Good Samaritans

There are many Good Samaritans living and working in our community who perform acts of kindness that most people never hear or know about. They go about their daily lives, unknown to others, while making the lives of others just a little brighter.

In the past few weeks, however, I’ve seen or heard stories of these kind-hearted individuals gifting others with their deeds. While I know these Good Samaritans would make great stories for this newspaper, I find that these individuals usually wish to remain anonymous.

A few weeks ago, a local business owner told me the story of how he decided to move here after having a Newcastle Good Samaritan experience.

This man said his first encounter in our community happened before he was a resident, but rather while he was working for a company as a truck driver passing through Weston County. His truck broke down here and he was touched and amazed at the number of people who stopped with offers to help him while he was stranded. He even recalled how one person just handed him a bottle of water to drink while he waited for help that was already on the way.

He was so touched by this experience that he made the decision to relocate to our community, and eventually bought a business here.

I read about another Good Samaritan in our community during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, via facebook, in a post by Seth Custer from Waterloo, Nebraska, who was traveling on a motorcycle and became stranded in this area.

He wrote that, without the help of a Newcastle Good Samaritan, he never would have made it home to Nebraska. Custer expressed that he is forever grateful for the fine Newcastle gentleman who went above and beyond to help him out, and also added that he knew it wasn’t the first time this gentleman has assisted others who needed a helping hand.

The term “Good Samaritan” derives from a parable in the Gospel of Luke. It is about a traveler who is stripped of his clothing, is beaten, and left for dead. A Samaritan is the only one to stop and help him, showing mercy and compassion. The term today applies to anyone who is charitable, helping others in need, usually with no public acknowledgement or fanfare. It’s about loving your neighbor as you would yourself.

These good deeds and so many others — be they small or large — have a profound impact on people’s lives. I would like to thank all the Good Samaritans — most of whom will continue to remain anonymous — for their random acts of kindness. You spread positivity and make our community, and world, a better place to live.