Category Archives: Gratitude

Best of FPF: Act of Kindness

Posted on Friday, August 15, 2025 by • 3 comments

Elizabeth posted this challenge on the Stowe Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“It seems that no matter how hard I try to avoid it, I am turning 60 this coming Tuesday, August 12. I am, once again (I did this for my 50th), asking everyone to celebrate my special day in a very special way. I want 60 people to perform one or two Acts of Kindness on my birthday and post your efforts that day here on FPF. To clarify, I’m gunning for a total of 60 acts, everyone can do one or two and it will add up to 60 or hopefully more. For the more ambitious, the overachievers in the crowd, those who feel a challenge isn’t real unless it’s a mega-challenge, feel free to do 60 yourself in one day. 

I am giving you plenty of time to plan. Nothing is too big or too small, just go out there and give to someone else in a kind way. Buy a stranger a coffee, donate blood, give compliments all day long, volunteer, donate money, hold the door open all day, make a meal for a shelter, CALL YOUR MOTHER!, easy stuff like that. I can’t wait to see what you all come up with and thank you for thinking of me by celebrating with love.”

This posting, and the subsequent “Best of FPF,” set off a bevy of positive activity on Front Porch Forum! In addition to many “happy birthday!” and “great idea!” postings, here are some specific acts that people from all over the region thought to share:

• Happy birthday! To celebrate you and a kinder world, I sent my friend money to treat herself to a fun coffee while she’s in the middle of a big move. – Sarah

• Attended a softball tourney in Whitingham to watch the grandkids while Mom & Dad played. The food truck woman was so nice with the kids! Brought her a mixed garden flower bouquet the 2nd day and she was delighted. Doesn’t take much. My yard is full of flowers and that’s what I have to give, plus a recycled salsa jar. So be it. One very small act of kindness that brought a smile. And crazy gardeners like me just love to share! – Sara

• We bring an 87 year old every week grocery shopping or to appointments. Takes many hours as she is not well and very slow. She lives by herself children are busy. My husband mows her lawn. It’s nice to continue her friendship. She watched my children now 43 and 45. – Sharon

• What a great idea.  I try to do acts of kindness everyday.  My latest idea is to give cold water to any person on the street who needs it.  Water is far more important than food, especially on these very hot days. When it comes to food I give away one of anything I can get two for one. As a volunteer for Age Well on Tuesday I am visting a 90 year old blind woman.  Then I am taking another client to a doctor’s appointment.  By the end of that day I probably will forget to email you. The 60’s were great.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  Happy Birthday. – Diane

• My birthday is also on August 12, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to be turning 75. I like your post and my wife and I will be donating money to the Arlington Rescue Squad as our Act of kindness.
– Bryan and Dottie

• Happy Birthday. My husband and I visited a family member who has had two surgeries since April of this year. He is better but does not get out much. We had a great visit and he seemed very happy to have company. – Joanne

• I took a disadvantaged child school shopping. – Mary

• 1. I babysat 3 kids for a nice cpl who have no family here in Vermont so they can have a date night! 2. Bought coffee for my car pool Driver Allan. 3. Bought coffee for my car pool driver Crystal. 4. Helped my Car Pool Driver Collette load free pallets into her minivan… – Janet

• Yesterday I made arrangements to transport a 95 year old former resident of our island community to our 71st Annual Ladies Tea.  The transport involved a car to a pontoon boat to a golf cart then back.  Her smile was radiant to be able to see 39 of her old friends. – Jean

• In line at CVS, the fellow ahead of me was told his credit card was “refused.” I paid for it. He told me he got paid on Friday and could “pay me back.” Then we just stood there, looking at each other. He got it and threw his arms around me. – Allen

• My kids and I are dropping two coolers of ice pops off at two separate places this afternoon. One at the courts at Roosevelt Park. And one at the playground or Pavillion at Oakledge. Happy Birthday, what an awesome way to share. – Jaice

• Great idea. I am donating some plants to the Hinesburg Flower sale on your birthday. I will take a little food over to the food shelf, too. – Deborah

