RE: Random Acts of Kindess

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TenderTorment -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/6/2013 5:32:51 PM)
What a wonderful thread, kudos to the OP. Sometimes something as simple as a smile goes a long way but the list you created is inspired and uplifting, I like the one for the retirement home especially, what a way to brighten someone's day.

ServosCor -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/6/2013 5:46:57 PM)
Great thread! How about with all the flu going around make homemade soup and drop off some at a neighbors, along with a smile! I keep dry dog and cat food in my car w/ those bowls from butter, salads, etc. Im big on feeding hungry strays. Buy a small bag (5lbs or so) of dog, give it to a homeless person with a dog. Buy lunch for a homeless person standing on a corner trying to find work. I had a homeless person behind me in the grocery store. He had very little he was buying, so I paid for his order. No doubt it made ME feel better than even him. Visit a nursing home. Better still, ask staff who gets few or no visitors and adopt a 'granny'. or "grampy". You can take them flowers, cards, etc through out the year! Smile at a child who seems to need one. So many out there simply crave any kind of attention. Volunteer at the library to read to kids, make audio books for the blind. Visit a Veterans Home. (take tissues! you'll need them) Wouldn't it be a neat idea to start a thread where everyone could list their act of kindness? No doubt many many folks would be inspired!!!! ~servos cor~

dcnovice -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/6/2013 5:52:07 PM)
quote: (possibly including pictures my toddler has made, although she won't understand the game for a while yet) Even if she doesn't grasp the whole thing, saying "Let's make some pictures to cheer up folks who are sad and lonely" is a great lesson in compassion. And, as I mentioned in the chemo thread, there's something wonderfully spirit-lifting about children's art.

jlf1961 -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/6/2013 5:54:07 PM)
I help local ranchers out by hunting wild hogs that damage grazing fields and hay fields at no charge, and trust me, there is nothing useful about the wild hogs around here.

Aylee -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/6/2013 7:08:22 PM)
Leave a note in your mailbox letting the mail delivery person know you appreciate them and all their hard work. Clean up litter on a street in your neighborhood. Put together a neighborhood "clean-up" day where everyone gathers to pick-up trash and to do minor clean-up or improvement tasks. At the end of the day, have a friendly pot-luck dinner. Be sure to talk with neighbors and/or put out flyer's announcing the event. Drop off a plant or some home-made baked goods to your local police or fire department. Say something nice to everyone you meet today. Smile and say "Hello" to people you don't know. Pull out someone’s chair for them at the dinner table. If you see your neighbor hasn't set his or her trash can out for that mornings pick-up, wheel it out to the curb yourself. Get your youth group together to pump everyone’s gas for an hour or two at the nearest gas station. If you notice a neighbors lawn is becoming over-grown that otherwise has been nicely groomed in the past, go mow it without them being aware.

TheLilSquaw -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/6/2013 7:24:06 PM)
-Put change in meters -Give out subway tokens -Gift new socks to elderly - Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or shelter -My UM enjoys making art projects for people -Asking an elderly neighbor if they need help taking out the trash -Ask an elderly neighbor if they would like me to pick anything up from the store when I go for them -Thank you card / note for mail carrier or even offer them a hot cup of coffee or tea to go -Volunteer at a senior center or old folks home. Simple conversation and company can do amazing things -Take puzzles, yarn or other items to senior centers. - When it's hot, give the mail carrier a bottle of water.

