Neighbors Share Random Acts Of Kindness That ‘Blew Them Away’: Block Talk

In a neighborhood in Oxford, Connecticut, kindness has come full circle.

“We lived on a very multicultural cul-de-sac. One day, our elderly Korean neighbor began bringing in the garbage and recycling cans up to the house for everyone on the street,” said GSD Mom, who reads Oxford Patch.

Neighbors took notice, and “before long, it became almost a game, with each person on the street trying to collect the garbage bins for everyone else.”

We were overwhelmed with stories like that when we asked readers to share random acts of kindness by their neighbors for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column. Together, their accounts serve as a practical guide to being a good person and a thoughtful neighbor.

First Impressions

Some readers who had just moved into their homes discovered soon after that they had picked the right neighborhood.

New Jersey Patch reader Rachel, who lives in Monmouth County, still gets emotional when she thinks about the kindness of her new neighbors, whom she calls the “best neighbors ever.”

Her family’s dog got loose, and they didn’t know it.

“We had moved in not long ago, and our neighbor’s dog knew where our dog lived and brought my neighbor to our door,” Rachel recalled. “When I saw a man and two dogs, I was surprised but realized quickly it was my dog, my best friend.”

Since then, “we continue to do good deeds back and forth, and the family and their dog will always have a special part in our lives and hearts,” Rachel said.

Woodbury (Minnesota) Patch reader Heidi had just moved into her home 22 years ago when her car died in the driveway.

“My new neighbor, Rich, who is not a car mechanic, wandered over to see what was going on with my car. He checked it out for me, got some input from people at his work, figured out the problem, and fixed it for me free of charge,” Heidi said. “He and his wife, Kathy, have continued to be wonderful neighbors. I’m so grateful for them.”

Minneapolis Patch reader Dawn offered an anecdote supporting “Minnesota Nice” as a genuine cultural trait.

“When I was a very young, new homeowner with three small children, my neighbor brought a very nice, self-propelled lawn mower over and gave it to me as a gift,” Dawn said. “It was the sweetest thing ever and helped me out so much. I think they had recently bought a new one, but the one they gave me was still so nice and lasted probably 15 years. It was a game-changer compared to the old-school push mower that I had been using.”

Dawn has never forgotten the thoughtful and kind gesture.

“It made me appreciate neighbors and has guided me in how I treat new neighbors,” she said.

A Couple Of Shout-Outs

Some readers seized the opportunity to publicly praise their neighbors.

“Colleen Giaimo from Vosi Salon (also my neighbor) rushed over to my house after work recently when I told her that I had to undergo urgent surgery. I wanted my hair cut off (to donate to Children With Hair Loss) ASAP, so my recovery would be easier to handle,” said Bridgewater (New Jersey) Patch reader JB. “She didn’t bat an eyelash at the request and made time to help me out.

“She did a wonderful job with care and compassion — as always — and definitely made my recovery easier,” JB continued. “She’s the sweetest human, a fabulous hair stylist, and a wonderful person to have as a neighbor!”

“My friend Janice Swavely has done snow work for about 20 years. She'd be working for 20-plus hours, then she and her crew would hit all of the elderly neighbors and friends and clear their property also,” said Levittown (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Lynn.

“There are also about 20 stray cats that she is dedicated to feeding. If someone’s home just caught fire, she’s out there collecting clothing, etc. for them,” Lynn continued. “She is just a giver who puts herself last. Just an overall great person who is always thinking about everyone else first.”

A Blizzard Of Kindness

Recent snowstorms have brought out the best in their neighbors, several readers said.

Cat Lover, a Bensalem (Pennsylvania) Patch reader, said most people who do things just to be kind don’t seek or even welcome recognition.

“After the recent snow and ice storm, my next-door neighbor cleared my deck and steps of 10 inches of wet, heavy snow and thick ice,” Cat Lover said. “He remained anonymous until I started asking my neighbors if they did it. He was very humble when I spoke to him, saying it was no big deal. That’s a great neighbor to have!”

Lindenhurst (New York) Patch reader Diane recalled being heavily pregnant at 29 with a toddler by her side and facing the formidable task of clearing 2 feet of snow that had accumulated overnight.

“My husband didn’t bother to clear my car; he just went to work. I had to work in the afternoon. I went out in the late morning and started shoveling while my 2-year-old sat on the stoop,” Diane said. “I had to keep stopping to bring my daughter in to warm up.”

After about the fourth trip to the house to warm up, Diane stepped out in the cold to see a neighbor finishing the chore.

“I literally started crying,” Diane said. “It was so kind of him.”

She added, “Just be kind. You don’t know what anyone is going through. What might look lazy to you could be an unfortunate circumstance for them.”

Wheelchair-bound Fairfield (Connecticut) Patch reader Lynn got an unforgettable assist from a stranger while breaking up ice and snow blocking the mailbox.

“A car stopped and asked if I needed help. He insisted and took over, refusing compensation,” Lynn said. “What a great gift. Thank you, Ryan.”

“The day after a snow event measuring about a foot with temperatures in the low teens, my wife found the car cleared, and the area around it was shoveled away,” said Phoenixville (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Billy. “We’re in our 70s, and it was truly an act of kindness.”

Baltimore Patch reader Jean wasn’t sure who to thank for cleaning off her car after a recent heavy snowfall.

