Random Acts of Kindness 2016

During the month of October all of the employees at Horizon Community Credit Union participated in a challenge to get 84 random acts of kindness. The number comes from the number of years our credit union has been serving the community.

Each employee was given a set of cards with a note to "pass along" the random act of kindness. They were asked to get out into the community and do things for others that may have brightened their day, such as holding a door or buying a cup of coffee for someone!

Here is a list of all of the random acts of kindness our team has done over the last few weeks:

1. Held the door open for man who was pushing his wife in a wheel chair.

2. Bought the person behind me their food at McDonalds.

3. Was a designated driver for someone.

4. Let someone go ahead of me in line at the store.

5. Made chicken noodle soup and passed it on to others.

6. Let someone go before me at a four way stop.

7. I brought licorice to work for my coworkers.

8. Bought coffee for the person behind me at McDonalds.

9. Gave my tickets to WWE away.

10. Picked up garbage around the Eastman building.

11. Took books to the free library.

12. Brought candy into work for the members.

13. Picked up bread and buns on the floor in the isle at the grocery store.

14. Bought pumpkins and added an extra $10.

15. Call the mill to inform them a car had their lights on.

16. Gave cookies to the delivery guys.

17. Left $1 off coupons at the grocery store.

18. Returned cart at grocery store for elderly lady.

19. Brought cat food to a no-kill shelter.

20. Visited with my neighbor.

21. Bought the coffee for the person behind me at Starbucks.

22. Gave someone shopping at Old Navy my $10 Old Navy Bucks to use.

23. Brought items to the Humane Society to donate.

24. Left $1 taped to the vending machine at the mall so someone could buy a drink.

25. I let someone go ahead of me in the checkout line at the grocery store.

26. Left a tip for the housekeeper at the hotel that I was staying at.

27. Gave a donation to the boy scout troop that was selling popcorn in the grocery store.

28. Bought treats for my co-workers.

29. Visited a friend who was going through a tough time.

30. Gave up my corsage at a wedding for the groom's grandmother because they were short one.

31. I helped an elderly woman push her cart back inside the store.

32. I paid for movie tickets and a large popcorn to see Finding Dory for a family of 3. It was dollar movie tickets at the movie theater, so the popcorn costed more than their tickets.

33. Returned our bowling balls back to the rack after my family and I were done bowling for the evening.

34. I made sure to say please and thank you when I ordered food in the drive-thru.

35. Reminding my neighbor that it was recycling week.

36. Wrote to my "coach" praising her for mentoring and guiding me.

37. Gave some event tickets to a friend that was having a tough time.

38. E-mailed my in-laws to let them know how thankful I am for their constant support and friendship.

39. Was in the mall parking lot and an elderly woman seemed to having difficulty finding her vehicle….helped search and find it. It was a bit of a distance away.

40. Thanked a police officer for all that they do and let them know the support that they really have.

41. Paid for someone’s pumpkin at the pumpkin patch.

42. Helped an elderly lady load groceries in her car at Walmart.

43. Paid for someone’s coffee inside McDonalds.

44. Gave a coupon away I was not using at Target.

45. Tipped extra during a meal because she was a great waitress.

46. Donated some of my son's clothes to a non-profit organization.

47. Brought donuts into work for breakfast.

48. I was in Kohl’s and a person looked confused, so I said is there something I can help with? She was looking for a tie for her 16 year old son and was having trouble finding the right color, I am hoping I helped.

