Acts of Kindness

Patriots Point, Charleston, S.C.

I just got back from the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Employee Recognition event and for the first time it was held on the aircraft carrier the Yorktown. The Yorktown is one of the top tourist highlights in the lowcountry and it was fun to arrive at sunset, pick up a glass of wine and explore the flight deck before the presentations. I turned around to see Admiral Flately seated behind me. Pretty cool.

I am fortunate to sit on our Random Acts of Kindness committee. I get to review all the stories of amazing things that people do each day that someone happened to notice. We pick outstanding stories to recognize quarterly and annually we surprise a recipient with a gift basket and a check from the volunteer department. Usually the stories are life saving events but in this case the winner showed exteme kindness - to a patient's dog.

We had a patient arrive unexpectedly in the Emergency Room. He had driven himself and clearly needed to be rushed to ICU. As they were transporting him, his primary concern was that his dog was in his car in the parking lot and he was alone in the area. An ER staff member by the name of Jillian, got his keys, rescued the dog, took him home, fed, bathed and took care of him and then met the gentleman at the door when he was ready for discharge. For some reason the story touched us all. Congrats Jillian! You make us all proud!

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Chalmers St., Charleston, S.C.

This is Random Acts of Kindness Week, kids. What shall we do to celebrate?

Random Acts of Kindness Week focuses on the spirit of hope and goodness. It is a springboard for action. A time to be open, to act upon thoughts of generosity that arise spontaneously from your heart. Just notice what happens as kindness ripples out!

A kind act is "random" when it is unexpected-done simply out of the will to extend goodness, person to person, without expecting anything in return.

Here is one that sent me off to work smiling! Many thanks to Pam and Pamela.