Giving Joy Anonymously at Christmas

[thomashenry]

That's the price you pay for living in a place where your nearest neighbor lives 1/2 mile down the road.

I hear ya, all the Homes in My area are a minimum of 2 acres, know both Neighbors well, so if ever there was a time when the SHTF we are all covered, or if we are just in Need

[Brackneyc]

I always leave a few quarters on top of the coin operated car wash after I wash my car. I found some there once, and I have done it ever since then. Not a big deal, but I do it. I will pick up at least one meal for a total stranger before Christmas. I promise.

[Joog]

Our eldest son is three years old and will have his first charity experience this year. We are still deciding on how to go about it. Donating toys, could be an option. He already has a little grasp on the concept that some people are less fortunate that we, so making a charitable act will be good for him.

[BankWalker]

For the past several years, every December I tuck a couple of hundred extra dollars in my wallet to leave big tips in restaurants. My son enjoys this ritual too. His favorite was a Waffle House server in the Florida Panhandle last year. She was very young and very pregnant. He ordered hash browns and a coke. The tab was about $4. We left $50 and got outta there. We always get out before they notice the tip. It's a lot of fun.

[Frnkd]

Great stories! Keep'em coming!

[thomashenry]

For the past several years, every December I tuck a couple of hundred extra dollars in my wallet to leave big tips in restaurants. My son enjoys this ritual too. His favorite was a Waffle House server in the Florida Panhandle last year. She was very young and very pregnant. He ordered hash browns and a coke. The tab was about $4. We left $50 and got outta there. We always get out before they notice the tip. It's a lot of fun.

--------------------Very Nice Story, Teaching Your Son the Gift of Giving---------Your On Spread, Merry Christmas my Friend

[dbx]

For the past several years, every December I tuck a couple of hundred extra dollars in my wallet to leave big tips in restaurants. My son enjoys this ritual too. His favorite was a Waffle House server in the Florida Panhandle last year. She was very young and very pregnant. He ordered hash browns and a coke. The tab was about $4. We left $50 and got outta there. We always get out before they notice the tip. It's a lot of fun.

Nice. Before moving to my current locale (6mths ago), I frequented an O'Charley's, that was across the highway from my apts., and got to know a few of the staff, who always treated me well. I had given $20 & $30 tips on bills that were less than $30, but knowing I was leaving and would probably not be back...I gave my favorite female bartender a $100 tip on a $20 bill. She worked hard, was nice and I know she could use it because of little things that she'd shared over the 7mths I lived and frequented there. Felt good.......

[tsoden]

Giving without expecting anything in return for whatever reason is the most humane gesture. I think it pulls on a part of our humanity that we may not realize the impact. Your story exemplifies it. Felt it too.

You, my friend, are SO FULL of WARM FUZZIES!

[Frnkd]

You, my friend, are SO FULL of WARM FUZZIES!

I like to share my fuzzies.

[theKurp]

Inspired by this thread, I've been thinking about how I might go about doing this when today, the opportunity presented itself. While not exactly anonymous, I believe it still upheld the intended spirit of giving to strangers.

I was out working in my yard (BTW, today's high was 78) when a truck towing an open trailer pulled up in front of my house. A guy got out and asked me whether I needed any trees trimmed. As it so happens, I have 5 queen palms that stand about 20 feet tall that have not been trimmed in years. The reason being, they're planted on a slope in my back yard and not only is a 30 foot ladder required, but the slope is so steep that it does not make for very solid footing for the ladder. In fact, these guys pull up all the time asking if I need trees trimmed and as soon as I show them the trees they decline the job, stating that they either don't have the right equipment and/or it's too dangerous. I actually had one guy accept the job only to give up and go home after cutting only 2 trees.

This particular guy obviously needed the money though because he appeared undaunted and agreed to do the work after I showed him the trees. When I asked him "how much?", he said "$20 per tree." That's a ridiculously low price given the condition of the trees and their location, but again, he apparently needed the money and really wanted the work, so I agreed.

