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Samaritan Stories
This page is dedicated to stories of selflessness and kindess. It is about doing something for someone other than yourself and heralds those who do. These are all of our stories. Check back often and you'll find amazing examples of how good we can be to each other. Limitless.
Operation Christmas Child (January 10, 2012)
Dear Samaritan, Thank you for the gifts for Operation Christmas Child 2011.
-Antonio Jimena,Dumaguete City, PHILIPPENES
Wheelchair Lullaby (December 14, 2011)
I was shopping in the madness of the Christmas season with my 8 month old daughter in tow and she was MISERABLE. The kind of miserable where everyone in the mall was looking at me with either sympathy or annoyance. Nevertheless, presents needed to be bought and the jolly, red-suited dude's deadline was on the horizon so I persevered through the bouts of wailing and pushed on through with my day. With each passing moment I was feeling a building bah-humbug mood taking over my love of the holidays.
At one of of check-out lines that I was lined up in and elderly woman in a wheelchair came up to me and through my daughters shrieks she inquired about the age of my daughter and pointed out that with her red cheeks and eye rubbing it looked as though my daughter was was about to cut a tooth, and she told me that while she had no kids of her own she always looked after her neighbours kids and found it helped to sing to them. She then proceed to sing 'Lullaby and goodnight' (wow are there a lot more words to that song that I knew!) to my daughter in performance-style quality AND decibal, not caring a lick who was around to hear it. My daughter was mesmerized and swayed back and forth dancing but I'm not going to say that it was the 'trick' and she was cured of her hysteria because the rest of the day was more of the same, but that kind moment from a stranger and the smiling spectators put the holiday spring back in my step and gave me the boost to get through the rest of my day with a smile and a fond memory to cherish and to tell my daughter about when she is older.
- Melissa, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA
Always Alnita (December 14, 2011)
I would like to nominate Ms Alnita Pettway and here's why...Alnita is always on the go helping someone, anyone black or white, anywhere. Even when she is in need, her need does not get in the way of helping others. She is a a true Samaritan helping care for someone else's mother like she is her very own mother, taking care of someone with cancer that is not her family, caring for the needs of the homeless by feeding them, driving them to appointments even when she does not have gas for the week for herself, caring for the students where she works as a cafeteria manager, she never says, "No" to a worthy cause. I don't know many that would get up from their bed and go out in the cold to help some one else to find a place to warm place to stay. She is a person that is not rich financially but is spiritually wealthy. Alnita serves from the heart and she has a BIG one. There is no one better to know than Alnita Pettway because she lives her life as a life of service to others and I am so glad that I met her and she is one of my spiritual sisters and friends. Alnita, works at Highland Avenue as a cafeteria manager and she attends Living Hope Bible Fellowship on Oliver Road. When Alnita is not in those two places, she is on the road truly helping others 365 days. I would like for you to honor her to show how much we really do appreciate a person like her.
- Anonymous, Montgomery, USA
Christmas Care Giving (December 5, 2011)
Thanks for you web site.I work in Health Care, one of the large local hospitals. As you know it can be a very busy place. There was a lady who was trying to find another health care worker to give them a gift for Christmas. This lady did not know where to find the other person. I left the floor I was working on and took her to try and find the other health care worker, we did not find the person but we were able to locate a place where she was able to leave the gift. I guess this is one act of kindness deserved another act of kindness !
- Anonymous, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, CANADA
Drive Thru Darling (November 28, 2011)
A blessing was given to me, in a random act if kindness, I was picking up lunch at McDonalds on Sunday 11/20/11, I got up to the drive up window to pay for my food, and the girl at the window said." the lady in the car in front of me had paid my bill". What a complete surprise to me. She was an angel in disguise and must have been led by the Lord to have picked me. As there are no words one can express at the time, she was gone before I could properly thank her and right then I decided the only way I could thank her is to pass it on to someone else. That's how it all starts, it only takes one person to inspire others and I'm inspired!!!!!! Thank you whoever you are, and God Bless you.
- Steuben,Indiana, USA
Hospital Helper (October 28, 2011)
This story has a few Samaritans in it. When my father had a massive heart attack years ago, my family was devistated. He was working at a job site and literally dropped. Two complete strangers immediately gave him CPR until the helicopter arrived to rush him away. He was declared dead but, somehow, and for some reason, the doctors brought him back. Now, they said the prognosis wasn't good and that he would probably be a vegetable if he survived, and that the only reason he made it that far was because of the efforts of those two strangers. My father was in the intensive care unit for weeks, then in a regular ward for a while until, miraculously, he made a complete recovery. During this time, when my mother was at her lowest and our famiy was struggling to pull ourselves together, a coworker took it upon herself to compile a care package for the hospital. She got him pyjamas, a robe, newspapers, food for the family, etc. She really took time and effort to try and make it a little easier for us, even if she didn't know my family that well. I still think of that often as it really did make a big difference to us. Still does.
