Random Acts of Kindness

[jeepgirl30]

I really want to be able to teach my children about the spirit of Christmas through my own actions. I want to do random acts of kindness for friends, neighbors, coworkers, strangers, etc.

Trouble is that darn lottery just won't cooperate!

I need ideas on little things I can do for people that don't cost a lot of money.

A coworker brought in pointsettas for all the ladies in the office. Such a wonderful surprise! I couldn't afford to do that but I want to do other things.

I usually make up cookie trays and take to the daycare for the teachers a few weeks ahead and same for co workers but thats not really an act of kindness.

 

[lisajl]

I usually make up cookie trays and take to the daycare for the teachers a few weeks ahead and same for co workers but thats not really an act of kindness.[/QUOTE]


Who says it's not? I think that is wonderful.
Other random acts of kindness are just simple things like helping someone with packages.
I work at a veterinary office. We do little things like help people out with their pets or special food they have to buy.
It's not much, but everyone appreciates it.

Lisa

 

[jekjones1558]

Since you live in PA, how about brushing snow off cars and/or scraping windows after the next snowfall? Do you have neighbors who could use help with shoveling? Any elderly relatives who might need help with gift wrapping?

 

[ohiominnie]

Since you live in PA, how about brushing snow off cars and/or scraping windows after the next snowfall? Do you have neighbors who could use help with shoveling? Any elderly relatives who might need help with gift wrapping?

Ah, I remember those days. I used to work nights at a hospital. I'd go out and turn on my own car, then brush and/or scrape the cars next to mine. By that time my car was warmed up and I'd brush it off and go.

What about on a rainy day going around and bringing ppl's newspapers to their front porch so they don't have to go to the end of their drive way to get it?

Or helping people out of the grocery store with their groceries?

Or calling an elderly neighbor if you're heading to the store to ask if there is anything you can pick up for him/her?

Or sending a note or care package to a service person? (I'm sure a DISer knows someone)

Or dropping off some inexpensive new toys to the firemen for their toy drive?

Or picking up a few extra cans of something for the food drives?

I have also been known to hold ppl's babies in the bathroom for them (ever try to go or wash your hands while holding a newborn?) I promise them they will be able to see my shoes under their stall door at all times.

There was a time on NYE we were travelling back from Disney and stopped at a pizza shop in Cincy. It was cold and snowy out. Brrrr. Three elderly, obviously poor, women came in and scanned the menu for quite some time. They finally settled on soup and coffee (one only got coffee) I waved the manager down and told her we would pay their tab and tip. We wanted her to tell them "it's been taken care of" but NOT to bring any attention to us....we wanted to remain anonymous. Well, she got PART of it right. She said "it's been taken care of....those people over there (pointing) paid for your meal." But maybe something like that....if you're out to breakfast and there is someone who looks down and out and barely getting by....

HTH

 

[Parkhopper]

How about something simple like offering to take your friend's kids for the day (and possibly the night depending upon how generous you are feeling) so that they can do some uninterupted holiday shopping? I am taking one of my friend's 2 sons for all day Saturday through mid morning Sunday to allow them some time to shop (or even get a "date" in!)

Suzi

 

[ziggystardust]

I think trays of cookies and treats is a wonderful act of kindness. Don't sell yourself short.

A lot of people prefer someone helping them get their groceries to their car, or going out of their way to hold a door open than someone buying them things. Just keep an eye out, hold open that elevator door or send someone a just want to say hi card. Seems easy, but its the little things that are forgotten

 

[ceecee]

I read an article about a lady who bought umbrellas at the Dollar Tree and when she saw someone walking in the rain she would stop and give them one. I thought that was great.
I saw small Poinsettas for $3.00, thought about those for our elderly neighbors since you never know what kind of diets they are on.

 

[Twende]

How about returning someone's shopping cart to either the rack or the store for them?

Or offering to help pay for someone groceries in the store.

Our area has many low income elderly that really struggle to pay for food. The other day the lady in front of us at Aldi's told the cashier to stop at $18 because that was all she had. I told the cashier that I would pay for whatever was left. I did it quietly and I suspect the lady had no idea that I paid a few dollars of her bill. Her last item was a small chocolate bar... ... now you gotta love a woman who puts her own loves last on the belt!

Just a smile and a nod or a few kind words to someone can make a world of difference in their day!

 

[CajunDixie]

Does your community/local senior center have Meals on Wheels for the ederly? In our area we do but if the weather is bad they cancel the meals. Maybe you could make an extra meal and freeze it for an ederly person and delivery it on a day you have bad weather.

Another idea I had was learning how to knit. This may take me awhile. I saw on the website for donations for the Victory Junction Gang Camp (opened by the Petty Family) that they needed donations of afghans (between 35-40 inches wide by 45-50 inches long) and small stuffed bears. The bears have a link for the sewing directions so that all bears are the same size wise but can be of different checked or gingham fabric. There is also a huge wish list of other items they need such as inexpensive items like rain ponchos and disposable cameras.They also need family type acts like magicians and storytellers.

