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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Random acts of kindness

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 07/21/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Allyson scores with perfect cocktail dress

I came from Calgary to attend Kelvin's 100th Reunion in Winnipeg and experienced an act of kindness I think is remarkable.

I arrived without a cocktail dress for the semi-formal dinner and was convinced by my friend that we should look around to see if we could find anything more suitable than the casual co-ordinates I had brought with me.

We went into Redeemed, a secondhand shop on Academy Road, to see if they had a cocktail dress that would fit. It was Thursday, only two days before the dinner.

Allyson, the owner of the store, brought out a few dresses but I could tell by looking at them that they wouldn't work for me. I finally advised her that I had just had a mastectomy, and I needed a high neck line. She was very empathetic but really couldn't find anything that would work so I left without buying a dress.

However, she suggested I try the Charleswood Redeemed store the next morning as there might be something there.

So, my friend and I went to the Charleswood store the next morning; same thing, no dresses with high neck lines in my size. We were about to leave when in walked Allyson with a garment bag. She said she had woken up that morning and realized that one of her own dresses would be perfect for me.

Sure enough, it fit, and it was perfect. I offered to buy the dress, as selling dresses was her business, and I couldn't imagine her just lending me one when she didn't know me at all. But she was just happy to let me borrow it.

I started to dig out a business card so she would have my contact information but she said not to bother and just to return the dress to the shop the following week. She didn't even know more than my first name.

The dinner most definitely was semi-formal attire and I was grateful I had Allyson's dress.

Allyson helped me at a time when, frankly, the last thing I wanted to do was try on new clothes. How many people would offer one of their own dresses to a stranger?

Thanks Allyson! You made a difference.

-- Nancy Freiday

Thoughtful city grader makes her day

I have a large backyard parking pad that holds eight vehicles and a three-car garage. I am a single mother who owns only one older vehicle, even with all this room.

Two years ago, the snow fell to about knee depth. I was out there shoveling, near exhaustion and had managed to clear about half the parking pad.

To my dismay, a huge city grader came down my back lane and left a ridge.

I must have had a look that broke the grader driver's heart, because he backed up, scooped all the snow up from that ridge along with some of the other snow, and took it another place down the lane where it would not bother anyone.

I blew him kisses and, even a couple of years later, I remember his kindness.

Thank you, my unknown friend. You made a tired single mom very happy. Bless you.

-- April Stapon

Mr. Boots to the rescue after fall

WHILE walking along Portage Avenue in front of the University of Winnipeg, my husband tripped and fell to the pavement.

Although several people continued to pass by him, a man my husband can only identify as "having on black work boots," stopped to ask if he needed assistance. My husband realized at that time he was unable to move, and Mr. Boots asked another passerby to call 911 for an ambulance.

Meanwhile, Mr. Boots remained with my husband, collected his broken eyeglass lens and waited with him until the paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital.

Our family sincerely thanks "Mr. Boots" for staying with my husband and not trying to move him until help arrived. Your kindness was very much appreciated.

-- Margaret Turnbull, Rick and Kelley Turnbull

Buddy the dog saved

OUR dog, Buddy, escaped from the backyard. He was very lucky, because a woman named Linda was driving down Grosvenor Avenue and she saw him at Cambridge Street.

Linda put Buddy in her car and using his dog tags, she was able to return him to us.

We are very grateful to Linda for being kind and taking the time to help.

-- Ellice, Zelda and Tal Kynman

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 21, 2012 G12

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