Good Deeds Done

[kellieflan]

This thread is inspired by some things KK said...

WHAT NICE THING HAS A STRANGER DONE FOR YOU?

Last August, driving home to Coarsegold from San Diego, my rear-mounted bike rack strap snapped on one side, sending the bikes flying, still partially strapped, to the right side of the car. My 10 year old was with me, so I slowed down and said "It's okay, don't worry," but this was a BIG problem.

I pulled off at the next available exit and immediately saw a huge tow truck, saw the driver (Indian man from India) with his coffee and a snack. I said, "I need help and I will pay anything," (my brother later said that was not a good way to lead off!).

The man helped me so much - in five minutes he moved everything from the back of our car, convinced me it was okay to have my daughter in the front for an emergency, put the bikes in the back and WOULD NOT TAKE A DIME. What a sweet, sweet man. He saved us - we fixed the problem in Venice.

WHAT NICE THING HAS A STRANGER DONE FOR YOU?

[Kahlua Kid]

ummm... someone held the door open when my arms were full...

I can't remember any others...

Hey! Where is my Good Karma coming back at me.... hmmm??? (I know... its out there.)

[angelforever8]

In June a friend and I flew out to Chicago to help another friend move back to the mountains. On our road trip home we had a lot of problems with her car. We got stuck in Tucumcari, New Mexico for a while. We stopped at a gas station to try to get some stuff to fix the car. We noticed we needed oil, so we bought some. Only we couldn't get the cap off to pour it in. lol. Some biker guy came up and did it for us after he noticed us having trouble with it. We didn't even have to ask.

Then about 5 miles outside of that town, we had one of our tires blow out on the interstate. It was about 5pm, and 105 degrees outside, and the 3 of us (all girls) were unpacking all of my friend's stuff from her trunk to get the spare. One of the truckers that passed called a state trooper for us who came and changed our tire for us, and waited until we got the car packed back up before he left. (The whole process took about an hour. >.<)


I think the sweetest thing I ever had done for me by a stranger though was when my friends and I went out to dinner before our senior prom. We waited and waited for our bill but it never came. We finally asked the waitress and she said that the couple in the next table over paid it for us. It was about a $100 bill. We couldn't believe it and they just said "Have fun girls" ^.^ It was really sweet.

[1roscoe]

When I first read KKs story I was thinking no maybe this is not a scam, what ever happened to people helping other people in need? My husband always tells me I am too gullable and often place myself in danger because I never think when strangers approach me.
He tells me I tend to live with the same mentality as the movie "Pay it Forward".
I do know there are BAD PEOPLE out there, but I have never lived for longer that 2 or 3 months in any area that would come close to a "big city" like L.A.
I guess I believe Karma matters. He says I would be dead if I ever moved to a large city. I think he is wrong. Yes I know when I help people most of the time I am being scammed, but you never know when you one act of kindness changes just one persons day. I like to think I help the world with very small steps.

[yosemitewriter]

I spent most of my life in LA. When you live there that long, you develop a survival instinct about who to trust and who to avoid. I'm still alive. One of the things they taught us in law enforcement, if you didn't already know it from the streets, was to be aware of who is around you at all times. Then if you sense something was wrong, you had a chance to move away from the situation and be safe.

When I first read KKs story I was thinking no maybe this is not a scam, what ever happened to people helping other people in need? My husband always tells me I am too gullable and often place myself in danger because I never think when strangers approach me.
He tells me I tend to live with the same mentality as the movie "Pay it Forward".
I do know there are BAD PEOPLE out there, but I have never lived for longer that 2 or 3 months in any area that would come close to a "big city" like L.A.
I guess I believe Karma matters. He says I would be dead if I ever moved to a large city. I think he is wrong. Yes I know when I help people most of the time I am being scammed, but you never know when you one act of kindness changes just one persons day. I like to think I help the world with very small steps.

[1roscoe]

My Mom would tell me almost me the same thing. Listen to yourself; if it doesn't feel right, run, make noise, poke his eyes or kick him in the nuts. She also said it was not enough to just think about doing these things. You have to know you can do this.

I think I can. She also tells me I am the black sheep of the family, and I can't change the world I was born into. I know I would fight for my daughter; for myself, I would like to believe most people are good.

