Celebrate 100 Years of Grandview Heights with

100 Acts of Kindness

In honor of our neighborhood’s 100th anniversary, St. Matthew invites everyone to join us in sharing 100 Acts of Kindness now through September 15. While acts of kindness are encouraged all year round, this is our special way to mark this milestone together! Learn more about Grandview’s Once-in-a-Century Celebration!

Acts of Kindness!

1. St. Matthew member, Cliff Eshbach, is volunteering his time in the church camp kitchen for a week to help out while they’re short-staffed.
2. On a sweltering July day, a dedicated member of St. Matthew was spotted pulling weeds and beautifying the church grounds—a quiet but powerful act of care for our shared space—observed by Barb Eshbach
3. At the yard sale table, a young girl from the neighborhood handed me a bracelet she had made. The bracelet reads: You Matter —Pastor Fero, St. Matthew Lutheran
4. I offered a bungee strap to a couple struggling to move a piece of furniture on a hand cart at the Yard Sale on Saturday. They made it home with their Yard Sale find and happily returned the strap. They were very appreciative – Sandra Tucker
5. At 80, William Overly feels grateful for good health and a secure life. With that gratitude comes a deep sense of responsibility to care for others — through personal giving and by supporting efforts that ensure dignity and compassion for all. His acts of kindness include offering financial help to strangers, donating clothing, providing transportation to those in need, and supporting food relief efforts.
6. I cut some flowers from our yard and walked them over to the elderly neighbor next door – Matthew Kolb
7. Erin, Nora, and Fiona hand delivered a yummy piece of tomato pie this week. I’m eagerly looking forward to enjoying it for supper – Kay Gontner
8. Throughout the year, members and friends of St. Matthew work on making quilts for Lutheran World Relief.  This ministry is an important part of our Social Ministry Outreach Program.  All are welcome to join in the fun, no experience necessary – Sheila Charles
9. I experience an act of kindness every morning when my faithful neighbor, Ann, and her dog, Sully, hand deliver the Lancaster newspaper from my driveway entrance to my back door. This is a special part of their morning routine for which I am most grateful. They are both a blessing! – Kay Gontner
10. A familiar sight in Grandview, Kay Gontner has spent years picking up trash during her walks—an ongoing act of care for her neighborhood – Brenda Kauffman
11. At a recent St. Matthew Saturday service, Kim Murray showed kindness to fellow worshiper Judy Miller. Kim motioned for Judy to go ahead of her to commune. When Judy mentioned she needed a communion cup, Kim quickly got one for her. After communion, Kim also took Judy’s used cup to the tray, making it easier for Judy, who uses a walker, to navigate the front of the sanctuary. “Kim, you deserve a star – many thanks” – Judy Miller
12. Nancy Smith’s neighbors show kindness in simple but meaningful ways. One neighbor often stops by to take her dog for a walk and another faithfully drove her to physical therapy for two months.
13. A member of St. Matthew’s thought of Linda McIntyre while at the shore and brought her back a box of salt water taffy.
14. Linda McIntyre and her daughter Jodi brought roses to their homebound friends at Luther Acres
15. St. Matthew’s organist, Phil High, came to church on his day off to help with the copier, going above and beyond his regular duties.
16. Linda and Jodi McIntyre share fresh produce from their garden with others.
17. We cut our neighbor’s lawn for her whenever we do ours – Kathi Markley
18. We share our daily paper with our neighbor – Kathi Markley
19. Kindness comes in many forms, take WaWa for instance.  I sit in the car while Andrea goes in for our coffee during the week, however I am amazed to watch about  98 percent of the customers holding the door for someone going in or coming out.  What an unusual site.  Just makes me smile at the kindness being shown – Kaye Ames
20. I love going to Chic-fil-A for their Berry Parfaits.  It is so enjoyable to be greeted by their employees.  After placing or when picking up my order I say, “thank you” and they respond smiling beautifully and say, “My pleasure”.  Truly an act of kindness – Andrea Farris
21. At Church (St. Matthews) this past Sunday I was gifted with a book that I am very familiar with and with a thank you I  suggested that a few of my younger instructors will profit from the book.  When I got home I paged thru the book for fun and found myself wanting once again to share some of the learning and fun activities in the book which I had done years ago.  Thank you Barbara Eshbach for your act of kindness, your gift of kindness will now reach many people in the days and weeks to come – Kaye Ames