theRose4U -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/6/2013 7:33:44 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jlf1961 I help local ranchers out by hunting wild hogs that damage grazing fields and hay fields at no charge, and trust me, there is nothing useful about the wild hogs around here. Or easy about catchin that bacon! Most of the ones I've done over the years are on here: Shelter volunteer, food, blanets, paper, food Sitting on a charity board or committee Pass along info of charity you know can help a person with bills, meals, wounded warrior Adopt a soldier on soldiers angels Bring flowers to nursing home or hospice Send or bring meal to nurses, hospice workers or adult care provider Holiday bonus if you're an employer is great but I will never forget CEO with 100000 employees that took 2 seconds to learn my name & thank me for the job I did. Become a therapy animal handler Visit your local VA hospital or place flags on vet holidays Volunteer for patriot guard assisting families of killed in action Volunteer for story time at library Sponsor a scout troop Form a community garden or farmers market Walk a shelter dog!!! Groom horses at rescue farm or shovel poo then use for garden STOP for someone stranded on highway Change a flat tire Drive a neighbor you see uses taxis Drive neighbor you see waiting for bus in rain/snow Teach a kid to fish/hunt/ knit Make caps for vets, preemies or homeless If you see a homeless person on way to lunch, bring them something Keep pet food, bottle water & granola bars in car for homelss Start a homelss/ animal/ children/ elderly charity to fill need in your community Lol & that's the short list!

Phoenixpower -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/6/2013 7:52:24 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ChatteParfaitt TY kiwi, that man might not have had any idea of what his simple act of kindness meant to you. Sometimes, it really, really does mean a lot to the person. Indeed...2006 I moved within the UK and ended up (first -and presumably last!!!- time ever) in a cockroach infested place...which I only realised due to using the internet there one evening, whilst I still had the place from before...well...needless to say I decided I am not gonna stay there and moved right on into the next place the very next day after... At that infested place a guy who was living there as well (one I was not really keen on getting in touch with) was an incredible help for me in that situation as he helped me to get out there very fast indeed...he not only helped me carrying my stuff downstairs and out of there, he also organised a car and some boxes at a local corner shop (he knew a bit the owner of that store) and drove me to my new place and helped me carrying my stuff up there in my loft room... I was incredibly glad about this unexpected help in that situation as cockroaches are as well perceived in my life as massively huge spiders...therefore...not at all [>:][>:][>:] And whilst I gave him some cash for his help, he knew that I don't have much but that was ok for him....it was about 20 or 30 bucks for him and the same as well for the person he got the car from for borrowing us his car... Especially since that experience I give a serious shit about the phrase some folks love over here, which goes like "clothes make people" and their claim that they can oh so greatly judge folks on how they are dressed...ahem...I met astonishingly way more often really nice people from the ones who dont waste much money on whatever dress code than the ones who actually do....but thats just me [:)] - On another note my ex (we knew each other new at that stage and weren't dating yet....we knew each other...but simply not more at that time) called me during 2005 during about 8 weeks every single morning (with the exception of sundays) at 9am....oh gosh did I hate that in the beginning....and hated it even more some years later, as it took me 6 years until I was finally able again to sleep long when I want and not waking up around that time of the day....anyhow...why did he do that? He did not have to...he was from the so called upper class in the UK and I was just a reasonably new foreigner...so why should he care?! Well...he did care as he realised that I was seriously struggling at that time of my life for different reasons and so he felt I need someone to pull me through that time until I am back onto my feet... So he called me 6 days per week, regularly with the questions "Are you up? How many applications have you done?" and kept a close eye on my progress in that matter, until I was back in a job with a regular salary... His help at that time meant the world to me...as I did not expect such help....even less whilst living abroad...

