Our Opinion: Random acts of kindness acknowledged

We don't make a habit of printing letters noting kind acts done by others, as they don't meet the criteria of being issue-oriented. But occasionally we like to share selections from heartwarming stories that we get. What follows are two we recently received.

From Ed Clausen, Jefferson City:

Early Monday morning I was leaving a convenience store and observed an act of kindness worthy of recognition. There was a woman sitting in front of the store that was seriously down on her luck. It was clear she had mental issues when she tried to talk to me as I walked past her. Her physical condition, including hygiene, was such that most folks, like me, would have ignored her.

I saw her visit briefly with a man in a coat and tie as he walked into the store. As he left, she followed him to his car, he let her into the front seat and they drove off. I later found out that she lives in public housing on Capitol Avenue and am fairly certain he was giving her a ride home.

I thought I recognized this Good Samaritan at the time and have now confirmed that it was Travis Fitzwater, a local state representative. His kindness and empathy was not for the cameras or self-aggrandizement. I don't live in Fitzwater's district and, frankly, am pretty sure I don't fully agree with his legislative agenda. Regardless, our state would be in much better shape if the people we elect were more like him.

From Donna Atkinson, Jefferson City:

Random acts of kindness, good public relations and job well done - thumbs up - to the following:

1. City of Jefferson Wastewater Crew and Don Fontana - good project for Ridgewood Drive. The project was long overdue and the work appreciated. The crew was professional, pleasant, cleaned up and was non-intrusive as far as the project would allow. Job well done by all.

2. Dix Road Cleaners on Dix Road - Excellent public relations and service provided as the cleaners performed an excellent cleaning job of my long wedding dress from a botched job by another cleaner.

3. Gerbes West - An employee (name unknown) found my keys and returned them immediately to the service desk. Also to the manager who walked the store with me trying to find the keys. Good service, good public relations.

4. Amazon - Four polite and helpful employees who assisted me in purchasing a replacement Kindle, and then gave me a credit toward the purchase. I will buy from them again.

All of the above services were within the last three months.

I had about given up on good service and public relations. A sign of the times, I reasoned. A decline in attitudes from my view. Then the above happened. I have restored faith that people who can deliver good product and good service do actually exist.