22. While on vacation, my walking buddy and neighbor took on my duties of “deadheading the geraniums” in the St. Matthew Lutheran yard. Thank you Carol! – Sandy Tucker
23. I offered and provided transportation to a friend (and potential church member) and brought her to the Saturday evening service – Anonymous
24. I gave a colorful plant and did some baking for a church member who recently had eye surgeries – Anonymous
25. I have been providing baked goods to a family member whose husband was recently diagnosed with a sever liver prognosis – Anonymous
26. I pass nice novels on to neighbors I know will enjoy them (Amish themes and nice romances) – Peg
27. Late in June, I had a knee replacement and needed someone to take me to my therapy appointments two times a week. Peggy Sampson was nice enough to help me with this travel. Thank you Peggy for your act of kindness – Barb Elsen
28. St. Matthew Lutheran performs an act of kindness monthly by preparing a lunch for those in need. We put together 60 lunches every month which are distributed by Zion Lutheran in East Petersburg. This past month Helen Bucher, a  non-member from the neighborhood, was a helper. The people involved in the task include: Anna Neal, Brenda Stauffer, Nancy Smith, Toni Sweitzer, Carol Castline, and Barb Elsen.
29. St. Matthew member Steve Feldmann and his family experienced several acts of kindness recently. His daughter in law accidentally left her phone on the Amtrak train, discovering she didn’t have it as they got into the car to come home. Steve tells of all the kind people involved in getting her phone back to her:  The security guard at the station made a call to see if he could reach someone in Harrisburg. When he couldn’t, he suggested that we could go meet the train in Harrisburg and possibly retrieve it. I happily drove us to Harrisburg to see if we could do that, rather than trust a “lost luggage “ claim process. The conductor found the phone and, rather than just consigning it to lost Luggage, called the emergency contact number, which rang my son’s phone. He arranged to give the phone to a Red Cap in Harrisburg. The red cap was outside the front door of the station when we drove in. He was very friendly and seemed glad he could help, even if it kept home from going home after the train pulled in. We were delighted that so many people helped us get Catherine’s phone back!
30. Amy Burke, Grandview Heights resident potter, has made mugs to commemorate the 100th anniversary of this special neighborhood (1925 to 2025). Thank you, Amy, for your artistry in honor of this event to be held on September 27th – Anonymous
31. The geraniums at St. Matthew are faithfully attended to each week by Carol Rothweiler. We appreciate the care she gives our church flower beds, especially during the hot months of summer – Anonymous
32. An anonymous individual shared that, while they wish to contribute to the 100 Acts, they have always viewed their actions as an expression of their faith. Quietly and without recognition, they support a bedridden woman by purchasing her groceries, cooking meals, and delivering food to her home. They also take care of her dogs’ vet visits and handle various odd jobs around her house—offering consistent care and compassion behind the scenes.
33. There was a long line of traffic and a woman stopped to let us out into the flow of traffic – Brenda Stauffer
34. I bought someone saltwater taffy – Anonymous
35. Once a month we prepare lunches for people who need this food. Community Meals are created for these special people. Our Community Meal team finds joy in working together – Anna Neal
36. Being a part of the quilting group is special because we know that a person in a far-away country somewhere in the world will receive this covering which was made with love – Anna Neal
37. I gave a big “thank you” to my best friend Luci for her help during this summer’s cataract removals. It required a day and a half of her time which she gave to me willingly – Anna Neal
38. I house sat for a week for a neighbor – Anonymous
39. I took a neighbor to her appointment – Anonymous
40. I provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, and the pharmacy for an elderly friend – Anonymous

How to Share Your Acts of Kindness

Please send an email to kindness@stmatthewelc.com with:

• A short description of what you did, or what you saw someone else do (1–2 sentences).
• Whether you would like your name included or kept anonymous.

Submissions may be lightly edited for clarity or length.

Let’s come together to spread kindness throughout Grandview Heights and make this 100th year shine with community spirit.

Celebrate the Completion

When we reach 100 Acts of Kindness, we’ll celebrate by highlighting the final list during worship and at the Grandview Neighborhood Block Party on September 27, 2025!
Together, we’ll honor how our congregation and community put love into action!