Giving something—whether tangible or not—without expecting anything in return boosts feelings of happiness in the brain, according to a 2017 University of Zurich study titled “A Neural Link Between Generosity and Happiness.” In that research, even small acts of giving produced measurable activity in the brain during fMRI scans.
Below are heartwarming examples of people who gave selflessly, without anticipating any reward.
Missing Wedding Ring Inspires $190,000 in Giving to a Homeless Man
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Kansas City resident Sarah Darling accidentally dropped her engagement ring into a homeless man’s cup while tossing in spare change. The man, Billy Ray Harris, later discovered the ring among his earnings and had it appraised at $4,000. When Darling realized what had happened, she contacted Harris and recovered the ring. Moved by his honesty, she and her husband created a crowdfunding page to raise $1,000 for him. Instead, donors contributed about $190,000, enabling Harris to buy a home and a car and to reconnect with his family.
Extreme Donors
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On average, people give a modest share of their income to charity. But Julia Wise and Jeff Kauffman from Massachusetts chose a much more generous path: they pledged to donate half of their income. Over several years this commitment resulted in donations totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. They say their own needs are covered, and they also want to model philanthropy for their young daughters.
A Positive Police Presence
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Tallahassee police officer Tony Carlson showed kindness to a homeless man known as Phil by shaving him and helping him get ready to apply for a job at McDonald’s. The officer’s compassionate act was captured on video and went viral, highlighting how small gestures can restore dignity and open opportunities.
The Dog Rescuer Extraordinaire
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When 7-year-old Roman McConn learned that some shelter dogs never get adopted, he set out to help by making videos showcasing dogs’ personalities and “cuteness.” His efforts helped find homes for more than a thousand dogs. He earned recognition as the ASPCA’s Kid of the Year and appeared on national television, and his project, Project Freedom Ride, continues to promote animal adoption.
Helping a Penniless and Frustrated New Mom
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New mother Vicky Garza rushed her crying infant to an emergency clinic and received a prescription for ear drops. At the nearby pharmacy, the drops cost $129 and her insurance wouldn’t cover them. Desperate and unable to reach the doctor again that day, she spoke to her mother on the phone when a stranger stepped forward, handed her the required medication, and said simply, “I don’t want him suffering.” When Garza offered to repay her, the woman declined and told her to trust in God and pay the kindness forward.
A Special Delivery From Heaven
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Seven-year-old Jase Hyndman in the U.K. addressed a birthday card to his father in Heaven and asked the postman to deliver it. To his surprise, Royal Mail replied with a compassionate note saying the item had been delivered and that they would continue to do all they could to ensure safe delivery—an empathetic response that comforted the child and his family.
She Instantly Paid Goodwill Forward
When Sara Berg and her cousin Lisa Meier experienced a flat tire on a Wisconsin highway, a passerby named Victor Giesbrecht stopped to help. Minutes after they drove off, they saw Giesbrecht’s car pulled over—he’d suffered a heart attack. Berg, a certified nursing assistant, immediately performed CPR while Meier called 911. Their quick response saved his life, returning the favor to the man who had stopped to help them.
A Kindhearted Teen Rides to the Rescue
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After Clarence Stephens locked his keys in the car, a teenager on a bicycle overheard his predicament. Although the teen’s ride to the man’s wife and back would be seven miles round trip, he offered to fetch the spare key. He completed the trip, returned the key, and refused any payment. His willingness to help shows how youthful generosity can make a big difference.
An Unexpected Purchase and a Hug
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Maryland grandmother Stacy Lee wanted to buy a special dress for her granddaughter but couldn’t afford it at the moment and asked the store to hold it. Another customer offered to pay. When Lee initially hesitated to accept such generosity, the woman explained she had been homeless for three years and had been kept alive by the kindness of strangers. Having recovered her own stability, she wanted to pay that kindness forward. The exchange ended with a hug instead of money—an emotional reminder that compassion can come in many forms.
Employees to the Rescue
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When parents Christian and Justin Moore needed a custom walker for their 2-year-old son Logan—who was born with a condition that makes standing and walking difficult—they brought a list of supplies to a Home Depot in Georgia. Rather than sending them away, employees collaborated to build the walker while the family took a short break. They returned to find a completed device personalized with Logan’s name, a gift that allowed him greater mobility without a lengthy wait for insurance approval.
Family Offers Warmth in Frigid Temperatures
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During a severe cold snap in Morton Grove, Illinois, Sabbel Ahmed and Asma Naheed left handwritten notes on 40 neighbors’ porches offering help with groceries, medicine pickups, or snow removal. With wind chills reaching dangerously low levels, their proactive outreach connected isolated neighbors with needed assistance; several residents accepted help.
The Playful Generosity of a 9-Year-Old
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Nine-year-old Zachary Darner from Kitsap County, Washington, started collecting toys for hospitalized children after witnessing his younger brother’s lengthy hospital stay. In his first year he gathered several hundred toys; in later years his efforts grew substantially, collecting thousands for kids in need. His nonprofit, Kidzz Helping Kidzz, continues to brighten hospital stays for many families.
A Life-Giving Decision
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University of New Hampshire athlete Cameron Lyle registered as a bone marrow donor at 19. Two years later he was asked to donate to a 28-year-old leukemia patient. Donating marrow meant temporarily sidelining his promising athletic career, but Lyle agreed without hesitation, saying that saving a life outweighed any athletic ambitions. His decision exemplifies how one person’s willingness to help can have a profound impact on another’s chance to live.