There are some very kind people out there! Below are the winners of our nomination competition. To us you're all winners. Thanks to the awesome folk at Little India.
This is about my wife. She's awesome.
We took our first holiday in forever a little while ago. Nothing flash, just camping at a holiday park up in Otaki. The beach up there is great and the sunshine was out in force on day one, so we decided to take a walk. But wouldn’t you know it, we get a hundred metres along the beach and there’s all this rubbish there. Beer cans, chippie wrappers, fish and chip packets… even broken glass. We’re both disgusted, but I just want to keep walking, enjoy our time together. My wife won’t have it. She starts picking everything up as we walk along, even using an old plastic bag she finds to store it all in (after carrying broken glass in her hands for God knows how long). The amount of rubbish there was shameful and eventually I joined in, though still grudgingly at first. Otaki beach is long, so we didn’t get it all, but we definitely returned that section to how it was meant to be. My wife thinks of other people all the time, even ones she’ll never meet. She’s an inspiration.
George Cornwall, Nelson
Nice going so far with the 30 days, Grant. Keep it up. Here's my story, anyway.
A month or so ago, while I was walking home from work, I found a set of keys lying on the ground in the middle of a side street. I was going to leave them there or put them somewhere more prominent, so the owner could find them by retracing their steps. But then I figured it’d be dark soon and they might not be able to find them – they weren’t that easy to spot even in daylight. So I took them home and tried to figure how I’d track the person down. My first thought was to hand them into Lost and Found at the Police station. But then I saw the keyring had a small Video Ezy card attached. I rang up the local store and told them what had happened and how I was trying to get hold of one of their customers. They told me they could indeed track the customer from the number on the card, but they were suspicious at first, saying they couldn’t give out any personal details. I told them no, I just wanted them to get my phone number to the person, so they could call me an! d the keys could be returned. Suspicion gone, the Video Ezy worker agreed to make a call. An hour later I got a call from the woman who had lost the keys. She was overcome with gratitude and came to collect the keys at once. Now she could finally get back into her house for the night. Thanks a lot.
Jon Rose, Nelson
This is for Elizabeth who carries on the work of her deceased Husband Gary Griffiths.
this morning I supported her at the Motueka Markets raising funds for the Help free the children Charitable Trust Winter blanket Appeal, a local Charitable Trust in Nelson.
I got to meet lots of new people and old friends and had a great morning supporting Elizabeth. I also felt nice and warm in the hot sunshine which so many of the children she is doing this for do not have the warmth around them in the winter. She tells me she was very happy with the amazing response from the people of Motueka who were willing to talk and listen and empty out their pockets.
Gary set up a Trust in Nelson called Help free the children he did this from his hospital bed, after having been diagnosed with terminal cancer, he passed away in 2007 and Elizabeth carries on his work and is currently raising funds to provide Blankets for the children of Bihar in India. they have a school called Niranjana where the staff will distribute these blankets to remote villages where big charity agencies don't reach. They ensure that every blanket that you buy goes to a family or homeless person whose life depends on it in the forth coming winter. $10.00 New Zealand dollars buys one blanket for someone or a family.
Their web site is www.freethechildren.org.nz
Pamela Hedlund
My favourite RAOK trick is to buy a lotto ticket at the checkout at the supermarket then turn around and give it to the next person in line, saying Good Luck! as I leave.
It's worth it just to see the goofy confused smiles ;-)
Warmest regards Eleanor, Wellington
I was driving to work recently and came to a set of traffic lights that were not working. An elderly lady was trying to cross the road. She was patiently waiting for the signal to walk, but of course the lights were not working so this was never going to come. Furthermore, nobody was stopping to let her across. I pulled down a side street, walked back and was able to coax the traffic to stop and helped the lady cross the road. She was most grateful.
