Random Acts of Kindness

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/06/2010 (5594 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Angels serve coffee

RECENTLY, I discovered angels sell coffee. My friend and I went to Starbucks on Point Road to spend some time preparing for her interview. As we placed our beverage order, the employee who served us encouraged us to try the new raspberry dessert. Neither of us wanted to spend much money so we declined. The worker mentioned she was the manager. We went to work asking and answering interview questions over our caffeine of choice.

A few minutes later, a staff person stopped at our table with two pieces of the “famous” raspberry dessert and said they were compliments of the manager. What a gracious surprise. We enjoyed our bites of complimentary dessert and kept focused on our questions. A few minutes later, the manager came to the table and mentioned that earlier a customer left behind a coupon for a complimentary beverage, so she offered it to us to have a coffee later.

By now, we were beginning to feel like family. I spontaneously asked her what questions she asked at interviews and what advice she could give my friend. For the next several minutes, she did a workshop session on interview questions and the desired responses she, as a manager, hopes to hear! On her way out, she mouthed good luck to my friend. What a blessing to have met a neighbourhood angel. A few days later, I met a man asking for money, and I handed him my free beverage coupon. He thanked me heartily.

— Elaine Kroeker

Thanks to the guys at the garage

I would really like to thank the guys down at Super Lube on Pembina Highway. For the third time, they’ve helped me out with car trouble, putting their time and effort into helping me out and not charging me a dime. It’s always really stressful having problems with my vehicles, and it really makes a huge difference in my day when I go to pick up my car and they don’t charge me because they’ve tried everything and didn’t find a problem.

The last time I had trouble, they even pushed my car around the corner to their shop to see what was wrong with it. I recommend them for any car problems you’re having, excellent service! A good friend of mine also goes there and they never charged her either, once they found out the part for her trunk was the wrong one.

— Jessica Toews

Umbrella saves the day

I just want to thank the stranger who gave me her umbrella on June 19. I was out walking with my newborn son in a baby carrier and my two-year-old riding his bike when it started to really rain. We did not have any rain gear and were trying to make our way to the Roblin Co-op. It was slow going with a two-year-old, as you can imagine.

We hoped to buy something or get a bag to protect the baby until we could get home. This woman saw me walking and offered her umbrella stating she could not leave me without. Although at first I said, “No thank you,” I then accepted her offer. She walked off, and I was able to walk home with my children protected from the wonderful Winnipeg elements.

My mom was with me, visiting from Nova Scotia. She was so impressed with this woman’s kindness. We both thought it would be nice to write a note to the Free Press to say thank you to the kind woman. She is an example of good in the world.

— Vicki M. V. Burgess

Special help at St. John’s reunion

UPON leaving the St. John’s High School’s 100 Years Reunion Welcome Night on June 17, my friends and I were greeted by a volunteer, Peter N., special ed. teacher. He offered to walk us to my car. When we arrived, we found the car was boxed in by two vans. Peter helped us by driving my car out of the supremely tight spot. Thank you, Peter and all the volunteers.

— Margaret Moroz, née Lutz

Many helping hands

YESTERDAY, I was really lucky. I had a great bike ride and then stopped at a bank machine. A few minutes later, as I was cycling on Dakota Street, a lady in a van slowed down to call to me that I was leaving a trail of money behind me.

When I turned around, there were bills all over. I turned back and a van with a retired couple stopped. The lady was getting out to help recover my loss. At the same time, four young men rushed from Tim Hortons and were running around collecting the bills as the cars going by made the money fly around.

They gave me back all the cash I had lost, but still I was missing my driver’s licence and bank card. I doubled back to see if the ID was on that route. It wasn’t. It took me awhile but then I came back to the original spot to find the four young men waving at me. They had continued to search the boulevard after I left and had found all my missing ID. They all vehemently refused any reward and just seemed happy to have helped.

I want to thank all of these strangers, seven in total, and especially the four young men who stayed to search even after I had left. They not only recovered all my lost cash, but saved me a huge amount of time, effort and probably the replacement cost of my driver’s licence. Thanks to all of you.

— Kathleen Tait

Ray of sunshine despite rain

I work for an amazing company called DASCH (Direct Acton in Support of Community Homes). We support adults with developmental disabilities. On June 17, our group of about 45 headed from Winnipeg to Gimli in a caravan of minivans to have our Park/Picnic Day. We crossed our fingers and hoped for sunshine.

But when we arrived, we were sad to see only rain. We drove around looking for a covered area to eat our picnic lunch. At the Gimli Yacht Club, we noticed a covered area with picnic tables. A man with a kind smile opened the door. I asked if we could use the covered area to have lunch and he replied “No… Please come in out of the rain and be our guests and use our dining room, our washrooms, our lounge, our kitchen, whatever you need, however I can help.” I was a little taken back by just how quick this man was willing to help.

I am writing to thank the gentlemen of the Gimli Yacht Club for their generosity. We may not have had sunshine that day, but we definitely felt the warmth of the people of Gimli.

— Jodi Chappel