Stories of Kindness from Around the World

I work in a bank and have lovely relationships with many of the customers.  Its not one of those banks with long lines -- its the kind of bank when you walk in, everyone says hi, we know when your husband has surgery, or the grandkids are coming for the weekend, we know your name and speak like friends. 

One of my customers in his 70's owns and runs a barber school in East Baltimore.  He is connected with several nonprofits and I have 2 nonprofits of my own - we are like kindred spirits! 

One days, he said to me that I really had to meet his niece in Florida -- Dee.  The next day Dee called me and we talked about her projects of gathering blankets for the homeless and pitching in the community wherever there is need.   We spoke for over an hour and found out how much we have in common!  

It turns out that her blanket program is growing in leaps and bounds and has a man traveling the country to deliver blankets and organize bread donations from around the country.  And on that day, he was on his way to Baltimore that day.

This man, Hiker Joe, stays wherever place is offered and didn't have an offering for that night.  I quickly seized the opportunity!  My husband travels a lot for work and has quite an accumulation of "points" for different hotel chains; so we made a few calls and within 1 hour, Holiday Inn agreed to allow us to use what points we had (which was not enough for the 2 nights needed) and Holiday Inn comped the rest of the points! 

'Hiker Joe' called and was very thankful for the room.  He then continued to Baltimore City to give out the blankets to the homeless.  He also set up a weekly pick up program with Panera Bread in Baltimore and now every Thursday evening Panera Bread will be giving us the bread, bagels and sweets they have not sold during the day to distribute to the homeless.

How beautiful can life be, when each person goes their little bit to seize the opportunity of service!   And the next time you walk in a bank, just remember what can come from one connection with one person!