[Kahlua Kid]

Oh I got one!!!

Newcomer and I were out on a weekday at Millerton early Spring (I had taken a rare day off). Well, back of the fingers at the end of the lake, our boat started beeping... Newcomer shut the engine down and opened the engine compartment - one of the oil lines had busted off... we were, uh, stuck...

Noone was on the lake that day. noone was coming... we're just sitting there drifting, thinking, ok now what... figured eventually the Sheriff boat would come by.

About 20 minutes later, no Sherriff boat... but a boat full of beefy, tatooed, scary looking guys (well, gang looking guys) who pulled up and asked if we needed help. I am embarrassed to say, I was judging the book by the cover and was concerned, because we had no way to protect ourselves should they try to rob us or worse (ie., get the keys to our car, leave us stranded in the cove, take our wallets, leave us stranded in the cove... or worse). Didn't have a cell phone and no way to follow them...

But, they were just nice guys. It took about a 1/2 hour for them to pull us to the docks out of the fingers at 5 mph... they took that time out of their day to help us. We gave them $20 for their help when we got to the docks.

They told us when we got to the docks, that they had been broken down one time, and noone would stop and help them because they were black. They had to paddle their boat to shore and hike up the top of the mountain to get cell reception to get help. (they were really beefy guys - I mean body builder sized... so I can see how someone would be afraid to help them, but they were just nice guys.)

[dancingqueen]

I love this thread!!!!!!

[only1alphafemale]

I am a member of a womens group that hails its members from all over the world. Every year they plan a four day spiritual get together, thats held in different places throughout the United States.

I was relatively new to the group when last years spiritual healing seminar was scheduled, and due to all of my savings having gone out for health care issues didnt have the money for my 4 day stay.

One of the members from England who had paid for her stay several months in advance, decided to leave the group and not go to the conference.

She had known of my health issues and rather than "take her marbles and go home"....she changed her reservation over to my name, and paid for my stay so I was able to attend this very special place!

I have always practiced "random acts of kindness", but this was the first time in my life where anyone had done anything like this for me! :D

[Yosemite Joy]

Years ago, when I was a measly E2 in the military, a couple of friends and I went to a movie.

I was driving my 81 Saab (this was in the 90's though) through the town of Federal Way in Washington. I was a bit lost, trying to get on I5 South, and turned onto the exit just as the car infront of me abruptly stopped. I rear ended the car, totaling mine. Everyone was okay, and the police officer took pity on me as he once was a Navy person.

One friend got a taxi to a friends' place in a near town. My best friend and I needed to get back to the ship, and the taxi would not take us that far. We ended up not getting in the taxi and instead walking to a payphone to call some other friends to come get us.

The other friends were unable to come, and we finally exhausted all of our other contacts, with no one to get us. It was after midnight, and the ferries would be done running by the time we got to Seattle, and we didn't want to be stuck at the ferry terminals (lots of homeless people). So we began to walk, trying to find a motel. Mind you, we had NO idea where we were, so we stopped in a QFC (grocery) to get some food. We were eating our apples and water out front when the night manager came out to see what we were doing- he probably thought we were vagrants or something. We told him our story (accident/lost/motel?/taxi) and he told us he and his wife were both retired Navy Chiefs and he was going to call her to get her to come get us and take us to a motel.

She arrived in a Del Sol (this is a two seater convertible) and told us there was no way she was taking us to a seedy motel, we were staying at her house. We drove back, me on my friends' lap, to her house, a few miles away.

She made us beds on her living room floor, we slept the rest of the night. In the morning, the man had returned and they served us breakfast, then asked what ship we were on, etc. They invited us to go snorkeling with them, and to a BBQ. We went. It was so much fun.

After they drove us to Seattle, gave us money, and sent us off to the ship.

We wanted to send them money, card, something, and asked for their address. They would not hear of it, and instead told us to help someone else if they needed it, to not turn away anyone who truly needed help.

I never saw them again.

[Summer]

Years ago, when I was a measly E2 in the military, a couple of friends and I went to a movie.

I was driving my 81 Saab (this was in the 90's though) through the town of Federal Way in Washington. I was a bit lost, trying to get on I5 South, and turned onto the exit just as the car infront of me abruptly stopped. I rear ended the car, totaling mine. Everyone was okay, and the police officer took pity on me as he once was a Navy person.

