Random Acts of Kindness in East Atlanta Patch

This Sunday, Feb. 17, is Random Act of Kindness Day, where we honor those little, selfless acts that really go a long way in helping to brighten someone's day or put a smile on their face.

Some actions are really are effortless. When I used to drive up through the toll on Ga. 400 to get to work, I would sometimes pay the toll for the person behind me.

A few of the recipients would acknowledge with a smile and wave or thumbs up, something you didn't ordinarily see following the traffic-choked mess that passes for the morning rush hour commute.

Last Aug. 22, which Gov. Nathan Deal declared Random Acts of Kindness Day in Georgia, the Frazer Center in Druid Hills decided to pay it forward by thanking its staff for its dedication and work.

Everyone was given a small token of thanks and the school had a random drawing and Nicole McManus, an accounts payable employee, won two gift certificates to the Frazer Grounds Coffee Shop — one to enjoy and one to pass along as a random act of kindness.

Some efforts are more involved, but equally worthwhile.

In 2010, Beth-Ann Buitekant of East Atlanta, organized the Friday Food for Firefighters, to bring home-cooked meals to Fire Station 13 once a week.

“I don’t think they get recognized enough for what they do,” Buitekant said in a 2011 interview with East Atlanta Patch.

“If we can just pay back in little ways, at least they may know know how much we appreciate them.”

Have you noticed your friends or neighbors making a difference in the communities of East Atlanta Patch? We want to know about it!

Whether it's taking a stray dog to a shelter, taking out trash for a sick neighbor or helping out in a community garden, every random act of kindness is appreciated by the community.

We want to see how many random acts we can inspire across the United States in the 905 communities Patch covers. If you know of someone who has done a good deed in , tell their story in the comments section below. Also, be sure to spread the word on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #PatchRandomActs.

To keep the momentum going and it pay it forward yourself, here are some ways you can help others in the community:

• East Lake, Kirkwood and Edgewood formed the Neighbor in Need program to help low-income seniors make emergency repairs to their homes.
• The East Atlanta Community Association has its own Neighbor in Need program, modeled after than of East Lake's to help seniors in the community.