It was late on a Wednesday afternoon, when I was the recipient of a Random Act of Kindness.
I had worked hard all day, writing, blogging, preparing powerpoints for a speech and I was tired. Here in the South, we still have weekly potlucks at our church. It’s a time to relax, visit, do Bible study, and share our week with friends who will diligently pray.
It was our turn to provide a main dish and I was late.
I didn’t want to go to the grocery store, but I needed some chicken breasts. My office is in downtown Little Rock, in the historic Quapaw Quarter and the grocery stores I frequent were another ten minutes drive past my house in the late afternoon traffic.
I decided to stop in at the Argenta Market, a small specialty grocery store that was right on my way home. It would be a little more expensive–they carry only locally grown products, so they can’t compete on price with the larger grocery stores–but better quality. It would be worth the extra dollar or two to get home quicker and get in and out quickly without walking a couple miles. And, of course, I like to shop locally when I can.
I shopped quickly, gathering an small armload of groceries. Then, went to the checkout.
A lady with long, dark hair seemed to be casually glancing at the doughnut case–obviously they were low on doughnuts that late in the day, but I was in a hurry and barely noticed what she was doing. The lady suddenly turned and said, “I’d like to pay your bill.”
Now, I rarely talk to strangers who say odd, random things to me. We were in NYC last week, wandering around Times Square and more than one person inquired, “Do you like to watch a good comedy?” Obviously, they were selling tickets to a comedy show and just as obviously, I wasn’t interested.
I ignore all such blatant attempts to sell me things.
But: I’d like to pay your bill?
“What?” I asked.
She handed me a blue card that said “Errand Hero.” Inside, was an explanation and a business card. The local Centennial Bank has a program of Random Acts of Kindness.
Here’s how the card read:
ERRAND HERO
YOUR BILL HAS BEEN PAID BY CENTENNIAL BANK.
Life is full of errands. From grocery shopping, to dry cleaning, to banking. And Centennial Bank is here to make them as easy as possible. That’s why we offer over 50 convenient locations, the ability to use any ATM in the country for free, and instant-issue debit cards that are ready by the time you walk out the door. We even make switching banks easy with our Personal Switch kit. So stop by today or visit my100bank.com
It was legitimate: this bank–which I did not bank at–was going to pay my bill.
I was so startled that I have no idea what the total bill was worth. No idea at all. The bank lady just stepped into position and swiped a credit card.
I asked, “Do you do this often here?”
“Argenta Market is one of our customers. We like to give our customers business when we can.”
I walked out with 1 1/2 bags of groceries, probably $25 worth, free.
You can bet it’s a good deal for Centennial Bank. I’ve been telling everyone–and now, you. They didn’t require me to switch banks, though, their card told me it was easy. They didn’t ask my name or identifying information. They couldn’t have bought this space on my blog to get a recommendation from me. (Well, I can’t really recommend them: but they sure have a nice PR program. Makes me interested, anyway.)
It was just–well, nice.
I try to be nice, too, with the annual Random Acts of Publicity (Look for the RAoP to return on September 4-7, 2012).
But to honor my day as Errand Hero, I’d like to do a random act of kindness, in return.
Be a Reader Hero
Write a comment below. I’ve already decided on a random number, N. The Nth commenter will get to choose a free copy of one of my ebooks (epub or pdf versions). You must post a comment by Sunday, February 5, 2012 at midnight. Here’s your choices:
Reference books
Picture books
Middle Grade Novel
The Wayfinder
Be a Reader Hero today and add a comment below.
What a great idea. I’m a fan and customer of both those businesses — if you do switch banks, you won’t regret it. :)
Wow. That is all kinds of awesome. Makes you want to run out and do a whole ton of random acts of kindness, right? :)
Good morning,Darcy. That’s the kind of message I like to find in my mailbox when I log on each morning.
Wow! In a world where everyone is in a rush and out for themselves it is touching to know there are businesses and people who demonstrate such a caring attitude. This made my day. Thanks.
I know, right?
It was an amazing thing.
Darcy
If only we could just do Random Acts of Kindness all day!
Darcy
You deserve it. Every day you brighen our days with thoughtful and thought provoking messages.
How to Write a Children’s Picture Book is easy to understand, almost as if it was written just for me. It’s conversational and the best reference out there for creating a written work of art for kids.
So many banks have become so large and impersonal and have earned the bad press that they receive. To hear about one that takes such a personal interest in their customers’ business and the public is refreshing.
Thanks for sharing your story and for your generous offer. I’ve been a longtime fan of your blog – sorry it’s taken me so long to comment!
I have heard of that at Christmas, especially in K-Mart. I have not heard of a bank, of all places, using such wonder, attention getting publicity. If only we all had the money to do this. Would we? It would be great fun.
I have bought a couple of your books and have learned a lot from those and the daily emails I receive. So, if anyone deserves such a rare treat, I say it is you, Darcy. (Of course, I would have loved for it to be me.) :-)
If I am the hidden number for the day, which I would also love to be, here is a pre-win “Thank you.”
What an amazing gesture. It’s sad for me to think my first reaction would have been ” what’s the trick?” It’s nice to know people still do nice things just because!
Wow! I loved reading this! Makes my heart happy when businesses do something nice, just because… Sure, it’s excellent PR – but they’re supporting their customers and giving goodwill to random people. How great is that?! Yay!
Darcy,
First off, Yay to Centennial Bank and Yay to you. I look forward to reading your blogs each day. It’s the chocolate of my morning. They are so valuable and fun to read and ruminate upon. You give, they give, we all give!
It seems Random Acts of Kindnesses are all the rage, and I hope the fad continues. At Christmas, people went into stores and paid off the bills of some who had gifts on lay-a-way. When the owner of the account showed up, probably stressed because of all the money they had spent, they were surprised and delighted. I’d even be a bit emotional. How fantastic is that. And it feels good to pass it on. We need more caring in this culture.
I enjoy all of your writing tips. I look forward to each and every post.
Hi Darcy!
What a lovely post! And what a lovely surprise for you to receive such a nice random act of kindness!
I also wanted to let you know that yesterday I gave you the Kreativ Blogger Award and did a shout-out for your blog on MY blog
( http://www.donasdays.blogspot.com ). Thanks for all you do for the writing community!
Darcy, I have to say, this random act of kindness happened to a very deserving person. When I first started getting serious about writing for children, Fiction Notes was one of the first places I found with concise, clear, helpful guidance. I use your tips all the time. Thanks for putting all this knowledge and experience out there.
The Book Trailer Manual is a valuable piece to help you promote your first book (and all that follow).
It is so simply laid out on what to do, much like any of Darcy’s many other helpful advice in writing and being published.
It’s well worth the read.
Thanks for the nice words on the Book Trailer Manual, Randy. Glad it helps.
Dana< glad the Fiction Notes has helped your writing. I try to be clear and concise!
Darcy
Donna:
Thanks for the Kreative Blogger Award! Nice!
Darcy
Gail:
Random Acts of Kindness as a fad? Let’s hope it DOES continue, because it made my day and week.
It’s a nice thing for businesses to do!
Darcy
Well, I’m too late for your free book :) but I wanted to comment anyway. What a great idea for the bank and just for all of us. Random Acts of Kindness will just make life so much more fun! :)