• A shout out to Cassella’s driver who exits the truck to wheel the empty trash cans up the driveway for our elderly neighbor. It ain’t the big stuff…. – Ken

• I will be volunteering at the Burlington Food Shelf (Feeding Chittenden) on Tuesday preparing sandwiches and then washing dishes. Hope this counts. Happy 60th youngster. I turned 70 this year. – Ray

• As a regular blood donor and believer in doing random acts of kindness every day, you can count on me to participate. – Sandi

• I belong to a group of what our leader has called “Kindness Angels”. Since 2016, we have made and distributed over 107,000 Be Kind signs worldwide. She began with one sign on her fence in response to the extreme negativity emerging at that time. The movement grew from there. Now, in addition to making and sharing the signs, we try to do at least one act of kindness every day. It really is a brain-changing activity. – Molly

• Shared a perennial plant division and some advice with a budding gardener. – Sara

• I bought a gift card to give to someone who really wants what it’s for! – Thea

• In celebration of Elizabeth’s birthday, I called a friend who is going thru a rough patch. I called to cheer her up, let her know she is important to me and that she is going to be ok. We had a really good chat with some shared laughter, recognition of some interests in common and a lunch date. I got more out of the call than I expected and the whole day seemed lighter and brighter. Thanks, Elizabeth!! – Anne

• You asked people to celebrate your birthday by doing something nice and posting it on FPF!! What a wonderful idea. So, my good deed is to make a donation in your honor to the Stowe Community Fund. My birthday wish is that you get many more than 60 postings today. – Tom

Sharing Kindness

Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 by • No comments yet

Recently, Ruth shared a heartwarming story with her neighbors in the Montpelier Forum about a kind stranger who not only helped change her flat tire, but went out of his way to purchase and install four new winter tires for the car. The stranger wouldn’t accept reimbursement, and said that he tries to do something particularly kind like this once every few years. Ruth ended the post by expressing her appreciation, and telling her neighbors that she plans to “pay it forward.”

Later that day, she posted again to the Forum:

“I received an outpouring of emails thanking me for posting my experience yesterday. Some people said they cried and all thanked me. After receiving all those messages I realized something… I was trying to figure out how to ‘Pay it Forward’ and maybe sharing what happened is giving people HOPE. Showing them there is still kindness and goodness in peoples’ hearts.“

Thank you, Ruth, for telling your story and reminding us that both being kind and sharing kindness with those around you goes such a long way.

Friends and More Through FPF

Posted on Thursday, November 9, 2023 by • No comments yet

Front Porch Forum’s goal is to foster connection among neighbors. Catharine, a Brandon FPF member, shares just how possible that is!

I was looking for about 10 hangers and received more than double that number of responses! I was able to get them from a kind friend and neighbor who saw my request. I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep up with responding to people, so here is a BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!

I am so grateful that I found this forum when I moved here. I’ve had the opportunity to travel into neighborhoods and streets that are off my beaten path… a nice excuse to explore my little town. But most importantly: I’ve made a few friends through FPF and for that alone I am forever grateful.

Pet Reunited With Owner 3 Months Later

Posted on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 by • No comments yet

A Johnson FPF member, Sheila, was able to locate a neighbor who was flooded out of their home to let them know their pet cat was alive and safe. Read on…

Trying to Locate an Individual Displaced by the Flood • “I am desperately trying to locate/contact a young man named Ken [last name withheld for privacy]. He was relocated following the flooding of his mobile home in Johnson in July. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact me by email or call me.”

My Search Was Successful! • “After several hours on the phone, posting on social media, and personally visiting past employment sites; one post on FPF was all it took! So, a huge “Thank you!” to FPF and those members who so kindly shared information that allowed me to connect with Ken. With your help, I was able to let him know that his pet is still alive and awaiting his return. Hopefully, he will soon be back in a home of his own, where Angel can join him. ❤️ “

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Posted on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 by • 1 comment

Discussions among neighbors are a life line to building social capital in communities. Members are turning to their neighbors on Front Porch Forum to solve everyday problems. Here are some real conversations happening right now on FPF: 

Where to do Trick-or-Treating?

