Random Acts of Kindness - November 2023
When a woman struck up a conversation with a homeless man, she didn’t imagine it would change his life forever. Soon after talking with him, it became clear that he was a kind soul who had simply fallen on hard times. He had been living in a shed after a terribly challenging childhood trauma, overcoming addiction, and the death of his wife. He said he had given up on life. After listening to him she offered him a job on her farm. This job revived the man and brought the farm a pair of hands that were diligent and gentle with her children and her animals. “It came from her heart, and I thank her every day,” the man said with tears in his eyes.
A 65-year-old grandmother had been walking 2.5 miles to work every day at her job behind the deli counter since her car had broken down and she had no money to fix it. Walking home one day she stopped at a gas station for a snack and noticed a plastic sack. Inside was a lot of money and some greeting cards. She immediately called the police and reported finding the money. “You don’t keep something that doesn’t belong to you,” she explained to the police. With the information on the cards, the police tracked down the owners of the money, which belonged to newlyweds. The couple was so impressed by her honestly, that they put the story out on social media and started a GoFundMe account for her so she could buy a car. In six days the fund raised over $82,000. Grateful and overwhelmed the grandmother said; “There are still good people in this world!”
There aren’t many people willing to voluntarily go out to spend the day on Skid Row, and fewer with the goal of giving away free services. But Dr. Stewart also known as “The Street Vet” does just that. Dr. Stewart runs a non-profit organization that is funded by donations. He and a few volunteers go out onto the streets and in homeless encampments to provide free medical for the pets of the homeless. He provides totally free medical care to their pets. Last year they were able to treat 600 animals. He expressed, “It goes without saying that these people don’t have the means to take proper care of these animals that they often love more than anything else in the world, this is the least I can do for them.”
Perform a random act of kindness today.... Buy a coffee, send a card, bake a treat, mow a yard, write a note, send some flowers, etc.