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Guest062124 · 04-09-2010, 06:06 PM

I try to pick a day every once in awhile to do something nice for a complete stranger. Today was the day. I had a Doctor appointment and then headed to Walmart to pick up a prescription. I bought a "walmart" gift card and gave it to a mother with small children as I was leaving and she was walking into the store. She was shocked, but accepted graciously. Her kids said, "Who is that lady??" Best thing ever, all she could say is, "I dont know." That means they witnessed a complete stranger do something really nice for them..no strings attached. LOVE IT!

Does anyone else do this? I think it is an excellent way to "Pay it forward"

UTR4Passion · 04-09-2010, 06:34 PM

Reese,

When I was younger and starting to be successful, I gave funds to members of my family when they needed help. I was not smart enough to anticipate that those family members quickly adopted an attitude that funds from me was an obligation that I must support. So, I stopped that and have been resented ever since.

A fe years ago, late one night as I was leaving the office, I saw a couple that were hitch hiking on 35E. I pulled over and gave them a short ride north and when it was time for me to exit I let them out. I learned that they were from New Zealand and were backpacking around North America. I had $200 in my pocket and handed it to them so they could continue their adventure with a little bit more comfort. They were so appreciative, the young kiwi girl asked permission to kiss me and she did. The young man shook my hand. I wish I had done that when I finished college instead of getting a job right away.

Now, I take young men to the Austin Street Shelter and the MetroCrest Clothes Closet and the Food Bank to help other people. The young men learn that these service centers are helping people that can and cannot help themselves. When serving holiday dinners, there are any families that have been hit harder than many of us and they are really good people with some bad luck. These strangers are always appreciative and thankful and it gives the young men a very positive experience to hold on to. We also talk about how fragile our lifestyles really are and how easily one mistake can change your life and put you on the street, or worse.

Thank you for bringing up the subject.

verygood69 · 04-10-2010, 12:20 AM

I help people out all of the time. The sadest thing happened last while i was in Wal-Mart. I was in the line with tobacco and the Lady in front of me was buying 4 cartons of cigs and had 6 cans of baby formula. The lady swiped her card and did not have the funds for all. Guess what she out he formula down and got the smokes, I was so pissed when this happebed. i looked at 2 children that were with her and my heart was broken. I told the cashier i wanted to pay for thr formula and that i wanted 6 more cans to go with it. The babies were dirty and barely clothed and it was cold. I asked the lady if I could by them a jacket. The lady broke down and wow did I feel bad. I ended up having one of the most exciting shopping trips of my life. We went to the clothing and we ended up with 2 baskets of clothing and some toys. It was quite expensive but I must say one of the happiest days of my life.

being_anon · 04-10-2010, 01:15 AM

good to see kind hearted peoplearound

mine was pretty small...a couple was picking used cigarette stubs at gas station during my trip to austin
i ordered large pizza with 2 cokes for them!
but generally i perfer to give food than money...who knows if they use that money for drugs

being_anon · 04-10-2010, 01:16 AM

and offcourse few ciggs from my pack

Mr No Confidence · 04-10-2010, 04:38 AM

I was getting a haircut at my cut spot, (Diamond Cutz on Gus Thomasson Rd .. in Mesquite) .. I got my usual low almost bald even fade. $15 for the cut and edge up plus $5 tip. As soon as I step out I notice these 3 ragged looking boys playing outside these apartment. I couldn't have these young men looking like that. So of course I told the oldest get his mother; they came back and I offered haircuts for the boys. After some back and forth (her saying I didn't need to) .. I demanded it. Turned out to be a great time, we all talked about their youth football league. Played some video games with the other young dudes in the shop (while they waited). Paid the $50 plus $15 tip and felt great doing it. It was also cool to give my favorite barber some good business like that. I went to eat after that, I don't know why I didn't get them boys anything to eat. .. ahh well, I still see and talk to them from time to time when I stop by this store close by. Rodney, Quentin, and little Chris .. good boys. .. This was June last year.