  • “Hello fellow FPF peeps. Last year, Middlebury hosted trick or treating the Saturday or Sunday before Halloween. Does anyone know anything and if it is happening this year?”
  • “October is finally here and our family is extremely excited for Halloween but we are new to the area. We were wondering does anyone know any neighborhoods in St. Johnbury or Woodville that still does Trick or Treating?”

What to do about Jumping Worms?

  • “To my fellow gardeners. I have been seeing Asian jumping worms at several of my jobs. You can learn more about them online. Be very careful sharing plants with others.”
  • “In doing Fall chores in vegetable and flower gardens I have discovered lots of these new worms – lots. Not sure what to do, if anything, about this situation. Anyone have thoughts?”

Lost Items Found

  • “Thanks to Front Porch Forum and the many people walking on cotton brook road I got my car key back. Thank you all! I love this Town!”
  • “Thanks to wonderful neighbors and FPF my items were recovered from some bushes elsewhere in the neighborhood. I’m so very grateful! Lock your doors!”

Anyone driving to…?

  • “Is anyone available to provide safe transportation to and from Bradley Airport the week of Thanksgiving?”
  • “There was a very nice young man who stopped in today at the Town Hall, who needs a ride to Brownington… I told him our little town has amazing folks, and I’m sure some one would reach out to him and help him out!“

Recommendations for Bats in the Wall?

  • “Just in time for Halloween it sounds like some bats have found a way to get into our walls. We tried contacting a company listed on google and they told us it would be a month just to look at the issue. I’d prefer to not have bats pooping in my wall for over a month, but wasn’t sure if this was the normal turnaround for pest removal. Thanks!”
  • “We are repainting our house and found there are bats in the roof of our home… We are looking for someone who can help us safely get rid of the bats without hurting them or our home. I’d love recommendations or anyone who has experience doing this themselves as well.”

Responses come back straight to the Forum or emailed directly to members. What could you use some help with today? Post to your FPF to see if neighbors can help with a solution!

Garden Produce Overload

Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2023 by • No comments yet

It’s easy to get the impression on Front Porch Forum that many Vermonters are hobby gardeners. Members offer produce generously across FPF – it feels like an online farmer’s market this month!

  • “3 dozen free cukes on a table in front of our house on Church St. Help yourself!! Please leave the table!” – Wendy, Bristol
  • “Free Sunflower Heads… I have cut down all of my sunflowers and removed the “heads” if you would like the seeds for your garden next year… or your birds, furry friends… come pick them up!” – Susan, Brandon
  • “Elderberries for the Taking … Hello again! My elderberry tree is at full bloom again and the berries are ripe and ready to be harvested. I can’t use them all so come on by and cut some.” – Jennifer in Grand Isle 
  • “Basil Anyone? … My garden did not provide a lot of food for me this year, but I do have an abundance of basil! I am happy to share. If you would like some, please reach out.” – Joanna, Richmond
  • “Rhubard & Little Green Apples … You’re welcome to take small amounts of rhubarb, green onions, mint, or little green apples (often wormy, if you have a use for them), from sidewalk or tree.” – Dick, Village Green

And this member put it well in a poem… 

Lock the doors
and turn out
the lights.
Pull the shades,
close the blinds
and draw the curtains.
Hide the kids
in the tub,
do not breathe
and be very,
very, quiet.
Up the steps
comes a neighbor
with a brown
paper bag…

Zucchini… By Charlie in Marshfield

If you have garden beds overflowing, consider sharing the love on your FPF!

On another note… This year has been especially challenging for farmers due to the torrential rains and floods of July, plus a severe frost back in May. Many of Vermont’s farms and orchards are suffering crop loss. In the spirit of eating locally, growing food and offering it to your neighbors, please go out and support your local farmers any way you can! 

