Winner of the Week: A Random Act of Kindness

Winner of the Week goes to an anonymous person who happily surprised an unsuspecting high school librarian recently in Phoenix, Arizona. "It was just so overwhelming," reveals Georgette Bordine of her reaction when she opened a small box sent through priority mail. Inside of the box? Two overdue Audubon Society books, checked out in 1959! Attached to the books was a money order for $1000 (US) – to cover 50 years worth of overdue fines.

In an anonymous letter, the sender explained that s/he was a senior in Camelback High School’s class of 1959. They explained that their family relocated to another state and had accidentally packed up the books during their move.

In the enclosed note, the borrower, who is now likely about 68 years old, says that the $1000 (US) should be used to cover the fees, which at that time were 2 cents per day, totaling $745 (US). The excess balance was added in to account for any rate changes.

Fighting back excitement Bordine expressed that she was “…happy not just because of the money, but because there are still people in the world who do such nice things.”

The Camelback High School library has decided to use the money to purchase new books. Due to the impeccable condition of the returned books, they will simply be placed back on the shelves. That is why an anonymous Good Samaritan is Winner of the Week… for reminding us all that it is never too late for random acts of kindness.