We also have an exotic animal rescue park in the next county that asks for volunteers and has a wish list that includes items like old boots, clothing, old sleeping bags, fire hoses (ok I know we don't have those laying around but those peeps that are or know firefighters might be able to hook up a fire dept with a place like this), and inkjet catridges (for money by way of recycling programs).

Maybe your local elementary school or library would like to have a guest storyteller/reader. I know my kids Kindergarten teacher loved having volunteers come into the classroom to read to the kids. Being an unfamiliar person to the kids caused them to pay closer attention.

Check with nursing homes in your area for patients/clients that do not have any family or friends that visit them. Maybe read to them, sing Christmas carols or just send them Christmas cards.

The Salvation Army is always looking for bell ringers and kids can even help do this one.

 

[bettyann29]

Dont sell yourself short.. Trays of cookies and goodies is a wonderful thing to do for someone.. and Im sure its appreciated...

Sometimes when going thru a drivethrough I will tell the person that I will pick up the tab for the car behind me.. Thankfully the tab hasnt been too high

You guys have had some good ideas..

 

[mom2alix]

I don't know if they do this everywhere, but our local Make A Wish has a volunteer opportunity where you make scrapbooks for Wish children. They provide supplies and pictures and you make up the pages, etc. That might be a fun thing you could actually do with your children.

 

[PrincessKitty]

You are very sweet to want to spend $$ on people, but it's not necessary! Some of the kindest things you can do don't involve $$. For instance, cleaning the house of an elderly or disabled person, or taking someone who can't drive to the grocery store or to a doctor's appointment. What a great example to your children that they don't need a lot of money to help others.

 

[shades]

How about returning someone's shopping cart to either the rack or the store for them?

Or offering to help pay for someone groceries in the store.

Our area has many low income elderly that really struggle to pay for food. The other day the lady in front of us at Aldi's told the cashier to stop at $18 because that was all she had. I told the cashier that I would pay for whatever was left. I did it quietly and I suspect the lady had no idea that I paid a few dollars of her bill. Her last item was a small chocolate bar... ... now you gotta love a woman who puts her own loves last on the belt!

Just a smile and a nod or a few kind words to someone can make a world of difference in their day!

- you are truly a kind soul!!!

 

[shades]

You can donate your time on a weekend/day off. Call your local Salvation Army and volunteer to help out a few hours. I took my daughter and worked a "table" in front of the giving tree. We filled some large banquet tables with index cards filled out by children's wishes and people chose what they wanted to buy. They took the card, bought the gift and returned the card and gift to us. One lady told her 3 kids to each pick out a card and she returned with a couple of hundred dollars worth of gifts. I know not everybody can afford to give $$ - but, if you can give a couple of hours of time - it is much appreciated.

My husband also delivered food & gifts to homes of families in need. Very sad thing to do - but, I never will forget how excited the 5-yr little boy living with his very elderly grandmother was to get a big bag of Malt-o-Meal brand "froot loop" cereal.

A couple of other things you can do if you can't give time - but, can give a can of food - usually grocery stores will have canned food drives located in front of their stores during the holidays. Have your kids pick out a can of food and then let them pay for it as well as hand it to the person working the food drive "booth."

During 4th of July, Veteran's day, etc., you see a VFW representative (Veteran's of Foreign Wars) with a table set up with some silk poppies. They give these away for donations. Any amount - quarter, dollar - whatever....

US Marine Corps runs a Toys for Tots drive during the holidays. Do a web search or call a toy store in your are to find out where you can donate/drop off a toy.

 

[Hermosa11]

You could consider just putting in the garbage cans when neighbors are at work.
Raking up leaves of neighbors...........

If you see an older person at the grocery store either before you or after you, just ask if you could pack their groceries for them.

 

[turnlisa]

Last year for Valentine's Day I thought about picking up a dozen individual wrapped carnations and dropping them off at a Nursing Home. I called a home at random and they said bring them on in. I left them with the head nurse telling her to give them to the people who had been forgotten on that special day. The nurses were truly touched and it only cost me $20. I took my DS with me so that he could see that there are some people that should not be forgotten. My grandmother used to work in a nursing home and I remember how delighted all the elderly patients were to see us kids come to visit.

Little things like this don't cost a lot but mean so much. Your trays of cookies are one of those things...they come straight from the heart.

 

[flagdaytwins]

As a mother of twins, anyone who offers to sit for free (or as a gift) receives my endless gratitude. Now that my girls are older and life is easier for me, I've in turn given my sitting services to my neighbor who has triplets. All you moms out there know this is priceless!

 

[java]

Just this past week I paid the toll for the two cars behind me in line. I just was listening to some holiday music and got the spirit and had some extra change soooooo.... I paid.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Any elderly relatives who might need help with gift wrapping?

For those of you who don't think about it, my elderly relatives have trouble getting the scissors and tape dispenser to work with their hands and fingers. They LOVE when someone else helps to wrap gifts.