Keep Going Vermont Strong

Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2023 by • No comments yet

The 2023 floods brought much devastation to Vermont. The recovery will be long and difficult, but not without signs of hope. Here are some snapshots of inspiring stories we’ve seen of neighbors coming together…

  • “We have been stranded since Monday – no access to food, medical care, etc. However, the bridge that has been built is a human one. Our neighbors have all banded together in helping each other in any way needed.”
    • Paul, Berlin
  • “I have a Plethora of dehumidifiers now. That was quite the outpouring. Already feeling dryer inside. Thank you so much Waterbury neighbors.”
    • Jim, Waterbury
  • “Just popping in to say I have a working, unflooded car with 4 seats and spare time this weekend! I can’t fit much in the way of Stuff, but if anyone needs rides to work, appointments, errands, etc- please feel free to shoot me an email, I’ve been checking every couple hours lately.”
    • Grace, Montpelier
  • “Our road was hit very hard and it was not an easy job. Not only that, but the sense of community on our street was nothing like I have ever experienced. I met more of my neighbors in 36 hours than I had in the three years since we moved here. Me and my family received numerous check-ins, offers of places to park or stay, offers of food and water. The feeling of support all around definitely made weathering this whole experience much easier. Words can’t express how thankful I am to live on such a wonderful road surrounded by so many wonderful neighbors!“
    • Nikola, Middlesex
  • “I was driving though Plainfield, hoping to find an alternative route to Hardwick, when I spotted the sweetest sign in front of a black plastic bucket with flowers inside, at the end of a driveway. The cardboard sign stated “Bad day? Free flowers.”
    • Rose, Woodbury
  • “Hoping to find the man who came to my door last night, during the storm, to tell me that there were sparks right near the side of my house and he was worried about a fire to my house. A huge tree had fallen and turned out there was a live wire under the tree that was sparking. The fire department came immediately and took care of everything; they were great!! I am hoping this man may have told some friends the story and they might read this and I can find out who this kind man was who saved my house. I want to be able to thank him!!!”
    • Joan, Woodbury
  • “To the off-duty rescue worker who helped get a neighbor out of her swamped apartment. Even carried her dog to safety. Appreciation to the canoe couple who helped a neighbor on Franklin St with belongings and waited patiently for the flooded neighbor to get her things and self together to leave. Thank you to the guy who carried items out of an apartment to dry ground. Every person who walked flooded Franklin St and was asked for help, stopped to assist people. Thank you to all who asked if anyone needed help. Things were happening so fast and those caring folks were needed to do just what they did in that moment. You assisted many and asked nothing. Molto Gracia.”
    • Barbara in Montpelier

Check out FPF’s new emergency feature: the Regional Disaster Response Board. It’s designed to facilitate mutual aid across communities and share vital updates. Just post to your local Forum, and any disaster-response-related postings will show up on your region’s board.

If you’re looking for ways to support neighbors, check out the Regional Disaster Response Board today. You’ll see requests for assistance (along with many updates) from all the Forums across your county.

Who wants to deal with a broken kitchen sink?

Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2023 by • No comments yet

These handy-people recommended on FPF do! Many members turn to FPF to ask neighbors who they use to fix faucets, screen doors, broken heaters, you name it… Then, members share their positive experience back on FPF. See these success stories below. 

What do you have that needs professional fixing? Ask for recommendations on your FPF, and check out FPF’s Community Directory with over 13,000 listings of local businesses in all categories! 

  • In Middlebury… “A valve malfunction shut down my kitchen sink and Shawn Frost, previously recommended here on FPF, went above and beyond in his efforts to get me out of my quandary the very same day at no small inconvenience to him and his plans. He is very experienced across the board in all things related to plumbing, pleasant, efficient, and professional, so I too am happy to recommend him.”
  • In South Burlington… “We want to let everyone know that we had a great experience finding a handy person on FPF this week and would like to recommend him. Do not hesitate to contact Craig Bujold for any of your home projects. He’s a super nice person that works in Human Services and can tackle projects with competence and a smile.”
  • In St. Johnsbury… “Several weeks ago I found a listing here on FPF for a handyman and I reached out to Isaac Poe. Now I am back to tell you what a positive experience it is to work with him. He was very responsive, on time, reasonably priced but most of all he did a high quality job. I could not be happier with the work he did for me. I highly recommend him.”

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Ghost of Midnight is an online journal about fostering community within neighborhoods, with a special focus on Front Porch Forum (FPF). My wife, Valerie, and I founded FPF in 2006... read more

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