Kindness Stories

NOMINATION:

“Carmen Garcia is the friendly face behind the plexiglass at the Mobil station on University. She works the day shift, M-F. She was there throughout the pandemic, including those first few months when most of us rarely stepped outside and enjoyed the luxury of home delivery. When I relocated to Berkeley, I was coming off a traumatic year of loss. I was starting my life over, alone. On my way to work, I would stop by the Mobil station to grab a drink. But, boy did I I get so much more. Carmen somehow saw right through me, and her empathy made me feel welcome and safe. Her kindness breaks through the plexiglass as she makes every customer feel like a friend. Her warm hug is so welcome when I feel down, and her easy laugh can start my day off on the right foot. We have shared a holiday meal together, and I was honored to assist her daughter with some edits to her college essay. I had always assumed that I was Carmen’s “favorite” customer. But, I now know I am only one of many. Nearly everyone who stops by the Mobil station on University Avenue benefits from Carmen’s incredible kindness. Why would we go anywhere else for gas?!

Alisa Jackson was our December winner. Her nominator said: “Alisa is known for her random acts of kindness, especially for the homeless. She takes her personal finances and prepares meals, purchases blankets for those she sees sleeping in doorways. She also is passionate about helping youth and runs a non-profit teaching financial literacy and gives school supplies to those she identifies as at risk and underserved. She stays prepared to offer a smile, a hug or even a sandwich to share with someone who may be hungry. Alisa is pictured here next to former award finalist, Ed Monroe. Ed is

Michele Williams was our November winner. Her nominator said: “My child has special needs and, as a result, has almost no friends. But the one friend who reaches out every other month to get together is his 3rd grade teacher, from 4 years back. With kids of her own and all week spent teaching other children in BUSD, she still regularly asks my child for a Peets meet-up to hear how he is doing and catch up. Knowing his love of WW2 history, she has brought him books her elderly father finds around town. They also share a love of

Nominator said “Egbert offered to drive me to and from my doctor’s appointment last week. On our drive back to Berkeley, we saw a truck that had flipped over in the middle of the freeway. While others simply drove by the scene and passed the flipped over truck, Egbert sprung into action. He quickly pulled over in a safe place and ran to the truck to help the person who had crashed and was still in the driver’s seat of the flipped over truck. People had no idea how to help the man get out of the car, Egbert suggested

Nominator said: “Bernie because he is a very generous and kind man. For the last 10 years, Bernie has volunteered his Thursday morning doing origami at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Bernie has worked with the sick children as well as with the siblings and parents. He supplies all the paper. He recently published a second book and in the book are pictures of the origami hats that he made for the kids who need them.  According to Bernie’s wife, Thursday is the best day of the week for him. He is patient and brings smiles and laughter to the children.