hats n piccies

I drew two little piccies for two little girls who came into the charity shop when I was working on the till and it was quiet, and then I made them three hats out of tesco carrier bags one each for them and one for their doll because it was raining.

A disability is not the Identity of the person

My dad is disabled also- he has M.S. This has made me really aware of the inportance of asking before you assist a handicapped person in a non- emergency situation. If I see someone who is struggling with something- I always offer assistance- but I do it like this.

Recent exmple- Woman ahead of me in the condiments area. She is in a wheelchair and is trying to get a straw. She's having trouble and her hands are shaking.

Me. "Excuse me, Ma'am. Would you like a hand with that to save you a little time?"

Her. "Oh, thank you so much. Yes. please. I can do this stuff, you know- but I'm running late already and it's been such a long day."

After I gave her the straw, she thanked me-not just for the straw, but for "Treating me like a PERSON. You won't believe how many people think that if you are in a chair you are deaf and retarded too. And it scares me and makes me angry when people move my chair without asking..."

She gave me a big hug. What a nice lady.


Anon

A Lift

Yesterday I drove an olderly man home from the supermarket. He asked me (as I was leaving with my groceries) if I was going to East Drive. I said no, I was going to the high school to pick up my daughter (other direction). He smiled and said thanks anyway. I took a few steps and then stopped, turned around, and told him it would be no problem to go his direction first. We had a nice talk on the way there. He served in WWII and came to my town in the 40s. And he's voting for Obama! (Yes, we talked about a lot of different things.)

Also, my Girl Scout troop sets up a table to sell cookies at a local retirement center every year. I know that selling cookies isn't a random act of kindness, but we talk a lot about talking with the folks (many of whom get a real kick out of seeing them, and many of whom were Girl Scouts "back in the day") and listening to their stories. And for my RAOK, there were three different occasions when one of the people didn't seem to be able to come up with the right amount of money and I just pretended what they gave me was right and made up the difference later. (I think this also made an impression on the girls, by the way.) No big deal, I'm talking a dollar or two. One woman brought me and one of my girls up to her room to get her money, and searched through all her drawers, finally found her wallet, but couldn't find more than $2. What was I going to do--take away the cookies she was already holding!?


Anon

Sock Saver

Around Christmas time, I passed by a mom, grandma and baby in a stroller. We were at a craft show, so they were looking elsewhere, which meant it was a perfect time for baby to kicky off a sock. I happened to see it fall and returned it to them. The grandma thanked me so profusely, I was almost embarrassed. It was just a sock! And I noticed it right away so it wasn't that I had to chase them down or something.

Anon

Compliments

Never hesitate to give a senior citizen a sincere compliment. My guess is that they don't get as many as they used to.

If I see someone in her 80s, for example, who's obviously put her clothes together carefully that day, I'll mention how nice she looks, or what a good color that is on her. It's small, but it has never failed to brighten up someone's face.

Have you ever received a compliment at a time when you really needed a boost? You can live off it for days.

Anon

Two Heads!

The guy in line ahead of me at the P.O. was short on cash and was going to have to charge $1.47. He was digging throught pocket change- not enough there. I said "It's on me." and put money on the counter. He was very surprised and thanked me with a big smile.

The funny part was the lady at the counter- she kept saying "That was such a nice thing you did!" And the person behind me stared at me like I had an extra head....

Such a big reaction for such a little thing.

Anon

Animal Beds

I bought a whole bolt of fleece (cheap!) and then some super thick quilt batting (with a coupon, of course) and made up a bunch of pet beds. I haven't used it all up yet, but I've dropped off about 20 beds so far. Machine washable, cheery color, hope the animals like them.


Anon

A Gift

On a similar note, my Mother in law died suddenly last month. One of the lovely notes we got was from a childhood friend of my husband's sister. Altough we've never met, she said that Nancy (my MIL) was always talking about me and how talented and nice I am. She also mentioned a Christmas gift Nancy had given her daughter, a scarf and hat. I remember taking Nancy through my wares and telling her to take anything she wanted to give as a gift. I had completely forgotton that she had taken a scarf and hat set. I am so glad to know that the recipient appreciated it.


Anon

Give up your Seats

I pretty much give up my nice warm seat to older ladies and gentlemen nearly every morning. It makes me upset to see them standing and I see people who are waaaaaay younger than I am that should give up their seats... but I really dont mind. If it was my grandparents or parents I would hope someone would do the same.