- Anonymous
Smiling Steakhouse (September 27,2011)
While I was visiting my mother and sister who live in Enid, we went out to our favorite steak house, Western Sirloin. My mom is in a wheelchair and rarely goes out so this was a treat for all of us. As we were visiting and enjoying our dinner, a tall man walked by and smiled as he said ‘hello’. We thought nothing of it, smiled back, said hello and went on with our dinner. When we were ready to pay, we couldn’t find our check, which was next to my plate earlier. I called the waitress over and asked her for the check.
She smiled and asked us “Did you see that tall man who just walked out”. We nodded affirmative. “Well’, she said “He paid for your check as well as the other four tables of the diners who were still eating when he left”. We were filled with appreciation, and asked her if she knew his name. All she knew was that his name is Larry, he ate there at least twice a week and occasionally paid for other tables. She didn’t anything more about him. I would love to THANK him, and let him know how wonderful he made us feel. We were so appreciative, and felt lucky all day, even the rest of the week. I don’t know who he is, but this wonderful random act of kindness is what makes the world so special. I promise to ‘pay it forward’ in any way I can, and I’ll think of him when I do so. Thank you Larry-who ever you are! May your days be filled with happiness!
-Veronica, Cozumel, MEXICO
Bizzy Bee (September 27, 2011)
I wanted to share this story, not because it is a grand gesture or anything out of the ordinary, i want to share it because the kindness I receive from this person in my life happens EVERY day...
I have recently started a new home business, and one of my closest friends has gone out of her way, taken time out of her day, to help me get started. She has helped me get a facebook page started, helped with business cards, designing thank you cards, websites, anything you could possibly imagine that will help me grow my business...she has even given my name to a person co-ordinating a Health and Lifestyle fare. She is helping me to be successful with my new business and words cannot express the gratitude I have for this person. This is not a one time thing...she is always willing to help a friend with anything they need. She goes out of her way to offer ideas, suggestions, contacts, advice, and always makes time for a movie date with her friends. She is truly an angel in my life!
-Michelle, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA
A Dollar A Day (September 26, 2011)
My friend Jim is an American in his mid-70s. He lives in Kyiv, Ukraine where he is married with a stepson in university. His wife runs a national program for people with HIV/AIDS. Jim still works full-time as an English editor, and is one of the most energetic people I've ever met: he's always in motion, and he always carries a few small-denomination banknotes in his trouser pocket.
Some people take popcorn to a park to feed the birds. Not Jim. He distributes the equivalent a dollar every day to several pensioners who are compelled to beg in the subway because their government pensions are too meager to let them buy the food necessary to sustain life.
Kyiv has an emerging middle class, and it seems that many of these people have forgotten their grandparents' plight. Ukraine's elderly devoted their lives to the service of a state that no longer exists. In addition to very small pensions, many have lost their savings in bank collapses.
An American - who by right could be a pensioner himself - hasn't forgotten these men and women, though: he refers to them warmly and - though they don't share a common language - they seem to communicate just fine through smiles and gestures.
- Scott, Kyiv, UKRAINE
Friends on Wheels (September 18, 2011)
Last February, 20ll, I had to be laid up after an ankle operation. I had told my friend, Maggie - at the Senior Center - that I didn't know what we were going to do, food-wise. I called Meals on Wheels and we were brought some meals, but all of a sudden we had people coming once or twice a week, bringing us all sorts of meals, lunches and dinners. It was our dear Maggie who told all the people that we needed help (my husband is not a cook) and therefore we had enough food for at least 2 meals for each of us 2/3 times a week. Our good friend, Julia, took us to the doctors when it was time for my check-up, as did another set of friends, Claudia and husband, Ray. I can't begin to tell just how grateful my husband and I are for all the help and love we received. There really are good people in this world.
- Pam, Panama City Beach, Florida, USA
Recognizing Others' Needs (September 14, 2011)
Thanks for this site. Some friends and I are trying to energize our church and community to become more aware of the needs of those around us. We go to the River Community Church "theriveron59.com" but love your comments. There is also a facebook page "Population 2" Feel free to post/like.
