That's one of the saddest things I've ever read..

I always pull over and offer help if there's someone on the side of the road with the hood popped or otherwise clearly having troubles, I know, it's not exactly safe, but I make a quick phone call or send a text before getting out of the car and hope all goes well. I've given a couple people rides to the gas station, changed a flat, jumped a battery. That little bit of kindness makes me feel good and I'm sure it makes the person in need very happy as well. If the person looks sketchy or I felt uncomfortable they'd be on their own..

I had car problems the other day and found myself with the hood popped at the mall parking lot, it was just a loose ground wire and only took fifteen minutes to diagnose and fix, but in that time three people offered help. Felt good..

Not a personal story, but read this today...

Yahoo! News

In between classes at UBC last year I was walking to my next class and noticed a mid twenties looking woman whose car had a flat tire. Noticed she was struggling with it since she was on the phone with someone on loud speaker who was trying to tell her what to do. So I offered to help and did it for her. Was a little hard getting the jack working since she never used it and her trunk leaks water so it was pretty rusted. Felt good helping out and she offered to buy me coffee but I had a class to get to.

Another time during the same year I was heading to UBC using the skytrain and the escalators and elevator weren't working. A woman with two large travel bags was having trouble carrying them up the stairs and I was surprised people were walking by her and not offering to help. So I asked and helped her carrying them up.

Like others have said, little bit of effort goes a long way when helping someone in need.

The above reminded me........... Everyone should check their spare tire once in a while. Especially the condition of the tire valve. Better to find out when you don't need the spare than when you need it the most.

Plus, it's that time again. Bumping an old thread.

http://www.revscene.net/forums/51562...ving-tips.html

I stopped at 7-11 on the way to work awhile back when some sketchy looking guy asked if I had jumper cables. Which I did, then he asked if I would drive him around the corner to jumpstart his van. I was ahead of schedule so I figured why not. Turns out he was legit and not a murderer, I jump started his van and he gave me $20.

Seems like you only help women. :troll:

This happened today at Chapters Metrotown, my friend she saw someone stealing and decided to tell the manager who then told the LP officer as the woman walked out with the merchandise to catch her. The manager of the store later gave her a $50 gift card. Not really like the stories you guys posted but good deeds do get rewards for it sometimes..

When I was taking the sky train once, an older east indian man came and asked to borrow my cellphone to make one call. Thinking it may be something important, I let him borrow it. He asked me to dial a number and I handed him my cellphone. Being that he spoke so loudly, he started talking on the phone about him buying a house. The conversation went on for 5 minutes and he hung up and gave my phone back. He then proceeded to ask to make another call. Again, I dialed and handed him the phone. The conversation that came up out of it was again, about him buying a house. At this point I was a bit irate because I let someone use my phone and he's clearly abusing it for a stupid reason. After about 8 mins or so he gave my phone back and asked to make another call. At this point I just told him off seeing how the phone calls he was making was not important.

I do my best to help out but people who just abuse help for stupid reasons make me rage.

Just wanted to share something....*warning long read*

I used to work at a clinic and we have patients coming in and out all day long. So this one guy came in and made an appointment and as a habit, I always write out the appointment time and day on a business card for them to remind them.

So 2 hours later, some guy calls our office asking if Mr._______ was still there. I said no he made an appointment and left. So the caller explains to me that he found Mr. ____'s wallet on the street and asked if he could drop it off and if I could call Mr._____ to tell him. So I called the guy and told him when the guy who picked up his wallet was going to be coming to drop it off at our clinic. Later on the stranger shows up and drops off the wallet in a sealed envelope, this guy looked actually kind of shady to me, I asked if I could have his name so that I could tell Mr.___ who was the guy who helped him. He said there's no need to leave a name and just left.

Mr.____ comes into the clinic shortly after and asked if his wallet was returned yet, so I pass him the sealed envelope. He opened it and I asked him if everything was there, and he said yes. He was so happy, he explained he had just gone to the bank earlier in the morning and that all his cash was still in his wallet. I told him the stranger didn't want to leave his name and he was just kind of blown away.

So moral of the story, don't judge a book by it's cover, just cause they *look* kinda shady doesn't always mean much, going out of your way a little bit to do something kind can really make someone's day. I mean the stranger could've as easily just dropped it off at the lost and found and *hoped* the guy who lost his wallet would find it. But he went to all the trouble to take it somewhere that was out of his way, just to make sure it would get back to the owner.

Amazing good deed indeed.

An opportunity for people to make a difference.

I just got back from KMS Tools in Coquitlam (stone's throw from Soundsgood and Ikea). KMS has what's called, "Tools for the World." If you have old tools lying around not being used, whether it be hand tools or power tools, they will get 'er working and send it to third world countries to help in building much needed housing and shelter. They have retired builders and trades people volunteer to sort and repair tools.

Just drop off the stuff at any KMS Tools store. I have this radial arm saw I no longer use. It is in pieces and in boxes ready for the dump. After hearing about this cool program, I'm taking it to KMS. The tool is in really good shape. Just needed brushes for the motor. Old hand saws would be good. They will just fix the kerf and sharpen the blades.

