Little Free Yellow Pantry - Day 20

Here is a quick update on the Little Yellow Free Pantry!

SOOOO many kind people have donated!  Oh my goodness, the first few days after the pantry opened we were overwhelmed with donations!  It seemed that each time I emptied the big plastic bin for donations on the front porch, it would fill up again!  I have set up a big pantry in the basement and sorted items by type – canned vegetables, canned fruits, breakfast items, pasta, etc.  It feels a bit like a little grocery store down there!

And other kind souls donated cash for the project - $510 to be precise!!  Isn’t that amazing?? 

So here is how it is going:

It was slow at first…  We set the pantry up on the quieter side of our home (though both sides are busy, the location where we installed the pantry has less car traffic).  We thought having it on the quieter side would mean more privacy for visitors.  We felt people would feel more comfortable stopping and shopping if it was not too exposed.  And I think that assumption was right.

View inside the pantry this evening

What was NOT right, and in hindsight I now realize, is WHEN we opened up.  I was so excited when the building of the structure was done that I wanted to fill it and open it immediately!  But, because of my privilege, I had not stopped to consider that the beginning of each month is actually the time when most households have groceries!  So here we were – so eager to share – but cupboards were full.  It was a good lesson to learn, and a reminder I need to try and look at life through other peoples’ lenses and not just my own.

What neighbors have donated is incredible.  Because our community is so diverse, the donations are diverse!!  I love it!!  There are Japanese foods, Hispanic food, organic foods, junk food, Korean foods, you name it!!!  And there are items from every possible store – WalMart, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Grand Mart, you name it!  It is so fun!

A neighbor knew EXACTLY what to donate!  She gave a box full
of this - people use it to make tortillas and are always excited when they see it!

Vietnamese Noodles!

A woman not only donated pasta and sauce - she donated the
POT TO COOK IT IN!  

I made some more signs and we hung them around the neighborhood.  And I think word is getting out!!  We have visitors daily now.  I love it!  The BEST is when I see someone at the pantry looking.  I grab a mask and go out to talk!  I explain that if they tell me what they want, I will go downstairs and make up bags for them.  They are usually so sweet and humble that they are afraid to tell me what to pack for them.  But I don’t want to give someone who hates spicy food hot sauce, or someone who is diabetic sugary cereal, so I usually ask some probing questions and get a general idea before I rush down to get their items.  It is fun!

And, because of the cash donations, we have been able to do personalized grocery trips for 4 families so far!!  Many people are still laid off from the pandemic, or are full time students (you know how expensive that is!), or just need a little more food for the table.  So, I ask them to give me a list and we hit up the grocery store.  David and I love to grocery shop, so it is perfect!  We also bought some MEAT this afternoon to give away and put a sign on the pantry to ring the doorbell if you would like meat.  We have spent $234.59 on fulfilling grocery lists (leaving $255.61 of the cash donations for the project to spend on more personalized lists). 

Today one visitor was happy to share with us that he has gotten 4 coats from Project Warmth at our house.  One he kept and wears, the others he sent to his family in Guatemala.  He is going to come back and show us photos of the family members who got the coats in his country.  He was beaming with pride that he could provide for his family.  It was beautiful.

Before I close, I want to tell you about one daily visitor.  He appears to be experiencing homelessness.  The first time he came his speech was quite confused and he was agitated.  I spoke with him but he would not take anything.  The next day he came, he was more coherent and I brought him out two cold juice boxes, which he liked.  The next time, more juice.  Yesterday when I saw him, he had already arrived at the pantry before I noticed him walking up the sidewalk.  He had found a Gatorade inside and opened it.  As I grabbed a mask to go outside and talk with him, he poured half of the Gatorade on the sidewalk…  Then he grabbed a little cup of mandarin oranges and opened it.  He poured the oranges into his Gatorade!  Isn’t that a great idea!  (Well, it was a messy idea, because half of the oranges landed on the sidewalk, but still, juice and fruit together!  Good combo!)  So TODAY, oh today was brilliant!!  We were outside enjoying the sunshine and I saw him coming.  “Talk with him, I am going to run in and make his order!!” I told David.  So, he and David had a conversation as I rushed downstairs.  When I popped out on the back porch I asked, “Fruit INSIDE the Gatorade again today, sir??” and he gave me a nod.  I carefully put the mandarin oranges in so he could get every last one.  I went out and gave him his treat and he thanked us, smiled, opened the bottle, and walked away drinking it.  Made me so happy!!  I love that the pantry seems to be becoming something of an anchor in his community.