lizi -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/6/2013 8:01:06 PM)
Great thread Athena [:)] Some things I've done in the past - thought it might give some ideas to anyone looking for them. Some of them were mentioned but what the hey... -Donated my time for manicures at the senior center. -Brought my children's teachers treats. -Brought food over to a neighbor that had lost his job. -Bought a snack for an overworked grocery store checkout person during the pre-snow rush. -Carried out bottles of water to the boys playing basketball on my street. -Helped shovel snow, carry groceries, rake leaves for an elderly neighbor. -Donated yarn and crafts materials to groups that I look up online- a group that knits for stillborn infants at the hospital, an indian reservation that makes kindergarten graduation outfits, a group of male prisoners that makes teddy bears at Christmas, a Shakespearean all women's acting group for costumes. It was a lot of fun looking up the different places to donate. -I leave books in places for people to pick up and take home. -I"ve packed up boxes for a women's/children's abuse center and sent them off. When the boys were young they put in a few toys as well. Without being asked, lol. It was cute. -If the boys were home and I'm left with too much food I bring it in to school for all my classmates to enjoy for lunch. - Set up a schedule for school of all the things that are due with the dates, etc, and email it out to all my classmates. I also share my homemade study guides with whoever wants them when the tests pop up. I've thought of something to do for myself from this thread. I'm going to take the things out of my home that have painful memories and give them away to people that may be able to use them. It's a two for one, I'll feel cleansed, and someone else will get something useful that has no bad juju for them. Turn something bad into something good. Thanks....going to start tonight.

thishereboi -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/6/2013 8:38:31 PM)
What a great idea for a thread. You can watch for elderly people having trouble with getting their groceries to the car and offer to help. If you have any neighbors who have trouble with snow removal or yard work, you could pitch in and help. If someone is in line behind you, pay for his coffee. Our church collects hats, mittens and scarves every year and you could knit some as the year goes by and find a group that collects them. Or even open a door for someone and smile. It is amazing the smiles you get in return.

littlewonder -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/7/2013 12:58:09 AM)
buy the person behind you a coffee when at the coffeeshop. I've done that a few times. I never tell them. I just hand the money to the cashier and tell them it's for the next customer. If I'm out by myself and walking around the city, I sometimes will buy an extra drink and sandwich or something and just give it to one of the homeless people I pass everyday. If you ride the bus or train and you see a mom or even a dad with a child who is acting up, smile at the child, wave to him/her, maybe crack a joke with the child, let mom or dad at least have a small little break. I've yet to find a parent who was not greatly appreciative of my doing that. They have usually apologized to me for their child bothering me but I tell them not needed and I enjoyed making the child smile and laugh. It cheers the child, mom and me all at the same time and makes the day a little brighter. Again, if you ride the bus and you have all day tickets like we do here that allow you to ride all day and night for only $3.50, after you know you're done traveling for the day and you know you won't be needing it the rest of the day, give it to someone else when you get off the bus who is waiting to get on. I always do this. I know I'm done and just going home so I figure why should someone else have to pay? I've had others do that for me and it was always nice to have to save me a few bucks. If you have an extra warm coat or some blankets, drop them off at a local shelter or give one to a homeless person you pass. Pick up trash. It cleans your neighborhood. It's a good way to give back to your community. I do this at the harbor to keep the trash from going into the water. It's already crappy enough. It doesn't need to be added to. If more people would do this we would not have all the trash that we have in the harbor. A simple one. Smile. It's infectious.

AthenaSurrenders -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/7/2013 1:29:35 AM)
I'm really enjoying reading all these list, you've given me lots of ideas. I'm happy to report that a lot of the simpler things mentioned are things I do routinely anyway, so hopefully I've made some people smile without realising it. You've also reminded me of some things I've done in the past and should start doing again. Can I ask for some opinions? One or two things I've read here made me think they might not have the desired impact round here. For example - scraping ice of the neighbour's car sounds like a lovely idea! But I don't know them that well and would they be suspicious if they saw me messing with their car? I don't know if this is me overthinking, or big city syndrome, or some combination of the above. But please tell me if any of the suggested acts would make you feel awkward if you were the recipient. I don't know if anyone has seen the toy society but they encourage people to make toys and leave them for children to find. Would you be ok with your child picking up a toy from the park or similar (they are labeled as free, so they wouldn't be mistaken for something people have lost) or would you tell them to leave it? I've known one or two mums who would assume someone had a sinister motive. Is it worth doing? It's sad that I am thinking like this, but I don't want to defeat the object of being kind by inadvertently making people uncomfortable.

