The Kindness of Strangers

During the early, formative years of my life, I was witness to many examples of the kindness of strangers.

Many times, my family was given some form of assistance by the Salvation Army, sometimes food, sometimes shelter.

Every Christmas, the local Kiwanis Club of Ellicott City would bus poor children to their facility to visit with Santa Claus, who always had enough gifts for all attendees.

The local Lion's Club provided eye care and free eyeglass for those that could not pay for such luxuries. Dr. Silvert A. Spritz was not only a Lion's Club member, but also an optometrist. I suspect that he also quietly looked the other way when It came time to pay, if the local children needed eye care, but could not pay.

Finally, I remember the "Grimm" family that for several years provided Christmas gifts for my sister, brothers and me during the 1960's, something I will never forget.