Random Acts of Kindness

Thanks for quick action after cardiac arrest

THANK you to the young man who acted on impulse to try to save my longtime friend John who suffered cardiac arrest while working at his new residence at Legion Gardens on Talbot Avenue on Oct. 2.

Apparently, this young man jumped the fence between his apartment building and Legion Gardens and started CPR while waiting for the paramedics to arrive. One of the medics said his actions kept John alive until medical help arrived.

Unfortunately, John passed away Oct. 7, but this does not diminish the young man's actions.

It was very thoughtful and indeed it was another act of kindness for the head office of Piston Ring to send a crew to work the branch so all of John's colleagues could attend his memorial service -- a noble gesture and well-respected by John's family and friends.

In all, approximately 125 friends, colleagues and relatives attended.

-- Graham Fordyce

A man of integrity

I lost my wallet containing money, credit cards, driver's licence and several other important documents on Sept. 25.

After searching everywhere, I was unable to locate it. I fully expected that whoever found it would remove the money, use the credit cards and toss the wallet.

Later my son received a telephone call from Greg in Transcona at the Grey Street United Church. He had found and wallet and my son's telephone number inside.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to this man of integrity. As a retired senior, I would have found it difficult to replace everything in the wallet.

Again, thank you very much for this random act of kindness.

-- Lewis Weber

You shall go to the ball

ON a recent Sunday afternoon, I went shopping for a pair of dress sandals to go with a gown that I'll be wearing at my granddaughter's upcoming wedding.

At the Naturalizer Shoe Store in Garden City Shopping Centre, I saw a lady trying on a pair of sandals. I commented to her that they looked good on her feet. She thanked me and said that she'd probably buy them.

I looked for another pair like hers, as I realized that they would go perfectly with my dress. Unfortunately, there wasn't another pair.

I asked the woman if she'd mind if I tried on hers, to check for fit, in case they had them at another store.

They fit perfectly and the store clerk checked for me, but no other store had them in my size.

Then, the wonderful lady came up and handed me the sandals, offering to let me have them. I thanked her profusely, paid and left with the perfect footwear and a smile on my face and in my heart.

I don't know that lady's name, but I want everyone to know that there are kind and considerate people around us and that I was very lucky to encounter one of them.

-- Carmela Finkel

Chivalry on the bus

I would like to express my thanks to the older gentleman who stopped to help me after I discovered my shoelace had come undone getting off the bus in rush hour -- in fact, I almost fell off the No. 24 bus.

I use a walker and was trying to push the lace aside so I could take another step and get out of the way of people getting off the bus. This gentleman stopped, bent down and did up my shoelace for me allowing me to get out of the way of people.

It was so enlightening to have someone do something so basic but yet so kind for a much younger person. I thanked him, but he was gone so fast I didn't get to shake his hand. Thank you again.

I hope people noticed this man's kind gesture and will pass it forward. Thank you again.

-- Trish Coyle

Interrupted trip to help

It was 6:15 in the morning, and I had stopped to pick up a newspaper on Corydon Avenue. When I returned to the car, I had locked myself out.

I walked over to the 7-Eleven to call for a taxi to return home for the extra set of keys. I was distressed as the car was running with its lights on.

As I waited, a young man stopped, noticed that I was out of sorts and asked if I had a problem. I explained the situation to him.

Without hesitation, he said that they would run me back to my house for my keys. He and his girlfriend were on their way to Vancouver, and the car was loaded with luggage. He told me to get into the front seat and with a great deal of effort he climbed into the crowded back seat.

They took me home and returned me to my car, and we parted ways.

Thanks Gary and Tori. You made my day.

-- Sybil Plattner

A very kind woman

It was a very windy day, and I was trying to make my way back to my apartment on Whellams Lane from Henderson Highway. I'm 85 years old and walking is difficult for me after my stroke.

A kind woman, about 35 years old, motioned for me to come to her vehicle, which I gratefully accepted.

She offered me a ride to my apartment. She introduced herself but unfortunately I've forgotten her name.

She drove me to my Whellams Lane apartment, but when we approached the entrance way, it was blocked by moving vans.

She then proceeded to park her car and accompany me up the ramp right to the doorway, ensuring I made my way inside the building.

I would just like to thank that very kind woman. If I didn't receive her assistance that day, I'm not sure how I would have made it home.

-- Bill Laird

After the football game at CanadInn Stadium on Sept. 29, I returned to my car only to find it had been towed.

I live an hour outside the city and was quite distressed as my purse was in the car.

I found out that I was to go pick it up on Higgins Avenue at Stanley Street, but I had no money on me as I was volunteering at the game and did not have my purse.

Luckily, two gentlemen who were at the game were walking by and mentioned the nice evening when I told them about my dilemma. With no hesitation whatsoever, they graciously offered me a ride to pick up my vehicle.

I'm afraid I forgot the gentleman's name, but he called ahead to find out how much it would be and to confirm my car was there and then he drove me to pick up my car. He even stuck around to make sure I had no further problem before he left.

Thank you so much for helping me out and calming me down that night. It was very much appreciated.

-- Debbie Bialek, Beausejour

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 20, 2012 G10