Mandarin oranges in Gatorade - perfect recipe

Many people have asked what donations are needed.  Here are some things we could use:

-          Gatorade (the medium sized bottles)

-          Pasta sauce

-          Canned vegetables

-          Cheese (I will keep it in the refrigerator and put it in bags when visitors come)

-          Butter (again, I will keep it in the refrigerator until someone needs it)

-          One case of bottled water

-          Cash (Venmo @susan-thompson-gaines or PayPal thompsongaines@msn.com ) to be able to do more personal shopping for people

-          Peanut butter

-          Sugar

-          Breakfast bars (granola like bars)

-          Fruit strips for kids

-          Cookies

-          Regular size boxes of cereal (not the tiny ones, we have plenty of those)

-          Baby formula

-          Laundry detergent pods

-          Deodorant

-          Hot sauce

-          Ground coffee

And for the moment we do NOT need:

-          Fruedels (they give them out with school lunches and we have too many Fruedels to count!)

-          Individual cups of fruit (we have a lot)

-          Pasta (we have a lot, just need sauce)

-          Dry beans (we have a lot)

THANK YOU for all of the support on this adventure.  It means a lot to me and to the community.  We all deserve food – GOOD FOOD.

Grieving Kindness

As this project has proven, kindness comes in all shapes and sizes.  It can be grand and flashy, or it can be quite and gentle.  The Kindness Activist this story is about is one who understood in her heart the importance of LISTENING.  Attending.  Making space for others to share.  And that is just what she did.

Staci is a member of a Facebook group that I am in.  It is one that not a single member wants to be in, yet we all find ourselves there.  It is a Sibling Grief Support Group.  Sadly, the group membership grows daily (it is over 9,500), as people find it and join to try and find people who might understand their grief after losing a sister or brother.  It is a supportive group.  One topic that is raised frequently is the feeling that, as siblings, our grief is not expected by others to be as difficult or long as, say, a parent or a spouse. 

Having lost her brother, Staci understands that.  And so, the other day, on one of her rare days off work, she posted this: “So, I’ve been reading more and more about people feeling that they can no longer talk about their siblings to others. I happen to have the entire day off today. So, tell me about them. What’s their name, what was their passion, their likes, what do you love most about them, what do you miss the most about them? Post it here or you can send me a DM. But I’d love to talk about your siblings with you.”

Think hard about the KINDNESS of that post.  Staci was willing to LISTEN.  Listen to difficult things.  Expressed by strangers.  Things that no doubt would bring up some triggers for her.  And not only was she going to hold space and listen, she REPLIED.  She commented on posts as they poured it.  It was beautiful.

Staci and Seth - her little brother and best friend

  

I asked her why she took the time to use her day off to do that, and Staci told me, “Over the past few weeks, and really since I joined the group, I’ve been seeing people post about how they feel they can’t talk about their siblings to others anymore. So, I wanted to create a spot for them to do that.”  How kind!!  It takes a huge heart to be willing to be there for strangers all around the globe.  

And her responses!  She showed in her responses that she paid close attention and empathized with the writers.  She said, “I made it a point to respond to every single person. I didn’t want anyone left out.”  And to put it in perspective, this was not just a few posts.  Last she checked there were 256 answers!!

When I asked Staci if I could share this story, she (like many Kindness Activists) said she did not do it to be recognized.  But she so deserves to be!  Members of the group expressed their heartfelt thanks, like this message that was posted, “Wow, Staci, what a gift you have given all of us!  Thank you so much for this.  I cried just reading your initial post – such a kind gesture.”  And this comment someone shared, “I love this post.  It seems like at first everyone wants to know about them and after a couple months it feels like a burden to continue to talk about them, when honestly it’s all I think about every day.”  And another member wrote this about Staci’s kind gesture, “This is such a kind and thoughtful post.  Thank you, Staci.  You’ve spent your day off letting others tell you about their wonderful siblings.” 

