CLOSED - The LCB $1,500 Spread the Christmas Cheer Contest

The LCB $1,500 Spread the Christmas Cheer Contest



Christmas - it is the most wonderful time of the year! The whole holiday season brings out the best spirit in us all. It is when we are most likely to open our hearts with random acts of kindness.

We encourage all of our members to offer some type of kindness during the holiday season whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa.Hanukkah etc. all are invited!  Not only will you make someone feel good, but you will feel good about yourself. Tis the season with warmth to the world around us and it quickly becomes contagious!

LCB is spreading good cheer this Christmas with the biggest cash prize giveaway we have ever had! The prize package is valued at a magical $1,500! Why? Because you are all a very special part of our community and it’s our way to show our appreciation and say thank-you.

To be a part of this contest members must share their random act of kindness in 50 words or more NO less. Don't just say you did it...........DO IT! OR share with our community some wonderful ways to spread good cheer! Remember for every good action there is a positive reaction!

Some examples include:

Leave a big tip to your server
Pay for the car behind you at Starbucks
Offer assistance to an elderly person by opening a door or helping them put bags in their car.
Donating to a charity
Buy a Christmas turkey or ham for a family less fortunate
Shoveling snow on your neighbors sidewalk
Give your mailman a gift of appreciation
Give a great big smile to every person you pass on the street
Bake Christmas goodies, wrap it up in a pretty paper and give to someone who would least expect it

There are soooo many ways to show random acts of kindness and in many instances won't cost you a single penny.

The $1,000 REAL Cash Prize pool is as follows:

1st place - $250
2nd place - $150
3rd place - $120
4TH place - $100
5th place - $75
6th place - $50
7th place - $40
8th place - $35
9th place - $30
10th - 15th place - $25

We have also raised the prize amounts for the $500 LCB shop credits exclusively for Christmas!

Prizes:

1 - $75
1 - $50
1 - $40
1 - $35
1 - $30
1 - $25
1 - $20
1 - $15
1 - $10
40 - $5

Add both prize pools up and that’s an amazing 64 potential winners…Ho Ho Ho!

To access your LCB Shop Cash find the drop down menu under your name in the top left corner above the header and click “Redeem Credits”. Purchase gifts in our shop with your LCB Shop Cash. It’s as easy as that!



RULES

1. Only ONE entry is allowed per member with a minimum post of 50 words sharing your random acts of kindness.

2. To qualify for this contest you must be a member for at least one month. In this case only members that have joined on or before November 5th, 2014 are eligible.

3. Any member having more than one account to enter contest will be disqualified.

4. Contest period ends on Wednesday December 31st, 2014 at 11:59 EST.

5. LCB has the right to end this contest at any time and void all wins should any unforeseen issues arise or abuse is indicated.

6. LCB Cash can ONLY be redeemed in the LCB Shop.

7. Prize money can be redeemed immediately or can be accumulated to save for bigger prizes.

Winners will be announced shortly after end of the contest.

Good luck!

Random act of kindness okay i've done some alredy so i post now
I won 500eur + from betsafe which i was planning to spent on Christmas Presents for my family, well i did spent 200eur for the gifts, but the kind thing i did was that my mother were very low on money during december so i decided to give him a loan of 150eur which she can pay whenever she can, so they can buy Christmas food and stuff.. There is no better feeling than help others when they are in need and i ove so much for my mother, so i don't really care if she pays back or not Also there was my girlfriend's Birthday few months ago, and i was so disappointed that i couldn't bought her anything because my money sectuation was very low, so i decided to buy her a engagement ring and for me too, since we hav lost our earlier rings like years ago, and never really discussed to buy another ones, now that i did my girlfriend was very happy, now we wear these rings and never take them off again hah and also we baked some gingerbreads for our kids with my gf they were very happy when we decorated their names on those cookies = )
I hope that everyone enjoys their Christmas and happy Christmas waiting time everyone
Maybe there will be more act of kindness later on, but i decided to put this here already..

Thanks LCB for the most generous contest ever on LCB history very much appreciated <3 = ) = )

Ohh forgot i also bought a bar night for me and my bro since it is him's B-day on 4 days so i decided that would be the best gift for me, since he ain't got a lot of friends. and have to say we both have great time ( especially what we remember of that night )

Its nice to be kind and spreading good Cheer for Christmas,although we should do that all year long and wont cost us nothing!
I live next to one orphans home which is called 11October in Skopje,thats the city  name where iam from,so i didnt do it only one time,but me and my hubby are doing it all year long ,whenever we have chance to see that kids and  the reason is that i love those kids..There are few children,orphans ,who plays with my son during all year but specially Summer,so whenever i see that children ,in that moment I am sad,who would leave lovely kids ,like they are  and they are all abandoned by their parents and the same time i feel happiness ,just because ,you should see their small sad but happy eyes,when you tell them some good word and specially when i buy them some  candy,chocolate,icy cream.3-4 times a year i give them clothes from my son,which they are so grateful .Christmas will be in 1 month so then i will surprised them again specially the day before Christmas Eve (Badnjak) when they will come in front of my house and start singing ,which later i treat them with something nice !Well i think i am doing good deed and I hope that from this small things I make,their day,a bit beautiful,because they deserve, all the happiness in the world like any other child! 

Right now I don't have much money so I can only be kind in free ways. Two examples I can think of which I did recently was well today I waited for everyone to get off the bus first women,children and the elderly before getting off myself I also allow others onto the bus before me I just think it is polite and nice. The other example is recently my granda was in the hospital with a chest infection I wrote him a card and sent it up and he was delighted with of course incorporating my humour into it jokingly saying the man who ingests dettol and has been for years gets a chest infection!! (my granda is obsessed with dettol and swears it prevents him coming down with colds/coughs/flu) Another thing I will do is hand in some clothes and other items I don't use to my local charity shop

Random acts of kindness...

It can describe every Christmas in my household, every year in my family since I can remember, and it still continues to this day.

The day before Christmas all the family members gather in my house with Christmas presents (candy, toys, even small Christmas trees fully decorated with lights and everything) for the Christmas Carols. it is truly a site to see, the joy and happiness that is surrounding everyone... all the gifts that are being prepared, holiday music... I imagine that that's how Santa's shop must be like

After all the preparations are ready, on Christmas Eve, my father dresses up like Santa Claus and he waits for the Christmas Carols. It is a truly site to see! The faces on the small carols who want to spread the Christmas cheer from door to door, when the door opens in my house and they see Santa Claus in some random home. He lets them sing and after, every one receives a present that was made by my family.

It is not a "random" act because, after all these years, the Carols know that they will receive presents for their holiday songs, but every year appears some new faces that make all worth it!

