We had traveled to Pittsburgh from Toronto with our two young children to visit my grandfather for a holiday. Things turned very sour for us when, on a visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo, our 31/2-year-old son wandered off, and we couldn't locate him.

Needless to say, we were beyond scared. There were other families with young children sympathizing with us while we frantically searched and called out for our son. However, a firefighter with the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department went above and beyond the call of duty to help us out.

While we were giving the zoo personnel a description of our son, the firefighter named Dan overheard, and he went to look for our son himself despite being there on his day off with his own family. Successfully, he located our son and brought him back to safety.

We hate to think what could have been if he had not been there to act as quickly and efficiently as he did. We are forever grateful for his kindness.

PAULA LIPKUS

Thornhill, Ontario

I am a senior citizen who last month had a dentist appointment and had some teeth pulled. It was one of the extremely hot days. I was waiting for my van ride home, my mouth packed with gauze, my jaw sore.

After about an hour and a second phone call, my ride still hadn't arrived. A very nice lady who saw me waiting asked if there was a problem and, when I told her, she said she would take me home. I have forgotten her first name, but I did thank her profusely. She saw me to my door, as I use a cane, and she made sure that I got in safely.

To that Good Samaritan who went out of her way to help someone get home safely, I offer again my many thanks. It is good to know there are people who still care about others and will offer a helping hand.

ANNA O'BRIEN

Park Place

Recently, I made a trip to visit a friend at a hospice in Butler. After getting off the turnpike at Route 8, I stopped at a convenience store to make sure I was going in the right direction.

I asked the window-cleaning man there if he knew of the hospice I was looking for, but he wasn't able to help. But a gentleman in the parking lot called me over to his car. He said that he heard me asking for directions and offered to help me verify my directions from MapQuest. He was a salesman and on the road daily.

He plugged it into his GPS tracking system and in no time I had clear and definite directions. I thanked him for his kind help and as I was walking away, he said, "I hope your friend is glad to see you and that she is going to be OK."

Again I thanked him and went on my way. I got there in about 30 minutes, and it was the best visit. My friend and I laughed and just caught up on things. I was so glad to have been able to spend this time with her, as she passed away two days later.

Thank you to the "salesman on the road" for his kind and thoughtful words and his generous help. My friend will be truly missed, but you got me there in time.

GWEN WALWENDER

Monroeville

I was visiting my grandson at Children's Hospital after he had surgery the day before. His 5-year-old sister was with me. We spent most of the day and returned to the parking lot about 4:30 p.m.

I had never been to the new hospital before. We searched both floors of the parking garage and couldn't find my car. I had my ticket stamped already, but it didn't show me anything about my car's whereabouts.

I saw a hospital employee walking toward me and asked him if he had any suggestions. This nice man spent the next half-hour helping me look for my car before I realized that I had come down the wrong elevator from the hospital.

He led me to another garage on the other side of the hospital, where, of course, we eventually found my car. I failed to get his name, but I would like to thank him, and hope that Children's Hospital is able to recognize this story and give this kind gentleman a pat on the back for his random act of kindness.

LOIS MAURO

Natrona Heights

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