Anon

Putting on Coats

I am a super observant person. I can't help myself. Because of this I notice things and am always jumping up to help someone in need. Last week, I was waiting for a friend to meet me for lunch in a hotel. I noticed an elderly man struggling to put on his coat and failing to get it right. I ran over, straightened his coat out for him and sent him out the door. My father is disabled so I am used to helping him out with things. I find, however, that many men will not let me help them as they are used to "taking charge" and doing things for women.
They get embarassed if you try to help them. The older ones don't seem to mind though.

Anon

Helping the elderly

I can't help my self, every old person in the street has my number.
If it's not a morning paper, bread or milk im delivering it's usually a little job needing done in their house.
I'm always having joke with them and just a wee bit time of day costs nothing.

Anon

Lost and Found

My 13 year old son had lost his i-pod while out and about one day. he looked everywhere and couldn't find it. A couple of weeks later he was walking past his favorite music store and something caught his eye on the ground. he picked up and it was a cell phone. he brought in to the music store and gave it to the old man that owns the store. the old man looked at him and asked if he was in the store a couple of weeks ago, my son said yes. the old man took out his i-pod and said you left this on the counter. my son came home running in the door and said mom look as he told me the story, then he said it's so cool to do something nice!

Anon

Goodie Bags

I make goodie bags for the children living at the women's shelter at all the holidays (working on easter bags currently)

sparklerama

Buying Lunch

There were 2 sweet older ladies in line behind me at the food court. They were very carefully figuring out the most cost effective lunch choice. I paid for their lunch as well as for mine.

One of them was pleased but embarassed- I told her that her lovely smile reminded me of my grandmother and that it would make me happy if I could treat her since my grandmother was not around to spoil anymore.

They hugged me and said they had heard about stuff like that but thought they would never see it in real life... made their day, as well as mine.

I love random acts of kindness. They make the world so much nicer. :)

acorngirl

Buttons for Free

just a little sumthin'.... i asked on the forums about buttons a few weeks ago, and someone sent me some just because. i offered to pay her, and she said just to get myself a cup of coffee and enjoy! a little etsy act of kindness!

Anon

Giving Gifts

One thing that I do...once in a while on ETSY and at every crafts show, is to pick a random person, or someone that admires something but maybe can't afford it easily....I just give it to them. Big things, little things, it does not matter...if they really like it, or want it or need it...it gives me joy to see them smile , or make their day.

Anon

A Double Blessing

i received two today.

my friend double-booked her day and GAVE me her massage appointment. after i got it i stopped at the pet store to buy a snail. they didn't have any but the young woman said oh, i can just give you some of the ones that come in with the fish, and she gave me 3 baby snails!

Anon

Helping Disabled and Elderly

My Hubby not only takes disabled and elderly people to their Doctor's appointments, but he stops to do errands for them on the way back. Sometimes he invites them over for dinner.

Anon

Daily Acts

Let's see...I make a habit of practicing acts of kindness daily. I encourage it in my kids as well.

This past week:
1. I sat with a friend for about 2 hours, and just talked because I knew she needed someone to talk to. I had a TON of things to do that day, but she needed it.

2. I let someone that I could tell was in a hurry, in front of me in line at a store.

3. I paid for a friends breakfast...she didn't expect it.

4. I went back to pick up a friends child, after I had already taken my child to school...because he had overslept. I missed an appointment to do so.

5. I helped a lady that I did not know....she was purchasing chairs, almost dropped one and I caught it and held it for her, and assisted her while she emptied her cart and conversed with the checker...she gave me a nasty look and grimace...and was very rude to me...snatching the chair from me. Not a thank you...nothing. I explained to someone who asked me why I helped her that I would do it for anyone. I don't do kind acts for the thanks...but because I am able, and it is the right thing to do.



Anon

Paying For a Families Waffles

my brother in law likes to go to the Waffle House and sit there for a while until a young family comes in then he pays for their check and leaves. He never talks to them or anything he just sits there and waits until the mood strikes him. I've always found this rather nice.

Anon

An Angel

I am originally from Connecticut..I moved to New Hampshire in March of last year. I joined Etsy in September of last year...

Any ways, right after I joined, I was posting in the letter change threads.. just having fun, and saw this woman Jackierose was also from Connecticut. Said Hi, told her that I was also from CT, and we jsut started talking thru etsy at first, then thru regular emails.... In the beginning I was there for her, just by talking with her..etc.. But we both could feel, that we were destined to meet.. just a weird feeling is all..

