Readers share their stories on random acts of kindness
I was greatly surprised one day when I got to my car to find a flyer on my windshield which stated someone had fed the parking meter to keep me from getting a ticket. As I am handicapped and have parking privileges, I would not have gotten a ticket. But the coins were not wasted - I felt really happy for days to think that someone would do that for a complete stranger.
Lura A Hungar
My 13 yr old son learned the potential hazards of losing a signed check when his dad & I enumerated all the bad that could happen when he dropped his music lesson tuition check while walking to the teacher's house. As we wondered aloud if we needed to stop payment on the check, close the checking account, or if we were about to become victims of identity theft, he recognized the benefits of taping the payment into his music book as he had done in the past.
Imagine the joy of the whole family when we received an envelope in the mail with no return address but a kind note from the woman who found the check, Kathy, letting us know she'd found it on the street and was returning it to us so we could deliver it to the recipient.
Kathy
I've been the recipient of a number of such kindnesses over the years. A few cents at the checkout here, helping hand with a flat tire, small things that would brighten anyone's day. The most recent one happened to me about a year ago, if memory serves.
I'd been through an extremely difficult time in my life and my finances were really tight. I needed a prescription filled one day and went to the downtown Bothell Rite-Aid to pick it up. The co-pay was $25, and my debit card was declined. The stress I was under was enormous, the need for the meds was urgent, and that was the last straw....I burst into tears, not knowing how I was going to function without the required medication.
A kind younger woman behind me stepped up to the counter and gently comforted me, and before I knew it, took care of my prescription with her own purchases and handed me the bag. I'll never forget her kindness. It truly made a difference in my life! Small or large, I try to Pay It Forward any time I can.
Colleen Schauble
Last week, on July 3rd, I was involved in a cycling crash just off of East Lake Sammamish Parkway. The crash involved me going over my handlebars face-first in to the pavement. A cracked helmet, bleeding head, and broken tooth were all immediately apparent. Without hesitation a kind neighbor walked up called 911, got ice on my face, and offered his car to get me to the emergency room in Issaquah. Without even asking for my friends names, addresses, the Samaritan's offer made it possible for a speedy trip to the ER and he saved me from an (expensive) ambulance ride. My friends returned the vehicle to the owner an hour later and later that day I left the ER with no real threatening injuries.
It may not entirely be a 'random' act of kindness, but this sort of selfless caring is what keeps my faith in humanity.
Tyler
I loved the article, thank you.
It's not often that I toot my own horn, but there is something I would like to share.
Every year, for the past 10 years I have been playing Santa for a local non-profit organization.
Christmas Eve always finds me with 4 visits spanning about 5 hours, which means I'm suited-up for close to 6 hours. And I get mighty hungry.
With the fake beard on, it's difficult to drink, and impossible to eat.
Just blocks from home is a fast food joint that I drive thru for my order (which will be gobbled down within minutes of removing my outfit) as I make my way back home. The window attendant is usually surprised to see Santa drive up, with candy canes in hand for all who are working inside.
With the tip money from the evenings' visits, I always ask for the amount of the order after mine, and pay for it. Instructing the cashier to tell them "Santa paid for your meal".
That sure makes me feel good inside!!
AL Jackson
In July of 2005, I drove to Seattle to visit a friend from college in Greenwood. During the night someone attempted to steal my 1990 Dodge which was parked in front of the doggie daycare on 3rd Ave NW. While I sat on the sidewalk waiting for the police to arrive, an employee of a nearby bottled water outlet gave me a bar of dark chocolate. What this woman didn't know was that I was already down on my luck (recently divorced and working several part time jobs) before this happened (leaving my car undriveable).
I cannot begin to express how much that small gesture of kindness meant to me.
A couple of months ago I was searching for the address of a mother-in-law apartment I was trying to rent on a rainy evening in Seattle. I couldn't find the house number so I finally knocked on a home to ask for directions.
The couple who answered the door invited me in and offered to run the address on Map Quest for me. The husband then drove me the two blocks to the address and waited to make sure it was the right one. What wonderful people! I was so amazed by their kindness.