- Jackie, Hartland, MI, USA
He Saved My Life (September 13, 2011)
When I was little, my family had many issues. We were poor, with little opportunity for middle class things like other people I knew, and even then I remember problems in my parents marriage. Back then, women didn't have the support they do now. Back then, if a woman wanted to leave her abusive husband, she had nowhere to go, and - if she were believed at all - she was told to just stay where she was, that it was better that way. I was nine years old when my parents were going through a particularly hard time and my sister and I got very sick. Without transportation or money for a taxi and fearing the worst for me, my mother bundled my sister and I up and started walking to the hospital. Not only was I near death, but it was very cold, dark, and snowing, so you can imagine what that was like. We walked for a while, my mother determined to get us the help we needed when a complete stranger pulled up beside us and offered us a ride. Normally, I believe my mother would have never accepted the offer, but seeing the pallor in our little faces, and knowing it wasn't good for us to be outside, she had little choice. Decades later, I still remember how concerned the man was, looking at this woman and her two sick children. I remember my throat hurting and telling the man about it and the first thing he did, besides bundling me and my sister in a spare blanket he happened to have, was take us to a convenience store for slushes to numb our throats. I don't think I was ever so happy as at that moment! He continued and dropped us off at the hospital and, if my memory recalls correctly, offered to stay and help my mother, but she declined. My sister and I were immediately admitted with the same illness, but I also happened to have a severe case of pneumonia and the doctors said I would have died if we didn't come when we did. I still remember throwing up buckets of blood and being carted away in a wheelchair. Decades later, I still think about that man and hope is doing well. I'll never forget his kindness. Ever.
- Anonymous
The Flood of 2011 (September 11, 2011)
I volunteer full time at a local charity called Bundles of Love Charity. We make baby clothing and bedding for sick and needy babies in the Minneapolis/St. Paul and southeastern Minnesota areas. I’m the work group leader for the north metro area of the twin cities and we have a 3000 square foot warehouse where we cut fabric, sew, knit or crochet, assemble “bundles” for the babies, etc. On July 16, 2011, our area was hit by a big storm (6 inches of rain in 2 hours). Our warehouse filled with 2 feet of muddy water. We knew there was a risk of flooding in our space, but we thought 2-3 inches of water. Almost everything was in plastic tubs, but even the tubs that weighed 40 pounds floated in that much water and then tipped over spilling their contents into the mud as the water receded. And the huge donation of diapers that we had just received was still stacked on the floor in cardboard boxes. You can imagine what a mess that was.
The first act of kindness in this story was from the lady in a neighboring building who noticed water seeping out of our warehouse when she got to work. It was a Saturday, and I was starting my first day of a week of vacation. She crawled over the fence between the two properties to see what was going on and she found my phone number on our sign and called me. If she hadn’t done that, we would have had much more damage.
I went to the warehouse to try figure out what our recovery plan would be while my husband emailed our board of directors to let them know about our problem. Within minutes there were several volunteers who came to help out. That night I emailed all our volunteers to ask for help on Sunday. This is where the real story begins. People showed up that haven’t been in to volunteer for years, and they dragged their husbands along with them. It was over 100 degrees that day, which is rare for here and it was also very humid, so it was very unpleasant. One of the families that showed up were on their way to their vacation and decided to postpone it for ½ day so they could help us clean up, and they have young children! And one volunteer who is confined to a wheelchair, came in her handicap van. We loaded it with fabric that needed to be washed and she spent the next two weeks doing laundry and folding fabric! (One of the ladies helping with laundry did 47 loads in 2 days!)
And then some of the local corporations, Wells Fargo and Anchor Bank, held diaper drives at their offices to help replace the diapers and Cummins Power Generation gave us a grant to replace shelving units and other large items that were ruined in the flood.
On top of all that, our landlord offered us a nicer space in the same building, but one floor up, so we would never have to worry about another flood. We’re back up and running now and I’m grateful to everyone for their hard work, kind words of encouragement, donations and cheerful natures.