I asked Staci how the whole experience had made her feel, and it turns out, it was not only good for the other group members, but it was good for her, too.  She said, “I felt like I was getting to meet their siblings. I loved meeting them through people that truly love them. All the stories and passions and accomplishments and personalities.” She took time to thank people who wrote, too, by posting in the group, “Thank you again for everyone telling me about your siblings.  I’ve loved meeting them through you.  And when you’re feeling lonely or sad, or just missing them, maybe thinking of this amazing memory that makes you laugh and you wanna share it – feel free to come back to this post.  I don’t get many days off and sometimes it might take me longer to reply, but I will always eventually respond.  Such amazing and beautiful people you all got to call siblings.”

Siblings FOREVER

When I asked Staci how she thought her gesture made the others in the group feel she told me,  “I hope it made them feel heard. To feel like they don’t have to be quiet. I hope it made them happy even if just for a second to relive those memories of their siblings with me. I really just wanted people to feel like someone cared. Someone was here and willing to listen and talk with you about them. To just say, ‘Hey - I know you lost them, and I’d love for you to tell me more about them,’ instead of feeling like they needed to move on or be quiet. To spread the life, love and memories of those closest to us that we’ve lost.”

As someone who lost their sister and responded to your offer to share about her, THANK YOU Staci.  I DID feel heard.  Even though I cried as I told you about my sister, I was also happy.  Happy to remember her and to “share her” with you.

I am sorry that you lost your brother – your best friend and partner in mischief.  If you ever want to sit down and tell me about him, I am all ears.  Thanks for paving the way to let people open up their hearts and share their stories.

Coats of Kindness (and Much More!)

How about another update on how Kindness Yard Sale funds are being used?  Thinking about where the money goes makes me feel happy and hopeful, I hope it does you, too!

Black History Month Library – Representation Matters.  And there are not a lot of children’s books for Black children.  So, when a neighbor said she was looking for books to read with her child for Black History Month, I knew where some Kindness Yard Sale money would go – a little Black History Month library for the neighborhood! 

                                                               

I ordered 16 great books from Amazon and added more that I had in my collection.  I got a plastic bin, printed up a sign-out sheet with Covid cleaning protocols, and let the neighbors know the library was open (our local county library is closed due to Covid).  Something great about this project is that it can live on – those books can be borrowed by many families over the years.  It has been fun seeing people come and borrow books, and one woman read one aloud in this awesome video!  The book she reads here was written by Meena Kamala Harris’ niece, and it is really good:  Ambitious Girl, Read Aloud - YouTube  

Kindness money spent:  $230.14

Crystals of Kindness – this was such an easy project and touched quite a few families in our neighborhood.  A friend posted that she had done a project with her kids – growing their own crystals!  They looked cool, and she posted the “recipe”, so I tried it!  And guess what – it worked!!  With the knowledge that it was both simple and fun, I asked neighbors if they had any empty jars I could have. 

That was an easy ask, because our recycling company doesn’t pick us glass like they used to, but we are all tree-huggers so never throw the jars away!  I also collected pipe cleaners from neighbors.  I had the other things I needed at home, the only thing I had to purchase was Borax.  So far 25 of these kits have been used by families to grow their own crystals, and 8 more are ready for pick up!  

Crystals after only one day!