Hello, you can always helps as long as you want, whether in small and large sizes, but remember a strange day when I was waiting on traffic lights to cross the street, an old man shouting at the people around him to help him cross, people like him hear , took grandfather's hand and crossed the street, he was very grateful. And I'm not is inherently helped him out with anything but it was valuable that help now thinking that the little things are great for any help. I wish you to be good people and happy holidays and welcome the new year

Another cool contest! get rewarded for being nice! 
That's how i like 'em!!

I feel that i should "score" well here, as without false modesty i  can say that i am always doing this or that to help someone out, and encourage others to do the same..

I have worked in the Gastronomy for half of my life, so serving people is not only something i have done for a living for years, it is also actually something i really enjoy: it's hard to explain to people that don't feel the same way, but i can't describe it other then, there's no greater reward then making someone happy, or make them smile heartily, it's like a little sunbeam that warms the heart and if you have felt that once, it's something you want to experience more often:)

And it's so easy.. just open a door for someone, or keep it open to let several people through at once, maybe help a person that drops his or her groceries, and make a joke about it, talk to strangers, or at least greet them politely, sometimes try to be forward and just give random people compliments about small things you notice.. like a warm laugh they might have, a cool outfit they happen to wear, a nice smell they carry along, or even a nice or polite deed they are performing..

If you see two workers struggling with a heavy object, lend a hand, and know that many hands make light work, and if we are talking about tipping.. don't limit yourself to tipping waiters, bartenders and hotel receptionists or pages and maybe workers that deliver stuff, or move it, but be silly and tip a cassiere at the local supermarket that was friendly, or a street sweeper that is doing a good job, maybe even  tip the busdriver after he drove you smoothly and perhaps gave you a heads up or some directions..

These are things i do,and pretty much always get warm reactions, and even if not, i know i did my best:)

One good thing i did more recently, is that i helped a man out of a big pile of trouble he had, took him from his country and and basically gave him a new start in mine, not so much by monetary means, but helping him learn my language, housing him and showing him the ropes in my country until he was able to work for himself.

He is now very happy here, and a funny twist is that he already has helped me much more then i feel i helped him! just goes to show that it all goes round, as long as you keep doing good!
I think i said it in the previous contest too, but a golden rule is not only that you don't do unto other what you would not have done to you, but rather do onto others that which you would like others to do to you!!

My daughter is a registered nurse, she was caring for a young single Mom of two, a hard working young woman that was in need of help. We invited her and her children to come to our house for Thanksgiving this year as she had no where to go. When she left my family of 4 kids and 10 grandchildren were so impressed with this young woman we decided to help her . We are helping her to continue her schooling to  get her nursing license in our state, I am caring for her children so she does not have to pay day care while she is going to school and working. My son has repaired her car and his company was generous enough to but new tires for it.  We believe in the proverb : Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. We are getting her on her feet , my daughters put up a tree and have purchased gifts for the children. This sweet young lady has never asked for anything and it has made us all grateful that we are in a position to help her. I have never been more proud of my family . We did so well that we are looking for another needy family in our area . It was so surprising that we got so many people to help. Sometimes when you actually see where your donations go and the happy faces on the people you help it makes such a difference. Putting a toy in a box is wonderful but knowing where it is going was fantastic.
We have found a family that needs some help , they have a teenager with cystic fibrosis that wants to go to Disney World . I believe we will be taking her if her Doctor will approve her trip. She has special medical needs. We live in Florida , 2 hours from Disney so it would be a pleasure to surprise her with this trip. I would ask for a little good wishes for her health so she can go to Disney Very Merry Christmas party with us. I hope all our members try to extend themselves if they can to realize you feel so connected by helping when you can . Good Bless each and every one on this joyous Holiday season!

Oh wow, such a great idea and contest. I'm going to save my entry for a week or two as I'm sure I will be doing a great many nice things between now and the big day...  but I totally have to give LCB some credit for encouraging us all to think of those less fortunate at this time of year. Honestly just a great, great idea for a competition, lets spread the love people

May I just say LCB's does show us all year round how much we are appreciated as members. You don't always have to do something big to show you care, it is the little things you can do that makes that person feel special. Have a great Christmas everyone and to LCB.!

gl to all and to all a good nite,
imakin1

Whenever my husband and I get extra money, we like to give to the special education classrooms in our town.  These children are often overlooked and need highly specialized items.  Also, in the next town over there is a handicapped man that walks all over town picking up cigarette butts to smoke.  I keep a pack in my car and if I happen to see him I give him the pack so he doesn't have to smoke butts. 

LCB free money to win, to spin, to in, to play or stay for another round of promo's we're all been. Active, ready to share and to give everybody who live and love me till zero hits or the prize switch. And that ain't something to realize I say, LCB, heeee BB, LCB, LCB-BB. Throw the money around, count, count, count down and feel UP with this. W'sup, support.

When still working as a copier technician, the company I worked for suffered financial setbacks so as to jumpstart the company, stricter measures were imposed, including overtime.  This affected as field personnel because we can not claim any overtime pay for work done outside the regular office hour.   
One Friday, first week of December,  all employees on my branch are happy that another week has passed, thus when the Bundy clock chimed 5, everybody rushed to punched out and call it a day.  I was the last one left in the office and as I was about to leave the telephone rang.  When I answered it, a “high-value” customer was on the line.  His color Xerox machine was down and he has a pending job that needs to be delivered first thing Monday morning.  I told him that I’ll call him back because I will relay this to my co employee assigned in his area but my co worker enumerated many excuses, so it is up to me what to tell the customer.    Thinking for a moment,  “ I can tell him that we don’t work on Saturdays , he’s not in my area of responsibility, we are not paid for any overtime, I have a date with my family and I’m not in the mood to travel 100 miles to go to his place”.     
Saturday, I travelled 100 miles to his place and fixed his Xerox machine and even stayed until passed noon ‘til all his job were finished.    The customer was very thankful for what I did for him and I said that his a good customer of the company,    I can reimburses all my expenses but can not claim overtime pay and a day lost intended for my family.  All in a day’s work for the good of the company.
Days passed by and came our branch’s Christmas party.  All the branch employees and their  family are having a good time when our manager interrupted us for what he said is a very important announcement.    I was called on stage and was presented a plaque of appreciation and on top of that, a merit increase bonus .  The customer, it seems, was told by my co worker assigned to him that we are not paid for any overtime,  (his reason for not attending to this customer). so this customer made a letter to our president exalting my effort.    Doing good deeds do reap rewards. 

