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Act of kindness closes out difficult year

January 7, 2022

While volunteering at the Beebe Auxiliary’s Thrift Store on New Year’s Eve day, I was about to place a vintage Yamaha guitar, which obviously needed some TLC, on the sales floor. However, before I could put it down, a young man and his mother from New York asked to see it.

This “out of tune” and slightly damaged guitar suddenly came to life as the young man began to play. 

Within a few minutes, customers, along with volunteers, gathered around and tapped their feet and snapped their fingers. The young man decided to purchase it and asked if we took credit cards. Before I could reply that we do, a woman tapped me on the shoulder, handed me the money, and said to the young man, “Please enjoy the guitar,” and left.  The crowd standing around was quiet, and some had tears in their eyes. It became even more special when the mother informed us as they were leaving that the young man played guitar for therapy patients. 

This random act of kindness was a wonderful conclusion to a very difficult 2021 for everyone who witnessed it at the thrift store, and a reminder that there are many people who continue to help and care in this world.  

C. Wendell Alfred
President, Beebe Auxiliary
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