If tools are not your thing, consider taking old computers and peripherals to a place like Free Geek. They recycle old computer equipment and send them to third world countries and schools in need of equipment. Really good stuff is sold at their store, where proceeds from their sales go to the programs. If you don't have anything to give. Give your time. They are always looking for voluteers to take equipment apart (salvage). If you're looking for a different angle, the experience you gain would be amazing, and it'll look good on your resumé.

Lol. It might seem that way so I'll tell you about times I helped out guys.

I was at UBC walking near the hospital and a guy in a Honda civic with a flat drove by. I see him pulling into the hospital so I figured he knew about the flat. Turns out he was just dropping off someone at the main entrance and started to go again. I ran for the exit to catch him before he got back on the road and flagged him down. He was confused at first but then slowed down and rolled down the window and I told him about it. Couldn't help out more though because I had a class to go to.

Which reminds of a time a guy turning left onto broadway from commercial stalled and couldn't get his car started again. The traffic light had gone red and the other traffic was patiently waiting for him to push the car out of the intersection. But since he was alone he was struggling to steer the car and push it all by himself. So I ran over to help out and so did some other guy near the skytrain station. We pushed him out of the intersection just in time for a number 9 bus to come and honk at us. So we pushed him a litter further past the stop. I was glad nobody was honking even though it was rush hour.
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old dude held open the door for me today at Parker Place.
I felt so bad... because I should be doing that for him!

Anyway I gave my thanks (in chinese of course)
Props to him!

At parker place.. I also told an otherwise clueless C-lai that her rear passenger tire has gone flat.
she told me "OMG do I have to take back to toyota... no wonder my car so slow today!"

I told her where to get it fixed, and offered to change her spare... but she said she'll be fine.

homeless man asked for some change at main street skytrain, i offered him starbucks coffe instead =)

I've volunteered at Free Geek a few times before, and its a really pleasant place to work. You can show up and you might get different jobs each time (selling parts in the thrift store, diagnosis, sorting parts, clean up the shop) which is an interesting challenge. ALso IIRC once you accumulate 24 hrs of service you can build your own PC for free and take it home if you/family member need one. I'd go back more often if they weren't so far away :okay:

Reading these posts is like reading Chicken Soup for the Soul

My girlfriend and I were shopping on Granville and we walked by this homeless man a couple times. I decided to ask him what his favorite McDonald's sandwich was. He asked for Big Mac, but with no mayo, and an iced tea. So I came back with a Big Mac meal and an iced tea.

When I was getting back in my car, I saw him sharing his food with another homeless person. That made my day. =]

Moral of the story: Homeless people do not like mayo.

Helped a bro renovate his shed. Got dinner out of it. /fistpump.

So today I was crossing the intersection at 41st and Victoria, and stumbled upon an elderly man in a wheelchair crossing the street.
By the time I crossed the other side of the street, I noticed his wallet falling out of his pocket in the middle of the intersection.
I quickly ran back into the middle of the intersection while the lights were about to change.
I raced back onto the side of the road and gave the old man his wallet back, and he offered to buy me coffee but I refused.

Feels good helping out, he would've been out $250 that he was going to use for presents for his grandchildren.

found a brand new bb 9900, tracked down the owner, returning it tomorrow.

During my shift at work... I get called to the front and found out someone got a flat tire in my parking lot.. I went out there and said I can change it for them in the cold.. Helped the poor family changed their flat to spare and directed them To the closest tire place to get new tires. At the End, the dad offered me 20$, and I refused and said keep it for ur new tire. And he said in his Korean accent, you ARE a good man. And I spotted him Until he left the parking lot.

Felt so bad for them... Probably just got to Canada and went to sfu with the kid to fill in some document and went back to the car with a flat.
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Bought a homeless dude a Whopper walking home from watching the game last night.

Not sure why. I usually don't, if I'm honest. But I was walking to the Canada Line and it was cold as balls...but hey, I get to go home to a nice warm house. Only saw one homeless guy on my way so I got him a Whopper and made sure I asked for extra hot since Burger King always serves their food lukewarm.

That's the thing, most of us are probably in the same situation where we usually wouldn't do something like that, not that we don't care, just that it rarely crosses our minds. As much of an ego stroke this thread is, it's worth it if it brings help to just one person.

Keep it up! A $3-4 dollar burger will do minimal damage to your wallet. But it can change someone else's day, or even week for the better! It's a small price to pay to see someone smile.

Anyways, is there a toy drive in East Van? Metrotown doesn't have one beside Toys R Us this year.

Funny thing, I always think a hot meal/burger will make the homeless guy/gal's day, but I don't think it really does.

They can get tons of free food, and look disappointed when I offer a meal.

In a couple of cases, the guy turned down my burger! - luckily, there was another homeless guy beside him that took it.

After dropping off food at beatcares

me and n friends stirred up some hot chocolate and handed them to the homeless

!!
most were very thankful