Today, while shopping at The Dollar Tree, I spotted something that made me stop in my tracks. There was a woman standing at the checkout with three carts piled high with toiletries—items like soap, toothpaste, shampoo, and other essentials. As she slowly organized her purchase, I noticed the growing impatience of the people waiting in line behind her. They were starting to shift restlessly, exchanging glances, sighing under their breath.
As the minutes passed, I couldn’t help but wonder what was taking so long. After about 10 minutes of watching her carefully sort everything, I decided to approach her. “Excuse me,” I said, “What’s all this for?”
With a gentle smile, she explained, “I’m putting together care packages to send back to people in Kenya. I’ve been working with a group over there, and they need supplies—basic things we sometimes take for granted here.”
I was taken aback. Here was this woman, quietly and thoughtfully preparing to send so much love and care to people halfway across the world. It struck me that this was an act of kindness far beyond a simple gesture—it was about making a difference, even in small ways, to people she would likely never meet.
Without hesitation, I decided to pitch in $20 to help her with her purchase. She seemed surprised but deeply grateful. I didn’t want anything in return, except one small request: Would you mind if I took a picture with you? I explained that I wanted to show my third-grade students the value of random acts of kindness.
She agreed, smiling warmly, and we snapped a photo together. As I left the store, I couldn’t help but reflect on how a simple moment had changed my perspective. This woman’s quiet generosity had reminded me that kindness isn’t about grand gestures or recognition—it’s about seeing a need and doing something to help, no matter how small it may seem.
When I showed my third-grade students the photo later that day, I told them about the woman’s work in Kenya, her commitment to making a difference, and how she had taken time to do something kind for strangers in need. I explained that kindness can be as simple as paying for someone’s groceries, helping a neighbor, or, like this woman, sending a care package halfway across the world.
I hope that my students will take these lessons to heart and find ways to spread kindness in their own lives. Whether it’s a smile for someone who’s having a tough day, helping someone in need, or simply giving without expecting anything in return, I believe that each of us has the power to make a positive impact—just like the woman I met today.
This woman may never know how much her selfless act of kindness touched my life, but I hope she knows that it will continue to ripple outward, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.