Well at the time I did not really consider it a "RAOK" but upon review I guess it qualifies...two weekends ago a woman of about my age who lived across the street had a moving van show up followed by a large truck...I crossed over to inquire where she was heading and was told her daughter and grandson very moving in...I listened half heartedly to the plight her daughter suffered at the hands of her ex, then offered a hand if needed for heavy stuff and let her know I had dollies and anything they might need to facilitate the move...she told me that there would be 5 or 6 of their friends and they had it all covered...wished them luck and went back to my poker and slot weekend...just as it was getting dark the knock came at the door...I opened to find all three on my doorstep looking tired and worn...had them in for a drink and the long and the short of it was nobody had shown up and nothing could be moved from the truck as it had been loaded with all the small boxes etc up front with all large heavy items wedging and securing miscellaneous debris...so Todd was off to the rescue and more than that I had offered so  had to make good on my word...14hrs later I carried the last of "Shelly's and Ryan's" belongings into the house...neighbor lady, Shelly and Ryan having gone to bed 4 or 5 hours earlier...over the course of the next 2 weeks I have helped paint the mother/boys bedroom, retiled their bathroom, hooked all electronics up and installed new dishwasher (highly overrated experience that was)...once again, I want to say, prior to writing this I really had not thought I had done all that much...and I still have a couple things on my list they need/want done...so my Christmas wish for all my fellow LCBers is that if any of you or your families find themselves in need of help that is beyond their financial or any other capabilities, I want to donate my "come around" for the "go around" I have performed...God bless all and have a wonderful Holiday season...(what comes around goes around)  Todd      aka      snklzona 

LCB is simply the BEST no questions about it. I am proud to be a member here. Thanks LCB you out did yourselves again...

I don't like to read these until after I've written mine, because i don't want to think of something else that I may have done, that i would elect to write about instead.

Something that I've gotten my kids to do every year since they were old enough to walk and talk.. And now they bring up the time for themselves to do it every year...Ironically, it's what we're doing this weekend. I've always been very open with my kids about how fortunate We are, and not necessarily "well off", but more so in that some people don't have the luxury of having a roof over their heads, or food to eat, and of course around the Christmas season, gifts are going to be the last purchase a family will be making with any money they have..

So every year, they go through all of their toys to "give to kids that won't have any this year"... We then donate them to the battered women's shelter a few miles from where we live. This year, my oldest (13) used her own money from report cards and birthday, to purchase a gift card for a "tween/teenaged" person, and she took it herself to a local organization that coordinates a Christmas drive for needy families.  We've helped them with their food drives throughout the year, so she's really attached to them in particular, and through the Honor society and ASB at school, has begun a coordinated drive for that age group for the same charity.

For us, Christmas is seeing everybody happy.. And No matter their economic status, even if it's the first smile they've had in days, months, or years, it's a smile of hope, and knowledge that there are good people around us.

Thanks LCB cool contest

Me and my brother had  deal that we give 10% winning what win casino or poker the other..So last month i win betfair casino to 650€ and i give my brother 65€ and he is happy

This work both ways i got many time year the money my brother..We both like i gambling..

Merry X-mas everybody

our neighbors have gone through tough times lately, the husband is now wheelchair bound.  they are also now financially going through tough times.  For the past month I have mowed, eedged, and blown the leaves off their lawn...for free.  I let them now my husband and I would b happy to take over their lawn care so they can stop paying a lawn service

My Aunt is rather large and became ill with what she thought was a back problem. Doctors soon found her suffering from a very serious infection and she had surgery and after a week of hospitalization she had to go to a Rehab facility. It took a full 3 months of physical therapy, as well as more medical procedures to finally rid herself of that pesky infection. She has lived alone for many years. In a nutshell, no house cleaning had been done in maybe 10 years! And to say she was a packrat would be an understatement. Rarely did anyone set foot in her home. She made sure of that. My brother and I came up with a ruse of needing to start her car to keep the battery from dying. With my mother acting as supervisor, my brother and I worked about 4 hrs. a day for over 2 months cleaning, repairing, and remodeling. We also landscaped her front yard, and spruced up the back which had been somewhat neglected for years. It was overwhelming and difficult to stay motivated. But with each other for support, we perservered and when it was completed felt like probably the biggest accomplshments in all three of our lives. Needless to say, my aunt now has our backs for the rest of our lives...lol...and she is a changed woman. She now keeps a beautiful house and even entertains. It  ended up being as rewarding an experience, as a human being, as any I've had before or since.

http://youtu.be/3wD0JIav2wo I would like to give a piece of my family with everyone. Every year we gather up can foods, clothes we have out grown  and blankets for the poor and give them out. There is so much need right now I really enjoy doing it. We also enjoy inviting people we know that do not have family to a home cooked Christmas dinner and lot's of cheer. Every year we invite an elderly Latino guy to Christmas dinner. He is 82. I knew his wife (before she passed) and him for over 20 years. He calls me hija and my children nietos (daughter and grandchildrfen). He always insists on bringing taco de carne (steak tacos) for us to enjoy. I volunteered last year to give out toys to needy children. This year i would love to do it but it depends on how my health will be. I have been very sick lately but I still try to spread Christmas cheer. My daughter is in chorus and has come up with the idea of going to the senior center and Christmas caroling for the elderly. I have also given money to my niece to buy her son (my great nephew ) some toys. I have a turkey already in the freezer that i am giving to my sister in law today as soon as my mother in law comes to get it. I am not rich by far and we need things our selves but the joy of Christmas is about giving. The best gift i have given my kids is to tell them the true meaning of Christmas.  Christmas is to celebrate Jesus birthday (for those of us who believe in it) and it is not to be greedy and wish for big gifts for yourself. The 3 wise men brought gifts to Mary to celebrate Jesus birthday because he was born to save us all (according to the Christian belief).  I am very happy to be here another year with Christmas just around the corner and to again be able to be involved in another great contest by LCB. I hope everyone has a happy Christmas and enjoy the video from my family to you.

Saw my elderly neighbour struggling to control her shopping trolly in the snow , so aked if she needed a hand. After helping her I sent the trolly back as it was two minute walk. As I came back I was thinking how would the elderly on my street get around because the snow turning to ice? So I went back to her and asked about all the elderly and baby mothers who might need a hand on our street.

At the time I was not working, had time to burn so the neighbour knocked on about 10 doors saying this young gent would help with shopping for the day, just write now a list and he will get it for u.