“I put a note up in our lobby asking his identity so I could thank him, and his wife called and told me who he was,” Jean said. “That was spontaneous kindness without expecting credit.”

Bernie, who reads Dale City (Virginia) Patch and Woodbridge (New Jersey) Patch, said he is “forever grateful” to his neighbors.

“During the January ice and snowstorm, our neighbors did a massive amount of removal and ice melt application with my wife. I was unable to. They did it voluntarily. We never asked for help,” Bernie said, adding:

“They've always been wonderful. God bless them. This is another example of the real immigrants who have come into this country.”

‘He Is A Good Egg’

When she lived on the East Coast and was recovering from breast cancer surgery and going through 30 days of radiation, Laguna Woods (California) Patch AM reader Carol had a neighbor who delivered lunch every day.

“Be kind,” Carol said. “Be happy and spread the joy.”

Hoboken (New Jersey) Patch reader Monique has experienced the same thoughtfulness. It was unexpected.

“My neighbor James, who I barely knew, learned that my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer,” she said. “Every Friday, James drops off hearty home-cooked meals at our door. He was never asked and asks for nothing in return. He is a good egg.”

Monique added, “If you see someone struggling, even with opening a door, offer to help. It can make such a difference in someone’s day.”

Costa Mesa (California) Patch reader Allison has neighbors like that.

“My neighbors watch out for me and help carry my groceries upstairs when they see me,” she said. “I am now disabled, so this is a real blessing! I always smile and thank them. We often chat, and I inform them about things that occur in the neighborhood to keep everyone in the know either via text or in person.”

“My neighbor across the street began mowing our front yard when my husband was diagnosed with cancer—didn’t say a word, just did it,” said Oak Park-River Forest (Illinois) Patch reader Mary.

Florida Patch reader Dianne’s son required major surgery when he was 11 months old. A group of neighbors either prepared or bought food for the family when they got home from the hospital, taking care of meals for about a week.

That was in 2000, and Dianne says she will “never forget” the support at such a difficult time for her family.

“I have since moved out of state, but I am friends with all of them on Facebook, so they are all just a message away. Here’s to Kerri, John and Carol, Sue and Tom, and Debbie and John. Thank you again!”

‘That Blew Me Away’

Neighbors have come through in unexpected ways in times of bereavement, several readers said.

Royal Oak (Michigan) Patch reader Wendy and her two children faced a grueling 12-hour drive in the snow after attending her mother's memorial service in Minnesota. They arrived home to a welcome, pleasant surprise.

“I pulled onto my street, and there must have been 4 inches of snow in the street and more on the neighbors’ driveways — probably 12 inches,” Wendy said. “But not my long driveway. It had been snow blown, probably twice.”

Wendy never found out who helped her out.

“I had my suspicions, but never really knew,” she said. “To this day, 25 years later, it is the kindest act/gift given to me.”

“A few weeks after my mom passed away, my next-door neighbor knocked on my door with a bouquet of flowers and said she understood how I was feeling, and if I needed anything, just to call,” said Farmingdale (New York) Patch reader Shari. Or even if I just wanted to call and sit in silence together, she would be there for me. That sit-in-silence suggestion blew me away.”

Calamity Could’ve Been Worse

Fran, a Newton (Massachusetts) Patch reader, is grateful for a neighbor who, when checking her home while she and her family were wintering on the West Coast, found water dripping from the ceiling.

“Had he not checked, eventually the ceiling would have caved in. It would have been a disaster,” Fran said. “Instead, it required replacing ceilings in the kitchen, dining room, and living room.”

Fran said a handyman employed to add water to the furnace while they were away had forgotten to shut off the valve when he left the house, and “this calamity was the result.”

Murrieta (California) Patch reader Debbie had a similar experience. “My neighbor checked my home while we were out of town and found a leak and saved my flooring,” she said.

Malverne-Lynbrook (New York) Patch Marie on Christmas Eve to find her basement flooded after a pipe burst overnight. A basement remodeling was almost complete, adding to her distress.

Marie has lived alone since the death of her husband. She called her neighbor, who spent the better part of Christmas Eve morning helping her out.

“He brought it over his vac and drained out the water for me,” Marie said. “It was the best present I got that year. What a great guy. I am so thankful to have neighbors who have always been kind and caring. Thank you, Santa Dave.”

‘Do The Little Things’

At the height of the pandemic, “when the world seemed surreal,” Patchogue (New York) Patch reader Bill went to the mailbox one day and found at its base a beautiful rock with a heart painted on it.

“At a time when uncertainty ruled, it touched me deeply, seeming to say, ‘You are not alone. Someone cares.’ The rock is in my kitchen now, and I look at it every morning when I get my coffee, and it still makes me feel good,” Bill said.

It’s a good reminder “to do the little things,” Bill said.

“A smile. A wave. A painted rock. A trash can brought up on a windy day,” he said. “It all adds up.”

About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line.

Catch Up On Block Talk

• These Things Drive Neighbors Up The Wall As Winter Drags On
• Who Pays When Your Neighbor’s Tree Damages Your Property?
• Sidewalk Snow Removal Scofflaws Create Frosty Relationships
• What To Do When Your Neighbor’s Weed ‘Smells Like A Skunk’s Behind’
• If You Don’t Return A Shopping Cart, Are You A Total Jerk?
• ‘Poop Cleanup In Aisle 9’: Do Dogs Belong In Stores?