Instructions for how to do this project yourself: 

Supplies needed:  glass jar that holds over 2 cups of water, one pipe cleaner, a stick of some sort, string, 6 tablespoons of Borax, water

Instructions:

Bend your pipe cleaner into a heart shape

Dissolve the white powder (which is 6 tablespoons of Borax) into two cups of boiling water

Pour that solution into the glass jar

Tie your heart onto the string, and the string onto the stick

Suspend the heart into the jar so that it is covered by water

Observe over the next day(s) as crystals form

Kindness money spent: $14.48

Warm Kindness – for the past 6 years I have hosted “Project Warmth” at our front gate.  The first couple of years, I hung out sweaters, coats, hats, mittens, etc. from our closets that we no longer used.  Then I realized that so many people have extras and would love to share, so I asked for donations of cold weather gear.  Oh my goodness!  So many people have donated this year, and so many pieces of winter wear have found new homes through this project!!  I check the display several times a day, and when it is empty I replace things.  One time a nice warm coat found a new home before I could even make a pot of coffee!!!  

We have given away coats, sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats, boots, mittens, neck warmers, thick socks, snow pants, jeans…  Some people see the display when they walk by, and others have pulled over in their vehicles to pick up a warm item.  Can you imagine being out in the winter weather without a heavy coat or hat?  And people have donated such NICE things!  Brand new kids’ snow pants.  Hand knit hats.  Beautiful scarves.  Barely used heavy boots.  One woman even mailed boots and coats to me from South Dakota!  Isn’t that amazing? 

I put a little note with a $20 bill in one of the coat pockets.  I hope that the person who got it could use the money to get themselves a special little treat, maybe some hot cocoa and lunch!

Kindness money spent:  $35.98 (the $20 gift and a new hook to hang items on)

Dollar Tree Kindness – One of the simplest ways to spread kindness is to pick up the tab of the person in front or behind you in a check-out line.  And that’s just what we did in the Dollar Tree.  Once we checked out, I told the lady behind us that her order was covered with Kindness money.  Even though she was wearing a mask, her smile shone through in her eyes. 

Kindness money spent:  $11.77

You Deserve a Treat Kindness – We all have days where we wish we could just go back to bed, bury our heads under the covers, and wait for a do-over the next day.  But if you have a job, chores, or kids to take care of, sometimes escaping reality just is not possible. 

And that’s where TREATS come in!  Kids get treats, so why shouldn’t adults??? 

When a neighbor expressed that she was having a super hard day, we surprised her with a bottle of wine and a slice of cake meant JUST FOR HER (no need to share, like Moms almost always have to do!!).  Little gestures like that can be huge boosts for exhausted people. 

Kindness money spent:  $21.07

And finally for this recap, Meats of Kindness – So many people have been affected by Covid-19.  Of course, many people have fallen ill and/or lost family members to the illness.  And people have also lost their jobs, meaning losing housing and having a hard time putting food on the table for their families.  One family in our community was having a hard time affording groceries, so I asked them for a $25 shopping list.  I mean, obviously they would appreciate whatever food was given, but it felt important to get what they NEEDED and WANTED.  All they asked for was MEAT.  They explained that when you are getting food from food banks, meat is very, very hard to come by.  So, they said would be super grateful for any meat we could get.  Luckily for them, we are discount shoppers!  

We got 4 different kinds of meat, then added some chips for the teenagers in the family 😊.  They were very grateful (and I bet they got a nice few meals out of it!).

 Kindness money spent:  $33.76

Thank you again to all who donated items for the sale, shopped at the sale, donated funds, gave winter gear, and provided support.  These acts of kindness may not be big enough to change

Thank you so much to everyone who has been supportive of this mission.  Thank you to those who donated items for the Kindness Yard Sale, who shopped at the sale, who donated funds, who dropped off winter gear, and who provided encouragement.  These small act of kindness are not big enough to change the world, but they are big enough to make a small dent…  And if these acts inspire YOU to go out and be kind, well, then the kindness will ripple further and further and further…

 

 

Kindness Yard Sale Update - Sleds, Food, and Hope

Here is an update on expenditures from the Kindness Yard Sale!  Check out some of the ways money raised at the sale has been used to spread kindness!

- You may have seen Little Free Libraries.  They are small “libraries” outside of homes.  The concept is that people can take a book or leave a book.  They are popular in my area and so, so fun.  Well, I saw a twist on the concept!  A woman in Omaha posted, “Sleds for Little Free Sled Library - ISO extra sleds. I know people have complained about a shortage of sleds this year, so I’m putting this on our sledding hill in Black Elk Park (above the north baseball field). If you’ve got extra sleds, I’d love to add them.”