TNDommeK -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/7/2013 1:35:59 AM)
Hubby does the sweetest things...if a lady is too short and needs something off the top shelf, he is always reaching for her. Or my favorite thing he does: if a woman needs help picking something up heavy, he helps. As for me, I have left change in the drink machine a few times. I have taken good food to homeless people.

littlewonder -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/7/2013 1:37:58 AM)
There's a book sharing site online where they encourage people to leave books at places after they have read them so that others can read them. Now, they know that some would think that someone lost it or they would throw it in the trash so they have these bookplates that you can place inside saying it's free and please pass it on, courtesy of the Book Share Program. Maybe something like this can be made for people to print out and place on the toys? As for me, when my daughter would find things like toys and it was not anyone's that we could see and it wasn't anything expensive, then I would just look at it, make sure it was ok, look around to make sure it doesn't belong to anyone and then let her take it. If it was dirty I would tell her to give it to me until we got home and it could be cleaned. I didn't see the harm. As for the ice scraping, yeah, here in the city people would get suspicious thinking you were stealing their car if they didn't know you. I'm not sure how you would overcome that unless they were a really nice person and you just told them if they see you. But the problem is you just never know if someone's gonna be a hot-head or just simply grouchy that day and snap at you for it.

needlesandpins -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/7/2013 2:13:13 AM)
unless it was a very close neighbour i wouldn't want to find someone strange messing with my car. unfortunately that would be the first thought; someone is messing about with my car. i'd also like to point out that while helping out those that are really in need you can make someone else's day even if they have money. i think it is generally thought that if people have money they don't need anything. i had an elderly friend that i knew had money enough to buy whatever he needed, but his wife had gone into care so he was on his own. he catered for himself very well, and was a very proud man. however, one christmas i sent him some home cook ham that i had done, plus a chocolate cake that i made. my ex took them round to him and told me that he had become very emotional as no-one had ever done anything like that for him. it was the fact that it was homemade that made the massive difference to him. so maybe others could do the same. homemade things really touch my heart for sure. one of the best things i have ever had is a painting from my friend's little girl. we used to pick her up from school everyday and they would drop me off at where i had one of my horses. the horse at the time was a 17h chestnut thoroughbred that she would sometimes feed with my friend. one day when we picked her up she was very excited as she came running out to me in the car. when she got in she passed me a painting that she had done of my horse. it's the most abstract thing you've ever seen, but the colours are there, and of course it's a master piece from a 4yr old [:D] i was totally thrilled that she had thought of me during her day, and the painting is still on my kitchen wall. needles

LaTigresse -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/7/2013 4:04:44 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AthenaSurrenders I'm really enjoying reading all these list, you've given me lots of ideas. I'm happy to report that a lot of the simpler things mentioned are things I do routinely anyway, so hopefully I've made some people smile without realising it. You've also reminded me of some things I've done in the past and should start doing again. Can I ask for some opinions? One or two things I've read here made me think they might not have the desired impact round here. For example - scraping ice of the neighbour's car sounds like a lovely idea! But I don't know them that well and would they be suspicious if they saw me messing with their car? I don't know if this is me overthinking, or big city syndrome, or some combination of the above. But please tell me if any of the suggested acts would make you feel awkward if you were the recipient. I don't know if anyone has seen the toy society but they encourage people to make toys and leave them for children to find. Would you be ok with your child picking up a toy from the park or similar (they are labeled as free, so they wouldn't be mistaken for something people have lost) or would you tell them to leave it? I've known one or two mums who would assume someone had a sinister motive. Is it worth doing? It's sad that I am thinking like this, but I don't want to defeat the object of being kind by inadvertently making people uncomfortable. Athena, I think it totally depends on where you live. I live in a rural area surrounded by small towns. Interestingly enough, how those gestures would be taken, would vary quite a lot, just in those areas.