One friend got a taxi to a friends' place in a near town. My best friend and I needed to get back to the ship, and the taxi would not take us that far. We ended up not getting in the taxi and instead walking to a payphone to call some other friends to come get us.

The other friends were unable to come, and we finally exhausted all of our other contacts, with no one to get us. It was after midnight, and the ferries would be done running by the time we got to Seattle, and we didn't want to be stuck at the ferry terminals (lots of homeless people). So we began to walk, trying to find a motel. Mind you, we had NO idea where we were, so we stopped in a QFC (grocery) to get some food. We were eating our apples and water out front when the night manager came out to see what we were doing- he probably thought we were vagrants or something. We told him our story (accident/lost/motel?/taxi) and he told us he and his wife were both retired Navy Chiefs and he was going to call her to get her to come get us and take us to a motel.

She arrived in a Del Sol (this is a two seater convertible) and told us there was no way she was taking us to a seedy motel, we were staying at her house. We drove back, me on my friends' lap, to her house, a few miles away.

She made us beds on her living room floor, we slept the rest of the night. In the morning, the man had returned and they served us breakfast, then asked what ship we were on, etc. They invited us to go snorkeling with them, and to a BBQ. We went. It was so much fun.

After they drove us to Seattle, gave us money, and sent us off to the ship.

We wanted to send them money, card, something, and asked for their address. They would not hear of it, and instead told us to help someone else if they needed it, to not turn away anyone who truly needed help.

I never saw them again.


Ah, I have memories of being an army wife and I have an untold number of stories of the people who have helped us. Not only military people but the citizens in Germany where we were stationed. There are a lot of good people out there. And it is global. Never underestimate the goodness of the common man.

[1roscoe]

This is what I do believe in. It is not so hard to help someone who is truely in need. I seldom have given money to people, but I have bought gas, food and given strangers a save place to sleep for the night with breakfast. So this place may be my home, maybe not so clean but you are welcome here. My husband tells me to stop adopting strays.

I did adopt a strange stray a few years ago. One of my husbands friends; a Vietman Vetran who the VA. had declared 100% disabled due to a post s
tramacatic stress disorder asked if he could live in a tent in my yard for two weeks. This was in July. In November when it got cold I moved him inside. After 18 months of living in my yard and in my house this person was able to rent a house, and we all had Thanksgiving dinner there. I still had to do all the cooking, but everything was wonderful.

If you can only change the world one person at a time do it. Change happens slowly. Just wait. It is never about you. Just try to help someone.

[dancingqueen]

What a great big wonderful heart you must have, I agree with everything you said. I bet your hubby is a great guy too.

[Social Expressions]

Mother Nature sent dense fog today delaying corporate from being able to land in Fresno; they couldn't get in to do an expected layoff, people get their jobs for another day or two or maybe even 2 weeks.

[kellieflan]

Oakhurst, Nine Days Before Christmas:

A harried mother loses two ten dollar bills somewhere between the Feed Store and the Library. The next day, on the heels of futility, the mournful mom returns to the scenes of her discombobulation.

Feed Store: "No Money Found."

With exasperated ten-year-old in tow, the doubtful female enters the library.

"Yesterday I lost two tens."

"Oh! Hold on!" says the librarian... and retrieves the money: two tens, turned in by another honest, avid reader.

Sound Effect: A bell rings. Somewhere, an Angel has gotten her wings.

[dancingqueen]

I know that made you feel good, sure makes me feel good to know there are honest people among us.

[only1alphafemale]

See there? More proof! As it goes far in helping to restore a sometimes weak or doubted/forgotten faith in humanity! :wings:

[dorseygirl]

Last Friday while getting our weekly donut and Judy's donut, a gentleman had dropped a quarter on the ground. My 5yr old picked it up and gave it to him and he in return gave it back to her for being honest. What a nice man.

[Sandman]

Today, I looked out my window and saw my neighbor plowing my driveway with his tractor.

[rimar]

Oakhurst, Nine Days Before Christmas:

A harried mother loses two ten dollar bills somewhere between the Feed Store and the Library. The next day, on the heels of futility, the mournful mom returns to the scenes of her discombobulation.

Feed Store: "No Money Found."

