Christine P. had just taken her son, Michael, to the pediatrician to get his shots. Understandably, Michael left the doctor’s office quite upset. So to cheer him up, his mother decided to take him to the NECCO Candy Factory in Revere, Mass. But when they arrived, it started raining. Buckets. And to make matters worse, the store was closed. It seemed that an effort to cheer up her son had been foiled by nature and circumstance; that is, until a stranger stepped in.
Transcript:
About a year ago my son just had a bunch of shots and he was feeling pretty lousy. So I decided to cheer him up by bringing him to the Necco factory in Revere, MA. Well, we pulled up to the empty parking lot and right then the sky opened up and it was pouring rain, and we decided to run towards the factory store. I was so focused on getting out of the rain that I didn’t realize the store had closed. So here I was - I had my son who was really upset, the store was dark. And that’s when this well dressed man exited the building just from a few doors down from where we were standing, and he came up to us and said hello. And I said hello back. And at that point in time he informed me that the president of Necco had watched us, and he pointed reverently to the sky above him and said that the president was sorry, that the store was closed, and that he was instructed to provide us with any candy we were interested in. He left us, and we just stood there not really sure what to expect, and a few minutes later he came back with two bags filled with Necco candy. My son was beaming and I was completely blown away, and here it is a year later, whenever I see a Necco product, I always smile.
Fern K. is a camp counselor in Massachusetts and recently went through a particularly difficult break up with her partner. Understandably, she was feeling down. That’s when a camper took it upon herself to do what Fern calls “the nicest thing anyone has ever done” for her. And the best part? The camper was only 12 years old. It’s never too early to teach kindness.
Transcript:
I just went through a really bad break up a little while ago and my ex, she gave me a teddy bear, and this bear was just sitting on my bunk reminding me of what happened. And this random camper who I didn’t even know just knit me this beautiful teddy bear with stuffing and everything, and she was only, like, 12. And I think that was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. And it’s my new little companion at night.
Hey everyone. Nate here. I’m looking for more stories to feature on Kind World! So if you have a story about a random act of kindness, just leave a message on our voicemail and I may feature you as part of our Voicemail Series. Thanks so much, and have an awesome day!
PS - be sure to leave your name and where you’re from too :)
Today, July 26, 2012 marks exactly one year since cancer overcame 5-year-old Leah Fernandes. She passed away only 4 months after her diagnosis. The treatment she received during that period was vigorous, aggressive, and expensive. That’s when complete strangers raised thousands of dollars for Leah’s treatment, which allowed her to spend her last four months together with her family. Here is her mother, Rhiannon, talking about the experience.
Transcription:
My daughter was diagnosed with cancer last year and thousands of dollars were raised by complete strangers. And that allowed me and my husband to stay with her in the hospital. Without that we wouldn’t have had our last 4 months together as a family. I’ll never be able to thank all those people that helped us, but it means everything to us. And we’re paying it forward by setting up a charity in her name now. And all those dollars that we raised, my friends of ours, and people in our community, and other complete strangers are going to help other families that were in the same situation that we were last year.
For more information about the Leah Fernandes Charity, visit their Facebook page. Thanks so much for sharing your story, Rhiannon.
Rick Colson of Watertown, MA left this voicemail for us describing the kindness of his neighbors during one of the most trying times in his life - his wife’s battle with cancer. His story is at once moving, heartbreaking, and uplifting. My words give his story no justice. I’ll let him do the talking.
Transcript:
My wife was diagnosed with an environmentally related form of breast cancer many years ago and she passed away about two years ago. And after her diagnosis it became clear that one of the things that was going to be vital to try and help keep her well was a supply of good, quality organic foods. A neighbor from town during the time that my late wife was ill came by once a month with a little bag inside of which was a $500 gift certificate to Whole Foods. I can’t even begin to tell you the impact that this had on us. Month after month after month it allowed her to have the best nutrition she could find, the organic foods that she needed. And unfortunately her illness overcame her and she did ultimately pass away, but I will forever be grateful to the neighbors who did this for us – without being asked, entirely on their own, unselfishly. And I only wish there were more people like that in this world.