Level -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/7/2013 4:39:50 AM)
I let a woman get ahead if me in the drivr thru at McDonalds one morn... when I got to the window to pay for my order, the woman had alreadt paid it for me. Made me smile for the rest of the day.

TheLilSquaw -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/7/2013 5:37:56 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AthenaSurrenders Can I ask for some opinions? One or two things I've read here made me think they might not have the desired impact round here. For example - scraping ice of the neighbour's car sounds like a lovely idea! I had a woman get VERY upset over me shoveling her driveway last time we had major snow here. Since, I have learned to not be shy about knocking on someone's door and say. "hey I'm shoveling would you like me to do yours as well?" quote: I don't know if anyone has seen the toy society but they encourage people to make toys and leave them for children to find. Would you be ok with your child picking up a toy from the park or similar (they are labeled as free, so they wouldn't be mistaken for something people have lost) or would you tell them to leave it? I wouldn't think it was sinister although I wouldn't allow my child to take it home. Simply because I would think that a child had left it by accident and might come looking for it. I used to travel a lot back and forth between Erie PA and Baltimore via the Grey Hound. I used to always have coloring books and crayons with me. In case I got bored. Lol I would often tear out a page and give it to an ansy or bored child along with a few crayons. Parents loved it. It was a little thing, that went a long way. I used to pack my bathtub rubber duckies with me. They were in a net /see through part of my bag one time. A little boy asked if he could play with them. I took them out and he played with them for about 45 minutes. Lol If my UM and I are running errands or at appointments we always have a back pack with books, hand held games, crayons, ect. If I see another child who is ansy or acting out because they are bored I always ask if they can read a book or something.

metamorfosis -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/7/2013 5:51:33 AM)
Pay the tab for the car behind you at the drive through. Fuck, Level already said that. Pam

mons -> RE: Random Acts of Kindess (1/7/2013 6:07:32 AM)
My mother taught us it is never tl late or not enough money to help someone in need! There were many times I helped children in my classroom whom did not have enough to eat during play time outside I started with one child, with a bag snack for him! It give me such joy to bring him surpise each day in his brown bag! Then I saw others children who were hungry, by the time I had one child it turn into ten! People knew when they could come to our home and know they could have a meal, and not be turn away! I did this brown bag snack for children who live on my street so now I have twenty children who parents did not have enough money for snacks for their children, so it was such joy and fun to surpise each one of them with different healthy snack! But I did make sure to put a cookie with each one! When I became ill I never expected anyone of those children to help me, but they did it is the gift of giving but not excepting a return! I have dropped changed and left it, because before I had a great job I had children and we were hungry and that change made a different when I found it, if I had enough for dinner! I have loan money to people and I do not ever ask for it back, yes my mother did the same, it is something to be hungry! Each person has the will to help someone, it could be just saying "how are you feeling, or come in and have some tea now remember this is not a stranger but someone I know who maybe down on their luck! the children I helped well their parents were in the store and I over spent, I did not know they were behind me and they paid for my food! I would had to go back home and get my bank card, I had not seen them for some years! It was such a surpise and we all laughed I paid them back but I never knew they would help me without question!!! Children need us so much, I had a family I made into my family each Christmas, yes then it turned into two families! My sons helped by shoes and chlothes, it was just so wonderful , they also thanked me by it was worth all of the wonderful times we had with them! Someone did this for me and my family when we were children, one woman give me a bracelet and I adore it she was so kind! I lose the braclet but it took me some years to find it again and I have it now and wear it all of the time! It had real jewel and she made our lives so much better just coming and bringing gifts or things we needed! When my children were very young someone would come to each place we live and leave a bag of food at our door! It took me twenty years to find out who it was! She told me "I saw you needed things" but as soon as we were on our feet the food stopped!!!! She was much older then I and had children who were grown! She has moved away now and I wil miss her! These "Act of Kindness" can be done by anyone and it works!!!! mons

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