At the end of November of last year, I had found out that my husband of less then a year, has lung cancer. Jackie is the one that helped me get thru this, listening to me.. helping me stay strong, letting me just vent.. Things got really hard here financially with him being out of work... This being our first Christmas together as a family, was supposed to be special... The only thing that my ( well our now) 11 yr old daughter asked for, for christmas, was an American Girl Swedish Doll ( we are 1/2 swedish and 1/2 english).. they are about 125.00 at least.... which was way more then we could ever have done for her this year.. Jackie had asked what MayBeth ( my daughter) had wanted for christmas.. and I told her... She went and ordered it for MayBeth, with the whole out fit for St lucia's day (Swedish Christmas) not only did she do that, but she sewed outfits for the doll as Well.... She is MayBeths Christmas angel.....my daughter and I had always done the Christmas Angel tree.( its where you get a gift for someone that would not have a gift for Christmas) but this year we could not...MayBeth does know about Jackie, and knows about how she got her doll.. Well if you could've seen MayBeths face Christmas morning.. it was a true testament to beleive in Angels at Christmas...
Jackie is still here for me, to vent etc.... My husband will be having the tumors removed on tues (the 22nd of jan) and it is still a long road for us.. but with her here for me, I know I will make it mentally......she also had put 150.00 into my paypal account for us to get some groceries..

Jackie is a wonderful generous person.. and as I have told her so many times.. those that have her in their lives are truely blessed

Sally

Chocolates in the Supermarket Que

Amongst other thingsI bought two boxes of chocolates on special offer with my shopping, and gave one of them to the couple I had been talking to in the checkout que at the supermarket.

Anon

Golf

My Dad who likes a game of golf was given a few boxes of golf balls, he had seen our young neigbour across the road sometimes go out with his golf clubs, and presumed he must also be a golf player so he went and gave him half of his golf balls, the neighbour was really pleased.

Anon

Gift through the post

Yesterday I posted a small gift book to a random person I found in the phone book.

Anon

fix a flat fixes it

Yesterday I gave a can of fix-a-flat to a woman in the supermarket parking lot who had a flat tire so she could get home.

Dawn the freaky old woman

Kindness to Strangers

i was at work, getting myself a cup of coffee to bring back into my workspace, today, at our in-house cafe.

i noticed a young man, who appeared to be in his early or mid-twenties, sitting at the end of a counter, where the pitchers of coffee and milk were placed.
i looked at him and observed that there was a walker of sorts, to help him walk (right beside him).
before taking the milk that was near him, i asked if it was o.k. to do so.
he replied, "yes."

i noticed he had finished his meal and had a drink in one hand and an empty carton that had contained food in another hand.
i asked if i could help him and he said i could. he handed me the box, which appeared to be empty of food. i asked him if he'd like me to throw it out for him. he said "yes" and thanked me. before i rushed back to my workplace i said to him, "goodbye, have a good day." he smiled and thanked me.

perhaps i made him feel good for a few moments?
i hope i did.

what made me notice him in the first place is that he wasn't sitting at a table in the cafe with other people. this saddened me a great deal and made me feel that i should reach out to him.

Anon

My Neighbour swept up our leaves when we were away..

I just had a random act committed on my family!

When my family returned from our Christmas travels on Sunday evening there were 30 trash bags in front of our house. Not trash, though. Leaves! My neighbor must have felt sorry for my husband and I (we have two young sons) and raked and bagged all of our leaves! I was dreading doing those leaves all the way home and just like a Christmas miracle, they were done!

Judy Tacyn

The perfect Christmas Gift

I am a member of an etsy street team and one of the knitters in our group does not have much, so I sent her a gift over Christmas of a set of stitch markers from my other shop. This was not a big ticket item but her response made me cry. She had been wishing for a set of stitch markers for months and apparently God was listening because she got them. Made me feel good then and still makes me feel good every time I think about it. I think I enjoyed this act of kindness more than she did.

Anon

School girl wins $5 and gives to a friend

I used to work in a grocery store in high school, so I guess the idea started there. They used to have contests for the employees where we could win gift certificates to the store. The prizes weren't for very much - $10 for 1st place, $5 for second and third place, etc... but that's not really my point. A friend of mine's father had just died of cancer or had been killed in a car wreck... The details are fuzzy as to what happened to his dad, but I remember that his dad had been the breadwinner, and that there was concern over bills. I dressed up for the Halloween contest with the sole thought that I would win one of those gift certificates and send it to his mom anonymously. I raided the trunk full of dress up clothing my mom had, and spent my shift running the express lane as a vampire, fake teeth, fake blood, etc. I remember being enormously proud when I tucked that little $5 certificate in the mail.

Anon