Welcome to the Random Acts of Kindness thread, also known as the RAOK place. This is where we post things to give away to others, asking NOTHING in return but a thank you. No money or credits are exchanged. We give freely, at our own expense. If you see something you’d like, PM the member with your mailing info. If you are the one mailing, please be sure to put full postage on any packages you send. Members have reported receiving "gifts" with postage due.  Remember this is a PUBLIC forum, meaning anyone (not just members) can see what is posted here.  Please do not post last names, addresses, or postal tracking numbers here, in order to protect the privacy of our participants.

Please note that we must abide by PBS rules - NO buying, selling or advertising allowed.

For liability reasons, we are sorry, but no medications of any kind may be posted in this forum. This includes prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements.

RAOK rules -
You may not ask for anything in return for the things you post here. Please do not ask for postage, or to swap or trade.
If you ask for a RAOK posted by another member, please do not offer to pay or give something in return. This is not allowed and defeats the purpose of the Random Act of Kindness.  Try to pay it forward and perhaps grant some wishes in the ***I Wish*** thread.
We ask that you do not reply within the thread. We are different from most forums in this way. When we go to ***I Wish***, we see wishes; in ***RAOK***, we see just what’s being given away. If you have a question about it, simply PM the member. All RAOKs should be handled privately between members via PM.
Please do not post single use codes - such as Coke codes - in this forum. Post that you have them and let members PM you for them. It saves all the replies within the thread (see above). You may start a separate thread if you want to post them that way. Or check the ***I Wish*** thread and simply grant a Coke code wish or two. Codes that can be used over and over again are perfectly fine to post here in RAOK.
Please do not ask someone for ‘everything on your list’ (yes, it’s been done), so that others can have a chance.
One of our most important rules is that you must acknowledge receipt of the things sent to you! This is our biggest problem. People take the time to post, wrap, and mail, and then never know if the package arrived. Please say thanks for what you receive, either by PM or in the ***Thank You*** thread. It’s the polite thing to do, and we all worry about our mail getting through. Those who don't acknowledge a kindness will often find their future requests ignored.
Please include your nickname when you mail out a RAOK. This makes you easier to find and thank.
Be sure to check your listing and edit as needed, so people are not disappointed. We know that life gets in the way and computers crash, but please try.
Credit transactions should take place in the Book Bazaar or by private PM.  Credits may not be offered as gifts anywhere in RAOK.

RAOK Tips -
Think carefully about what you want to give away before you post. Postage costs these days can be terrible for over-sized or heavy ALL items that cannot go by media mail. We have all been shocked by the postage for something we mailed here; it happens often. Think first! This is a fun place, but you don’t need to empty your wallet by taking part. It’s wonderful to do something nice for others, but be kind to yourself too.

Before you post something to give away, check the ***I Wish*** thread --- someone may already be asking for it!

If you mark "taken" by your items that have been asked for, please put the word TAKEN in another color by that item, so it's easily apparent to our members that something is no longer available. This avoids disappointments and keeps you from getting more requests for an item that has already been claimed.  Or, just edit your post to delete that item.

Random drawings:  If you wish to sponsor a random drawing for an item you are offering, please, before you post your offer, PM the current RAOK manager with the winning number (between 1 and 25).  The manager will post a table with the numbers 1 through 25.  Then post your offer, including the information that people interested in participating in the drawing should choose a number between 1 and 25 and PM that number to the thread manager.  The manager will enter participants' names into the table, so that subsequent participants will know which numbers are still available.  When no more numbers have been requested for 24 hours, the drawing will be closed and the winner announced.

If one of us contacts you about changing your post, please understand that we have to follow PBS rules and guidelines. Often we have to ask someone to change or delete a post because of that. New things come up here all the time. If something is not appropriate, we will tell you so, and ask you to change it. Remember that the PBS team does oversee the forums. They edit posts and have been known to suspend accounts. We hate to have that happen to our fellow RAOKers when we can take care of problems ourselves.

RAOK reminders for people requesting something that is offered here -
The people offering RAOKs are doing it out of kindness and generosity, often despite limited means.  Please make your requests for those items in the same spirit, and do not ask for anything that was not explicitly offered.  The people posting RAOKs are offering just what they have, and we appreciate them for doing so.  A request for substitutions is not in keeping with the intention of this thread.  If you would accept only a particular color, size, flavor, or other quality of an offered item, then please use the monthly ***I Wish*** thread to ask for the specific item there instead.

