We are honored to have the delightful Jennifer Tropea O'Regan here today. I met Jennifer via Facebook last year, when Stephanie Elliot of SE Reviews and Reads shared one of her giveaways. I then saw that she liked the same books as I did and that she lives not too far from me. I connected with her and we instantly became friends.
"Chick Lit Soup for the Soul" month is a perfect time to have Jennifer here, as she is full of kindness, generosity, and positive energy. If I'm having a bad day, I just need to message with her and I instantly feel better. (Keep in mind, I don't run to her with my problems, I just bask in her warm glow of happiness.)
In addition to fostering a love of literacy within her unprivileged high school students, Jennifer has many noteworthy philanthropic accolades. During her husband’s plight with cancer, she single-handedly raised over 3,000 books for the Johns Hopkins Hospital Oncology Patient Library. Jennifer is now sharing her unbridled passion for reading via Confessions of a Bookaholic —a page dedicated to celebrating female authors. She's also hanging out on Twitter and Instagram, just waiting to celebrate authors and books with her followers over there. Jennifer lives in the DC area with her husband and two of the cutest dogs ever. And she sometimes gets mistaken for Elsa from Frozen.
Since Jennifer is well-known for her incredible book giveaways, she has a special treat for our readers: a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card for readers anywhere in the world to try and win! (Note: if the winner is outside of the US, they will receive a different prize of equal value.)
Something good that happened to you recently.
I received an email from a former student detailing his profound gratitude for my guidance during a tumultuous time in his life. He wrote, quite candidly, that he would not have graduated from high school or gone on to college were it not for my encouragement. (Blinking back tears as I recount the details!) His words, forever resonant, are a strong reminder that we should never underestimate the power of kindness.
Something good that happened to someone you know recently.
My handsome hubby, Mike, was selected for promotion to Commander in the Navy Reserves!
Something good you witnessed.
I observed a young man, presumably 18-19 years old, escort an elderly woman through a busy DC intersection. It warmed my heart. His mama taught him well!
Something good you heard on the news.
University of Cincinnati President Santa Ono rejected a $200,000 bonus, asking for the money to instead be donated to charities and scholarships. Talk about a shining example of selflessness. Bravo, President Ono!
A kind man insisted on paying for my coffee at Starbucks recently. His only contingency—pay it forward! Consider it done, sir!
Something good you did for someone else.
I aspire to do good each and every day, without exception--whether in a grander sense (running an 8K for The Wounded Warriors Project) or via simple everyday benevolences (bringing a sick neighbor chicken soup).
Thanks to Jennifer for making us smile and for sharing such a special prize with our readers!
How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Worldwide. Giveaway ends August 2nd at midnight EST.
I witnessed someone taking a meal to a person who couldn't get out.
ReplyDeleteI need to start by saying where I live, it is rare anyone does anything nice. I don't know why, but everyone seems rushed and unfriendly most days. People don't make eye contact or smile when they pass. I always try, but they never look at me. But I did see a young boy holding the door open at the post office the other day for people coming and going. It's not much, but it made me smile because he had good manners.
ReplyDeleteFew weeks ago i witnessed a waitress pay the difference for a young couple with a baby whose bill came up higher than expected (only by a few bucks). So in turn i ended up tipping her the difference she paid plus an extra 50 bucks.
ReplyDeleteA kind soul helping a homeless lady trapped in a dire situation find a loving home.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and happy Reading. ❤️📚
I did not witness, but heard of from a reliable witness, a single elderly woman taking in a family of 6 who had a house deal fall through. And she did it without flinching.
ReplyDeletePeople in my community lining up to greet Lance Corporal (and Chattanooga shooting victim) Skip Wells as he was transported to his final resting place.
ReplyDeleteSaw a little guy holding a door open for an elderly lady!
ReplyDeleteA young girl playing with an autistic boy in the playground. She didn't care that he wasn't like the other kids, just held his hand and played.
ReplyDeleteSetting up apartments for those visiting patients in a hospital.
ReplyDeleteSomeone gave me a coupon at kohls while in line-seems not huge but every penny counts for me so it was wonderful! I always pay it forward with my coupons since 😊
ReplyDeleteA neighbor of ours husband passed away recently. My husband has been mowing her yard every so she doesn't have to worry about it.
