Make Kindness The Norm: Sarasota Neighbors Helping Neighbors

SARASOTA, FL — The world can always use a little more kindness. And National Random Acts of Kindness Day, observed Thursday, Feb. 17, is an ideal opportunity to spread the importance of being kind and helping others.

This is especially true during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people around the world still recovering financially, physically and emotionally.

This year’s theme for the day is “Make kindness the norm.” Throughout the day, people are encouraged to share acts of kindness — whether simple gestures to brighten someone’s day or a larger act of goodwill that might have changed someone’s life — that they’ve witnessed or been a part of on social media along with #MakeKindnessTheNorm.

Related Story: Random Acts Of Kindness Day 2022: 17 Ways To Be Kind On Feb. 17

Ahead of National Random Acts of Kindness Day, Sarasota Patch asked its readers to share the nicest thing a neighbor has done for them. Here are some of the responses we received:

Changing smoke detector batteries

“Came over and replaced the batteries in my beeping smoke detectors. (My ceilings are 12-feet high, so she had to bring her ladder.) So sweet of her, I would (have) had to purchase a ladder to do (it) myself.” — Erin Moore Del Buono

Post-hurricane help

“A hurricane blew a turbine vent off of our roof. My neighbor and his son climbed on the roof and sealed off the opening right after the storm.” — Buddy Sanders

Pre-hurricane help

“Put up our storm shutters when a hurricane was coming, and we were out of town.” — Maureen Enright Thomas

Picking up groceries

“When I had COVID-19 (in) November 2020, I self-isolated in my small condo for about 13 days. (Talk about cabin fever, but that's another story.) My neighbor saw to it that he got all my groceries, etc. He dropped them off at my front door — a lifesaver — didn't even worry about getting paid up right away. We squared up after my quarantine was over.” — David Hermann

Yardwork

“I have the best neighbor! She mows my lawn, clears weeds (and) checks on me.” — Karen Pederzolli

Facing fears

“Got a snake out of my garage when I was petrified.” — Marcia Brevard Wynn

Santa’s helper

“Replaced my Christmas lawn reindeers one Christmas when someone stole them from my yard during the night. I went to work at 7 a.m. (and) noticed they were gone. A few days later, new ones were back on my lawn. A few years later I found out it was my corner neighbor.” — Sonia Maria Galante

Want to share your neighbor's act of kindness with Sarasota Patch? Email Tiffany.Razzano@Patch.com.