NBC12.com-Richmond, VA News, Weather, Traffic & SportsUnexpected mother receives act of kindness

ACTS OF KINDNESS

Unexpected mother receives act of kindness

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By Terry Alexander - email
By Sabrina Squire - bio | email

  • Acts of KindnessActs of Kindness

  • Tuesday, May 15 2012 5:31 PM EDT2012-05-15 21:31:52 GMT
    Sometimes it takes a village to pay it forward. I hit the streets in Henrico at the White Oak Shopping Village to find someone ready on the spot to pass on a $300 Act of Kindness. I was certain my
    I hit the streets in Henrico at the White Oak Shopping Village and met with Michelle Johnson, a bus driver with Henrico Public Schools.

  • Tuesday, May 8 2012 6:25 PM EDT2012-05-08 22:25:37 GMT
    Nominations for our $300 Acts of Kindness segment usually come via phone or e-mail. But for the next few weeks, I'm hitting the streets all around town, to catch people willing to pay it forward on the spot.
    Nominations for our $300 Acts of Kindness segment usually come via phone or e-mail. But for the next few weeks, I'm hitting the streets all around town, to catch people willing to pay it forward on the spot to someone in need or reward someone's good deeds.

  • Tuesday, May 1 2012 5:34 PM EDT2012-05-01 21:34:51 GMT
    After the sudden death of a Prince George police officer three weeks ago, loved ones wanted to honor her memory with an Act of Kindness for the people she called "her" heroes.
    After the sudden death of a Prince George police officer three weeks ago, loved ones wanted to honor her memory with an Act of Kindness for the people she called "her" heroes.

  • Tuesday, April 24 2012 6:28 PM EDT2012-04-24 22:28:17 GMT
    RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Sometimes family ties can test us in ways we never imagine. We're paying it forward to a bachelor who suddenly found himself being a surrogate parent to an active pre-teen, while
    We're paying it forward to a bachelor who suddenly found himself being a surrogate parent to an active pre-teen, while also caring for his own critically ill mother. His friend calls him a strong, inspiring role model who deserves an Act of Kindness.

  • Tuesday, April 17 2012 5:40 PM EDT2012-04-17 21:40:56 GMT
    We're paying it forward in Chesterfield to a woman her neighbor calls "the most compassionate caretaker." Not only is she managing her own family's serious medical issues, she's opened her home to displaced families and pets, and looks after kids around the apartment complex.

  • Tuesday, April 10 2012 5:57 PM EDT2012-04-10 21:57:21 GMT
    A knit hat warmed a local woman's "heart" so much, she tracked down the person who knitted it and nominated her for today's Acts of Kindness.

  • Tuesday, April 3 2012 8:05 PM EDT2012-04-04 00:05:02 GMT
    We're paying it forward to a woman who takes care of seven hundred children and dozens of adults several days a week. She's such a great asset to her school and everyone in it, she's been voted support staff person of the year several years in a row and today she's our Act of Kindness recipient. 

  • ACTS OF KINDNESS

    Tuesday, March 27 2012 6:25 PM EDT2012-03-27 22:25:37 GMT
    Lots of us remember an exceptional teacher who made us believe we could succeed at anything. Today a grandmother and cancer survivor is paying it forward to the educator she says has given her confidence that she absolutely will earn the diploma she's been longing for. Their teacher-student bond is this week's "Acts of Kindness."

  • ACTS OF KINDNESS

    Wednesday, March 21 2012 8:10 AM EDT2012-03-21 12:10:09 GMT
    In this week's Acts of Kindness, we pay it forward to someone who opened their heart and their home to one of our viewers.

  • ACTS OF KINDNESS

    Tuesday, March 13 2012 5:13 PM EDT2012-03-13 21:13:10 GMT
    Today we're paying it forward to a dynamic young CEO who is passionate about children, education and empowerment. She committed to nurturing future generations of local leaders and today a loyal supporter is making a three hundred dollar Act of Kindness investment.

By Sabrina Squire - bio | email
Posted by Terry Alexander - email

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) – This week we pay it forward to a woman who's always counting her blessings. When a friend counted out a three hundred dollar "Act of Kindness" she was overjoyed. But she was even more excited about the priceless blessing she received three years ago. 

"She has a 3-year-old child she's been raising since he was a newborn from a complete stranger," said Dorothea Johnson. "His mom was incarcerated. She took care of him from birth and his mom later died of a drug overdose. She's had him ever since." 

Dorothea tells me her friend Karen Gaiters has a heart of gold, but she could still use a little green right now. 

"She had lost her job and was having a hard time, but now she's found employment so this is like a really good thing with school starting and everything," Dorothea said. 

Sabrina Squire: "I have 1 hundred, 2 hundred, 3 hundred dollars for you to pass on to your good friend."
Dorothea Johnson: "Ok."
Sabrina Squire: "So, where can we find her?"
Dorothea Johnson: "Let's go this way." 

We don't have to go far. Karen's apartment is steps away. 

Karen Gaiters: "Who is it?"
Dorothea Johnson: "It's me Karen."
Karen Gaiters: "Hello."
Dorothea Johnson: "How are you doing? Hello Malik. We have someone here." 

Dorothea Johnson: "This is acts of kindness and Ronesha called Channel 12, she couldn't be here today so I stood in for her because of what you do for so many people, the way you help people, the outstanding job you've done with Malik and this is just a kind act to you, which you've done for everybody else so ...."
Karen Gaiters: "(tears)"
Dorothea Johnson: "Look, 1,2,3, hundred dollars."
Karen Gaiters: "Thank you."
Dorothea Johnson: "You're welcome."
Karen Gaiters: "Thank you!" 

Karen tells me the cash comes right on time. 

"Because rent has not been paid, so it's a blessing. It's a blessing, yes," Karen said. 

Karen says she always feels richly blessed and one big reason is a pint sized package of pure love. 

"God blessed me with Malik," she said. 

She tells me about the phone call that changed both their lives. Child protective services said an inmate gave them Karen's name, would she come pick up a three-day-old baby boy. 

"'And you need to be here before 11:00.' I prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed. I didn't have nothing from the start. [At] 10:45 I went to MCV and I picked up my son," Karen said. "And that's my son and I love him as mine; unconditional love. Malik is my bundle of joy. Malik makes me happy. Malik keeps me alive." 

Karen is in the process of getting full, legal custody of Malik. 

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