With exasperated ten-year-old in tow, the doubtful female enters the library.

"Yesterday I lost two tens."

"Oh! Hold on!" says the librarian... and retrieves the money: two tens, turned in by another honest, avid reader.

Sound Effect: A bell rings. Somewhere, an Angel has gotten her wings.

another talented writer Kellie ... I love it!

[BooBooBear]

Today I had a nice lunch in Madera and I left a $20 tip and wrote "Merry Christmas". I know that many restaurants and their employee's especially are struggling so I thought that would brighten his day..if only a little bit

[kellieflan]

Two sales clerks at Gottschalks, both young, one pregnant, we working so hard the other day to move the line along and keep the shoppers happy. One of the girls asked the other if she had any Chapstick, and the reply was "no." They both wanted Chapstick, their lips were dry, their smiles were needed and neither girl could get out from behind the counter.

A lady went over to Raley's and bought each sales clerk her very own new Cherry Chapstick, set it down on the counter in front of them, said Merry Christmas and walked away. Good deed done. :yes:

[Yosemite Joy]

There was a boy, sixteen or so, at Blockbusters trying to buy a DVD. He repeatedly walked to the counter asking how much with tax one DVD compared with another was. Each time he sullenly moped back to the shelf, returning the too expensive movie and picking up another to repeat the process.

A woman over heard his conversation with the cashier about how he wanted to buy his brother a DVD for Christmas, but didn't have enough when tax was calculated in. The clerk looked sympathetic, but didn't offer any help.

So when the woman checked out she left the change (5 dollars and some coins) on the counter and whispered to the clerk to give it to the boy on his next trip up to the counter to ask for the amount, plus tax.

[dancingqueen]

I love these good deed stories!!!!!!!!!

[abitofyarn]

Friday I saw a crib over at the Best Western yard sale and I called to see how much it was. Since my truck was in the shop I asked her to hold it for me and I'd walk over after the rain stopped to roll it across the street to my store. Next thing I know the maintenance guy is backing his truck up and delivering it to me!! What a good deed...guess they were afraid I'd cause an accident with all the lookie loos watching me roll my crib across the street :)

[kellieflan]

Our little crazy dog got out without her collar and some neighbors up the mountain took her to the groomer and passed word around until we found her.
Anybody have anything nice, new and true to add? Start a thread.

[dancingqueen]

I just know that many of us are going to miss this thread. I was going to wait until I experienced a good deed to start it again but I have gotten PM's asking, are you going to start the good deeds done thread? So hear goes. My husband and I are just so lucky to have wonderful families and a few very good friends. We decided to bring them back gifts from Italy to say a huge big thank you for all the love and wonderful experiences you have shared with us during our lives. So we did not bring back one single glow in the dark rosary or bobble head St. Francis. We visited many, many local artists that worked in water color, oil, alabaster, crystal, leather and cloth. It was so much fun for us finding just the perfect gift for each and everyone on our list, all made in Italy by local artists. We also had our picture taken holding the gift, along side the local artist.

[Sandman]

You are correct DQ... this is a good thread. I reopened it (along with many others) and merged your thread with it. :yes:

[only1alphafemale]

I just know that many of us are going to miss this thread. I was going to wait until I experienced a good deed to start it again but I have gotten PM's asking, are you going to start the good deeds done thread? So hear goes. My husband and I are just so lucky to have wonderful families and a few very good friends. We decided to bring them back gifts from Italy to say a huge big thank you for all the love and wonderful experiences you have shared with us during our lives. So we did not bring back one single glow in the dark rosary or bobble head St. Francis. We visited many, many local artists that worked in water color, oil, alabaster, crystal, leather and cloth. It was so much fun for us finding just the perfect gift for each and everyone on our list, all made in Italy by local artists. We also had our picture taken holding the gift, along side the local artist.

DQ what a wonderful idea and thought. The picture was the perfect touch! Your a very special lady! :)

[Sandman]

I just know that many of us are going to miss this thread. I was going to wait until I experienced a good deed to start it again but I have gotten PM's asking, are you going to start the good deeds done thread? So hear goes. My husband and I are just so lucky to have wonderful families and a few very good friends. We decided to bring them back gifts from Italy to say a huge big thank you for all the love and wonderful experiences you have shared with us during our lives. So we did not bring back one single glow in the dark rosary or bobble head St. Francis. We visited many, many local artists that worked in water color, oil, alabaster, crystal, leather and cloth. It was so much fun for us finding just the perfect gift for each and everyone on our list, all made in Italy by local artists. We also had our picture taken holding the gift, along side the local artist.