A LITTLE FREE SLED LIBRARY!!  I contacted the woman, got her address, and used Kindness money to send her 3 shiny new sleds.  She was thrilled!  When she got them she said, “Thanking post.  Susan, you are amazing! These sleds are nicer than anything I would have bought, even for my own kids. I’ll put them out after tomorrow’s snowstorm.”

These are the sleds purchased with Kindness Yard Sale money!

Omaha has gotten a LOT of snow this year so I bet those sleds will be well used by the time Spring rolls around.

Money spent: $123.02

- The night before Thanksgiving we found ourselves in the grocery store.  As we went to pay, I noticed a couple checking out with one item:  half a pumpkin pie.  After they checked out, they stopped to peruse the beautiful live Christmas trees in pots.  They were quite tall and lush – very, very pretty.  I watched as they examined all of them, then came back to the one they obviously loved.  They talked quietly to one another, then turned to leave.  I rushed over to them, “Are you going to buy a Christmas tree?” I asked?  The woman smiled shyly and explained that they were not.  As they turned to go, carrying only half a pie, I decided that they needed the tree.  “Wait!  I have a Christmas gift for you!”.  We rang their tree out with our purchase as they looked at us with wide eyes and huge smiles.  They thanked us repeatedly as they took their new tree with them.  It was such a nice way to get into the Christmas spirit.  From the looks of things, I imagined them spending Thanksgiving with just the two of them.  I hope the Christmas tree brought them some special holiday joy.

Money used:  $25

- A woman in a local group asked if anyone had a special stroller buggy board that could hook to the back of her baby stroller.  It would allow her to have her older child stand on the back while she pushed the newborn baby.  No one replied that they had one to give her, so I ordered her one off Amazon.  She was thrilled!!  When I dropped it off her husband was outside hanging Christmas lights, and he “God Blessed” me several times.  This was money well spent.

Money used:  $105.99

- A neighbor was trying to make a Fairy Garden for two small girls who lived nearby.  She asked if anyone had any Fairy Garden supplies.  Well, that seemed like a request that needed to be filled!!  I bought supplies and several neighbors made and painted beautiful little treasures for the garden.  One woman even used a 3D printer to make a fairy house!!  We ended up supplying that garden with a lot – a Grandfather clock, 2 houses, a tiny mirror, a bed…  Those fairies had to be very pleased!!

Perhaps this is one of the fairies who visited...

Money used:  $35.58
(Value of fairies: priceless)

- Another neighbor was collecting items for a homeless shelter in Washington DC.  One thing she asked for specifically was new socks.  Homeless people often have issues with their feet because they may not change socks daily, and their feet sometimes get and stay wet inside their shoes, so clean, new socks are a premium.  I ordered 30 pairs of socks for her to hand out.  She was very thankful.  And really, doesn’t everyone deserve fresh, clean socks?

Money used:  $90.05

- Having lost 2 family members recently, I am involved in some grief support groups online.  I saw this post in one group: 

“My brother died at 47, unexpectantly, last September 12. The very next morning, I went to the school and informed all of my niece's instructors. I specifically made sure she had enough lunch money so she didn't have anxiety over not having lunch money at their cafeteria.

Last Friday, my husband had a stroke. He is still in the hospital and making progress. I now have custody of my niece and had to work the election yesterday. My daughter came home with lunch money due - I forgot to send her money. I realized that there is no one left to help, like I did. I am feeling so alone right now. There isn't anyone to run help here, or can you get this, or anything. I hate this so much. I have to pull myself together. I own my own business and time off is money, but I am emotionally so exhausted and the feelings of grief are just overwhelming.”

My heart ached for this woman.  It was not money she needed, but SUPPORT.  I contacted her and asked if I could send funds to replenish the school lunch accounts.  She was amazed that a stranger across the country would offer support.  I hope that she is feeling better these days.  Grief is a long, long journey.