ReplyDeleteLove this! xo
DeleteHusband took homeless man to store &boughy him supplies.
ReplyDeleteGeese were crossing the road. I was in my driveway and watched as a woman in a blue SUV came one way and a woman in a silver car came the other. The woman in the blue SUV wouldn't stop! I ran down my driveway yelling 'HEY, STOP!' as she kept going with geese trying to get away from the front of her car. The woman in the silver car honked at the SUV woman and yelled 'What is wrong with you.....BITCH!'. I gave the woman in the silver car a thumbs up and a wave. She waved back. No geese were harmed.
ReplyDeleteMy husband helped an elderly lady with a walker out of her car and into our church.
ReplyDeleteA young kid holding the door open for the person coming after him.
ReplyDeleteI fell off the dock last vacation on to some rocks while I was holding my 4 year old son's hand (he didn't fall in thank goodness!). Some strangers were there and helped me up out of the water and made sure my son and I were ok.
ReplyDeleteI have witnessed younger children holding doors for older people.
ReplyDeleteSaw a child helping another child (a stranger) pick a good book to read at the bookstore.
ReplyDeleteIt's a privilege to be here! Huge heartfelt thanks to Melissa Amster for that gorgeous introduction! Best of luck in the drawing, all! xoxo
ReplyDeleteA 20something at the grocery store paying for an elderly gentleman's groceries after overhearing him explaining to the cashier quite embarrassed that he had forgotten his wallet.
ReplyDeleteBringing groceries and homecooked meals to a sick friend who was always kind and thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteMy family - we are taking care of two of our own who are battling cancer. We've come together as one to help everyone out, and it's great to see this.
ReplyDeleteI saw a truck driver pull over to help a lost dog that was wandering along the highway.
ReplyDeleteI witnessed a coworker carry an senior customers tray for them.....Thx Jennifer for all you do ☺️
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure, lovely Cindy! xo
DeleteMy husband saw a couple men in uniform having lunch at BWW and he bought their lunch. :) Whatta man! :)
ReplyDeleteI saw a man pick up the check for my son's autism class at a restaurant - over $200~!
ReplyDeleteBlinking back tears, Allison! xo
DeleteIt was pretty cool, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI witnessed one of my coworkers helping me out with some work I needed trained on today.
ReplyDeleteI witnessed my mom helping someone who was handicapped with the doors, at Starbucks.
ReplyDeleteI didn't witness this, it happened to me. I am disabled and was using one of those electric carts in a grocery store. I had my service dog with me. I was trying to reach something up high without getting up because I was in so much pain. A little boy came up to me, and instead of asking to pet my dog (99% of people young and old do), he asked if he could reach something for me. It made my day, and I think helping me made his day too. :)
ReplyDeleteTears welling up in my eyes. Just beautiful! xo
DeleteI love witnessing basic common courtesy in every day living such as letting a car go in front of you when they want to change a lane rather than seeing irate people stepping on the gas and braking hard to avoid letting someone in, holding open doors for people when you see someone behind you, a mother with a full cart and a crying baby is let in the front of the line so that she can get home, smiling at someone that looks grumpy--they could be having a bad day---simple things make a big difference.
ReplyDeletebluedawn95864 at gmail dot com
I witnessed an entire community come together o search for a missing 4-year-old autistic boy who wandered away from his grandparents' home. It was amazing how many people were helping!
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor helped me make all the bouquets and flower vases for our daughter's wedding. Such a good friend.
ReplyDeleteSomething Good I Have Witnessed: I saw the produce worker at the grocery store go around the fruit section explaining to a senior (who was, admittedly, a bit confused) which fruits were good, which ones weren't ripening up correctly this year, and how to make the fruits taste the best that they can. He even cut off a piece of fruit so that the senior could taste a fruit the he had never tasted before. It seems like a little thing, but it warmed my heart to see such kindness, gentleness, and consideration towards another human being.
ReplyDeleteYoung children hugging an elderly lady at church.
ReplyDeleteA neighbor sharing some of the vegetables from his garden with an elderly neighbor.
ReplyDeleteI watched 2 out of 3 of my grandchildren be born.
