Feb 16, 2015 8 min read

These random acts of kindness were submitted by O-R readers on the Observer-Reporter Facebook page:

Tracy Nelson Horne: One time we were out to lunch with another couple. … Combined there were four adults and five children, so we were just sitting and eating talking about church, talking about God. Out of nowhere this gentleman comes over and asks if he can pay for our lunch. … He was so happy to see two young families so excited about God.

Wendi Rogers: We have adopted three children from South Korea and two from China since 2011. We have been given more monetary gifts that have blessed us greatly. Once we had a $2,500 adoption bill. … I didn’t tell anyone but prayed and prayed. A friend gave me the check for $2,500 the next day at church.

Hayley Lynn Martin: A few years ago for Christmas, my husband was walking through Walmart and a man handed my daughter a card with money inside.

Wendy McClain-Swart: We had our car in the shop for repairs last year. It was going to be $1,100 to fix it. Being a little tight on money, it was hard, but we had to get it fixed. When we got there to pick it up, he said it was going to be $500. I thought maybe something happened, and they couldn’t do all that needed done. But he said no, someone had come in earlier and anonymously paid $500 on our bill. God is good.

Tracy Boesse: I was in Dunkin Donuts eating with my husband and I saw a couple getting coffee, so I ran up to the register and paid for their coffees. The couple were stunned and asked me why. I said because I wanted to pay it forward, so now you go and do something nice for someone else someday. They were very grateful not only for the free coffee but for the life lesson. It made me happy to brighten someone’s day for no reason but to be nice.

Danyelle Smalley: On Friday, my mum and I were doing some last-minute shopping around 10 p.m. at Walmart here in Waynesburg. The cashier, Katy, was finished ringing up my things and I pulled my money out to pay. Somehow I lost $10. I asked that she put me on suspend and take care of the others waiting behind me. I searched through all of my wallet, my pockets and everything! Still I’m missing $10! So I asked after she had waited on the others to go ahead and re-ring me, my mom was going to get the difference for me after I had taken a few things off that could wait until payday. The couple behind me said that wasn’t necessary, that they would get it! I told them no, I couldn’t do that, and the lady and her husband insisted. Her husband refused to let Katy ring anything else up unless it was along with their order and that she wasn’t to take any money from me! I tried to hand the lady and her husband the money I had on me. My mom insisted they take what I had and that she would get the rest. They both politely refused and paid for my entire order. The wife said she had lost her debit card one time and someone did the same for them and that they were going to do the same for me. So in the middle of Walmart I got an amazing blessing and was tearing up as Katy handed them their receipt paying for over $50 worth of my merchandise. I got up out of the motorized scooter (I recently had surgery) and hugged the woman and thanked her and her husband both. I didn’t even get to catch their names. They were gone before I could even get my head straight. So to that couple, if you’re reading this, thank you so much. You two truly are amazing, and I could never show you the amount of gratitude that you both deserve. I wish you both the best in life and that there may be many more people like you in the world. Thank you both again for this amazing blessing you have truly made me believe that there are people out there that still care!

Kim Carnahan: My dad was critically ill and was in Shadyside hospital for a very long time in 1993. An elderly lady in my mom’s hometown heard about their dilemma (small town) and sent my mom a card. The note was so sweet as she explained that she, too, had been in Mom’s shoes. She said she understood how all the little costs like hospital meals and parking added up. Enclosed was a $20 bill. My mom had only met this dear lady a few times, but her kindness has never been forgotten!

Desetta Schultz Brunofsky Palmer: In 1986, my husband was diagnosed with melanoma, and in 1987 it was diagnosed in his lungs. He was sent to Bethesda, Md., to the National Cancer Institute for experimental treatment. An angel sent us a get well card with a cashier’s check for $1,000, anonymously. That is just one of the many blessings that we received during those difficult days. He passed in 1989, but with lots of love and many good friends who made his struggle easier to bear. I will never be able to repay the kindnesses, no matter how much I pay forward. Thanks.

Karen Belleville: My husband and I have had someone pick up our dinner check. A man paid for my lunch when I was volunteering at the hospital. I’ve had someone offer me money in the line at the grocery store when I was searching for change.

Harlan Barnhart: My wife, Brenda, was shopping in Ohio. A couple in front of her didn’t have enough money for all of their groceries so they started putting items back. Brenda, the angel she is, said to the cashier, “Give them to me.” She paid and gave them to the couple. That’s the angel Brenda is.

Allie Rae: Someone paid for my Starbucks last week! It made my day, so I paid for the person behind me!

Carol Shomaker: I make random acts of kindness. I pass out extra $10-off cards I get from Office Max. The looks I get are amazing.

Audria Ford: I work at Auto Supermarket, and two years ago a gentlemen comes in and we start talking about my struggles. Before he left, he handed me something and told me to put it in my pocket, so I did. Well, I had forgotten about it. A little while later after I remembered, I pulled it out. It was a $50 bill. Well, it just happened to be the day I got my income tax return, so I went and bought my co-worker a gift card for Applebee’s for her and her husband. What a great feeling. But just felt the need to pay it forward.

Arlene Davis Snatchko: I came to work this week and on my desk was a beautiful hyacinth bulb in a pretty vase. It was an unexpected surprise. My day/days are much brighter. This to me is a sign spring is just around the corner and that good people still exist in this world.

Tiffany Moore Wagner: I firmly believe that helping others gives much more joy then helping yourself. That being said, my first act of kindness was in line at a McDonald’s drive-through, and the lady said the gentleman in front of me paid for my meal (this was at the end of January). I was so happy, of course I did the same for the car after me. But what really got me was the guy that paid for me had the most beat-up car and raggy clothes. It came from the heart for sure. He will forever be in my prayers!!

Julie Bulboff: Happens to me at Starbucks all the time. And of course I keep it going.