“This is just one more affirmation that we live in a great place!” One stranger’s act of kindness reaffirms generosity of Valley residents

Colony Christmas is one of the most popular events held in the Mat-Su Borough, bringing out holiday fanatics, and maybe a few Scrooges, too. And one of the events that warms people from the inside out, literally, is the Palmer Lions Club Breakfast. It is a staple of the weekend, a tradition dating back decades.

It’s not always easy planning for an event like that, with weather always threatening to keep visitors away, or the addition of visiting teams and tourists, there is often an air of unpredictability to it.

And with that comes the possibility of running short on food, which nearly happened last weekend during the annual Colony Christmas Breakfast Buffet. And out to save the day was Carol Kenley, who has been a part of the Palmer Lions Club for nearly 15 years.

“Much like my post says, Colony Christmas has always one of my favorite weekends, but this year was made even more special by a complete stranger, she starts. When the Lions were running short of bacon, orange juice, and of course, eggs, she dashed to the local Three Bears to gather the necessities, only to make it to the cashier and realize something wasn’t quite right.

“As I raced through the checkout, I realized that my credit card holder was missing from my purse. As I dumped everything out, I explained to the checker that I needed to get back to the breakfast that I was buying everything for.” The cashier, perhaps underestimating the urgency and distance to complete her task, had offered to let Kenley keep things on hold, which she explains was not an option. Instead, Kenley hoped to appeal to the manager for help, and as she was waiting, a woman waiting in the same line, stepped up.

“This patient lady offered a sweet, amazing gesture by swiping her card,” recounts Kenley. “This stranger just said, ‘I’ll pay for this. It will be my donation to the Lions.’ This was over $150! I am overwhelmed by her generosity.”

She says that this stranger, who Kenley later found out her name, saved the Lions’ breakfast and gave her the gift of an example to emulate.

“I will treasure her gift in my time of need forever. Seriously, if she had not stepped in. life would have gone on. But she made a difference. I live in such a wonderful community because there are people like her. I am so grateful. This is just one more affirmation that we live in a great place!”

Kenley says that she got the woman’s address and has sent a check to pay her back for her act of kindness, but that the woman says it wasn’t necessary.

“I wasn’t expecting this, and she said she wasn’t expecting anything in return.”

Kenley, who along with other member of the Palmer Lions Club, help rings the Salvation Army bell at Fred Meyers, says that she’s always touched by people’s generosity, but hopes that this stranger’s act inspires more.

Kenley posted her encounter on social media and was overwhelmed by the response from the community, with many people saying they were touched by both Kenley’s service and the stranger’s act.

“There are always these kinds of acts of generosity and kindness, but there should always be more. Because of the stranger coming to my rescue, I know that God is good.”

Kenley also is happy to report that she later found her credit card holder.