Comments on: Bryan Blathers: Thank You, Kind Strangers.

By: Kathy Edwards

Kathy Edwards — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 01:29:57 +0000

Love your posting! I take myself for a free Birthday Breakfast at Denny’s every year, two days before Christmas, very busy, and I require no extra service. My birthday custom is to leave $10 cash tip for the waiter (about the cost of the meal). This year, a young man stayed holding the front door open for me although I was still some ways from arriving….a completely unexpected gesture. He was seated in the back of the restaurant, and had his meal by himself. When I went to check out, I told the manager that I was paying for this young man’s meal, too, and just asked him to allow me time to leave before he informed him. This is my favorite gift to myself every year. I also love all the other ideas that have been posted and will add some to my own routine. The joy really is in the giving, year round.

By: TJ

TJ — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 20:20:08 +0000

Thank YOU for sharing your story and MHOTC thriving

By: Debbie Waddill

Debbie Waddill — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 18:16:55 +0000

Thanks for a great posting, Bryan! I’ve been the one “paying it forward” for many occasions; however, I’ve never experienced one in return until recently when Starbucks was free because their computers were down! Haha! I love all these heartwarming stories of kindness. It makes the world a better place. :-)

By: Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:41:25 +0000

This just made my day…thanks Bryan!!

By: Christine S.

Christine S. — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:13:55 +0000

Thank you, Bryan Blathers,
When I go to Subway (often on a deal or special) I get a foot long sandwich, and only eat half of it. If I see someone asking for hand-outs, I offer my sandwich. No one has refused. Sometimes the giving is not the end of the story…
My son used to do the same thing, with sub sandwiches, unbeknownst to me. He told me that there was a man who held a sign, “Will work for cash” along his drive back to work after lunch. if he saw the man, he would offer him the sandwich. Sometimes he was there, sometimes, not. On one stop, Josh told the man, “I haven’t seen you for a couple of weeks; I thought you’d moved away.” The man said he did carpentry work and had found a job for the 2 weeks, but now…Josh asked the man if he was looking for work, and the man said he couldn’t afford a phone, which everyone asked for, to respond about jobs.
Josh gave him his business card and told him to come to his office at a warehouse distribution center and ask to see him; he would help him find work.
The man came to Josh’s office; Josh said he looked nervous, but like he tried to make himself look more “presentable”. Josh took him to the warehouse; asked him if he could build skids. After seeing that the man was quite capable, Josh hired him. The man NEVER missed a day of work, NEVER came in late. I’m so proud of my son, and of this man who did not give up. I always have said that my 3 children are my biggest gifts to this world!This is just one instance where a hand out became a hand up.

By: Barb

Barb — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:11:37 +0000

I knit when I am watching TV. I find a deal, or am given yarn and I make scarves. Every Christmas I put the scarves in a clear bag and tie a big bow on them. Then I hand them out to anyone who needs one. They really enjoy that they are a wrapped gift and that it is a practical thing they can put to use right away. I occasionally have had a man take one for a wife or daughter.

By: Rachelle

Rachelle — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 16:52:38 +0000

Bryan, you are a delight. I could even fall for you if you didn’t think 70s is elderly. (Of course I understand for some people it is. But my friends in their 70s never sit still.)

I buy items in bulk and make up help bags which I keep in the car and hand out as I go. Included in each bag: Wisps (tiny toothbrushes that require no water no rinsing), hand sanitizer, hand cream, lip balm, tissues, bandaids, cough drops, gum, cookies/granola bars, white cotton socks. I’ve received lots of hugs.

By: mae

mae — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:13:59 +0000

I live your story. Giving money is not always a good thing. One place I do that is the local food bank. You can’t get everything you need at a food bank and while ‘food stamps’ help, they don’t cover everything else. Besides, sometimes a treat or something extra is needed. So I’ll give a few dollars there to help out.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:04:12 +0000

Woohoo, love this!

I’ve been doing this at Starbucks for 6 years now, love it!! When I lived in KC, my “go to” store told me an awesome story. The drive through pay it forward went on for 2 straight hours one day. Wow, just wow!