That is so cool!

O1AF is correct. I have said it before and I'll say it again... you have become a very valuable asset to our local online community. I'm so happy to have you here. :yes:

Does reopening this thread count as a "Good Deed Done"? ;)

[only1alphafemale]

That is so cool!

O1AF is correct. I have said it before and I'll say it again... you have become a very valuable asset to our local online community. I'm so happy to have you here. :yes:

Does reopening this thread count as a "Good Deed Done"? ;)

You bet it does!!!!! :yes: :thumbsup: and I'm sure many others will agree too! :D

[only1alphafemale]

Woman finds $357,959 cashier's check and returns it

LOS ANGELES – As she walked from a post office, Talon Curtis thought she'd found one of those gimmicky sweepstakes offers on the ground that scream something like "$357,959.55" in big bold letters and "This is not a real check" in much smaller type. But just as she was about to do her part for a cleaner planet and deliver the paper from the parking lot to a trash can, she noticed it was a real cashier's check with a real signature.

"I couldn't believe it. I almost passed out," Curtis, who works as a loan negotiator, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "I have never seen a check that big. Not in my possession, anyway."

She immediately set out to find its rightful recipient, but it was Saturday afternoon and the banks were closing. On Monday, with help from KCAL-TV reporter Dave Malkoff, she located the check's owner, who had arrived at her bank in a panic.

"I think she had walked in at the same time the bank manager called me back," Curtis said. "I could hear her walking up to him. and I could hear all this commotion in the background."

Curtis said she spoke briefly with the woman on the phone about a possible meeting, but Pacific Mercantile Bank instructed her to mail the check to them instead.

Not willing to take a chance on the mail, Curtis delivered it personally. A bank employee confirmed it had arrived.

Curtis said she never thought of keeping the check for herself, and she declined the woman's offer of a reward. Still, she's just a little disappointed.

"I just wanted to see her face," Curtis said, laughing. "I just wanted to let her know that there are honest people left in this world."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090409/ap_on_fe_st/odd_big_check

[Dodgergirl]

Sandman is doing a really nice thing by teaching my son to drive. (Well, he already knew how, but he's getting some safety instructions, now...) and allowing him the use of his new car for the dreaded driving test... Thanks, Mat...

[Sandman]

Sandman is doing a really nice thing by teaching my son to drive. (Well, he already knew how, but he's getting some safety instructions, now...) and allowing him the use of his new car for the dreaded driving test... Thanks, Mat...
I am happy to help. You know I'll do anything for that kid. I mean, young adult. :)

[Summer]

A "great" deed was done by the Hitching Post tonight by sponsoring a spaghetti feed for the benefit for Andy Cole who is fighting cancer. I have never seen such a spectacular turnout for anyone as the one tonight. My heart just burst at the love and support of the community to come together to help a neighbor in need. I am so happy and proud to be a part of such a great community and God love the Hitching Post (Greg & Sharlene, owners)!!
You guys are the best!

[dancingqueen]

A wonderful couple saved the day! My mom and I went shopping in Oakhurst today. I had several errands to run with the grocery store being the last one. On the way home on 41 in Coarsegold just past the nutrition store my car died, I mean died, thank goodness there was a tiny patch of ground to pull off on. For some strange reason my cell phone would only allow me to make phone calls to #s that were programed into it, I could not call AAA or Coarsegold Car Care. So I called my husband, he called AAA and drove over to Coarsegold Car Care. It was going to be hours before the tow truck arrived so a couple who just happened to be in CGCC offered to follow my husband to my car, jump my car so that my husband could drive it over to CGCC, they even followed us there to make sure there were no problems with my car. We said thank you very much but they left before I could get their names. I guess they are in the shop a lot so when we go to pick up my car I will bring them a jar of jam with a little thank you. What a wonderful thing they did today for us. I love living in the mountains. Neighbors helping neighbors.

[Bob Cat]

Yes that is one thing I noticed as soon as I bought a house here. Locals have helped me several times and I try to help others whenever I can. Too bad it isn't like that everywhere!

