#51 Random Act of Kindness

#51 Random Act of Kindness – 100 day challenge.

All Acts of Kindness are written in the participants own words and the only purpose of this challenge was to scatter kindness.

One of our customers needed two front tires to make it to her work.

She did not have the resources to get those new tires, and she was afraid that she would lose her job. 

So I made arrangements and took care of the cost, so that she would make it to work and keep her job…anonymously….

Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  Take a moment to imagine the joy on each side of this RAK.

 

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#50 Random Act of Kindness

#50 Random Act of Kindness – 100 day challenge.

All Acts of Kindness are written in the participants own words and the only purpose of this challenge was to scatter kindness.

In passing, one of the girls in the office mentioned that she never knows what to do with her kids (like crafts and fun stuff). She says she feels that she’s depriving her kids because all she can ever think of is to color.

I was out shopping for a gift for a friend and found a cute little book on simple crafts for kids. I picked it up and put it on her chair the next day.

Hearing her reaction across the office was heartwarming! But even more so, when I heard later that she and her kids had taken one of the ideas in the book to make gifts for people special to them.

Love the pay-it-forward that happened, and the extra mama-kidlet bonding time.

Thanks for the challenge, Donna!

 Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  Listening was the key to this RAK. Just listen.

 

#49 Random Act of Kindness

#49 Random Act of Kindness – 100 day challenge.

All Acts of Kindness are written in the participants own words and the only purpose of this challenge was to scatter kindness.

How cool is that! You are inspiring me 🙂

Today I watched my girlfriend’s daughter so she could take a nap. She is 9 months pregnant (due any day) and has a sinus infection and was in desperate need of some z’s.

Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  Any young mom will appreciate the importance of this RAK.

 

#47 & 48 Random Act of Kindness

#47 Random Act of Kindness – 100 day challenge.

All Acts of Kindness are written in the participants own words and the only purpose of this challenge was to scatter kindness.

Check out line karma #1.

Try this sometime if you want to REALLY have a great day:

You will probably be in line at a grocery or retail store one day when a man, woman or family clearly needs the items in their cart but can’t pay for it; maybe they are short of cash, or their card won’t work.  Offer to pay the difference of what they owe, or pay for the whole thing. They will remember forever the day when someone did something so nice for them.  You will carry the wonderful feeling with you–forever.  The last time I had the opportunity to do this the father gave me first a handshake, then a hug.  I told him many people had helped me out at various times throughout my life and that I hoped when he could he would pay it forward.  He promised he would.  As he left his son asked him, “Who was that nice lady?”  My heart melted.  The check out cashier looked at me like I was crazy.

More crazy #2

I often get asked to give donations to area organizations throughout the year, and I do what I can.  A few years ago in December I was standing in line to checkout at Walmart, Kmart, one of the marts…and there was a mother with three kids in line behind me.  I noticed that she looked very tired.  The kids seemed clean and well behaved, but certainly didn’t have the newest clothes on.  Her cart was filled with the food staples, nothing frivolous, no soft drinks, beer or liquor; just nutritious food, home supplies.  Maybe some socks, a couple of t-shirts.  Did I mentioned the kids were well behaved? We struck up a conversation and I really liked her vibe. Right then I decided to give her a gift.  When I paid for my items I asked how much I could get in cash back.  I withdrew some money and told her I wanted to give her a gift.  She broke down in tears and said “You’ll never know how much we need this money.”  Actually I do know.  I have had my power cut off, I have lost a job when I had no savings, I have had a bare cupboard when I was hungry.  And someone always helped me out.  So now I do what I can when I can; it is a judgment call about who I choose, and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to give to someone who needs it.  Pay it forward.

Thank you Donna for this opportunity to share

 #48 no response, no activity.

Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  You just never know what someone else’s story might be and how profound your act of kindness will be.

 

My Truth about EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail)

Every Door Direct Mail

If you have any questions about EDDM, ask in the comments and I will try to get you an answer. No obligation, I will just try to help you.

                                                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The postal service is pushing a “not so new” but improved feature called EDDM Every Door Direct Mail.

A simple explanation is that you can mail a “Flat”  (determined by size) mail piece, saturating an area to as many full carrier routes as you like (up to 5000 pcs per day) without having specific addresses and without buying a postal permit.

Saturation mail has been around for a long time but they have made it easier to use.  This should be a good thing.

*** 10  Observations about EDDM *** (these are just my opinions)

1.  The postage price was not reduced for this new program,  but the process was made easier for the customer.  Is that enough to grab their attention?  Time will tell.

2.  It is limited to flats.  In my opinion if the USPS was serious, they would have opened this to standard mail also.

3.  My customers are reluctant to jump on board because of the extra printing costs involved in printing flats.

4.  In tough economic times, my customers are looking for the cheapest possible way to mail, period!  EDDM is not the cheapest, it is just the easiest.

