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
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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
2016 is ARG’s third year participating in Wreaths Across America and we encourage you to join us in honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice this Saturday.
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
On Saturday I was on my way to Kohls and noticed a family (mother, 2 daughters) walking down (or up!) Van Dorn with no jackets or anything warm on them – Strangely I do everything within a 5 mile radius of my house so this was not the first time I’ve noticed them walking. ItRead more
A local elementary school, Guilford Elementary, has an annual fall book fair for its students. 82% of Guilford’s students are categorized as economically disadvantaged. Since getting food on the table is a challenge for many of these families, many students do not have books of their own. My church is doing a RAK and partneringRead more
Saw a lonely police officer in line for lunch. I was already seated…I hoped up and told the cashier not to charge him or tell him who did this for him and to give me the bill. When it came to his turn to pay the officer, leaned forward, a bit confused and then tookRead more
Saturday, September 17th just happened to be the 7th anniversary of the day that my Son. Kaleb was born an angel. Every year that this date comes around I have thoughts about that tragic time of my life and fill my mind of thoughts of what could have been. Needless to say, it is difficultRead more
My daughter & I went out to breakfast, something we do not do very often. As we finished our meal, we started chatting with our waitress, ended up talking about teenagers and chores. She was sharing her stories & what works with one of her children does not necessarily work with the others. Her theoryRead more
Several weeks ago, I was killing time and looking at Facebook. I saw a post that caught me off guard. It was a high school friend of mine that I had reconnected with via Facebook a year or so ago. She shared a story about her life, what was going on and ultimately, it wasRead more
Last week I, unfortunately, had to take my friend to the local hospital because he fell and broke his leg and had some X-rays. While there, I met a 25-year-old guy sitting with his father who also broke his leg. They don’t have money like a lot of people here and we’re using the free hospitalRead more
Stopped at the Walmart in Gainesville the other day to pick up a few things on the way home and an opportunity presented itself. We noticed the man in front of us grimacing as each item made it across the scanner. I couldn’t hear the conversation well with the cashier but recognized that things thatRead more
As a child, some of my favorite memories were from different camps and summer activities we were fortunate enough to experience. Obviously, when a child or family is homeless, they are forced to focus on different priorities. St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore set up a camp for homeless and underprivileged children in Baltimore. My wifeRead more