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised in the South. Common courtesy isn't so common any more, but there's always someone to help open doors when my hands are full, which is often. It's funny because I was trying to think of something on a larger scale when I realized that was a nice thing for someone to do. I always try to hold the door open for those behind me as way to pay it forward.
ReplyDeletePeople giving money to the homeless.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently in the hospital due to blood clots in my left leg, lower lobes and upper right lobe of my lungs. I witnessed my author friends, close friends and family and my coworkers wishing me a speedy recovery, sending me thoughts and well-wishes. It makes me feel good that so many people care about me and hope the best for me. This is has been a very scary situation for me the last two weeks ever since I had my partial radical plantar fasciectomy. It just makes feel so loved! Thanks for all you do, Jennifer and I'm so happy we're friends online. I just hope we get to meet one day in real life. Good luck to all! :)
ReplyDeleteLikewise, sweet Hailey! Wishing you a speedy recovery! xoxo
DeleteToday I witnessed a teenage boy being very kind to and playing with a younger child in a waiting room. It was nice to see a teen not worried about being too "cool" to be kind!
ReplyDeleteAn EMT was killed in a car accident while going to help transport injured people in another accident. I witnessed a group of High School Students washing an Ambulance
ReplyDeletethat was going to be driven in the Funeral for the EMT
Someone quietly giving up her seat on the subway to a person who clearly needed it.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
DeleteMy 80 yr old grandpa had knee replacement surgery two weeks ago. He arranged to come right home rather than rehab in a nursing home, and his dr agreed if he had 24 hour care from our family. My 16 yr old son volunteered to spend time with him when there was a gap in older family volunteers. My son didn't know it, but he would be a big help that day because Grandpa was stuck in the bathroom without any toilet paper and he needed my son (his great-grandson) to rescue him with some TP. It might seem simple, but when it happened it was humorous and much needed help!
ReplyDeleteYou raised him right--love this!
DeleteMy husband surprised me with a new baby girl kitten. He adopted her from our county animal shelter. I named her Freedom. She weighs a pound and is 2 months old. She is a cutie! We have two other cats too who are 1 1/2 years old named Justice and Liberty. I love my fur babies! 😺😺😺
ReplyDeleteHe's a keeper! Three cheers for fur babies! ❤️
DeleteA friend of mine who was diagnosed with cancer 8 years ago, did a pay it forward day at the hospital where she was treated and in her community when she was cancer free. Sadly, the cancer has now come back but I have always been impressed with her thoughtfulness of others, even with everything she has gone through.
ReplyDeletehelping an elderly person walk to a store
ReplyDeleteMy grandkids helping their handicapped granny (me)!
ReplyDeleteHaving a friends and I's dinner tab picked up by an unknown person. Having another friend give me the money to pay for a persons dinner. Seeing friends pray for one another.
ReplyDeleteA cop who helped a mother duck and her babies off the freeway
ReplyDeleteDigicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Witnessed members of a local church standing on street corners on a hot day passing out water bottles to motorists and pedestrians!
ReplyDeleteA while back, I saw an older lady at a gas station parked at a full-service pump. It was closed for the day. She didn't know how to pump fuel, because her late husband always took care of her car. It was getting dark and she was nervous. A young man in military fatigues agreed to pump her gas for her at self-serve, and she didn't have to get out of her car. Once he stepped up, her mind was at ease.
ReplyDeleteVera Wilson
ReplyDeleteOne of the apartment dwellers is blind, so the maintence man goes by twice a day to check on her and walk her little dog. First he brings her mail and takes the dog for a walk. Then in the evening when out closing building for the night, checks on her again and takes the little dog for a walk.
snoopysnop1 at yahoo dot com
My son was playing is last summer basketball and his team was ahead 39-1. I watched them spend a whole quarter passing the ball to the weakest member of the team trying to help him get his first basket. He didn't make one, but he had a big smile on his face!
ReplyDeleteI am having heart problems and had a bad night. This morning, my daughter surprised me by bringing a nice breakfast. a bag of goodies, a nice book, and a really cute kitty/birdbath statuette for my porch. I have been smiling all day...the best medicine!
ReplyDelete