Marie Wright
Random Act Calculator:
My husband, Frank, is the most incredibly observant and kind person. Example: Recently we were in a local sports store shopping for sneakers for me. He overheard a mother talking to her teenage son about why she couldn't afford to buy him the wowie-zowie shoes he wanted. As the boy walked away to shop again, Frank mentioned to the mother what a great job she did in explaining the situation to her son. She seemed a bit embarrassed that anybody had heard their conversation. A few minutes later, Frank returned to her and placed a fairly large bill in her hand, saying something like, "I think you could really use this."
We left quickly before she could protest!
I was a single mother at one time and I know only too well how much a helping hand like that would be welcome so you can treat your kid for once!
Great subject — can't wait to read all about the fabulous, generous people in Seattle!!!
Liz
A few years ago when I lived in Ballard I was getting in line for the drive -thru at McDonalds. It was a few days before Christmas so people were rushing around to get their business done. About the time I pulled up to get in line a taxi cab pulled up from the other direction. I signaled at him with a smile to go first as I thought I'm sure he is in a bigger hurry than I am. When I got to the window to pay for my order the young McDonalds employee was grinning a huge grin. He said "the guy in front of you just payed for your lunch". I quickly looked ahead and could see that the cab driver was looking in his review mirror for my response. I smiled at him and waved. It was such an amazingly great feeling to have someone do something so random. All I had done was show a little courtesy and patience while waiting in line and in return I was treated to a very nice reminder of the meaning of Christmas.
Julie Gray-Dow
When I read your column it made me smile.
I have done similar "acts" for years. Buying a stranger a meal, paying for a tank of gas etc.... and while the benefits are nice for the person that I "treat", I reap far more benefits for myself. In fact, I would say that doing something nice for a stranger is the ultimate in doing something selfish for myself. It makes me smile more and I feel better as a person to know I made someone else smile and feel good. It will give me a boost like nothing else will.
Another point I would like to make is that for me, doing these things anonymously is important. The reason I do something nice is to make the other person and myself, smile and feel good, not to create the obligation for a thank you. I want the other person to feel so good that that he/she wants to go out and do something nice for someone else.
Stanalee Reisinger
This is short but sweet but that what makes it so great. I was in the drive through lane of a fast food restaurant in the Greenwood neighborhood on January 2nd, 2006. When, I pulled forward to pay and get my food I was informed that the lady in front of me had pay for my meal. She had already left and I could not thank her so if she is reading this, the guy in the red car says, "thank you". It was a great start to the New Year and it is really easy to do. Try it!
Adam
After my high school graduation, my grandmother took me on a trip to London. We took a red-eye flight out of New York and ended up getting into Heathrow at 8:00 AM, right in time for morning traffic. We had planned to take the Metro to our hotel and when we finally reached our stop, we realized it was in an older portion of the city where there were no excalators or elevators. I looked up a flight of stairs, but before I could take a step, this handsome man in a suit reached out and offered to help me with my luggage. He hauled both my large suitcases up the flight of stairs, and his kindness inspired another young man to help my grandmother. I kept thanking him, and he just said, "It was my good deed for the day." It's been years now, but I still remember how nice it was to be helped like that.
Margo
About ten years ago, around Christmas time, I was in a restaurant with some co-workers for lunch. An elderly couple entered and the gentleman was obviously suffering from the effects of a severe stroke. But as I watched these two, they were so full of life and love for each other and the normally pessimistic person I am seemed to melt away. I was so touched, I asked the waitperson for their bill. I asked her not to indicate who had paid for them. Now, each year at Christmas, I look for a senior citizen or couple and anonymously pay the tab.
Mike Hartman
I'm so glad you are doing this story. I've been wanting to spread the word on a random act that happened to my family. My husband, myself and our two young children went out to a pre-Valentines dinner at The Spaghetti Factory in Lynnwood on February 13. When we finished and asked for the check our waitress told us that the bill had been taken care of by another diner. The tables around us changed during our meal so we have no idea who the nice person was. Whoever you are - THANK YOU! You made our month. I couldn't stop smiling for the longest time and told the story to everyone I knew. We plan to do the same thing to a family with young children. It made such a positive impression on my whole family.
Melani Pedroza
I loved your piece in this morning's Times.
During this last spring, there were eight of us senior women having our usual Tuesday lunch at the Cozy Corner restaurant in Bothell. We go there after we finish our World dance class at the Bothell Senior Center.