[Dodgergirl]

someone I barely know did a good deed for me today... I blew out my knee last night at my grandkids birthday party...(ok, so I shouldn't have gone down that 20 foot slide with a 2 & 3 year old... but the brakes went bad and my knee took the brunt of it... Oh well, Justin thinks it was great and thats all that matters)
so, back to today... I had a terrible time driving into work this morning... didn't have breakfast or coffee... how very sweet of someone to bring me some coffee and offer lunch later... hopefully I'll do better tomorrow....

[Treasure Chest]

Hope your feeling better Dodger....Mibrew in town, check your PM

[BooBooBear]

Mysteefied and I played tag team today and hopefully gave the owners of a dog something to think about and probably saved a Cocker Spaniels life!!

Myst called me, I was at Vons to say there was a dog tied to the hitch of a truck in the McDonalds parking lot. She said she saw the owner come out of McDonalds...he WORKED there. I told her to call the cops. The dog was under the truck trying to get out of the heat yet laying on the hot asphalt with NO WATER!! After I did my shopping I couldn't help myself and drove over there and found said dog and a woman was in the passenger seat of the truck she then climbed in and closed the door...the windows were all rolled up. I called the cops again and was told one had been dispatched. I sat and waited!! As I got hot sitting in my truck with the windows down I went into McDonalds and got something cold to drink. As I was coming out I see the cop drive by heading out of the parking lot!! I knew that was way to fast so I chased him down LOL!! I said did you see the dog, he said, What dog. I said the dog I called about tied to the truck. He said, what truck...OMG...ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! So I pointed and described. He then turned around and by the time I got back into the parking lot he was out of his car talking to the woman. Here comes Mr. McDonalds worker and a hand gesturing conversation begins...I sit in my car and watch. I then decide to leave, drove up the cop and said do you need me for anything, he said no, I said thanks and drove off. From what I could tell the guy then moved said truck to a shady spot in the parking lot. I have no idea what the exchange between the two was but by the gestures I'd guess to say the cop told him that is not acceptable. STUPID A** PEOPLE!! If the woman has to wait for her man to get off work she could have went over and parked by the library under a shade tree and at least let the dog lay in the nice cool grass until he got off work...not let it suffer laying on the flip in asphalt with NO WATER.

Thanks Myst for the call...somehow I think you know I wouldn't be able to rest until I knew the situation was addressed. Good Job!!

I soooo wish there was a position for an Animal Patrol Officer because I'd be right there to sign up!!

[Mysteefied]

Thank you for stepping in when I couldn't stay around. I knew you'd be the person to call.
HUGS

[Summer]

A good deed was done for me yesterday by Mysteefied - she delivered an Oakhurst monopoly game to me. Thanks so much sweetie and thanks to your friend. I am anticipating a game this Saturday night!

[Screen Porch Girl]

there's an Oakhurst monopoly game ? really? where do you get it?

[BGW]

there's an Oakhurst monopoly game ? really? where do you get it?

It was a Chamber fund raiser 10 or 12 yrs ago; with local businesses as the 'properties' I am sure there are quite a few floating around or sitting in the backs of closets unused. If you ask around one may turn up!!

[dorseygirl]

It was a Chamber fund raiser 10 or 12 yrs ago; with local businesses as the 'properties' I am sure there are quite a few floating around or sitting in the backs of closets unused. If you ask around one may turn up!!

And I wonder how many business are still in business?

[Sandman]

There is an Oakhurst Monopoly game inside a glass display case in The Oak Room if you want to check it out.

[kellieflan]

Good car deeds done recently: Went through a gravel storm that cracked my windshield and dinged up the hood and front of the car, but NOT the side of the car where I'd gone two rounds with my metal mailbox and lost. I told the body shop I would not be having the mailbox damage done, too much money -- but they said the paint was already mixed so they fixed it anyway!

Secondly, took my car to get a tune-up and the check engine light was on, seemed like the back brakes were going... turned out that was NOT the check engine light (why do they have a light that's an exclamation point if they don't want me to react!?), the brakes were NOT going, just needed to clamp off a leak in the power steering fluid -- cost waaaay less. Nice to know that local (Advanced Auto) shops aren't taking advantage of me.