Outside that moment I try to give to the homeless when I can. I got something in my heart for the homeless. Homelessness hit too close to home for me; I was blessed to have a few places to bum and not go under mentally. The idea of being homeless haunts me still, but something has to be looking after me .. has to be.

Tara Evans · 04-10-2010, 07:22 AM

Sometimes when I leave work the exit that I take there are always homeless people that are standing on the corner and they are holding a sign, need food. So I will stop at 7 eleven and get them a couple of hot dogs and you should see their face. I feel really good and I know they feel like they are in heaven.

tsrv4me · 04-10-2010, 07:47 AM

At Christmas time my SO and I walked into Wal-Mart..I suggested we buy a bike if there was a kid there that was looking at them .NO luck ...following day she called me and told me a lady she works with was getting things together for an unfortunate family thru the Church ..We decided to buy bikes for the two boys ages 5 and 8 ..went to Wal-Mart again looking at bikes two young boys with their Single Mom were also in Toy Dept..we asked them to help us pick out two bikes ,and they did ...Then we decided to buy both of those boys bikes for Christmas as well ..as they were picking them out .......their two sisters walked around the corner with ,Grandma ,LOL ..so we also bought each of them a bike ....Ended up buying SIX bikes that evening ....and had GREAT time doing it ...probably do it again...T

Guest062124 · 04-10-2010, 12:41 PM

Thank you all for sharing your stories..They all touch my heart. Probably why I will never be rich... I would give it all away to help people in need. Please, if you can think of any other stories, do share. They are heart warming!

Sweet Heather · 04-10-2010, 12:52 PM

As far as I'm concerned, there is absolutely nothing more rewarding, fulfilling, and satisfying than doing a kind deed. The feeling is like no other. I always try to look around me for any way I can help those less fortunate.
Last summer I pulled up to a 7-11, there was an Hispanic family-mom, dad, 2 young kids and baby-standing by their broken down(old) car in the parking lot. They were standing in the sweltering sun. The hood was up and the poor man was just gazing at the engine. I went in and bought a big bag of milk, water, and soda's plus snacks and gave it them, along with some cash. They didn't even speak English! But the looks of gratitude were something I wil never forget. I was on a natural high for the whole week after that! H

Dharma · 04-10-2010, 02:39 PM

When it's cold, I buy all those little pocket warmers at Walmart, several solar blankets and cooking fuel and keep it in the car. When I see someone that I think could use it, I give what I can. My life is stellar comparatively and I'm grateful for what I have. I have had some unbelievable days and when I give a 20 or two, I feel thankful that I am so fortunate that I really won't miss it.

verygood69 · 04-10-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tara Evans

Sometimes when I leave work the exit that I take there are always homeless people that are standing on the corner and they are holding a sign, need food. So I will stop at 7 eleven and get them a couple of hot dogs and you should see their face. I feel really good and I know they feel like they are in heaven.

Tara I would be in heaven if you bought me a hot dog.

verygood69 · 04-10-2010, 03:00 PM

No, Really this is GREAT knowing that we have the kind hearted with us.

Altus62 · 04-10-2010, 03:15 PM

Mr No Confidence wrote:

"Outside that moment I try to give to the homeless when I can. I got something in my heart for the homeless. Homelessness hit too close to home for me; I was blessed to have a few places to bum and not go under mentally. The idea of being homeless haunts me still, but something has to be looking after me .. has to be. "

This touched Me,as I have someone far away who is Homeless a lot and I help as much as I can..

Guest071613-2 · 04-10-2010, 03:19 PM

Driving around after the St. Patrick's day parade this year, saw the car in front of us hit a German Shepherd puppy, stop, look, then drive off. The poor thing was screaming in the middle of the road. I stopped and picked it up out of the street but he died in my arms moments later

I felt a little better knowing that he wasn't left in the road like that, and maybe he felt a little comfort from me in his last moments. I took him home and gave him a proper burial.
I think the animals need some of that random kindness, too. I wanted to track down the people who hit him and do bad things to them