Category Archives: Make It Your Own Awards
Random acts of kindness while shopping in VT
The holiday spirit is year-round amongst our Front Porch Forum neighbors!
“Imagine my happy surprise when I came to the register to pay for lunch for my two kiddos and their two kiddo friends … and someone had already paid for it all! It was so appreciated and so genuinely delightful, I have been smiling about it all day. Thank you, sweet neighbor — whoever you are! Not only did we get to enjoy those delicious bagels, but you also gave those four kids and me such a great opportunity to talk about kindness and generosity. It was a real gift-that-keeps-giving kind of scenario. I’m already scheming ways to pay it forward.” • Emily in Burlington
“To the woman who bought my groceries at Shaws that Tuesday night: You would not tell me your name. You made my month, literally. Thank you so much for your kindness.” • Lisette in Montpelier
“To the person who put a sunflower on my bicycle outside Healthy Living Monday, My Thanks! You totally made my day when I came out from supper at the cafe! Tucked it in my brake cable on the frame & it made it home in good shape & now is in a tall thin vase by my computer screen! I love it! Thank you, thank you for that random act of kindness!!” • Kathleen in South Burlington
Heartfelt gratitude for our fire fighters
It’s witnessing these acts of neighborliness that has such an impact on FPF members.
“On a slushy, awful night, there was a grease fire in an apartment above Delish and The Quirky Pet. I got the call and rushed downtown to find our fire department walking through my wet shop as well as Delish where the water was literally crawling down the walls. This might sound trivial, but the concern they showed for the health and well being of my eleven parakeets in the aviary was extraordinary. All are healthy and present for because our fire department made sure my shop was powered up to remain warm and was smoke free before they left for the night. The same concern was shown for the well being of the dogs and cat in the apartments upstairs. Our fire fighters alongside my husband and me carried load after load of candy into my pet shop saving Delish’s livelihood. They didn’t have to join in on that.
It is really unfortunate that most of us don’t really notice the fire department until they are involved in a fire call. Montpelier’s fire department is a tightly run shop of really caring people who are very good at what they do. You don’t normally see them get mentioned in Front Porch Forum.
As a Montpelier business owner… and a resident of Montpelier as well, they have my heartfelt gratitude not only for what they did for Delish and my shop but for our upstairs residential neighbors as well on a very messy night weather-wise.” • Richard in Montpelier
Character, Principles, Integrity
Good deeds get noticed on Front Porch Forum.
“A big thank you to all involved in helping get my husband’s lost wallet back to him! Everyone was great – so lucky we have such a wonderful community.” • Lynn and Dave in Plainfield
“To the person who found my credit card in one of Hannaford’s aisles and turned it in at customer service, I thank you. Thanks to all the people who have proven that there are many good acts happening these days.” • William in Burlington
Inspired by the kindness of someone in your community? Let people know on FPF!
Young bicyclists helped by neighbors
Letting others know when we witness random acts of kindness on Front Porch Forum has a profound impact on how we feel about our communities.
“I saw a little boy riding his bike carrying some sports equipment. He lost his balance and fell over. This random car saw it happen, pulled over and stopped to see if the boy was ok (he was). In a time when we’re so divided, it’s nice to witness these moments as a reminder that there is good in the world and that we live in a great community that cares about each other.” • Katrina in Waterbury
“I saw a young boy fall off his bicycle today. He seemed a bit shaken, but he picked himself up as two vehicles approached. Both drivers stopped to make sure the kiddo was okay. The man in the truck even took time to pull over, get out, check the bike, dust the kid off and help him get back on the bike. Witnessing this small act of kindness warmed my heart and made me feel grateful to be part of this community.” • Wendy in Bristol
Share on FPF when you witness neighborly acts.
Vermont’s future generation of women
This year’s Girls on the Run 5k event will be unlike any other and FPF is proud to be a part of it! With hundreds of girls crossing the finish line ““ each one beaming with confidence and pride ““ it’s a community celebration of and for our local girls. We invite you to help support Girls on the Run and experience the 5k for yourself! Learn more at gotrvt.org/5k
Neighbors make our communities great places to live
We’ve been witnessing a number of good acts happening these days!
“Our lost keys were found and returned thanks to a post on Front Porch Forum. This isn’t the first time that lost items were returned to us via FPF. Thanks to all our neighbors for making this such a great place to live!” • Amy in Winooski
“I would like to send out many thanks to Front Porch Forum for making it possible to be reunited with my lost chainsaw & equipment. FPF has once again showed to me why it is a valuable community electronic bulletin board.” • Ben in Worcester
“So grateful for honest people in our community to return stuff when found to the right owner! Just saying!” • Hilda in Montpelier
“Thanks to the kind folks who responded to my post yesterday and to the individual who placed my mitten safely on a fence post! FPF is a wonderful community tool!” • Rosemeryl in Jericho
Alert your neighbors if you’ve lost or found something on Front Porch Forum!
Penguin now has a home
Witnessing daily small acts of neighborliness on Front Porch Forum
“What an amazing community we all live within! Thank you very much to the dozens of people who offered Penguin the hen a home after the fisher cat attack on her coop. She is now happily ensconced in a neighbor’s coop, and I feel very happily ensconced among this amazingly generous and caring community.”
• Zoe in Underhill
FPF‘s recent survey shows that 89% of respondents say their neighbors help others. How true!
Furniture found for family in need
Neighbors reach out through FPF to help a family:
“When we posted a request for help for a family of four, many people came through right away. Today we were able to deliver a mattress, a dresser, and a chair to them. They are very grateful. And, we are thankful for this generous community. Front Porch Forum is great.”
• Margaret and George in Middlebury
Know someone who could use a helpful hand? Turn to your neighbors on FPF!
Wallets found… over and over again
It’s great to hear the Front Porch Forum community is filled with honest, caring folk!
“Happy to say the wallet I found has been returned to a very thankful 7 yr old young lady. The power of FPF shines again!” • Rob in Shelburne
“Thank you, to the kind soul who found the missing handbag and turned it in. My visitor is greatly relieved to be reunited with her phone wallet and everything else in the bag. Acts of honesty and integrity like this are what make this such a great community.” • Wendelyn in Stowe
“I had posted yesterday that my mother in law lost her wallet. Thank you FPF for reuniting my MIL with her wallet! An honest and kind neighbor reached out within minutes of last night’s post.” • Gillian in So. Burlington
“I want to give a big thank you to the nice man that found my brother in-law’s wallet. I believe his first name is Jeff. Williston is a better place to live because of people like you.” • Donna in Williston
Have you lost or found a wallet, phone or other important item someone might be missing? Post on your neighborhood Front Porch Forum!
Providing support in slippery weather
Changing weather can result in difficult walking and driving conditions. Witnessing Front Porch Forum members helping their neighbors is very gratifying.
“Thank you to the neighbors who brought my trash and recycling bins up from the road to my garage!! There has been so much ice at the end of the driveway for the past couple of days, that I was afraid of falling.” • Susan in Montpelier
“Thank you to the kind person who sanded our driveway. It was a sheet of ice and we came home that afternoon to a well sanded driveway. Whoever you are, we are so appreciative of your kindness.” • Susan in Johnson
“Much gratitude to whoever laid sand down on my sheet of ice driveway the other morning!” • Lisa-Anne in Craftsbury
Have someone you wish to thank for their kindness? Let them know on FPF!
About Blog
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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