Money used:  $200

- This expense was a fun one, because it turned out to be kindness begetting kindness!  As we were checking out at the grocery store one evening, I saw two young adults checking out.  They seemed to be being very deliberate with the purchases.  I approached them and asked if they minded if I paid for their groceries with Kindness money.  They stammered, smiled, and said sure!  Then they explained that THEY were being kind by shopping for their GRANDPARENTS!!  Isn’t that the quickest kindness boomerang you have ever heard of??  I loved it!

Money used:  $32.68

- I have never been an online shopper, but Covid has changed that.  And one thing I learned is – you can shop anonymously for other people’s wish lists!!!!  Talk about FUN!  One evening I was feeling down and knew that a dash of kindness would cheer me up, so I hunted for an Amazon wish to grant.  I searched for someone with my last name who had a special occasion coming up.  I found one!  Lauren appeared to be graduating from nursing school!  Here is the note I wrote with the gift, a keychain she had chosen:  “Lauren, I don't know you, but found your gift list on Amazon. I run the program "Kindness Activist" - sharing kindness with the world. I saw you're graduating this year! GO YOU!! You Believed You Could - and you DID!”

Money spent - $15.18

- Spousal abuse has skyrocketed during Covid.  Being pent up in the same space, often 24/7, has been disastrous on many relationships.  So, when I saw someone trying to find furniture to set up an apartment for a woman who had gotten out of an abusive relationship, I knew Kindness money was needed.  The woman had broken free and was setting up her new apartment with her one year old child. 

I can’t imagine how hard that situation must be.  It was almost Christmas.  It was cold.  And she was alone with her little one.  People pitched in toys, clothing and furniture.  And I used Kindness money to get a small Christmas tree, poinsettia, and grocery gift card.  Did she NEED a plant (poinsettia) in her nearly bare home?  Probably not.  But I like to think that a bit of LIFE – the green and red of the plant – brought her joy.  I hope that the support she got from the community rallying around her helped her get started on her new journey.

Money spent:  $57.98

Thanks again to everyone who shopped at the Kindness Yard Sale, donated, played 2020 Sucks Bingo, and joined in the cause in other ways.  There will be more fundraisers and opportunities to get involved soon.

I will try and do better at writing here.  There are stories of Kindness Yard Sale purchases from NOVEMBER that I still haven't shared!  I will catch up!  

And please, keep your eyes open in your own community for ways that YOU can spread kindness.  It doesn’t have to involve money.  Maybe you can hold the door open for someone.  Let someone in front of you in traffic.  Or make eye contact and smile at a stranger.  Kindness is contagious – spread some around, you will be glad you did.

Robes of Kindness

Since its inception, the premise of “Kindness Activist” is that being aware of kindness spreads MORE kindness.  When you are willing to talk OPENLY about kindness, willing to share about it without embarrassment, it will inspire MORE kindness.  And when you keep your eyes and ears open to it – you will see kindness all around.

And that is why I share stories of kindness.  I know that they will be a ripple, inspiring others to be kind, then others, then others, and the ripple will become a wave.

Today’s story is about a woman who is beautiful both inside and out: STACIA.  She is a neighbor and a friend.  And Stacia has a huge heart.

She has 2 sons and one of them was severely injured last year when he broke his femur.  He is an active kid, and spending a month in a spica cast was not on his list of things to do…  And yet that is where he found himself. 

Stacia put the word out in a local Facebook group that they could use a bit of help.  Her original ask was a small one – bendy straws.  Her son couldn’t sit up to drink while in the cast, and bendy straws were needed.  Well, just like with so many other requests for assistance, that little Facebook group rallied around the family.  Meals, a furniture dolly to use as a tummy scooter, lawn mowing, toys delivered, cookies for the kids, shrubs planted, meal gift cards, and of course, bendy straws were given to the family during that difficult time.

That kindness inspired Stacia, so at Christmas time, she paid it back ten-fold.  She posted this message in the Facebook group: “Moms of Buy Nothing, were you an exhausted gift deprived mom on Christmas morning? Did you get perhaps a robe that you picked out yourself and nothing else? I have a special gift for you, gift deprived mom. It’s a Surprise that I will bring to YOU.  Please comment below and I’ll choose tonight!”