Funny thing, it was harder trying to get away from them as I was filled to the brim with tea and biscuits at every house 

My random act of kindness

We have a secret Santa exchange in our small office of about 15 people.    Even with that few people, there are 2 men that absolutely cannot stand each other.  The one guy was actually thinking of not participating in the exchange because the last time the other guy got his name and bought him something embarrassing on purpose.    Well, they both participated in the drawing again this year and sure enough the guys worst dream came true and his enemy got his name again!    So, I found out and decided to ask his enemy to switch names with me.  It keeps the peace and the other guy will never even know what I did.    Merry Christmas!

Truly inspiring and heartwarming stories all.  Gives me goosebumps reading them.

I work as a finance officer for a non-profit organization that caters to the developmentally disabled.  These individuals are all so special in many ways and it lights up my heart when I see their joy over accomplishing a task that comes so easy to us.

Anyway, each year our organization hosts the Xmas Cheer drive for the local families in need and less fortunate.  There are several ways that a person can help out by means of donations or volunteering.  This special event has grown massive over the past years and to see the joy on the children faces sends tingles up my spine.

This year my husband and I are "Buying a Basket" for a needy family.  This consists of donating a minimum $200 so that everything for a healthy and perfect christmas/new year meal can be purchased as well as gifts for the children.  We do not know who the family is that we are sponsoring we just know how many kids their ages and what they want to christmas and we do our best to fulfill their wishes.

It brings joy to my heart to know that I can make some childs christmas special and memorable.

Thats funny I do the same but because I do not want to inadvertently incorporate any of the other people's stories into my own...anyway hope you and your's have great holiday and I do like the lesson that your story  teaches...gl on the felts and BTW NTMU...lol

My Random act of kindness would be a little different.

It isn't about any person i helped but its about a dog i helped.
So it was a winter night , probably it was 2nd of january 2014 and i was returning back after playing football from the field. So, as i was on the way to my house i saw this small stray dog hiding in the bushes. I just love dogs and the innocent face looking at me forced to have a closer look at him. I went closer and he got scared and started running. Until this point i did not knew that his leg was broken. I felt bad about scaring him but then i went closer to him and this time he let me come close.

I closely examined his leg and concluded that somebody hit him with a stick or stone. I immediately rushed into my house and got some milk for him. This lad just consumed it in split second. I also had a old blanket in my house which i kept in the bushes i found him and he just slid inside the blanket.

Next day, i told my dad about the condition of the dog and he suggested to call vet to treat his broken leg. I just searched around the net for the vet in my area and gave him a call. I called him up and a couple hours later, he was at my place. He asked me where is the dog and i took him out to the place and showed him the dog. He looked surprised because generally people never call a vet for stray dog. The dog let him touch his leg and the vet after examining told me that the damage was not that severe and he just gave me a couple of pills and told me that dissolve it in the milk and give it to him. I asked him that will he not apply any body cast to which he said that he doesn't require one. This humble guy didn't charge me anything for the same.

After a week or so , this dog was walking nicely and would accompany me to the football field in the evening and sit outside and then return home with me. I have developed a deep bound with this dog and till i give him bone, milk and he accompanies me to the field everyday.

This was my act of kindness cum humanity. I believe every living creature deserves to have a blissful life and we being the superior of all should not try to overpower the rest living animals. 

Oh, well, it's been a long time since i last posted here, busy working, moved to another country..so it's a pleasure seeing that LCB is keeping on with "traditions" like giving away free cash for all of us. Also, i'm seeing many new names, that means LCB is doing their magic attracting more and more people to this wonderful community. Thank you, LCB!

About my random act of kindness, untill recently i was living with a colleague from work, we shared the same flat but he decided to get his family over here and he's not earning that much, working as he does now, he also had to find a new place to stay, pay a deposit + a month's rent.. he also had to pay the rent for here.. so i decided to help him out, i know it was not much, but, i told him that he doesn't have to pay the rent here, wich was only 200 pounds. He was happy and still is and i'm glad i could help him out with something little like that. Helped him move all his stuff, as he has never been in another country before.. he doesn't have many friends around and people are very hard and skeptical when it comes to foreign nations. He is so happy now with all his family here, and i'm proud i was able to help him, and sure will again if it needs my help again. Christmas, or this time of year, is a time of giving or helping and being rewarded with a simple thank you, or a hug.. or a smile! Wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Hi all  , first of all a Happy Christmas to all members of the LCB  . I wish you all a happy state in seconds waiting for the arrival of this happy Christmas  .
  As usual every year before Christmas eve day I will take my children out to shop for preparations to celebrate this Christmas, then went to my parents' house and all my close friends who celebrate Christmas.
  as usual I will go and see my friends who do not celebrate Christmas, because here in MALAYSIA There are various races and religions, so we will not miss out on the fun with it, that's the way to live in a society living in harmony  .
  but in the second we wait for this happy day, there are also people who are less fortunate as I had never experienced before, on the night when I returned home from work, I intend to stop briefly to a store to buy a surprise gift for my wife and children . because too preoccupied thinking about the perfect gift to buy, I almost hit an old man. but luckily I managed to stop the car before it crashed parents and out of the car to see how people live it.I thankfully no injuries sustained by the old man. I immediately apologized and was very upset because not concentrate when I drive past him stopping briefly to the nearest hospital.but the old man refused and he said he was healthy, but I see from his face ripples appeared that he had a lot of trouble  , then I ask him what his problems. he bowed and then tell everything to me.I am very surprised    that the man was already 4 days sleep on the streets and live like beggars without having any places to stay  since been banished by his own son after his wife's death, I felt very frustrated because there are still people who behave like that who are willing to drive out of his own father's house without giving anything.
  I decided not to buy a present for my family then took the old man to come home and live with my decision and my wife agreed, so now we live like a family and my children also get a new grandfather again.
I hope that in time we will happily looking forward to the big day, this Christmas let us not forget our parents, who are we without them, respect and love them while they are still HERE.

p/s = For my wife and my kids , i have bought u guys a very special present for u guys for this upcoming christmas,just wait and see    . love u honey  and to my kids papa always love u  .

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL ..

RESPECT!  PEACE!    CHEERS! ...

Hi all, I live in a city with lots of suffering folks, I enjoy helping them out when I can, I like to give them bus tickets if I have no cash, or socks, gloves in the winter, one time a gentleman was lying in the hot sun on the sidewalk in front of a cafe, and folks were stepping around him, I went into the cafe and got him some water, he sat up and drank it all, you never know if your gesture is basically saving someones life,through a kind word spoken at the right time, to a pair of socks in the winter, it could be you sitting on the sidewalk, you never know, we are all connected,
Cheers, best of the Season to All.

Before sharing my act of kindness I would like to share the incident that I guess made me more human and inspired me to spread further act of kindness.