49. We babysat for someone, and refused to take money.

50. Delivered the mail to the mailbox on my lunch when it was over full.

51. Gave unwanted (already purchased) dog treats to someone at the pet store.

52. Donated books to Voyager free library.

53. Donated clothes to Good Will.

54. Donated 10 cans cat food to a local animal shelter.

55. Bought the person behind me in line their soda.

56. Helped someone save $4 in coupons and earn a $5 gift card.

57. Bought the person behind me at McDonalds their breakfast.

58. Wrote “Thank you” cards to my kids’ teachers for their hard work.

59. Donated goods to a local food pantry.

60. Gave our mailman a $5 gift card to Starbucks to “stay warm this fall”.

61. Complimented our waiter at a restaurant for doing an amazing job with our orders and being friendly.

62. Paid for shipping on a persons Thirty-One order.

63. Paid for personalization on a persons Thirty-One order.

64. Made cookies for a neighbor.

65. Let somebody check out before me at the store.

66. Donated a few items I no longer needed.

67. Helped a lady put her groceries on the belt at the store.

68. Gave a lady, who was walking in the rain, a ride home.

69. Gave someone a hug when they really needed one.

70. Bought eggs and bread for someone who needed it.

71. Gave a jar of homemade pickles to my sister.

72. Gave a person a ride home from the hospital.

73. Took my daughter and granddaughter to a concert.

74. Bought my coworker a soda.

75. Left $5 at Culvers for next drive up.

76. Made dinner for my neighbor.

77. Bought a pumpkin and a Halloween trick or treating bag full of candy for a kid who could not go trick or treating this year.

78. Helped an elderly woman at Walmart put away her groceries in her car.

79. Left $5 dollars at McDonalds for people buying their $1 coffees on a cold day.

80. Donated unused blankets from home to a family in need.

81. Gave someone in need clothes in good condition I did not need for the winter.

82. Bought and donated groceries to the youth retreat at the St. Willebrord church in Green Bay.

83. Made cookies and passed them on to others.

84. Shared food with a coworker.

Random Acts of Kindness - What's Yours?

Editors Note: Horizon Community Credit Union staff went into the community in early October (2015) and together performed 83 Random Acts of Kindness, which you can see here. No names are listed with any of the acts; however, Loan Officer Lori volunteered her reflection on one particular act of kindness she performed. What follows below is that reflection.

A few months back on my way to work each morning, I noticed this gentleman at the bus stop just standing there waiting, people standing around him, no one saying anything, people coming up to the stop sign and not noticing him or anything around him for that matter, including myself. So one day, I waved at him, he looked at me like I had 3 heads, looked around as if to say are you waving at me. He is an older man, scruffy beard, tough looking guy. I started wondering what his story was, how life had been to him, what he lived thru. Why he was standing at a bus stop at his age each morning, where was he going, what was he doing, did he have a family, etc.

So each day I pulled up to the stop sign, I would wave, finally he started waving back, now each morning when I pull up he has the biggest smile on his face and waves before I get a chance, but what I notice the most is his eyes. Before it just seemed that he would stand there with no expression of any kind, but now he has a giant smile and his eyes sparkle. When I pull up and he isn’t there I find my day is a little off, just a bit different. One day I stopped, got out of my car and walked up to him and introduced myself and asked him his name. His name is Leonard. One day I brought him coffee and he was so happy and grateful, each day I look for him. I hope in a small way I make him feel better about his day. I know for sure he has given me more than I have given him, he makes my day just a little brighter. Something money will ever be able to buy. Funny how a complete stranger can bring something to your day. I now look forward to seeing Leonard standing at the bus stop. I hope he looks forward to seeing me too.

We have become so programmed and have let electronics and technology take over our lives that we forget how important human interaction is. Just a wave , and it cost me nothing but has given me so much.

I love the random act of kindness, not only are we doing something for someone outside of ourselves, without any expectation of anything back, but you are literally giving to yourself. There is no better feeling than to do something for someone else when they don’t expect it.Especially in this day and age when everyone feels like others always have an ulterior motive for what they are doing.

Written by: Lori S.

Changing the World, 83 Acts of Kindness at a Time...

