by Tara Kaifesh, category analyst, for our Random Acts of Kindness blog series
There are a number of charitable activities to get involved in every year at HRG, and I’m not always able to participate. When the Random Acts of Kindness challenge was brought forward last November, it was something I could participate in outside of work, and it was a good fit for my busy schedule. I also liked that I would be giving back to the community during a time of year where the need is heightened.
One of the first things I thought of was the giving tree at my son’s daycare. The tree was filled with requests from local children of items they wanted for Christmas. I took the last request on the tree and I purchased the earbuds that child had asked for.
I expected to be able to fulfill more requests from the giving tree, but since I had taken the last one, I decided to offer some money to shoppers at my local Goodwill store. I wondered what kind of reaction I might get when I offered envelopes of money to random people but everyone was appreciative when I explained the challenge. I gave envelopes to four customers. One woman was very grateful, explaining she was buying clothes for her 90-year-old mother. The gift made her day. That made me especially happy.
I had some money left over that I deposited in a Salvation Army Red Kettle while shopping one night.
The Random Acts of Kindness challenge was a special experience. It made me appreciate what I have and know that I am truly blessed. It made me feel so good that I was able to make others’ holiday a little brighter.