As always I was travelling to college in the morning around at 8:00 am, I boarded the bus and again as always I took the last seat in the bus. Then I saw a girl helping very old lady to board the bus. She sat besides her and when the bus started to move I listened to there conversation. The girl was asking the lady that how were the people back at her house which do not took care of her and at even this age allowed her to travel alone and the worst part was that the old lady did not carry any money with her. So she even paid the fare of the bus for her. The main sacrifice she made for the old lady was that she missed her final end semester exam on that day to drop the lady to her home. I came to know about exam as she had a conversation with her friend on the phone. When she got down from the bus the old lady was arguing that she would walk from there to her house but the girl was resistant and took a taxi there. The girl would have personally dropped the lady to her house as she sat with her in the taxi, I do not know further because I didn’t accompany them further.
This incident was an eye opener for me and it was like best thing that happened in front of my eyes motivate me.

So since then I have done few acts of kindness such as:

1. Whenever I go for an outing with my friends or family and I see any person begging and asking for money to eat food. I make sure that I buy him sufficient food to full his stomach and even there favorite food sometimes. But I avoid giving them cash directly as they then tend to indulge in bad habits like drinking and all.
2. In the previous winters I distributed 50 warm blankets to people sleeping on the side of the roads in the night.
3. I organized blood, old clothes, books donation camps in the college.

So these are few act of kindness that I have done recently and all were due to inspiration I got from that girl. And I think even now I am inspiring other people to do such acts of kindness.
Spreading these messages of charity and humanity a day will surely come when there will be happiness in every continent, country, city, street, place, corner of the world. Because if someone is in pain anywhere in the world he will find hundreds of people around him to help.   

i dont get involved in events like fund raising charities such as telethon  but i always give money to the volunteers that walk around the city with tins asking for donations for a good cause such as red nose day and pink ribbon day etc..... and boy have i got a few funny stories to tell...

i used to work in the CBD area and fortunately for me my mother used to pay for my parking  (normally no more than $20) so i would often give all my coins, when i did give them, to a busker or homeless person on my way to the carpark

there have been a few times where i have been short a few cents  & have had to run back to mums shop to get it or use a $50 note which i would get back all in coins. 

on one occasion i  gave a violin playin busker that  was sitting right next to the pay machine all my silver and was short  20c so i looked at him hoping he would offer to give it to me but instead he just turned away like he never saw nothin. .... havnt seen him since coz carpark security prob told him and the others that started busking there to move along which is good coz i felt bad when ever i dint give the change from my parking to them.

there have also been a few occasions wen i have given  sum change to people that were short a few cents at the carpark and vice versa :'X.

i buy a  red nose day pen every year for SIDS.. i normally get it at the news agent or priceline pharmacy but this year i decided to buy it from two young girls that were walking around. i asked how much the pen was and was told it was $10 so i handed over my $20 lunch money expecting the change but wen the girl that handed me the pen excitedly said "oh wow!!... thank u soo much... thank you!!"  :'X
i didnt have the heart to ask for it  or even consider grabbing another pen which resulted in having to walk 10 mins  back to my shop and get sum more cash

one time i gave  a homeless person all my silver as well as gold coins coz they looked like they genuinely needed it only to see them not long after at the newsagent buying a pack of cigarettes. i had to laugh because there are alot of beggars hanging around where i work so i tot i had the fakers sussed out but  boy  was i was fooled.

i may give a bit of  random kindness here and there but  there have been many countless number of  times wen complete strangers have  shown me an act of kindness which is very touching :'X :'X

merry xmas to everyone here at LCB..

may u all have  a wonderful xmas and a safe and happy new year.

I guess we all at times do something good to each other . Like volunteer to help poor people, which have health or financial problems. This year i did few good things which i'm very proud. Summer i helped to the old men find his way to home.. he get lost in the ds. In Lithuanian summer and first autumn month is "mushroom picking" season, so many old people proceeding long tradition, going to ds. But pretty often, some people get lost and can't find way back, especially older people. So one saturday morning i went for mushrooming to the forest and found men who was sitting on the stub, i asked if he needs help, he loughed and said that he lost glasses and can't see well. It was easy for me to find way back, because i know that forest well. We had a little conversation and then we returned to the nearest village. So lucky for him, that i was near. But this month i'm going to do another good thing. I don't know if it realy "act of goodness", but i have to do it. I wrote in previously contest, that i moved out and have new job. I'm working in small company and we have big problem there. We have to deliver many stuff until 31 december and we calculated, that we can't do that. First of all, we have no time and second thing, problems with Russian borders ( Because of Russia politcs). If we fail, company will affect huge financial problems and can lose many good clients. And of course we can lose our jobs too, because company is small and can't affrod to pay us without profit. I'm not afraid to lose a job, i'm young and strong.I can find another within a week, but it's not about the money. I want to help, and i know that i can help. We all working hard right now, 10+ hours a day and even weekends. Company director is old man and i feel sorry for him. Of course we will get days off in Christmas, but it could be sad holydays for everyone if we late with supplies. But i believe in Christmas spirit, we will do it..

Happy holydays for all!

VERY NICE AND SWEET CONTEST  TOO BAD IM NEW AND CANT  JOIN IN ..IM ALWAYS DOING  RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS..BUT YOU  SURE ARE A VERY GIVING FORUM AND  THATS AWESOME.GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE ENTERED AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS BE SAFE ALL

Well, I am not new to LCB but I have never been active in the forum--unless you count reading threads. I've spent many many hours reading through older and newer threads.

This is a great contest. Giving is important. Just small little non-monetary done for the right person at the right time can make a world of difference.

I like to drop a few dollars in the Salvation Army Pot on my way in or out of the stores as often as I can during the holidays. I prefer to give in this manner because I feel like they are a worthy cause  but I do not like being placed on their mailing list. 

