come together to help each other.


Your brother is truly an inspiration sydney.
shirley wrote: What an inspiration this young person could be for others. Either young or old. The social fabric of the community most certainly would have been strengthened by this young person"s wonderful selfless gesture. He has the attributes required to play a central role in maintaining the health and strength of the community. I hope the lessons learned by others might be passed on and that the young man continues his invaluable community work. He obviously has a beautiful heart, which should be nurtured. As a former community worker, i applaud him, and i'm sending him a big hug from down under.
cyprian wrote: So inspiring. This will help others know their responsibilities as "god's image" and do all it require of them. This will help in my sermon tomorrow. Gratis.
joy wrote: Thanks for sharing. What a wonderful story of kindness.
edyndut wrote: This awesome. That's very kind.
AnnieJ wrote: What an awesome act of kindness! Communities really do come together in times of need :)
Sajha wrote: I'm hearing more and more about communities coming together to help whoever needs it. What a sweetie your brother is, and just by acting on his own, look at the great river of giving energy he started. Blessings to your family.
Ollie wrote: So beautiful.

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