Credit unions across the world celebrate International Credit Union (ICU) Day each year on the third Thursday of October.This year, the theme for ICU Day was "People Helping People." At its most basic level, a credit union is people pooling their money to provide each other with affordable loans—it is literally people helping people. This is why Horizon Community Credit Union celebrates ICU Day. Because credit unions empower people, wherever they are in the world or life, to take control of their financial future.

We decided to celebrate by performing 83 Random Acts of Kindness--one act of kindness for each year HCCU has been helping members achieve success. Each staff member was asked to perform a minimum of 5-6 random acts of kindness and live the theme of People Helping People. Some of our staff got particularly creative--take a look!

1. Gave "thank you" note to mailman for delivering my mail to be even when the address is incorrect
2. Paid for coffee/meal for someone at Starbucks
3. Donated products (toiletry, personal care, etc) to UWGB students
4. Helped someone save $10 on their purchase with coupons!
5. Donated diapers to families in need
6. Gave someone $5 in an envelope
7. Bought a young lady a Starbucks coffee ($4)
8. Printed something for a friend
9. Cleaned room for a resident at nursing home me and my grandma visit
10. Made cookies for my Grandma’s neighbor
11. Helped lady with kids at the store with bagging groceries
12. Helped older gentleman put groceries in his car
13. Bought older lady $7 meal at McDonalds
14. Dropped off money at my local utilities office so that funds could be applied to a deserving persons bill especially since weather is getting colder
15. Donated food to the local food pantry via a food drive at Copps grocery store
16. Donated Cat food to the local shelter via a drive at the local Petco
17. Purchased Breast Cancer Awareness flowers and gave them to someone who is a Cancer Survivor
18. Tipped waitress 100% of my total bill at my networking lunch
19. Made baked goods for my boyfriends work crew
20. Gave someone my cart
21. Baked cookies for my neighbor
22. Paid for the order of the person behind me in the McDonald’s drive-thru
23. Wrote a thank you to the mail person
24. Gave my seat to someone
25. Bought coffee for an outgoing GM
26. Bought coffee for an incoming GM
27. Printed something for a friend
28. Opened door for stranger
29. Paid for someone’s dinner
30. Let someone merge in front of me during rush hour
31. Helped someone with a work challenge
32. Took a picture for someone per their request
33. Bought tickets to a concert for a friend
34. Gave $5 to the Kwik Trip cashier to pay for part of the next customer’s purchase.
35. Baked a nice warm meal for two friends so they could eat something hearty for lunch, versus a sandwich.  
36. Bought lunch for someone
37. Let a lady with two anxious kids and a huge cart of groceries check out before me at Target.
38. Paid for the person behind me in line at McDonald’s drive thru
39. Left a $5 tip for the bartender who got me a water during my volleyball game.
40. Printed something for a friend.
41. Said “Yes” when Goodwill cashier asked if I wanted to round up for a charity.
42. Made copies of old photos and sent them with a handwritten letter to a good friend who I haven’t talked to in a while.
43. Bought a $5 Starbucks gift card and gave it to the gentleman who held the door open for me and was so cheerful.
44. Brought a package of cookies to the workers at Maple Ridge Nursing Home
45. Brought snacks to the teachers at LearningRx along with a thank you note to everyone working there because they are so great with the kids and so happy all the time!
46. Gave a package of cookies to the girl working the drive-thru at McDonalds to share with her co-workers.
47. Left a pack of gum with the McDonalds drive-thru worker to give to the car behind me in line.
48. Brought snacks to the staff at Bright Beginnings Daycare, where my daughter went years ago, and her favorite teacher was still there!
49. Bought coffee for someone
50. Made pies, dropped them off at my grandma’s nursing home and visited.  
51. Got stopped at a drawbridge and I let cars from side road and other oncoming traffic go in front of me.
52. Dropped books off at a few Little Free Libraries around town.
53. I was getting pumpkins at a roadside vendor and gave $10.00 to some kids that were there to buy pumpkins also.
54. Donated some clothing to Goodwill.
