Well okay, I am going to expose myself like Cynb did, I hope others will too! Cynb, GREAT idea about sharing this info for the PS shops.

Warren Family Mission
2671 Youngstown Rd. SE
Warren, OH 44484

kattyk Wrote:
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> traditionally Cynb you say that and then wait for
> the other to expose....LOL

#2 - I had help from a stranger. I had a crazy busy day on Friday and I was in a hurry to get home, because I wanted to make some cookies that night to take up to my sisters. My last stop for the day was to get some peanuts for one of the cookies. I figured the dollar store, on the way home, would be the quickest. I get my one item, the peanuts, and head to the register.....wait, hold that, I head to the middle of the store, where the end of the line for the one register open is. I almost put the peanuts back and left, but I needed them for my sisters' favorite cookies, so I got in line.

As I am waiting, a lady gets in line behind me. She says something about the weather, and thinking about some of the posts from Cynb, instead of a closed response, I start a conversation with her. We started talking about the long line, but ended up talking about how hard this had to be on the one cashier in the store, especially around the holidays. We both commented on how, even while checking out other customers, she said “Hi!” to us when we entered the door. (I felt like I was talking to a Mystery Shopper.) Then this lady starts telling my how it's not the cashier's fault that she is the only one here, maybe someone called off or someone is late. So, we start watching her interactions with the customers as she is checking them out. She is smiling, friendly, polite and VERY efficient. You would not believe how quick the line goes.

When it is my turn to be checked out, the lady behind me looks at the cashier's name tag (REALLY) and says, “Kaylee” we were just talking about what a wonderful job you are doing.” So I chimed in, “Yes, you got everyone checked out so quickly.” The cashier, at this point, is beaming. I think we might have made her day, but she honestly was doing such a great job.

Kudos to Cynb and the stranger I was talking to!

shopgal Wrote:
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> If I see any PO shops in my neck of the woods up
> here in the Pacifc NW, I'll be sure to jump in on this, too!


Another Pacific NW shopper! Oregon or Washington?

Spaz, I really appreciate how you and your stranger friend turned around a situation that could have normally been cause for grousing and frustration into something completely different. I bet that overworked cashier was very grateful as well, and your positive recognition of her efforts probably helped her to get through the rest of that crazy day with some of her sanity still left intact.

So I say "kudos" to Cyn for pointing out to us all that we need to take the time to have more open and attentive interactions, to your stranger friend for being so empathetic, and to you for making the most of a not so great situation and transforming it into an opportunity to lend support and encouragement to someone else.

Great job!

StormCloud Wrote:
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> shopgal Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If I see any PO shops in my neck of the woods
> up
> > here in the Pacifc NW, I'll be sure to jump in
> on this, too!
>
>
> Another Pacific NW shopper! Oregon or Washington?

Eastern Washington. And you?

The Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute located at Central Washington University is always in need of donations, monetary or otherwise. One of the troop members died last month, and the other chimps are in mourning. The CHCI is very involved in providing enrichment programs to the chimps to give them variety and stimulation in their lives With the loss of one of their family, the chimps could benefit from some new items to help cheer them up.

Here are some of the things that have been requested...

Arts and crafts supplies: chalk, colored pencils, crayons, construction paper, butcher paper
Bedding: blankets, quilts, sheets
Clothing: bags, purses, belts, coats, jackets, dresses, skirts, hats, socks
Party supplies: plastic cutlery, holiday decorations, large metal tablespoons, tablecloths
Personal care: hair brushes, emery boards, makeup, plastic mirrors
Toys: balls, dolls, inflatable toys, squirt guns, stuffed animals

Items can be sent to:
CHCI at Central Washington University
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7573

I plan on going crazy at the dollar store and sending a box of fun stuff to the chimps and their caretakers.

shopgal Wrote:
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> StormCloud Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> > shopgal Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > > If I see any PO shops in my neck of the woods up
> > > here in the Pacifc NW, I'll be sure to jump in
> > on this, too!
> >
> >
> > Another Pacific NW shopper! Oregon or Washington?
>
>
> Eastern Washington. And you?


Northwest Oregon ~ in the mid-Willamette Valley. About 50 miles +/- South of Portland, and 60 miles +/- North of Eugene. And just a little over 60 miles from the nearest ocean beaches! Over 100 miles to the mountains, though.

StormCloud Wrote:
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> Northwest Oregon ~ in the mid-Willamette Valley.
> About 50 miles +/- South of Portland, and 60 miles
> +/- North of Eugene. And just a little over 60
> miles from the nearest ocean beaches! Over 100
> miles to the mountains, though.

Love the Pacific NW, especially your part. I could definitely go for some beachcombing time, just pidding around scooshing my toes in the sand and listening to the beat of the waves.

Here's #3 from Spaz. It just goes to show how a small gesture can create big effects. I have to wonder how many of these people that witnessed Spaz's act will now feel inspired to pass on a little love and kindness. Really nice, Spaz!...

"I was at a gas station/convenience store, today (after Christmas). They sell hot food as well. As I am walking from the pump to the entrance, I see a guy walking out of the store. He accidentally drops his little Styrofoam container of six chicken wings. The container falls, bounces, opens, bounces again and all the wings go bouncing in the snow/slush. They guy was clearly upset and mad at himself. He starts kicking the Styrofoam box and as another person is approaching the door, he says, “I guess that was meant to happen.”