Regards, Michael Walsh
Recently I was shopping in the Warehouse looking at the jewellery stand, also looking was a young boy around 8 with his Dad. This boy was holding onto his $10 note like it was a big thing and like a million dollars as he had worked very hard for it. While I was browsing I couldn't but help notice he was clearly shopping for a female, probably his Mum or sister, he too was having a hard time making a decision like I was. The deal was buy one get one free! The problem for me was there was only one thing there I liked. So I suggested to this boy that I buy my piece of jewellery and he could choose the piece he wanted as my free item. His wee face lit up, he agreed with lovely manners. This little boy got to keep his $10 for something else and still got his gift for Mum or his sister! (My 5 year old daughter was with me at the time and I could have easily just got any old piece of jewellery for her, but I felt this little boy was more deserving than my own child).
Carla Stevens, Richmond.
Tuesday 1st September 2009 was NZ Random Acts of Kindness day. Sadly not many people knew about this. But we did.
On the way to work my daughter and I gave bunches of Daphne (from our garden), and packets of tea or coffee to random people. Some people thought we were a little strange - but the smiles and thanks were awesome.
My children gave satchets of Latte coffee to their teachers, and I gave Daphne to the office staff.
I put sweets at my workplace with a note asking people to take two - one for themselves and one to give to someone else to pass the kindness on.
At the supermarket I gave a person a bag to save them paying for them - simple but appreciated.
I think Random Acts of kindness need to be practiced more often. Go for it.
Diane, Stoke
I was out side henderson's shopping centre when I saw a homeless man ask teenagers if they had a smoke. They push him away and made fun of him.
I got my sister to run in the shop and buy a pack of pall mall. We gave them to the old man, he took one and went to give back the packet.I said no sir you can have them but please promise me that you will be more careful of who you ask in the future, as those boys could have hurt you. He was so grateful and he had a lovely big smile.
About 30 minutes later i was coming out of countdown and he came running over to me. he had brought me a soft cone ice cream to say thank you. His gesture really made my day.
So i don't know which one of us did the random act of kindness, because that ice cream was worth $1000000.00 to me. Maria
I am a knitter for the Kids first hospital in Auckland. As many babies go home from the hospital wrapped in coats because the parents do not have bedding or blankets for them.
So I spend my spare time at night to knit or crochet blankets and hats so everyone has the chance to stay warm and healthy.
Robyn Clews
Hi I have two for you... Story One
I was at home looking after my 9 week old baby when I saw two puppies running all over the road. I watched them for an hour or so then decided to catch them and put them in my back yard until I could find the owner. I called Dog Control who said they wanted to come and pick them up and take them to the pound. I knew if this happened the owner would have to pay a lot of money to get them out or they might end up getting put down, so I decided to keep them with me until I could find the owner. I called the lost pet line and registered them and also walked round the streets looking for someone missing two puppies. The lady at the pound said they would come and pick them up at any time and I did nearly call her back after they destroyed my herb garden, husbands shoes and broke my favourite pot plant! But I decided to wait until the end of the day. At 4.30pm I got a call from the puppies owner who had called the lost pet line. He was so happy that I had his puppies and that they hadn't gone to the pound he thought he had lost them forever. He was also happy he didn't have to pay to get them out of the pound and that they had been looked after all day. Turns out his gate had blown open in the strong winds freeing the puppies while he was at work. One happy puppy owner and a busy but enjoyable day for me!
Story Two
The next day I was walking with the pram and found a cell phone in the gutter at the bus stop. I turned it on but the battery was flat. I took it home and found a friend with the same phone I got them to take it home and charge it up for me. Once charged I turned it on and managed to get hold of someone in the phone who new the owner. SHe is coming to collect it this morning a week after loosing it so very happy to get it back!
So I got to do two acts of kindness in two days yah!!