55. Let a shopper go in front of me at the grocery store.
56. I go to the Y almost every day and one of the ladies at the front desk always calls me by name and has a huge smile on her face when I come in.  I look forward to it when I arrive and somehow every day she is there I am just happier going in the morning.  So today, I dropped off two $5 Starbucks gift cards with a note saying thanks for the bright smile so early in the morning….I asked her to use one for herself and to hand one off to someone that inspires her day!
57. Bought coffee for the person behind me
58. Bought lunch for the person behind me
59. I left a thank you note in our mailbox at home for our mail carrier because he is always so friendly and says “hi” when the kids are outside playing. He really enjoyed it. He said he has been with the US Postal Service for 8 years now (retiree) and no one has ever done this. I was really glad he liked it and my kids really appreciated it.
60. I purchased a beverage through the drive thru at McDonalds for the person behind me.
61. I bought the person behind me in the car wash line an ultimate wash. I got a honk and a wave when I was leaving the lot.
62. We donated our unused Nintendo Wii to Goodwill on the east side. Hopefully some other children can enjoy it and put it to use.
63. I opened the door for a member’s grandmother who came in to deposit a check for her granddaughter who was traveling outside of the country. The doors at Eastman are quite heavy and she would have struggled with them.
64. Paid for the people behind me at Culver’s drive thru. They actually turned it around and bought me ice cream with the money instead. So nice!
65. Paid for the car behind me at Wendy’s drive thru.
66. Gave up my seat for someone.
67. Donated some of my unused clothes.
68. Mowed my neighbors lawn after I mowed mine.
69. Made my neighbor’s dinner.
70. I used $5 to buy two people sitting outside McDonalds a coffee and Sausage McMuffin.
71. I used 5 dollars to prepay a gas pump (I left a note saying it was prepaid)
72. I went out to eat this past weekend and between me and a friend we paid for a couple’s 10th anniversary dinner.
73. Paid  $4.19 for the person behind me at McDonalds.
74. I opened the door for a lady at a restaurant
75. I opened the door to the credit union for two ladies. I gave one a hug!
76. I opened the door for a member as he was entering the credit union.
77. I opened  the door for a member as she was leaving the credit union.
78. Let a person go ahead of me in line at the grocery store.
79. A guy I see everyday standing at the bus stop, I stopped and gave him coffee one day and found out his name (Lenard).  He was very surprised and happy, we wave to each other everyday when I pull up at the stop he is waiting at. 
80. Gave a ride to one of my son's friends at school for a school activity they had last weekend. He wanted to go but couldn’t because he didn’t have a ride and wasn’t allowed to ride with other kids who had their licenses as the parents didn’t feel they had enough driving experience.  Happier than a pig in mud.
    
    
81. A gal pulled up to me at stop light asked me how to get to a business. She was lost and had an appointment was going to be late. Rather than try to explain, I told her to follow me and drove her to the parking lot of the building and got her there in time.  She was very happy.
82. Purchased ten dollars worth of tickets from a gal for a raffle. She was trying to raise money for a cause and couldn’t get anyone to contribute. She was so happy she let me know it encouraged her to keep plugging away and ended up selling $332.00 for the cause.  It was nice of her to let me know she far exceeded her goal and that I helped in a small way to motivate her.
83. Boys Scouts were trying to sell their goods to raise funds out in front of Festival.  Everyone was walking by and saying maybe later, no, too expensive. So, I bought a can of one of their goods and turned around and gave it to someone who was trying hard to ward them off.  They were shocked.  They bought something as well.  Not sure if they gave it away, I left before I could see if they did.  Great feeling.

We were inspired to perform these acts by the theme of ICU Day 2015--- but you don't need any excuse to be kind. Give yourself a random acts of kindness challenge, and pay attention to how you feel!  Also, if someone is kind to you, pay it forward! If we all act in kindness, we just might change the world!

Written/Compiled by: Breanna B.