-Teresa, New Brighton, Minnesota, USA
A Calculating Kindness (September 8, 2011)
Curiously enough, my story took place yesterday - only really it's my son's story not mine. My son is 10 years old and just entered middle school this week, such a milestone for a young boy! Over the past few weeks, we have spent a great deal of time shopping for his school supplies. You know ... the right color of binders, the perfect pencil case, and the coolest things to jazz up his very first locker! Well, this is the first year he has required a calculator for school and he was pretty jazzed about this whole idea, so he had to find the right one! He finally picked one out, a cool little blue number that not only had a magnet on the back, but a clip that would secure it right to his math binder! Winner! So, proud as punch, he went to school with all his cool supplies in hand. Yesterday, only the second day of school, he came home and asked if he could use one of the not so cool calculators, the one with a broken lid for school. Of course, I thought he had lost his cool new blue one. Well, it turns out he didn't lose it, he had given it away to another boy in his class. "Why?" I asked him, fearing he had been bullied. "Because he asked nicely" my son said. "And because he never really gets any cool things, like I do". With tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, I hugged that little boy with all my might. What a generous, sincere gesture from the heart. On the heels of a not so great day, on a day where I was feeling less than my best, in one brief moment I realized everything good in life, everything I needed, I was holding tight, right there in my arms. God bless him.
- Pam, Airdrie, CANADA
Secret Santa (September 7, 2011)
When my son was eight and my daughter was a year old, I got divorced. My rent and bills were three times more than my income. I had a dayhome that was just finally starting to fill up when December arrived. All three of my full-time dayhome children's parents were teachers and let me know (Dec 1st) that they would be off for 2 weeks. This meant my income went down to half of what I had expected for that month. I had no idea what I was going to do. I had bought a couple gifts for my son but nothing for Emily yet. There was no way I could pay anything other than rent. No food, phone, gas or vehicle insurance. I didn't tell anyone except my friend and my dad. My friend gave me 100.00 and told me she'd smack me if I tried to pay her back. My dad covered my insurance. The most amazing thing however was about six days before Christmas when I was on my way to a focus group I'd signed up for ( to make an extra $60), I walked out my front door and couldn't move! There was the biggest turkey I have ever seen in my life and three huge boxes. In them were presents for each of my kids and myself. There was also an envelope with three gift cards. One for Co-op, one for Superstore and one for IGA, if I rember correctly, totalling around $400!! I was bawling my eyes out!! The card was signed, " The Parkland Secret Santa Society". I immediately recognized the hand writing of one of my part time, drop in dayhome moms. I don't know how or if she knew how bad it was for us that month and when I called her it took forever for her to admit she had anything to do with it. It's something that changed my life and has inspired me to be the best person I can and help out others as much as possible. This woman is the same one that gave me the idea for charity birthday parties for the kids, which we have done now for several years, as soon as our finances improved and we realized there were things more important than more gadgets for special events. She is an inspiring kind woman who changed my life and my children's with one single selfless gesture.
-Carly, Calgary, CANADA
The Christmas Gift (September 7, 2011)
Well my story happened seven years ago when Doug and I moved to Calgary – we were broke, I couldn't find a job in the field that I worked in and when I left Edmonton I was making a decent wage, but moving here I couldn't find anything for the first 3 months. It was a week before Christmas; my twins’ birthday was on December 14th, I think I might have had $107 in the bank and had to shop at Zellers and the Dollar store to get them their birthday and Christmas gifts. Needless to say I was pretty depressed. I was really sad about not being able to give the kids a nice Christmas dinner at least. Even though the gifts were really crappy (my thoughts of the gifts anyway), I don't think the children really noticed, and I really wanted to have a turkey dinner but with bills, rent etc. it wasn't going to happen.
My sister lives in Calgary and came by to visit a few days before Christmas and gave me the best gift I have ever received....it still brings a tear to my eyes when I think about it. She brought over a turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and anything else I needed to make my Christmas dinner for my family. I have received many gifts in my life and of course I appreciate everything that anyone has ever done for me but what my sister did for me that Christmas will always remain one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done. A good Samaritan doesn't always have to be someone you don't know, and a gift doesn't always have to be in the form of "things". We needed the Christmas spirit and it came with my sister that year!
- Ghi, Calgary, CANADA
Baby Borrower (September 7, 2011)
I have to admit when you told me to send you a story for your Samaritan website the first thing I thought was that I hadn’t encountered anyone that went out of their way to be nice. Well today I went to Save On Foods and had to cut our shopping short because I had a screaming baby and a 3 yr old that did not want to be shopping anymore. As I approached the front, the line-up was huge, so much so that an employee was directing traffic to the cashiers. By this time I had to take Emily out of her seat to calm her down. A lady in one of the lines not only let me go ahead of her but held Emily while I got all my groceries out of the cart and paid for!! She seemed to really enjoy some baby time and really made my day. No mom wants to be "that mom" with the screaming kids!
- Roberta, Edmonton, CANADA
Kindness Around The Globe (August 26, 2011)
In the last four years I’ve lived in six countries. I understand what it’s like to be a minority…to not speak the language…to not know a soul. These journeys have opened my eyes to another world and led me to experience the kindness of strangers in strange lands.