In the past, a small donations of $50 have resulted in be placed on their mailing list only to receive endless solicitations for additional donations. The expense of those mailings can quickly negate a $50 contribution.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! 

i for one don't care for surrounding people at all, be it poor be it rich but on the other hand im heart open for homeless cats. i was too many times disappointing by humans be it friends high on pedestal, be it strangers or co-workers, mostly on financial basis so i decided to give my best and receive the same only in my family and keep my relations with others at aquitances level.

i know in the US and other civilized countries there are institutions to feed homeless animals and help to find a home but not here. we have tons of animals on the streets and a ton of ugly people which poison them. since i was a child i saw other children with which i shared outside playtime tormenting small creatures, be it cats, little dogs or bugs, for fun. i was always against all types of abuse directed to the ones which are able to offer unconditioned pure feelings unlike humans, and decided to help them, not by sharing stupid facebook photos with animal abuse and after go to sleep but real help, which mean food, love and protection.

we have in our building garden 6 cats at the moment and are getting replaced each year, some of them dying hit by car and killed by criminal dogs. i feed them each day and spend several minutes caressing them and when i have more money to spend i buy lots of food and walk the streets to found random cats and give at least once in their lifetime a good meal. 3 years ago i took two babies from trash can dropped by soulless scumbags and gave a temporary home and they are alive and well now in a friend yard, changing destinies. i don't share christmas cheer only on holidays, because the cliche is to be a better person in december but i do good to those that deserve since years and the animals will be always faithful, giving unadulterated feelings. here for poor humans there are canteens, social help and diverse ways to at least have a meal but for poor innocent animals here is nothing, only a handful of individuals in each neiborhood which help them to survive in the urbanistic ugliness and im dang proud to be one of them.  1 month passed since i took the 2 year old Fifi at veterinary for an eye infection which looked like a tumour, and costed me only 20 eur with the treatment to save her eye and avoid possible extirpation of nucleation. you know these videos titled 'faith in humanity restored' with individuals helping a grannie to pass the street safely? im yet to found a video titled like that in which drivers will press the break to avoid killing an animal, the same they would do if in animal place will be a kid, caring as much for them both. since then, my faith is lost and my life experiences were awful on this matter picking dead bodies of the ones i loved even witnessing at events that could have been avoided if in the place of animal would have been a human. kinda sad story? not a story folks, just a smallish part of my daily life. 

Hi I am betty , I think I am going to pay it forward and express the random act of kindness to a more deserving person. It is my son devin. he is not old enough to be a member but his kindness was such a story  would like to just let people see my gift of joy i get to receive daily in my life. I guess expressing this is an act of kindness, but the recognition for his caring is needed these days in times of such anger and all bad in world to let all know there is kindness in this world know that! I am recently permanent disabled and as u may or may not know that can cause a severe income decrease compared to wages at work. I am still young and was planning to start retirement fund but hadnt before i was unable to work, assuming i had 20 years work left in me. Well last years xmas was a bust. i told my two kids xmas tree or xmas present. they opted for the tree. so we had tree no presents except one my 11 year old made me at school and one my son bought me. Well my daughter came home from grandmas house and said she WANTED A NINTENDO ds AND THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. i explained Santa may not be able to and she said Santa wont let her down she was extra good. being so old i decided to let her know i was Santa AND MY INCOME DID NOT ALLOW ME THIS LUXURY OF XMAS GIFTS LIKE ONES RECEIVED IN PREVIOUS YEARS. i then said well tell me small gift i could afford u just in case. She told me of a toy costing $30 and i new i didn't have that. she told me not to worry there was a Santa and she will prove it when she got the $30 gift. her hope and belief sorta helped but i was upset my mom told her to not stop believing and forcing me to disappoint her with the act of lying {no Santa} than me just allowing like all kids to know we are Santa. well my daughter made me promise never to stop believing if she got her toy. all night Christmas eve i cried knowing her disappointment losing faith ND WHO KNOWS WHEN THAT TOY NOT UNDER THE TREE. Well we got up together and sure enough santa left the toy that i did not and could not buy her. she was more happy that i had to believe then over the present. TO THIS DAY MY SON SAYS HE NOT DO IT. AND HOW HE GOT IN SINCE HE WAS OUT AT HIS DADS, HAS NO LICENSE TO DRIVE. I WAS UP ALL NIGHT HEARD NOTHING IS BEYOND ME. SOMETIMES I WONDER IF IT WAS SANTA. ONLY THING WHEN MY SON CAME THAT DAY AND HEARD OF GIFT AND SEEN JOY OF HIS SISTER AND HOW I AGAIN WHO GAVE UP ON MANY HOPES DUE TO NO INCOME LEVEL ABLE TOO DESTROY THINGS U TAKEN FOR GRANTED. HE JUST HAD A SATISFIED SMILE I KNEW HE WAS ONE. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THE GIFT WHEN GIVEN IF IT BE UNKNOWN BY THE ONE WHO RECEIVES THE LACK OF SELF WORTH IS SAVED AND TO SEE THAT JOY TO RECIEVE WHAT U NEED WITHOUT SHAME OBLIGATION JUST THANKS IN RECIEVING. THAT IS HOW ALL GIVING BE DONE. WITHOUT ANY RECOGNITION AS MY SON DID. NOW I VOLUNTEER DAILY AT SOUP KITCHEN. I CA ONLY HANDLE ABOUT HOUR WORK BUT I DO GET TO PAY IT FORWARD FOR THE ONE LAST XMAS WE SHARED THAT HAD PRESENTS. THIS YEAR WE DOING TURKEY TAKING IT TO HOMELESS CUZ WE CANT EVEN AFFORD THE TREE. THANK GOD I AM BLESSED

Another greate contest again from LCB.
It is a very nice thing to share what you did good or nice so even if I do good things every day I make or say bad things every day to.
So if I will do something very nice for someone untill the end of this contest I will participate,if not gl to all.

Hi LCBers,

I have to agree with Helena where she mentioned in her story that, it is nice to spread cheer and do random acts or deeds of kindness in the Christmas season, but why not all year long?

We, I believe, have lost the true meaning of Christmas.  Everything is so commercialized in this day and age.  Hurry up to buy this or buy that, what happened to making a gift or just the gift of spending special time with each other.  Heck the stores start putting out Christmas items before Halloween.  It is a fine example of our insanity over the almighty buck (be it paper or plastic) coupled with the “Monkey see, Monkey do action"; not much random kindness going on here!

I try to do random acts of kindness everyday.  I do not feel the need to do something special just because it is a holiday for some folks.  That may sound kind of bahumbug but, I truly believe this way.  People that are hungry are not just hungry just during the Christmas season.  The homeless are not without shelter just in the month of December.  I listed these two examples because they are indeed year round needs and not those of just Christmas.

My husband and I try to give as much as we can year round.  We donate blood twice a year, we help at the local animal shelter monthly and we donate our labor time to Habitat for Humanity (my hubby is a retired plumber) so that a family will have a home. 

I do not like ringing my own bell or as the saying goes, “I would pat you on the back but your hand is in the way” or “Actions speak louder than words.”  Therefore, I am not going to list any more random or not, good deeds or acts of kindness that I have done. 

Instead, what I would like to do is ask each one of you to make a conscience effort to doing something good or kind for someone or something everyday of the year.  I whole-heartedly believe in the lead by example concept.  It really is a contagious act and you just might be surprised how many other people will follow your lead of giving all year long.  Who knows together we just might save our planet and its inhabitants may coexist in peace and harmony.

Good health and wealth to everyone here at LCB!   