5.  This was a huge blow to the list broker business.  Before customers had to purchase a list, now the post office is offering this mailing with no addresses at all.

6. In my opinion the USPS should do national television advertising.   Get the word out far and wide.  Having their employees try to sell this to small business, is just not efficient. UPDATE ask and you shall receive (click here)

7.  They have limited the number of EDDM (retail) pieces to 5000 per day.   That seems counter productive.  Wouldn’t it be better to pave the way for customers to bring in as much mail in one day as possible?

8.  This program is not open to non-profits.  This doesn’t make sense to me.  Since they didn’t reduce postage costs, why exclude non-profit?

9.  You have to apply for a mailer ID to take advantage of this program.  Although it’s not that difficult, it is mandatory.

10.  The mail must be presented to the post office serving the area you are mailing to.  You can only drop ship if you are using the EDDM BMEU not the EDDM Retail.

Added:

11. There has been some confusion as to whether you can mail an envelope EDDM or not.  Yes you can as long as it meets the size requirements for EDDM.

12.  You must have the permit and the delivery information on the mail piece.  The post office does not do this for you!

If you would like more information or just want to ask a question, contact us (here).

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I grew up in a house with one bathroom and one telephone.

#44, 45 & 46 Random Act of Kindness

#44 Random Act of Kindness – 100 day challenge.

All Acts of Kindness are written in the participants own words and the only purpose of this challenge was to scatter kindness.

Gave someone in line money to help pay for their purchase

#45 & 46 No response, no activity.

 Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  Think about it, how often do you actually do something like this?  Think about it maybe, but actually do it?

 

#43 Random Act of Kindness

#43 Random Act of Kindness – 100 day challenge.

All Acts of Kindness are written in the participants own words and the only purpose of this challenge was to scatter kindness.

 Good morning!

So my act of kindness involved bringing a bag of toys to my hair salon yesterday for toys for tots that they were collecting for!

They were excited to receive their first toy donation. They are also collecting canned goods and said my donation was the first toys!!  I know they will brighten some child’s Holiday season a little bit more.

Hope this helps helps with ur challenge! God bless you!

 

Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  No really, bless all of you that helped in this challenge.

 

#41& #42 Random Act of Kindness

#41 Random Act of Kindness – 100 day challenge.

All Acts of Kindness are written in the participants own words and the only purpose of this challenge was to scatter kindness.

Hey Donna I saw your message and a spontaneous act of kindness happened that afternoon!

I was at Kohl’s ( picking up some thanksgiving tablecloths) got into line (no coupon!) and the lady ahead of me gave me her 20 % percent off after I paid for my stuff.  A women then comes up behind me with a lot of stuff and I then I gave her the coupon (which her face lit up because she didn’t have one!) and I wished her a great Thanksgiving!!!

I love to do nice things for people, because I get the blessing back by making them happy!!

#42 no response no activity.

Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  That was a random act of kindness and a pay-it-forward all in one.

#40 Random Act of Kindness

#40 Random Act of Kindness – 100 day challenge.

All Acts of Kindness are written in the participants own words and the only purpose of this challenge was to scatter kindness.

Two days ago I gave our Son’s middle school teacher a hug for no reason except that I’m so grateful she’s the teacher. Walking into the classroom like normal, this day I interrupted her and two nine grade ‘alums’ (the school only goes to 8th grade and these kids love her and were visiting.)

Told her I had no gift to bring,  just like the little drummer boy.  So all I had to give was a hug. It was spontaneous, but easy, because for some time I’ve been feeling so grateful (probably since the very first parent/teacher night before the school year started.)

Yesterday, I used the Chick-fil-A attendant’s name and mirrored back to him the same great and genuine enthusiasm he exuded. I caught him off guard. He really appreciated it because he knew for sure I appreciated him – simply for his spirit.

This morning on the run back home, I thanked the crew shoveling the hole they dug for the new natural gas lines in our subdivision. “Thank you guys, for helping make our neighborhood a nicer place”.

Your kindness, encouragement, and dedication have been a beacon.

 Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  Truth be known, this is the man that actually inspired this 100 Day Challenge.

 

#38 & #39 Random Act of Kindness

#38 Random Act of Kindness – 100 day challenge.

All Acts of Kindness are written in the participants own words and the only purpose of this challenge was to scatter kindness.

Hi Donna , I just wanted to tell you of something new I have started doing as a regular act of kindness.

We now take our newspapers to a facility in town run by the Lion’s Club and all the proceeds they make they use for buying boots, shoes, clothing books etc for under privileged kids.

Everything they make they put back in the community so now when I take my newspapers, I take them all coffee and home made cookies and they are all elderly men that run it so they really appreciate it.

#39 No response no activity

Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I have to mention that many participants submitted additional RAK’s in addition to my first request and this is one of them.  The ripple effect.