In Botswana we were blessed to have lived with the gentlest of men; Obert Dube who was not only our camp worker but who was also our teacher and our friend. He kept me safe and once killed a cobra that slithered past me and hid under our tent.
In Spain, our landlord’s daughter took time to be our interpreter and spent endless hours trying to get us internet service and helped us get settled in our little village.
In Mexico, a kind group of people welcomed us as family. They found us a house, they invited us to parties and wept when we had to leave.
In Colombia, we were graced by so many incredible people – each day I experienced the goodness in a country that is full of misconceptions. Taxi drivers, guards, waiters and medical personnel went out of their way to help us. Women I met while volunteering became tour guides, and friends. Our realtor became a good friend and went way above the “call of duty” and gave us opportunities to experience the real Colombia.
In a world where fear sometimes makes us want to stay safe at home, through the kindness of strangers I’ve seen the world in a new light, and the view is spectacular.
- Heather, COLUMBIA
Bus Runner (August 26, 2011)
One of the most frustrating and upsetting things for me is when you are running desperately to catch your bus at a transit station and you get just close enough to see it drive off into the sunset! Now I know that most buses have a very tight schedule to keep and most of the time the driver simply does not see you running your little heart out to catch him, but being so close and still missing that bus instantly sours my day. So one day a little over 2 years ago I was running to catch my bus and low and behold just as I was almost at the stop where it was sitting, the doors close and the bus started to pull away, this time was different though! Just as the bus started to pull away a random stranger who had seen me running, tapped on the bus door to hold the bus that extra split second I needed! I thanked him profusely as I was able to jump aboard the bus and save myself an extra half hour of waiting! That small act was able to completely make my day. About a year later I was able to pay it forward as the situation was reversed. I was waiting at the transit stop when I saw an elderly woman running as fast as her frail body would allow, when the bus she was trying to catch started to pull away from the stop. I simply tapped on the door to signal the driver and gave that lady the extra second she needed to catch up. Something as simple as holding the bus gave me the same euphoric feeling as being able to catch the bus myself.
- Ashley, Edmonton, CANADA
Best Neigbours (August 16, 2011)
I have been in my house now for 2 years and I have 3 great neighbours across the alley. Everyone watches out for each other. One of them is an 85 year old woman whom is recently a widower. All my neighbours get together once a week and make her dinner, clean her house , mow her lawn and get her list of groceries from the store. This has got to be the best street on the block and such a great act of selflessness.
- Jennifer, Edmonton, CANADA
Good Neighbour (August 9, 2011)
We had a snow storm this past winter and our back alley was covered with enough snow to strand our cars in our garage and no way out. My neighbour Khalil took out his snowblower and cleared our entire back lane on his time and dime, with no expectations. He clears our sidewalks when we don’t have the time nor the energy. He has mowed my lawn when I couldn’t muster up the energy to. This past weekend, he, his girl friend, her sister, and his brother put up our fence with no expectations in return. I’ve often bragged that I have the best neighbour in the world. He really has been a great neighbour.
- Katy, Edmonton, CANADA
Selfless Giving When It Was Needed Most (August 9, 2011)
When my 12 yr old niece passed away, my sister and brother-in-law’s home was overflowing with cards and gift baskets etc. But what really got to me were the numerous people that left stuff on the doorstep. They simply placed baked goods, casseroles, flowers etc. on the porch and left. The fact that they didn’t want to be intrusive, didn’t want their glassware or tupperware back and didn’t want any acknowledgement for their thoughtful kindness moved me so deeply.
- Carly, Calgary, CANADA
Friendly Neighbourhood Watch (August 6, 2011)
Recently I moved to a new city with my family, for the very first time in my life. Still being new to the neighbourhood, it was such a nice feeling to have my neighbours introduce themselves and bring over jam, cookies and fresh herbs and vegetables from their gardens. The one neighbor that has become to be one of my most favorites is an 85 year old widow who calls me twice a week on the phone to say hello or let me know about deals in the flyers for flowers or food that I am interested in. She also calls me to see if everything is okay when she sees something out of the ordinary, for example, if my outside lights were on hours past the usual time. Some people might take these generous acts out of context and feel uncomfortable that their neighbours are keeping an eye out for them but I see it as a friend being concerned and caring enough to check up on me. Thank you Marie! You are a very special neighbour and friend to me and anytime you need me to drive you anywhere or pick up some groceries for you, just call me!
- Crystal, Comox Valley, CANADA. The Aha Gals www.ahagals.com
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