On Aug. 20, I was in line at Sandcastle with my 9-year-old grandson and his friend. A very kind, generous lady with a season pass and buddy pass -- allowing one free admission -- approached the group in front of us and asked if they would like her buddy pass.

Because they were also going to Kennywood they were getting combo tickets, so didn't need the pass. Next in line was me. Not only did this lady give me her buddy pass, worth $30, but she also had to wait in line with us for the pass to be valid.

She hated the idea of the pass going to waste. Had she not opted to be so giving, this lady could have zipped right into the park through the season ticket-holder lane. So, not only did she choose to give a stranger her pass, she also gave the gift of her time.

That this would happen did not really surprise me, as I am well aware of how giving Pittsburghers are. I am just so gracious to have been on the receiving end.

EILEEN GELET

Churchill

My son, Spc. Jule G. Renner, is serving in Afghanistan with the Pennsylvania National Guard. His twin brother Max, a chef in a local Japanese steakhouse, befriended a family he cooked for and told them Jule was serving.

The family sent a wonderful goody box to Jule, containing so much stuff that he shared it with his entire unit. Unfortunately, the package identification was burned before Jule realized that the note inside the box didn't include name or address for him to thank them.

As a mother and fellow American, I am so grateful to know that strangers would make such a kind gesture.

PAT HAHNEL RENNER

Franklin Park

Here is another story about a complete stranger paying for other people's meals.

My husband and I were celebrating our 36th anniversary, along with two of our five grown daughters, at Eat'n Park on Route 8 in Shaler. The restaurant was not as busy as usual and fairly quiet.

We were seated in a booth next to one with a woman, two toddler boys who were both about the same age, and an older woman. The younger woman apologized to us on several occasions for her boys, who were as cute as could be but very active -- as is usually the case with boys that age. We learned that they had turned 2 years old in February.

We chatted very briefly with her, trying to assure her that we were enjoying watching her boys and they were not disturbing us at all. At some point during our meal, we received a cell phone call from another daughter to offer us happy anniversary wishes.

Possibly, the women overheard some of our conversation, because when they were leaving they said goodbye to us and the mother had each of her boys wish us a happy anniversary. We were delighted with their wishes.

But what astonished us the most was that when we asked our waitress for our check, she informed us that the young woman in the booth next to us had paid it!

We asked the waitress if she knew who the woman was, but she said she'd never seen her before. We have told this story to many others who are all as surprised as we were.

Our family is very grateful for this kindness. We believe that God cannot be outdone in generosity, and trust that this young woman's generous act will truly be rewarded.

BETTY ANN KOSSLER

O'Hara

After doing my shopping at Trader Horn in McCandless, I sat down on a bench near its exit door to arrange my purchases and money. My next stop was at Kohl's, but when I went to get my wallet from my purse, it wasn't there.

I hurried back to Trader Horn, only to see my wallet sitting on the counter of the service desk. I asked who I had to thank for it, and the girl said it was a gentleman shopper who found it and turned it in. I was so elated, to say the least.

I hope the gentleman who was responsible will read this and know that I thank him so much. Again, we have such honest and good people in Pittsburgh.

JEAN GOSNELL

Shaler

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