Our waitress came over to us when we had finished our lunch and told us a young man had just paid our entire bill! There was some road and building construction going on around there at this time. I had noticed this young man sitting in a booth near our table before he left; he was wearing an orange flagman's vest. Our waitress told us he was the person who had practiced this ramdom act of kindness. He really made our day and the waitresses who are accustomed to our presence there every Tuesday, were ecstatic and said it had made their day as well.
I often think of that young man and we have frequently mentioned his kindness. I hope that he knows that we were very touched by his stretch of the extra mile.
Elly Worden
I was at the Puget Sound Bead Show with my aunt on Saturday. I was admiring the wares of a lovely gentleman who came from North Carolina to sell at the show. He had this cool pendant with a skull and crossbones on it that I felt would be a powerful talisman for my husband to wear to Iraq, where he is heading in September to report from Mosul. I mentioned to my aunt that it would be perfect for his trip to Iraq. The vendor overheard, and tore up the receipt he had been writing.
"It will be even better luck if it's a gift," he said, and tucked the item into my hand, then came around the booth and gave me a hug. It was a wonderful gesture that touched me deeply. Now I've got to think of something nice to do for someone else!
Amy Cockerham
Years ago (about 2 ½ decades) we took our four children (who learned how to use their social faces at an early age) to Shay's Resturant for breakfast during the holiday season.
One of customers complimented us on how our children were so well behaved and said that they would like to pay for our meal . they also mentioned that they did this once a year during the holidays, We thanked her and her husband and never saw them again.
Recently, my daughter, her father , our three grandchildren and I were having breakfast again in December this time at Cheri's when a customer who was leaving said that we had such a beautiful family and that the kids were so well behaved. Thank goodness my grandkids also had their social faces on and weren't terrors.
We thanked her and she left.
When we were leaving our waitress said that our bill had already been paid by the woman who had complimented us.
That is a span of over 20 years and it is still remembered by all of us.
Jan Peele
For a few years now, every time I go to Johnny Rockets for a burger, I pick out a table in the restaurant and pay for their meal. I ask the server to tell them a mystery guest has paid for their meal and keep my identity unknown. Nobody knows I do this except for me and now you!! It's a fun way to make someone's day.
Cookiehead Jenkins
I saw some old folks trying to put in a walkway of paver stones while riding my bike. As I stopped and approached to give a hand, out of nowhere four or five other people also approached to help. All of us together got the job done in fifteen minutes- it would have taken the old folks hours.
These kinds of things happen a lot around here, it's one of the reasons I enjoy living in Bellingham so much.
Scot Ranney
Someone bought my latte about a year ago at a Mukilteo Starbucks. I have since paid it forward a couple times — leaving change from $10 bill to cover the next persons drink. It's fun to do something anonymous that might make someone else's day.
Barb Thrall
A few years ago, I was in the drive thru at the Canyon Park Arby's. I had a long day at work, and was coming home around 9pm. The person in front of my paid for my meal. That certainly made my day! I was very tired, but that really put a smile on my face!
Another time, my family was at Disneyland, it was right before Memorial Day weekend, a little hotter than we were used to, and a man at the MadHatter store bought my daughters hat she had picked out. The people at the store said his name was Warren and was left a lot of money, and that he goes to Disneyland everyday and buys people things.
These acts, while small, are memorable and one would hope those little acts would snowball into something greater!
Chris Burns
Thank you! Thank you! for noticing and paying attention to the tissue of gift exchanges which are actually the foundation of "community".
(The Latin roots of the word "community" are "cum" meaning "together", and "munus", meaning "gift". So "gifting together" IS community.)
I have been the beneficiary of such acts, as well as the giver. When I do it, I feel wonderful! Even reading about it makes me feel GREAT! Please keep searching out and telling these stories! It helps us all remember Stephen Jay Gould's point: Good deeds vastly outnumber all the "threats".
And they're self-replicating!!! As they say: "What goes around...comes around!"
Sincerely yours,
Anne Stadler
I work at the Red Mountain Coffee shop at the top of Snoqualmie Pass on I-90. A gentleman came in and gave me a $20 and said this was for anything the middle aged group or (4) road bikers who were riding their road bikes up I-90 in 90+ degree heat, wanted to eat. He said he had ridden up I-90 before, but never in 90+ degree temperatures, and he was very impressed with their efforts.
