Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Crumpled Ten Dollars From a Laundry Machine


--by Jen, posted Nov 3, 2006
Last week, my friend was leafing through a bunch of clothes when he found a crumpled up note. Right then, he turns to me and says, "I don't know what amount this is, but it's yours. Pay it forward, leave 'em a smile card and lots to smile about." That bills ends up being a ten-dollar bill.

All week I've been wondering what to do. Saturday morning rolled around and I had to drop off a couple of bags of clothes at Goodwill. I had been to this particular Goodwill store before and as I'm driving, my mind wandered to the people working at the store. There is a large room at the back of the store for dropping off items and there are always people in the room sorting through the dozens of bags left for donations. I thought to myself, that's not the most glamorous job, but those people are making a difference. Bingo! There it was! Those people needed some type of recognition.

I turned the car around, stopped by a local grocery store, picked up a couple of thank-you cards and some candy. I placed the candy in two bags, since I had two bags of clothes. I wrote a note of appreciation in the thank-you cards, slipped a smile card inside each thank-you card, stapled the cards to the bags of candy, and slipped the bags in between my clothes.

I had a couple of dollars left over so I gave them to a homeless woman sitting outside the grocery store. $10 well spent :)
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Readers Comments

Sandra Miller wrote: Sharing is caring. One good deed turns into many good deeds, as you have shown with your kindness.
cindi wrote: God bless you, what a wonderful idea. Everyone needs to know that they matter, i'll bet that made their day
dimpy wrote: wat an inspiring idea thanks for sharing such a wonderful story
totemblaze wrote: How thoughtful of you.
qoecoach1 wrote: Such perfect timing, a replay of this post, for me. I have many piles by the front door to go to various places and I've been looking for a new way to use my smile cards. Thanks!
cassiemeadows wrote: Great story. thanks for sharing. that was very kind and thoughful of you. take care of yourself! have a good day
katie wrote: what an inspiring idea! I love the way it "gives" on 2 levels, makes what's already a generous and charitable act even more so! Thanks for sharing, I will take inspiration from this and do the same!
Aurelia wrote: I absolutely LOVE this idea. I bring things to goodwill all of the time. You are right...it isn't a glamorous job sorting through donated items...I will remember your kind act and do for them the next time I drop off a bag. THANK YOU for a super idea. ~Aurelia
Stan wrote: Great job there. It is a way of giving that will mean many times the value of the money spent and make several peoples day. Bless you.
kathi wrote: What a great idea! I'm a second hand Rose myself, and will be passing on this wonderful act to my favorite second hand store in Chicago very soon! Thanks so much!

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