Anonymous Gifts

My family is fortunate enough to have been on the receiving end of a monetary gift.  

A few years ago, times were especially tough.  I was sick, money was low and everything seemed to break in the house at once.  There were a few instances in which I had to tell someone I would write a check on payday, from scouts to school. 

Just before Easter, I received a letter in the mail with no return address.  Enclosed was a $50.00 gift card to a local grocery store.  Attached was a note stating, “As a Lenten offering, I would like to extend this give to you and your family.”  I sat at the mailbox with grateful tears running down my face.  On that very day, I had been fretting about how I would feed the kids dinner that night.  I was overwhelmed. 

This is one example of a way you can help a person in need while doing it anonymously.  Gift cards do not have to be as much as $50, or can be over that amount if you have the means. 

Money can also be placed in an envelope with one of our Giving Sheets and set on a doorstep or placed on a car windshield.  Use your imagination and have fun!

My children and I have completed several odd jobs for our neighbor “on the sly.”  Sadly, she is now deceased, and I will never know if she ever suspected us.  But what I do know is that these jobs took work away from her own schedule and hopefully made her feel special.

We live near the beach and rarely get snow.  Imagine our surprise when we got many inches a few winters ago.  No one had the equipment to shovel snow, making driveway to street maneuvering difficult. 

My neighbor somehow got out (she was a spunky lady!) and ran an errand in the snow.  While she was gone, my son and I ran over and shoveled her driveway.  It was hard work, especially at our quick pace, but it was rewarding.  Our neighbor came home to a clean and safer driveway! 

Again while she was out on a summer afternoon, I was cleaning my mailbox and had an idea.  Looking her way, I saw her mailbox was Just as dirty as mine.  So off my kids and I went to scrub her mailbox down.  It probably took her a day or two to even notice it’s radiant brilliance, but that I’m sure she did.

If you look around, I’m sure you can find work that needs to be done around the neighborhood.  Many odd jobs can be done quickly while someone is away.  As a matter of fact, rushing the job makes it even more exciting and fun!

Let me know what odd jobs you have done, or give us some ideas for jobs we can all do for others!

My children and I were in a Dunkin Donuts drive-through when a car pulled up behind us.  I asked the employee if their order was under $20.00, hoping to have enough to pay for them as well.  Fortunately their total barely reached $5.00.   

As my idea was playing out, my kids became increasingly excited.  Whispers turned to giggles quickly.  I explained what I was doing to the employee, who was thrilled to be able to pass along the good news to the car behind.   

As we pulled away, the street light turned red.  My kids screamed and I laughed out loud.  Hysterical, fun panic ensued as the driver pulled up to the window, took their order and then quickly turned towards our car.  “Hurry light, hurry,” we all cried! 

Slowly the person began to inch away from the restaurant and come our way.  “Oh no, she’s coming,” we all laughed.  Finally the light turned green and we went along our way – only to find the person turning in the same direction.  More shrieks and laughter. 

This person actually followed my car for a mile before she had to turn.  I saw the woman lower her window and wave at us, showing a wide and quite delighted grin.  

Success!  We made the Dunkin Donuts employee happy, we made the driver happy, and I’m sure she passed her happiness to her friends and family that day.  All for a silly order costing less than five dollars. 

Why don’t you try this and let us know how it went!   

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