Francine Curd
I am an Early Music professional, and frequently have to appear in costumes ranging from the Middle Ages through the early nineteenth century. A friend and I decided to celebrate Jane Austen's birthday (December 16th, in case you don't know) by going in appropriate garb to a lovely tea shop for High Tea. The hostess was a little surprised by our appearing in lace cap, bonnet, cape, Empire frock and the uniform of a nineteenth century naval officer, but greeted us warmly and seated us in the window. the people sitting around us were curious, and we explained happily about Jane Austen and our devotion to her marvelous novels. We had a lovely tea, and when we asked for our bill, were told by our server that someone had paid it for us! We were delighted and very surprised.
I decided to pass on this random act of kindness, and some weeks later was seated on a plane flying to London. I was listening to the Classical music station on my earphones and suddenly noticed a gentleman seated several rows forward waving his arms around as though conducting--and it was obviously to the the same music I was enjoying.
I asked the flight attendant to take him a half bottle of wine and say it was from a 'friend.' She agreed to keep my secret and I soon saw her interrupt him with my gift. He seemed astounded and looked all around to see if he could figure it out. I whispered under my breath "Thanks, Jane!" and felt a little glow for the rest of my flight.
Peggy Monroe
I hope you get lots of responses, and, even more, I hope your series promotes more random acts!!
I believe my story will fit into your article.
While jogging to Lincoln Park on June 16, 2006, I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk.
A man in a black truck saw me fall and asked if I needed any help. I thought I would be able to "walk it off" and told him I was OK. I quickly realized that I there was something wrong with my left leg. ( the lower bone "tibia" was fractured) I hobbled into the Guadalajara restaurant ( with my dog) An older couple waiting for a table, was kind enough to let me use their cell phone to make some phone calls. The management at the restaurant gave my a bag ice for my leg, and helped me clean my bleeding arm.
I was unable to reach anyone by phone, so another couple drove me & our dog down to Lincoln Park, where my husband and son were scouting the baseball teams.
While I wait for my fractured leg to heal, I would like to thank the numerous kind citizens of West Seattle, that assisted me.
If this is to late for your article please forward to the Rant & Rave section
PS A big rant for people at the Majestic Bay theater who chose to step over my injured leg rather than use the other end of the aisle.
Valerie Schorn
even in San Francisco, California, where I spent about six years away from Seattle, people are randomly kind. More than once when passing the toll booth at either the Oakland or Golden Gate Bridge, the toll-taker would wave us through, saying that the person in front of us had paid our toll. This was something that we 'passed on' when we had the extra few dollars to contribute to the happiness of the driver behind us.
Elizabeth Noguera
On May 17th, I was hurrying for the bus on 3rd and Marion, wearing sandals. My sandal decided it wanted to run ahead of me, and I went straight forward, both arms, landing very hard on the sidewalk. I think I was stunned somewhat and when I tried to lift myself up, my right arm refused to hold my body weight. At the time, I didn't feel pain and did not understand why my arm wasn't working.
Although I could only see the arms of at least four or five people gathered around me, I was helped to stand by very nice people. Being somewhat in shock, I know I thanked them although I would like to publily thank them all for their "ACT OF KINDNESS".
THANK YOU!
PS. To those wearing sandals and flipflops, the doctors have told me that arm dislocations happen so much in the summer — so, — take your time, another bus will come for sure!
Patti-lyn Bell
Seattle, WA
Regarding your question in the Seattle Times paper this morning under the local news sections about random acts of kindness. You asked about if you have ever been the beneficiary of an anonymous good deed or know of one. I'm responding to such a good deed that was done for my husband and myself
One morning about 2 months ago we drove up to one of our local favorite latte stand called Touch of Italy. We were second in line.The car in front of ours got her drink and drove off. We ordered our 2 drinks from our favorite barista and when I went to pay, she said that the lady in front of us had already paid for our drinks!
Wow, we thought what a nice thing to do! We were both touched and it really made our day! Jessica, our barista thought it to be nice also and said that this kind lady does this from time to time. That really impressed us that something so simple would have such a great impact on our day but it did. It also encouraged us to do things like that for others.
Thank you for printing an uplifting article.
Chuck & Millie Orr