One hot New Jersey summer day, Charles “Charlie” Poveromo noticed that the sanitation workers looked hot, sweaty, and tired. He immediately ran in the house, filled a jug with water, grabbed some plastic cups, and took them out to the men. The recipients were most grateful. For years now, Charlie placed a cooler full of ice and water bottles by the curb for the workers to take. Unfortunately, Charlie had a heart attack and passed away unexpectedly. Velvet, Charlie’s wife, wanted to help live out her husband’s legacy. She now puts out the cooler with water, snacks, and a note for the workers to help themselves to a cool treat. One day, when she was outside, the truck stopped in front of her house. The sanitation men got off the truck, lined up, and saluted their home and Velvet. “They told me how very sorry they were and that no one had shown them the thoughtfulness and appreciation my husband had and then slowly, one by one, they each took a water bottle or two, climbed back up on the truck and gave a loud beep as they drove off.” Charlie’s sister, Monica Pidhorecki, and other family members have started setting up coolers in their front yards, in memory of Charlie.
Calvin Godette lives in chesterfield County, Virginia. He is a utility worker, repairing leaky water lines by day, but it seems his main purpose in life is random acts of kindness and generosity. Purchasing coffee for the next person in line, paying for someone’s groceries, Calvin is on the lookout to surprise and bless others. He spends almost half of his paycheck giving to others. One day, as Calvin was going through the Burger King drive-through, he noticed that the lady behind him seemed very sad. Naturally, he paid for her meal. That seemingly small act of kindness made a big impact for its recipient. Andy Denise Walters had recently lost her husband of more than 40 years. Calvin’s kindness became a sign of hope for Denise. “Somebody to do something that nice for you, on that very moment when I thought nothing could make me happy again, it just touched my heart.” Denise followed Calvin’s truck back to his work and shared with his employer that “He saw that I was upset and showed compassion to a complete stranger.” Calvin expressed, “You may have lost your husband, but you gained a family.” Inspired by his wanting to spread joy and kindness, Denise is now looking for ways to be generous and kind. Calvin commented, “You could do something for someone, and you could change their whole situation.”
Kindness has the potential for a ripple effect. May it be so for the giver, recipients, and those who observe.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians2:3-4
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