From Anna Hern, Christchurch
Nomination is not for myself, but for a friend who has for years shown RAK to those he meets; Heinz Treviranus of Upper Hutt has for years done such things as buying food for homeless people in Wellington, picked up hitchhikers and taken then more than a 2 hour round trip out of his way to assist them on their travel, or invited them home for a meal and given them a bed for the night. In addition, on a daily basis he visits the elderly and takes time out of his working day to talk to people who just need someone to talk with, or drops everything to be there for his children or extended family and friends if they are in need. This guy is inspiring in a world where sometimes others don't take the time to care about their fellow man, and I have been humbled by the compasion he shows for others he meets on the road of life.
Bill Lindsay
Yesterday, as I was driving home, it started to rain. I noticed a guy standing on the side of the road with packs/gear, but no thumb out. I thought how horrible it would be to be hitchiking in the rain, so I pulled him over and gave him a ride.
As with every act of kindness, there is often a reward for the people doing the act. In this case, I got to enjoy a 20 drive with a very interesting guy, and had a great chat!
Even if doing something nice just enables us to feel better, those performing the act of kindness also get a reward
Lori Marevich, Richmond
I don't need payment - I am a domestic violence and cancer survivor so thanks. Unfortunately I have spent today helping relocate a women and her child because of Domestic Violence and a family whose mother has had a stroke. It's not hard paying it forward!!
People helped me in England when I was carried out on a stretcher now it is my turn to use my knowledge and help others. I firmly believe that everyone does their bit we can get back to the NZ I grew up in where we knew our neighbours, could leave to doors unlocked and helped each other.
Keep it up
Regards, Taryn
well done guys on what you're doing... from an acorn an oak tree grows
i try and do randomly and often..happens without thinking it through and thankfully has rubbed off on my 4 kids.
A few weeks back a guy came into work to pick up bus ticket (i work for a bus company). He was a solo dad heading sth for a shearing job. His boss had sent him cheque which was crossed and he couldn't cash - he'd slept night outside in one of our heaviest frosts. I slipped him $10 to go get some brekky upstairs and he nearly cried; a very humble proud man. Then gave driver another $10 to slip to him during journey to get some lunch the way. ..when he boarded he gave me huge hug and was near tears... little things can mean too much :)
if i win id like the voucher given to someone needy who could really appreciate it. Someone who looks like they're struggling and going out for dinner the last thing on their minds. Nicci Bergman, Nelson
A guy in front of me went to pay for his foot long, his eftpos card declined twice before I leant over, paid for it and we both went on our separate ways after a nice thanks.
I think I'm pretty generous. We give to everyone that calls on the phone and support a few charities. It's hard to know who to help sometimes. Cant help everyone and I agree that the world is becoming a shitty place.
I used to volunteer at the SPCA running feeding and cleaning dogs, street collections for Starship etc but it's a bit far to drive now and we have a little baby… I reckon there's a few people around that want to help out, its just not that we know where to go and who could really use it. Its not easy to get the help and money to those who really need it. Genuine helpers and genuinely grateful recipients are out there. Just too many dicks around that abuse it.
Ha, I drove a motorhome to Tokoroa for a lady, she wouldn't stop talking and I missed my bus back and the next was 5 hours away. 20 seconds of my thumb out a really nice guy from Hamilton stopped in a truck and drove me most of the way. Good guy. I gave him some beer money! Fun little adventure.
Kenneth McGrath, Nelson
I was on the bus yesterday afternoon and a mother got on the bus with her daughter and she was short for her fare. I gave her some money to make up the shortfall. Ben Everist, Wellington
I ran after a Guy today who left $20 in the Atm Machine, Felt good to hand his money back to him. Kerrie De Haan, Christchurch
I tried to give two ladies money for their parking - they wouldn't take it but accepted change for a $5. They were still rapt to have kindness shown. Trish Stonestreet, Wellington
I gave a car full of drunk strangers a ride into town at midnight. Cindy Malzard, Nelson
I bought a friend a box of nappies for her newborn, cause she couldn't afford it. Karena Edgeler, Taupo