We both walk in the store and he goes back to counter and tells them he needs six more wings. When I go to pay for my order, at the next register, I ask the cashier how much six wings are. He tells me and I tell him to charge me for them, but they are for the guy over there (pointing). The cashier did not understand and kept saying, “huh?” “what?”. So I tell him how I just saw the guy drop the wings by accident in the snow, so I want to pay for the replacements. The guy goes to pay for his wings, but my cashier says, VERY loudly to the other cashier, “No, don't charge him, this guys just paid for them.” I was hoping to sneak out, but I was waiting on the credit card slip to sign.

There were about seven people in the store. Everyone starts talking to each other, explaining what is happening. I can hear it, but everyone is in disbelief. I explained to the guy that I saw him drop them and felt bad so I wanted to pay for them. He says to the employees and the other customers, “Look at this! Look at this! I got another Christmas present.” He comes over, shakes my hand, wishes me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and is looking around at the other customers saying, “Can you believe this?”.

I am getting “real” pats on the back from people. I hear people saying, “There are still good people in this world.” “Can you believe what that guy did?” “Wow, isn't that great.” Everyone is talking to each other. You would think some major thing happened.

I got out of there as fast as I could, I think I turned beet red!

Wait till you hear this..........all this happened for the cost to me of $2.99. It was worth many many many many times that. It felt like the whole situation caused some kind of strange chain reaction."

#4 Random Act Of Kindness...

Donated money to the PetSmart Charities fund to save the lives of homeless animals. Here's some more information on this worthwhile cause.

The purpose of this fund is to improve the quality of life for all pets by creating and supporting programs that save the lives of homeless pets and promote healthy relationships between people and pets.

They support this vision and mission by:
•Funding programs that save the lives of homeless pets
•Providing adoption rewards funding to animal-welfare Adoption Partners
•Collaborating with thousands of animal-welfare agencies to create innovative animal-welfare solutions
•Providing urgently needed emergency relief, for both natural and man-made disasters
•Raising awareness of companion animal-welfare issues

Joe: Best story ever. You rule!

stageangel Wrote:
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> Shopgal, You said you live in So. Indiana. I live
> in Louisville, Ky. We're almost neighbors. I also
> lived in Kokomo for a couple of years.


I live in southern Indiana too. Right near the Indiana/Ohio border, about 20 minutes outside of Cincinnati. Went to Purdue...go Boilermakers!

I saw a video on cnn.com that told a story of how a guy stole a dog (Marley) who was tied up outside a store in NYC. In the video you see this poor little dog shaking because he was so scared with his tail between his legs not wanting to go with the man. The next day the man tried to sell the dog on the street. This woman offered the man $100 to buy back the dog so she could return the dog. He said that wasn't enough so she went back to her apartment to get more money. Meanwhile bystanders called the police. She then took the dog to her vet, they scanned the dog and found a microchip with the owners info and was able to reunite the dog to its owner on Christmas Day. The video ends by showing the dog standing up on his hind legs turning circles - he was so happy to be back with his owner. What struck me was the willingness of a total stranger to shell out more than $100 not knowing if she would ever get it back to save a poor little dog. Now that is kindness.

I can't get a link but if you go on cnn.com search for Marley dog stolen and the video should come up.

PS - the dog snatcher was apprehended by police later. Here's to happy endings.

That is such an awesome story, Kimmie! The stranger willing to pay that creep in order to save this poor little dog is definitely an angel on earth in my book. Once again, my faith in the goodness of others has been renewed.

Glad to hear the snatcher got caught, too!

Did you guys hear about this story? If you do a google search, you can see more details.


" Home
> News
> National

Drive thru customers pay it forward for 3 hours

0 29 0 50

HLN reports on how customers at a Tim Hortons in Winnipeg spread around the goodwill. It all started when one customer paid for the car behind them and then that car did the same. That chain went on for 228 cars and over three hours. Employees say people often pay for each other, but they have never seen a chain so long. Such acts of kindness have become a bit of a trend in Canada, with many paying for lunches, coffee orders or small grocery purchases of total strangers. "

Wow, Spaz, that's pretty mind-boggling! That's one helluva lotta people that got involved in an Act of Kindness. Impressive!

#5 Random Act Of Kindness...

Gave a $25 Visa gift card purchased on one of my mystery shopping assignments to a friend of a friend that lives in an assisted living facility on a very limited income. She was so happy, and immediately started planning all the things she could do with it.

My local food bank address is:

2131 Beaufait St.
Detroit, MI 48207

the director's name is DeWayne Wells.

It'd be great to hear from those of you that have actually used your PO assignments to send things to food banks or other charities, so please, share your stories!

I changed purses and forgot my $$$$...I ran into Ralphs on the way home to get a loaf of bread, and had no $$.
The woman behind me said, "Put her bread on my tab", I said oh no, that's o.k., I'll go home and get my money, she
insisted...very sweet act of kindness and I paid it back for a friend that needed a job. I told him about the new furniture
store that is hiring and he got it....