Reminder about the use of Media Mail
Per the USPS website, here are the things that can be sent by Media Mail:  books, CDs, DVD, manuscripts for books or music, play scripts, computer-readable media for any of the preceding, cellluloid film of 16mm width or less, printed test materials and their accessories, printed educational reference charts, medical information in the form of loose-leaf pages in a binder.   Anything else, even if printed (such as message pads, stickynotes, notebooks without an ISBN, etc) must go by some other class of mail.

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to PM me and ask. We are always happy to be of help to members of the RAOK forum, new or old. Thanks for participating in this great part of PBS!  Enjoy!

Happy Holidays Dear Friends. Hope this month brings you joy all month .

I can do the small address labels (80 to a sheet) or the larger ones (30 to sheet). Just let me know what clip art you want and your full address if I don't already have it.

Free SciFi & Fantasy ebooks.  I'm not sure how long this is good for so download while you can!

Christmas ornaments:

• fabric oval framed winter scene
• pewter "Mall of America, Minnesota" 
• pewter xmas tree with Loretta Lynn photo
• pewter "Amish Country"
• pewter "North Carolina" with a cardinal and dogwood (inner portion could be removed, leaving just a wreath)
• pewter "US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville" (inner portion could be removed, leaving just a wreath)

Padded mailers. Used.

Tiny plastic page flags. Many colors.

Unpostable paperback: Desert Crucible, Zane Grey.

Ear tips for ear buds. Multiple available. Pink, clear, black with red.

Multiples of these coupons. May be updated throughout the month.

• Aleve $2 6/30/24
• Astepro $5 12/31/24
• Bayer aspirin $1 6/30/24
• Boost multipack or canister $3 12/31/23
• Cepacol $2 6/30/24
• Certain Dri $3 12/31/23
• Colace $2 no exp
• Culturelle baby or kids probiotic $5 6/1/24
• Delsym $2 12/31/24
• KY products $2 12/31/23
• Miralax $5 4/30/24
• Monistat 1 or 3 $5 12/31/23
• Mucinex $3 3/31/25
• Mylicon 12/30/24: child tummy $2, infant gas $2, infant probiotic $3
• Neutrogena sun, moisturize, makeup, lip balm $2 5/31/24
• Tylenol or Motrin $1.50: pediatric 12/31/23, ped or adult 10/31/24
• Zarbees $1.50 12/31/23: baby probiotic, vitamin D
• Zyrtec 12/31/23: pediatric $2, chewables $5

For December I have -

 Found more to and from labels! These are large and very pretty.

Also have  a variety of labels for holiday baking - "from the kitchen  of', 'baked with love by', 'tasty treats from'...etc.  Have plenty for a couple people.

PM with info if interested. Thanks for looking and for supporting our RAOK forum!

Would love to send out a birthday card or three if anyone is having a birthday this month. Or if you'd like a Christmas card I can do that instead. If interested just pm me. Thanks

1 Freeman feeling beautiful hydrating glacier water + pink peony Gel Cream Mask

lots and lots of card fronts

2024-2026 pocket calendars (have religious things on front cover)  - I STILL have 20 so you can ask for 1 or 2 or 3 even if you got one before.  

McCormick's red spatulas (NEW with tag)  I have several of these, ask for 1 or 2 if you want or need.

I have a bunch of candy canes (my family doesn't eat them),  enough for 4 people to get a few each.  

Another 2024 checkbook size datebook. Has angel on the cover.

Another new purse datebook for 2024. Picture on cover has house at dusk and birds on white picket fence, says "peaceful solitue"
Large pawprint window cling from Guide Dogs for the Blind, 2023
2023 Toys for Tots magnet

card fronts from a variety of holidays/ celebrations-- state preference if you want

From last month:

Notepads

New 2024 Calendars:  Pheasants Forever Calendar,  (Both Protecting Birds and Nature Calendars being mailed)

Assorted bird decorated folding cardstock letters (no seals)

Again this month:  Any book from my bookshelf, or WL multiples list,  Recommend The Giant's House, fun little romantic read in excellent condition.

