December's Acts of Kindness: Courtesy of the members of the CTCC!

• Donated a like new men’s dressy winter coat to someone.

• I posted a draw on my town’s Facebook page to give away a winter coat to a child in need. I collected names for a day and randomly chose from nine people. I specified that I preferred to donate it to someone in need. I got a really touching letter from someone who was in need of a new coat for her little girl. I rooted for her but her name was not the one chosen. I decided to go out and buy a second coat and had a friend go and deliver it for me. The woman was so grateful and it touched my heart. I gained so much more than the $60 I spent!

• I baked and delivered goodies to about 15 friends and co-workers.

• I won a food basket at a raffle worth about $100. I donated it to someone who has very little as my cupboard is always overflowing.

• I have a friend without a car who lives outside of town. I picked him up and drove him and his family to town of three separate occasions so they could do their errands.

• I made supper for a friend who has very little on about five different occasions in December. He would not have eaten otherwise.

• I helped a friend decorate his home for Christmas. I lent him all my Christmas decorations because he lost all his in his recent breakup. He was very grateful.

• I have a friend who is fighting cancer and she needed some baking done for a bake sale so I told her I would do it for her. Today I am going to drop it off to her.

• A client who is a shut in needed some things for the dollar store so I picked them and did not let her pay for them. It was not much but I have very little money since my husband is out of work. I can’t afford to do much. We don’t even have money for Christmas but that is ok. We have each other.

• I washed a person floor who is no longer able to do it

• I anonymously sent an infrared heater to a family whose house is very cold.

• I am babysitting for an underprivileged family.

• My mother has been talking about her elderly neighbors, the wife especially who has dementia. She is at a point where she won't eat. Dr's are involved, etc. She will eat cookies and icecream and just a little bit at that.
  
  I baked up 2 dozen peanut butter cookies, but I made them with her in mind. I added lots of protein and some had chocolate chips and some had walnuts. Each small cookie is 45 calories with 5g of protein (Not counting the choc chips or walnuts). She eats a few of them a day now, and is getting at least 20g of protein instead of just a couple before. The husband says she has more energy now and is showing a bit more interest in drinking her meal replacement shakes.
  Some days are better than others for them, but I like to think that this small gesture shows them that others do care.

• I'm going to sign up for a half marathon in March, and a full in May. I will be raising awareness for obesity, and funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation in the name of Peter Pettinger, who died in 1998.

• I donated food to a young boy who is requesting food donations instead
  of birthday presents for his upcoming 8th birthday.

• My neighbour is disabled, so I put out her garbage every Monday evening

• I have an older gentleman friend (he's 78) who loves using his computer.... but doesn't really know HOW to use it. LOL Every few weeks I go to his home and teach him how to use it/solve issues that he's having with it

• On December 15th my bestie and I will be cooking Christmas dinner for 45+ people at the pub we go to. Not that it's such a big deal, BUT.... many of these people don't have family that they're close to, or they live far away. So we make our own "family dinner" for them.

• I am a very dedicated, PROUD support group leader for people dealing with obesity issues

• I spearheaded a food drive along side our work lunch and gift exchange. We accumulated a $40 donation along with several boxes full of food.

• for years now we go to a local elementary school and meet with the guidance councellor. She defines a family for us. This year they have a 12 year old girl, a 10 year old girl and an eight year old boy with a single mother. She gives us all their sizes and something that they were hoping for for Christmas. We then go buy it, as long as its not technology (we are of the opinion that technology is expensive often after you buy it, games cost money, internet connections cost money, etc, and it drastically reduces what we can buy otherwise). Clothing, boots, shoes, games, toys, etc. And we always add four $50 gift certificates to the gift from three local grocery stores and Walmart so they can buy a selection of foods the food bank may not supply. We just finished wrapping each present, we tag each gift for the age and gender of the child and will deliver it to the school tomorrow so the GC can get it to Mom without kids seeing it. They are anonymous to us, as we are to them.

• Every year my daughter takes money she gets from her aunts for Christmas and buys turkeys for the local CBC turkey drive, where they deliver the birds to the local food bank and salvation army. We did that last Friday. She so enjoys picking them out, paying for them and delivering them.

You are all wonderful. Words cannot express how thrilled I am to count you among my friends. Many of you went above and beyond - sacrificing so others could benefit. Please let this list be a reminder of how little things can impact the lives of others. Never say, "I am only one person. What can I do?" Instead, say, "I am one person. Look at what I can do!" Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wish I had prizes enough for everyone!

Oh my heavens.  This post just made me tear right up. Bookmarking for a day when I need a reminder that there are wonderful people in this sometimes insane world.

You hit the nail on the head, Karen. It's so easy to be cynical but this list is really a testament to how much even one person can accomplish. Way to go teams!!

Proof that guardian angels are real!

this makes me cry Ms. HH. LOVE YOU!!! and everyone else who does nice things.

What a wonderful group!

despite common opinion there ARE STILL GOOD PEOPLE left in this world!!!  How wonderful it is to be connected with the caliber of folk on this site- thanks to each and every one of you!!!

Johanna