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Random Act of Kindness: A lost check gets to right place
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My thanks go out to the young lady on Lelia Street who returned my lost rent check, in my mailbox, with a note telling me to have a nice day.
Mount Washington still has some of the finest people I've ever come across.
That's good karma, Ms. Lisa. You never left your last name, but I will repay another neighbor of ours in some way, even if by shoveling a sidewalk under the cover of darkness for no good reason except to repay your random act of decency.
Thanks again.
TOMMY SMITH
Mount Washington
I am writing to you on behalf of the Community Bridge-Building Network.
Our purpose is to assist in the development of community partnerships by sharing information, resources and providing an opportunity to network. We are made up of various companies and nonprofits from the Greater Pittsburgh area.
In 2012 we started RAK (Random Act of Kindness) at our monthly meetings. We pass the hat and ask those in attendance if they would like to contribute to having an RAK performed by one of our fortune volunteers in our network. We have been averaging $150 per month in collections.
We also send around the room a sign-up sheet for the purpose of being chosen to direct that month's RAK. We randomly choose the lucky member and give that person the collection to help someone.
We do have a couple of rules regarding the RAK. First is that the volunteer needs to come back the next month and tell the group how the money was distributed. We ask that when performing the RAK that it not be given to an established charity or religious group -- not that we have anything against these organizations, but they are already doing their thing.
The RAK has been one of the most inspirational and rewarding experiences that has developed within our network. It has had a ripple effect in ways beyond what we could have ever thought or imagined. The types of deeds that have been performed with the monies are as diverse and creative as the people in our network.
We do have some examples on our website at www.communitybridge-buildingnetwork.com.
The really cool thing about this is that everyone gets so excited at the potential of their name being pulled to go out and do the deeds; when they are not picked they are disappointed. When they are chosen some have yelled out in excitement.
This is definitely something worth sharing. Warmest regards.
MARILYN McCALL
President, Community Bridge-Building Network
I moved from the north-central part of Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh in 1992. Since I was new to Pittsburgh and there were no navigation units then, I had to rely upon my city of Pittsburgh map to get me everywhere.
One time when I found that the loop that I was following had thrown me a loop, I realized that I was lost. So I pulled off the road and got the map out to read it again.
While reading the map, I noticed a lady who had pulled her car up behind me was walking to my door. She had seen me sitting on the side of the road reading the map and so stopped to help me with directions.
I was overwhelmed by her display of care and kindness. And I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is common with Pittsburghers. I had definitely made the right move.
It is the people who live here that make Pittsburgh such a special place.
ALBERT NELSON
Mount Washington
First Published November 29, 2012 12:00 am