If you haven’t seen the Saturday Night Live sketch about the mom getting the robe, you must.  It is hilarious and spot on.  You can see it here .

Anyway, Stacia’s message resonated with the moms of the group, and replies poured in.  People said:

·         My daughter wrapped up something I already owned then gave it to me as my gift.

 

·         To which another mom replied:  Mine wrapped up something I gave her and gave it back to me (to which the original poster above replied, “You win.”)

 

·         LOL.  This post is so spot on because I’m wearing a robe I “received” from a past Christmas that I pick out and wrapped myself right now.  It was the only thing I got that year and I remember when I opened it, I acted a little surprised.  It was still the best Christmas because the youngest had not yet gone to hospice.  I no longer spend Christmas waking up early to cook or bake or wait interminable hours while other people play video games.  I’ve got it easy now with no kids at home.  But I do feel for all of those mothers and mother figures who are sleep and gift deprived.

 

·         I would like a surprise!  I was and am alone with my daughter.  I bought a trunk full of gifts for her and wrapped it all up last minute.  I made a good dinner just for her and me. 

 

·         LOL.  I ordered myself a couple things that I handed off to my 7 year old to wrap, so I am good.  Thanks for your thoughtfulness.

 

·         I didn’t even get anything.  ☹  But I was able to get gifts for everyone all thanks to this Buy Nothing group. 

 

·         My husband bought me an external hard drive…  and then was like, “Did you open the other box?!” all excited.  I was thinking, “Oh, here comes the good gift….”.  It was a case for the external hard drive.

 

·         I want to add my name to this.  I call myself the “little gift giver”, so maybe I can finally receive a gift for myself. 

 

·         I wish the Saturday Night Live skit wasn’t so on the mark for me.

Stacia hit a bullseye – so many mothers deserved gifts and surprises!!  So, she went to work!!  She had felt the love, kindness and generosity of the group supporting her family when her son was injured, and she paid it back in spades. 

She wrapped and hand delivered items to the neglected moms.  She gave some of them nice bath bombs, dark chocolate Justin’s peanut butter cups, and scented lip balms.  Some got perfume.  One got a $50 spa gift card!  Some got earrings, bracelets, home spa items like masks and bath salts and scrubs.  One deserving mom got a box of Godiva chocolate. 

One mother told me that Stacia got her the perfect gift: “Stacia’s gift made me feel very special.  She picked out gifts that were suitable for the person, which to me meant that she really knows people personally – what their likes and hobbies are.  Since I am in the beauty field I got pampered with a calming face mask and a brush cleaning soap!  At the same time, she probably knew I needed something to take care of myself, too, and pamper myself.”

Another recipient of Stacia’s kindness told me: “Stacia gave me Burberry perfume!!  I would never have bought such an indulgence, and I was flabbergasted.  It restored my faith in the tenderness of humanity.  I literally received NO gifts.  I could afford anything I would ever want to buy, and yet it is so much sweet to have someone think of you.“ 

Yet another lucky mom told me,  "I commented on the post not expecting a gift, but to say how funny that skit was, because of how much mothers stress about shopping  for everybody but nobody is stressing about getting gifts for mom.  I felt so special because I was not expecting to be a recipient, so when she messaged me that there was a gift at my door I was really surprised!  Stacia gave me a robe, just like in the SNL sketch!  Every time I wear it I smile because it reminds me of that sketch, and of how good and funny people are."  

And guess what?  Stacia had a great time being the DELIVERY PERSON of kindness!  She said, “It was so fun for me to be an elf!  I truly believe we mammas gotta stick together and lift each other up”. 

She wanted to do something special, and the special factor was off the charts.  In the year of Covid, acts of kindness like this go even further.  We all feel so isolated these days.  Stacia went out of her way to bring joy (and gifts!) to women in the community. 

I hope that her kindness can inspire YOU to do something kind today.  Big, small, any act of kindness makes the world a better place.