Merry Christmas everyone! I would like to send a special cheer to all of you (me included) that may gamble too much from time to time. I know that this is a gambling forum (the internets finest by far) and i know that the point of it is to lead people to gambling. Hey.. I love the slots. More than anything. Some of my finest moments in life have been in front of the computer. What can compete with a big hit on a videoslot? And it has taken me around the world when i hit big. Most of my tattoos has been from gaming wins.  I just love my Neteller + card. Money makes the world go round. And we all need it.

But sometimes we loose grip of it. When loosing a big deposit on a bad day some of us react in a compulsive manner. We want it back. The obsession starts. Its all we think about. It takes over our lives. It makes us greedy and most often BROKE.

There is other things in life. I have learned the hard way (ive have lived a hard life) that family is NUMBER ONE. My mother is my everything. We have become the best of friends after a lot of fighting in the past. I have forgiven her. And the love i feel for her is better than ANY videoslot. Better than any trip to Brazil or Las Vegas. She is my world.

Dont forget the family and love when becoming compulsive after a big loss. Because thats the number one thing. Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FELLOW LCB friends! //N

Thank you for your post, however it does not qualify for this contest which is Random Acts of Kindness.

Hi well this is my random act of kindness that I have done recently. I was on my way to the corner store to pick up a couple thing milk etc... While I was in the store two young girls came to buy some candy. The one little girl didn't have enough money so I paid for her it was only a dollar and some change. They where very happy . Then I got in my truck to go home I then noticed the two little girls riding there bikes it was extremely cold and we had snow on the ground, I noticed that they where not wearing any gloves and the bike handles must of been really cold so I pulled over and gave them both a pair of gloves. They were not sure at first if they should take them but I let them know it was OK and I was in a truck and please just warm your  hands they kind of looked at each shrugged there shoulders and both took a pair, I was so happy.  Any ways I went home and we had dinner and then after dinner I always take our dog for a walk I said to my husband honey do I have any gloves and he looked at me and said you were wearing gloves when you went to the store and there is an extra pair in the truck. Well I just looked at him and I said while I seen two little girls and before I could say any more he said I know let me guess you gave them your gloves. He then laughed and said I am going to buy you a whole supply of gloves and scarfs and a couple extra coats while I am at it. He then said I know that's you but do you realize that you give your gloves scarfs and even you have come home a couple of times with no coat. He then said I give up I have come to realize over the years that you have a great big heart and that's one of the many reasons I fell in love with you. he then went and got me another pair of gloves and we walked our dog like we do every night. Well guys I guess that's my act of kindness and according to my husband I have been doing this all my life . Actually my mom use to tell me that I would give my gloves away at school to kids who didn't have any. I do not really think of it I just can't help myself and really I do not want to. I enjoy helping others and if I can make someone fill a little warmer I guess I fill a little warmer inside to.  Freezing in Niagara falls winter times but well worth it lol lol 
Just wanted to say to everyone please have a great holiday season and a very merry Christmas to all I send Best wishes to all in the new year may all your wishes and dreams come true.

share of kidness just on 2 days before my girls birthday last year i won 900euro on doa slot at guts just on a tiny little 0.18 bet per spin:) so i was very lucky i got it just on her birthday i gave her an awesome day;) started with breakfast in luxury hotel;) we slept 2 nights in a luxe hotel, she got a bracelet from me;) and we went for drinks and dinner! very kind he;) she was so super happy those days! and yeah we're still together! always if i win lots of money i wanna share it with people, like i donated 250euro 4months ago to an foundation which helps building schools in africa and other countries where they really need it! they send me pictures, the bought books,chairs, and other small stuff for there children:) very nice to receive that pictures! i will defenitely do that more;) if i win more money!:) they can really use it!

Very great LCB Contest again Lips    but sorry i don!t start this contest, i am just little speak in english lengauge.... 

First of all thanks for the opportunity to share and to win a prize - this forum continually gives back to it's members and makes every day feel almost like Christmas.

Some of you may have seen me post about my husband, Jacob.  Not always the most impressive husband, but he is working steady now and things are looking up.  This past year though, he had his foot crushed by a hit-and-run work truck and had to undergo extensive surgery to save his foot.  Shortly after that, he had a fall and his ankle went sideways (!) and so he had another surgery on the other foot.  For almost a year, he was incapacitated, and I was also very sick during that time.  We lost the car and Jacob couldn't work.  Unexpectedly, Jacob's mom, Jan, decided to help us out and paid for almost everything we needed for about 9 months.  She wasn't too happy about that, but she still provided.

She never expected to be paid back, probably a big reason being Jacob's record of paying back is poor at best.  And there wasn't really anything I could do for her to show my appreciation.  Near the end of our troubles and her help, I decided to cash in my Virtual Spree points from Cleo's VIP room play.  I'm not really into luxury items, but they had some Karpassi leather items I decided to order. 

OMG it took quite a long time and I had to call because they had sent an email saying the order was cancelled, and my VS points were not returned to my account.  Turns out it wasn't cancelled.  When my order arrived, it was not what I ordered, though I did get one item in a different color.  The other item was replaced by a really pretty Alpaca throw or afghan.  It was really impressive, but I knew that if I kept it it would probably end up getting ruined as Jacob isn't the most careful guy with nice things.  After a little thought I remembered that at Jan's house, she had a basket in the living room with throws that she used all the time.

So I decided to give it to her, as a very small token of my appreciation for all of her help.  We have never been close, and she barely talks to me, but after she opened her little present, she called me on the phone and went on and on about how beautiful it was and how much she liked it.  I would never have been able to pick out something she would have liked as well, and I was really glad that she liked it so much.