For the next 2 1/2 hours I watched this guy balancing himself on a wobbly ladder while cutting the branches and seed pods with a chain saw. I could see he was very uncomfortable, if not downright scared while doing the work. I decided that as part of my Christmas present to him I would haul the fallen debris to the street and load his trailer while he was on the ladder. At first he told me not to worry about it, that he would take care of it. But I didn't listen to him and continued to help him. I figured I saved him at least an hour's worth of work.

When all was said and done he thanked me profusely for helping him. I again asked him how much, knowing full well that the job was far more difficult than he anticipated. But he stuck to his quote and said, "Five trees times $20 dollars equals $100." So I wrote him a check for $100 and gave it to him. Then I reached in my pocket and pulled out another $100 in cash, handed it to him and said, "Merry Christmas". He stood there for a few seconds without saying a word. Then he looked at me and said, "Man, are you serious?" I said, "Sure" and again wished him a Merry Christmas. He didn't move, almost as if he was waiting for me to give him more work to earn the extra $100. So I bid him goodbye and then turned around and walked back into my house.

And that's my story.

[AndroShock]

Much respect OP. I made a commitment that I would try to do something for someone(however small) everyday that I remain sober and not let anyone know about it.

[Frnkd]

Inspired by this thread, I've been thinking about how I might go about doing this when today, the opportunity presented itself. While not exactly anonymous, I believe it still upheld the intended spirit of giving to strangers.

I was out working in my yard (BTW, today's high was 78) when a truck towing an open trailer pulled up in front of my house. A guy got out and asked me whether I needed any trees trimmed. As it so happens, I have 5 queen palms that stand about 20 feet tall that have not been trimmed in years. The reason being, they're planted on a slope in my back yard and not only is a 30 foot ladder required, but the slope is so steep that it does not make for very solid footing for the ladder. In fact, these guys pull up all the time asking if I need trees trimmed and as soon as I show them the trees they decline the job, stating that they either don't have the right equipment and/or it's too dangerous. I actually had one guy accept the job only to give up and go home after cutting only 2 trees.

This particular guy obviously needed the money though because he appeared undaunted and agreed to do the work after I showed him the trees. When I asked him "how much?", he said "$20 per tree." That's a ridiculously low price given the condition of the trees and their location, but again, he apparently needed the money and really wanted the work, so I agreed.

For the next 2 1/2 hours I watched this guy balancing himself on a wobbly ladder while cutting the branches and seed pods with a chain saw. I could see he was very uncomfortable, if not downright scared while doing the work. I decided that as part of my Christmas present to him I would haul the fallen debris to the street and load his trailer while he was on the ladder. At first he told me not to worry about it, that he would take care of it. But I didn't listen to him and continued to help him. I figured I saved him at least an hour's worth of work.

When all was said and done he thanked me profusely for helping him. I again asked him how much, knowing full well that the job was far more difficult than he anticipated. But he stuck to his quote and said, "Five trees times $20 dollars equals $100." So I wrote him a check for $100 and gave it to him. Then I reached in my pocket and pulled out another $100 in cash, handed it to him and said, "Merry Christmas". He stood there for a few seconds without saying a word. Then he looked at me and said, "Man, are you serious?" I said, "Sure" and again wished him a Merry Christmas. He didn't move, almost as if he was waiting for me to give him more work to earn the extra $100. So I bid him goodbye and then turned around and walked back into my house.

And that's my story.

what a beautiful story and spirit you have.

on spread so couldn't rep you.

[jdtemple]

(BTW, today's high was 78)

NEGGED

I haven't had the opportunity to be on the giving end of acts like the ones in this thread, but I have been on the receiving end, as a kid. Having recently moved to get out of a very abusive situation (stepfather), my mom and I were in pretty bad shape financially. I remember a couple of years around Thanksgiving/Christmas where someone rang our doorbell and people just started hauling food into our house. It was pretty amazing.

Around here, for the last few years, the random act of kindness that has been getting attention is someone that's been going around and anonymously dropping gold coins into Salvation Army buckets. The bell ringers don't find out until the buckets are opened later on.

[tsoden]

what a beautiful story and spirit you have.

on spread so couldn't rep you.

Got him green skittles.