Blog

I try to avoid divisive issues and discussions whenever possible – but being an election year, politics is one that is hard to miss. I had heard news stories of vandalism occurring nationwide under the guise of a certain President-Elect, but never thought I’d see it so close to home. Racist graffiti had been writtenRead more

As a few of my colleagues know, I’ve been working on remodeling a bathroom as a surprise Christmas present to my parents. On Christmas Eve, I had gone to IKEA to look for new furnishings and a few other items. Upon checkout, I overheard a family behind me, where the parents were bargaining with theirRead more

My son likes to play airsoft – essentially playing war with low-speed BB guns. Over the last several years, he has become good friends with someone several years older from his high school. This friend just graduated this year and was admitted to one of the national military academies. Over the Thanksgiving break, my sonRead more

Abby & her friend Maura wanted to help the homeless folks in our area and weren’t sure how they could best address the needs.  I decided that this would be a fantastic place to use some of our RAK money, so we went to Target and got to work, filling 10 bags with several practicalRead more

There is an elderly couple who live across the street, their son lives in Alaska.  I found out that the wife had to have emergency surgery on the Tuesday before Christmas.  Without my neighbor Paul being aware, I got a list of groceries items from Elena and bought their Christmas dinner.  Paul and Elena areRead more

As you may remember, a few weeks ago I wrote about the nurses at the hospital where my father-in-law was treated. They were fantastic not only to him but to all of the patients. I decided to thank them for their kindness and hard work that they do every day, I  purchased Starbucks gift cardsRead more

So you’ve moved from Illinois to LA to be a big star. All your friends back home are SOOO jealous. You’ve made it, your going to be the next Beyoncé. You’ve been working in the studio and your music is all over the internet, you’re so hot right now, every producer wants to work withRead more

Adopting a child from an underprivileged country is unbelievably expensive. Legal costs and bureaucratic nonsense can push cost as high as $25k. Without help from friends and family, some couples would not be able to make this dream come true. Good friends of ours decided to host a fundraising event for such a couple whoRead more

My wife, Anne, and I were hosting a pre-Christmas dinner for family and friends on Saturday the 24th.  So Anne and I ran to the grocery store to pick up a couple of forgotten items to finish off the meal. After a quick trip around the store, we got in line to check out. TheRead more

As usual, I struggled until the end with this.  In the past, I’ve done my RAK for a fire department but this year I really wanted to do something different.  I’ve not had opportunities really hit me in the face as they have with other people, so for the last couple of weeks, I’ve reallyRead more

Just completed my first RAK. I purchased a 50.00 Starbucks gift card. Then I explained to the cashier that my company ARG encourages RAK in hopes that it will also encourage others. I asked her to swipe my gift card for as long as it lasted for the next guests in line. Her reaction wasRead more

New Jersey and Oregon are the only U.S. states that currently ban self-service gas stations. The purpose of these laws was to protect consumers and gas station owners from costly, and possibly deadly, accidents. I decided to make this work to my advantage while I was at a gas station near the NJ Turnpike and pay for gas ofRead more

A few months back there was a guy working the corner and I rolled down my window, waved him over and I gave him a $20 and asked him to do something nice for himself today and then pass it on.  He jumped for joy and literally danced on the median. I watched him inRead more

I went to a nearby 7-11 to purchase scratchers for a friend’s birthday and arrived at the counter to be third in line.  The gentleman in front of me got to the counter and the cashier, who is very familiar with me stopping in, rings him up and gives him his total.   Meanwhile, he’s fumblingRead more

My church has a monthly mission to feed the homeless.  Every 4th Saturday we go to 14th and I Streets NW and feed the homeless a hot meal and provide them with clothes that come to us via donations throughout the year.  Most times, we feed 200+ people.  Every year during the holiday season we put togetherRead more

At ARG, lunch is brought in by our vendors all the time to show their appreciation. It happens so often, that I think we sometimes forget the true meaning behind why they do it. Last Sunday, I picked up donuts for the staff and patients of Birmingham Green’s dementia unit. I go there to visitRead more

Back in August when we had 100+ degree weather and the day of the annual Demolition Derby at the Prince William County Fair, I loaded up my big white cooler with water, Gatorade and ice in the back of my Jeep and met up with the drivers of the derby in the back of theRead more

There is a program at my church that offers assistance for children and young adults whose parents are incarcerated.  The children and young adults lack guidance and often fly under the radar within the community.  The programs help builds their confidence and teaches them life skills that they obviously can’t get from their parents.  TheRead more

Back in October, I was in a grocery store buying 2 things with my daughter. The place was absolutely packed. When we were near the registers they opened a new one to accommodate the overflow. I was closest to that line and walked toward that spot. An older woman with a full cart saw myRead more

I live in a three-building complex and while out with the dog at 5 in the morning one of the buildings had a bunch of people coming out – turns out that the fire alarm went off. We have crazy sensitive fire alarms in our buildings so I am actually proud people got out ofRead more

I have led my daughter’s Girl Scout troop since they were in kindergarten, and now they are 6thgraders. They are graduating from elementary school this year and wanted to do something for the school community.  They love to read and know that not everyone can buy books or get to the library.  They thought aRead more

On my way to the Costco in DC, I pass by a VA Referral and Resource Center each week.  This location has an office for their homeless program so it’s not unusual for there to be a person or two out front or nearby.  This weekend I saw something that I hadn’t seen before, aRead more

Nurses are an integral part of running a hospital.  Recently I was talking with a few people about how we would rather see a Nurse Practitioner than a Physician’s Assistant.  There is one group of nurses that stand out more to me than any other.  Nurses that support children with mental health challenges.  Nurses whoRead more

It was more intentional than random, but here goes.  I’ve been in touch with Alternative House since we redid their technology to keep them from missing calls from kids in crisis. I just finished their bill review and thought I’d ask if I could help brighten the holidays for some of the kids they support. Aside fromRead more

Saturday started as a cold day, raining ice, with the sidewalks and roads covered with a sheet of ice:  not exactly a day for anyone to be out in the elements, standing in a long line, waiting their turn to navigate the treacherous, ice-laden ground to place a wreath on a veteran’s grave. Thus myRead more

My wife and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary.  Our waiter was a nice guy, but did not provide overwhelmingly good service and seemed a little distracted throughout the evening.  When it was time to settle up our bill, the manager came over and said that our waiter had an emergencyRead more

Donated monies to Community Football Team, Playmakers, raising money for Florida trip. It was personal to me because anything I can do to help kids will always be important and touches my heart. It is the season for football, so timing is great for football fans. And, they are trying to get to Florida, whereRead more

I was lucky enough to be in a position to help a young man yesterday during what was clearly a stressful time for him. I was meeting my wife at a park and ride after work yesterday to connect for our evening plans. I got there earlier than expected and was waiting in my car.Read more

I was walking through Wegmans yesterday morning when I heard a woman ask where something was located because she wanted to ship them to her son who was stationed abroad in the military.  I’d been trying to find a good idea for a RAK and knew that this was a perfect opportunity given my affinityRead more

Tuesday evening when I came home from work I noticed my little neighbor Destiny sitting in the backyard silently weeping. I asked her what was wrong she said she couldn’t say she did not want to upset her mother.  Now keep in mind she is in second grade and is very mature due to family circumstances. Read more