Your Acts of Kindness

While pumping gas at a filling station in Fennimore a woman approached me and said it is random acts of kindness week and handed me an envelope. I thanked her kindly as she went to an older gentleman across from me and did the same to him. After I finished pumping fuel I opened the envelope to find Derek’s card and a gift card to Kwik trip. Thank you again. I plan on paying it forward to someone who may or may not need help.

We arrived at World of Variety yesterday to pick up the balloons for Derek’s 2nd Angelversary and were greeted with a card and a note that stated the 15 balloons were not to be paid for. Thank you to Alice, Mike, Brandon and Kyle Mudler for their generosity.

We were contacted last night by Joel Engelhart who is in San Diego. While walking around he ran into a homeless man and kindly gave the man all of the money in his wallet to find food and shelter. What a kind gesture, and to someone who really needed it. IT’s officially Acts of Kindness week here in Fennimore, and we have seen many nice Acts performed.

I had not seen my family in 9 days, as they were on vacation. We planned a pickup point of the KOA Campground in Newton, IA. When we were kids we always loved staying at the KOA campgrounds, as they were always enjoyable for kids, and the people were always kind. This campground was no different. We were greeted by the owners, and instead of having to park our extra vehicle in the Visitor Parking by the office, they allowed us to park it in the campsite next to ours at no charge. In return, we shared the story of Derek, and paid it forward, paying for someone to use site #23 (2 adults and a kid) for the following night and asked them to give the recipient a card. The world is full of kind people, and the owners and employees of the Newton, IA KOA are some of them.

Steve Lendosky

I have 2 to share from our trip to CO.
1) we went horseback riding in the mountains…for which I was more than a little apprehensive about doing. My children had such a blast & the group of girls that were our guides put this nervous nelly of a mom at ease. I gave them 3 cards, and while having a moment in the truck, they ran up and hugged me. It’s hard to explain living in fear of something bad happening and yet not letting it control your life or letting it stop your children from taking risks. These girls at Broadmoor trails really showed us how to enjoy the beauty of life and learning to trust others.
2) Cañon City, CO, the Royal Gorge Bridge- we got caught at the top of the mount in a hail storm trying to protect the kids. An employee said there was a Ranger coming to get 3 people. The other people around us let us go because of the kids. The Ranger was so kind, he drove us through the inch of hail to the visitors center. He wouldn’t accept anything but a thank you. Kindness is all over the place in lots of amazing ways. We are thankful for what we received, and for what we tried to give too.

Brandee Lendosky

I love your family’s story. It is so inspiring what has been done in honor of your son and I have long wanted to do something but didn’t know what. This week I knew immediately it was my chance. My grandmother passed away very unexpectedly. She is someone who probably cried for Derek and sent many prayers to him/your family. I went to The Land of The Giants Hosta Farm to find a hosta with her name, “Betty Lou”. The owner’s were so kind and gave me a plant in her honor; so in turn I printed out Derek’s story, put it in an envelope with money to purchase a plant for someone else that may come along and touch the owner’s heart. I added a note stating my actions were in memory of my Grandma and Derek~ two people who touched the hearts of many! Thank you for inspiring me to do something so fulfilling! God Bless!

Staci Budworth

My daughter was a beneficiary of an act of kindness for Derek on Saturday. A woman purchased a photo op with Melvin Gordon for her. Made for a great memory as she did the TD celebration that MGIII used to do with Montee Ball! He loved it, and so did the crowd. Great moment!

Pete Stauffer

Today, while out for lunch, my family and I received this Random Act of Kindness in Memory of Derek. Once we were seated at A&W in Lancaster, the waitress gave this to us and told us a little about Derek. She said the person/people that gave it to her said give the 2 donations to the next 2 customers to walk through the doors. We were the first set of customers. While we were eating, the second set of customers came in and we were able to watch them get presented with their random act as well. What a beautiful idea in remembrance of a young man gone too soon. My family and I will be paying it forward these next few days with some random acts of kindness of our own. It was a truly touching experience!

Courtney Schultz

(Melvin Gordon, ex-Wisconsin running back)

Maya doing a Random Act of Kindness today. She gave this little girl a ticket to have her picture taken with Melvin Gordon!! She was one happy little girl!

Maya Stepanek

Last night as we left our local Chinese restaurant we favor in Bismarck, we were asked by a young couple pushing a stroller what was cheaper, that restaurant or the one just south of it. We told them we were not sure and recommended the one we just came out of. I said good night to my son and his three kids after a bit of horse play with the grandkids. As I departed I seen the young couple standing against the building looking over a menu. I stopped my car, backed up to them and asked them why they were not eating and it came out that they had no money to speak of on them due to fleeing a bad family situation in another town and coming to Bismarck. Although I was blocking the parking lot, I got out of the car and said let’s go get something to eat. They fussed at first and I said I am doing this in honor of a young boy from SW Wisconsin. I told them the story of Derek and acts of Kindness and said all I ask is that someday when you are where you can, pay it forward to someone you see that needs a helping hand. The clerk looked puzzled but took my card and I paid and they went and got a meal in their stomach. I pray they are doing ok tonight

Robert Dilley