There was a lot of randomness that went into making this kind gesture to my mother-in-law, from the selection of available items I could choose to order, to the order mix-up and all the way back to Jacob's poor feet.  Sometimes the smallest things end up meaning the most to someone.  I encourage everyone to continue to practice random thoughtfulness and I hope that everyone will have as nice an experience in giving as happened to me.

hello friends of lcb forum I am antonio

good this year I decided to help many persons of my community offering to them to every person a bread of sweet and punch that is a very traditional drink in my country mexico which contains (fruit as apples, powdered brown sugar, cinnamon, guavas, canes, plum happens and makes use warmly) every person was taking a bread and its respective glass of warm punch. para that the poor people of the community were more satisfied this Christmas I decided to hire a child called "marimba"touching some songs for the persons

this the make assembling resources of different persons to give to the poor persons of my community this this - this the perform this week and the perfom in the raised area of the square of the locality gave themselves 250 sweet breads and 250 glasses of warm punch. the persons went away very satisfied and I feel very happy why I offer to them to the persons little happiness

i download from me chanel of you tube and paste the vdo..here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMndvE7nvVU&feature=youtu.be

Hello! Wow, I don't even know where to start with this topic! For years I have always done good deeds and gone above and beyond just being nice to people. Major acts of kindness I have done in most recent years, I'll name a few.
  I reside in a small community here in Virginia...When Hurricane Sandy hit my hometown in New Jersey, My heart was broke. I put the word out to the entire community that I was headed to NJ with donations in 2 days. My efforts paid off, In those 2 days, I had a stranger offer me to use his trailor to transport a load, I had donations piled on my doorstep, Members of my community gave cash to help pay for gas and to help fill the gas cans I was going to bring to residents of NJ (I WAS ABLE TO BUY AND FILL 26 GAS CANS!)... I DROVE by myself up to NJ, dropped bags and bags of donations off to the shelter which was overflowed with residents whose homes have been completely washed away by the storm. I went to my elderly Aunt's who lives in an adult community (all power was out for almost 2 weeks) I delivered 38 boxes of food and 90 gallons of water not only to my Aunt's home, but left a box of food and 2 gallons of water on almost every senior citizens doorstep that night. That experience gave me the most soulful warmth I have ever experienced. Complete strangers hugging me, thanking me, crying with gratitude....It was the most overwhelming experience. If I could give anyone advice on how to feel good about themselves...it would be to put a timeout on your own life and do the best you can to change someone elses, especially during  a disaster- it's the best feeling in the world!
  I also donate to the local SPCA every month..I adopt only from shelters, and I frequently visit the shelters just to spend time with the animals that don't have a family to love them. It's strange because after visiting so often, these animals actually create a bond with me and most know who I am when I arrive, and the unconditional love of an animal is the greatest gift of all. I encourage all of you to take a day, a few hours, and give the gift of love to sheltered animals. You owe it to your heart!
 

My random act of kindness was done tonite on my way home from work. I live in a less desirable part i of town and i walk to and from work everyday. Well on my way home from work tonite, it ways 11:00pst, i crossed paths with a homeless woman you was sitting on the sidewalk. As i walked past she started asking me for something. Of course i thought it was money or change and i turned around and reached in my pocket. As i was doing that she asked me if i had an extra pair of socks o shoes on me. She had one foot expised and a flip flop on the other. She said to me her foot was hurt and she had n o thing to cover it so she sat down and was waiting for ?? Who knows what. I asked her what size she wears and she said a six and a half. I then just automatically took my shoes off and gave them to her . She just looked at me in disbelief, praised me for my kindness and put them on. I was only a few blocks away and walked home in my socks. Now i live in Fresno and its been raining all night and i thought nothing of it, told she was welcome and went home in my black socks. And the crazy thing is that haven't logged in to the members only board for years and tonight i did and seen this contest!! Happy Holidays to Everyone!!!!

Merry Christmas, happy Holidays - Disney Specials. (Click the link)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTAEK_UdYzI

First off i would like to thank LCB for inspiring me to do more this holiday season. For the last couple of years i have been donating food at the channel 2 news share your christmas food drive and thur out the year i would give money to the homeless on the side of the road. I think i am like most people who do not have alot of extra money during the holidays. Inspired by this LCB contest  I  shopped online and was going to get them to  deliver the toys i bought to the salvation army / toys for tots but they would not deliver them until the 24 of dec. and that would be to late. So i did order  3 paracord braclets kits , I wanted to get some toys for boys but  what i wanted they were out of stock on. My kids are all grown up and no grand children YET. so it took a long time looking  cause am not sure what kids are really in to. Am hoping making braclets was a good choice for presents. After  picking up my purchase ,I was On my way to drop off the presents  when i seen a homeless man at the light asking for help  after getting off the freeway. Usually i just give them some money but the light was green so i could not stop. There was a jack in the box just down the street a little ways , so i went thur the drive thur and ordered a meal which contained a burger , fries and a soda. Now all i had to do was to get to where i could get back off at that off ramp , which was not easy or fast to do and pray for a red light...lol. After getting back to the homeless man i seen that he had a dog with him. ( did not notice it the first time )  How could i give this man food and not give the dog food. So instead of giving him the food i went down the road again to a grocery store and got 4 cans of dog food that had a pop off lid.  Finally i was able to give him / dog  the food and a couple of bucks. He was very grateful and a little surprised with the dog food but very happy. I dropped off the presents and headed home.It was a good day.  Another thing i have been doing is giving to other players at where i play bingo at. I did not just start doing this , but i did gift to more players than i normally do in the spirit of christmas. I would much rather give than to recieve. It makes me feel good to help someone who is in need. It breaks my heart when i hear on the news of kids or adults not having food. For the rest of my years i am going to donate every christmas to toys for tots. Next year i will be prepared to buy more toys. Thank you LCB and Merry christmas to everyone. Hope everyone enjoys the holiday season. 

It's like an early Christmas present with these bonuses. Thanks!

Quite a few years back I used to have quite a negative view towards homeless people. It was nothing nasty but the general assumption towards the homeless and beggars here is that they brought it on themselves and it's probably because of drugs.

3 years ago I had quite a tough time of it.... Probably just a time in my life when things were not going right. I was drinking a bit too much and eventually knew I had to snap out of it and change.

1 of the things I lacked at that time was friends. I spent a good few months trying to figure out what I could to to better myself and I stumbled across a few forum posts on the internet which recommended volunteering. I had a look for local care homes and places I could volunteer but surprisingly there wasn't a lot. Most care homes here are located in the countryside and as I can't drive, I can't get there.

It was around September when I noticed in a stuff for sale in my town facebook page that a request for volunteers was posted to help with a stand that gives out soup, mince pies and a non alcoholic mulled wine to homeless people in December.

I was very reluctant to volunteer because I didn't know what the people I would be serving could be capable of, but I contacted them and they put my name down.

The stand opens for 1 evening after the last late night shopping night before xmas (Normally either weds or Thursday).

There was 5 of us that did it for 2 hours. I actually really enjoyed it and when speaking to a lot of the homeless people I served, realised that many of them were homeless for all sorts of reasons that were not even drug related.... Including being made redundant and having no choice.

My view completely changed and some of the other people helping were my own age and had similar interests so I became good friends with them.

Each year since I continue to volunteer. Yes it's only 1 evening a year and only for a few hours but it help's others and I get to meet new people and keep in touch with them throughout the year.

I see xmas as a new start. It's all about getting into the spirit, being in a good mood and doing constructive things to help others and also better yourself. Then with new year around the corner just after, it encourages people to continue to do that as best they can