OFFER: Pokemon cards fun pack (includes 3 cards) Sword and Shield Darkness Ablaze.  I have several packages of these, so I can send to more than one person.

Here's what I have to give away:

1. One sheet of new Acne care healing dots-for all skin types

2. One coupon for a jar of Toby's dressing and dip-expires 12-31

3. Have one sheet of Krispy Kreme coupons that expire at the end of the month.

4. Will send up to 2 people a postcard

Please include your address in your PM. Will send items due to wacky work schedule and weather. Thanks.

Will try to fulfill a few wishes as well.:)

I have another short story available, also in a WW2 setting like the one I sent out with the Christmas cards.  You can request in either digital form (31K file) to be sent to your email (preferred to reduce mailing and printing costs) or hard copy.  This one features members of the Presley family, who are related to Ellen Page by marriage, and is set around New Year's Eve 1943 in England.  If you liked Gary and Ellen's story and would like to read this one, just PM me.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Melanie 

Added more to my post above!

Added two items to my list above.

added one new item to my post above

Hello everyone.  Happy Hanukkah. 

Happy December and Merry Christmas. 

I have to offer: free book from my bookshelf for 4 people. 

Pm with addy if interested. 

Thanks for looking, 

Kathy

Blank recipe cards   

2 sheets of Lily and Fox nailcovers

book,=marks w/flowersPaperclip

Cancelled foreign stamps

Cancelled US stamps

4 Derma-E brand natural moisturizer/serum samples (all to one person): Hydrating Day Cream, Hydrating Night Cream, Vita C Renewing Moisturizer, Vita C Concentrated Serum (they are all gluten-free, not tested on animals, soy-free). TAKEN

1 pack (3 pairs) Que Bella Moisturizing Hydrogel Eye Masks with Aloe Vera.- TAKEN

1 sample of First Aid Beauty Bump Eraser Body Scrub - TAKEN

These are all DVD tv shows.  They are in the original case. 

Each person can request only one show below and I will send all the DVDs listed next to it.   
PM your request with address.   Looking for 4 different people to send DVDs too.  Thanks!

TV show list

Gilmore Girls:  A year in the Life (taken)

Arrow – Season 1 & 2 (taken) 

Supernatural – Season 1, 2, 3 & 4 (taken)

Nikita – Season 1, 2, 3 & 4 (taken) 

I will have some holiday card fronts soon. Taken

Send me your full mailing details if interested.

Another new purse datebook for 2024. Picture on cover has house at dusk and birds on white picket fence, says "peaceful solitue".

added

adding and updating

Thanks to everyone who let their senders know that a sent item was received, whether you posted in the Thank You thread, or privately by PM or other means.  It's so much nicer when we can be certain that our efforts were successful, rather than sending something out into the ether and wondering whether it got to where it was meant to be.
And now that we've thought about the end of a RAOK's journey, I'd like to add a word about the beginning of the journey.  Actually, it's about before the journey even starts.  The top posts in the 3 monthly threads haven't changed all that much in the last few years, and I'm realistic about the fact that most of us don't take the time to check it for anything new.  So I'd like to ask that one of your upcoming resolutions be to read the first posts and refresh your memories about the way these threads operate.  In particular, please remember:
1.  to check the RAOK thread before you post a wish.  Clearly, if you're posting a wish at the beginning of the month, then nobody may yet have offered what you're looking for, but please do keep checking as the month goes on.
2.  that the people who post offers in the RAOK thread are very good about providing the necessary details to describe their items.  Please do not ask for substitutions or adjustments.  If you are looking for a particular color, size, or whatever of something offered, and it doesn't match the description, then kindly put your request in the form of a Wish in the Wish thread, not in a PM to the person who offered something close to, but not exactly, what you want.  We all have limited means, and should not be expected to do Santa's job for him.
3.  that the Post Office now raises the postal rates twice each year.  People may offer something and then find that the cost to send it is more than the item is worth.  Please be understanding if they are unable to follow through on granting a wish.

Thank you all so much for continuing to show up in the RAOK Forum.  I hope you are enjoying, or enjoyed, a joyous holiday season, and will have your best year yet in 2024!