Hey guy. I know the arcade/pinball community is a very generous bunch. Not only are most people I've met in the hobby incredibly friendly, but many are incredibly generous. I know just on KLOV alone, folks have raised money to send to people in need, have donated games to children's hospitals, or have flown sick folks out to CAX for the time of their lives.

I'm recording a Christmas episode of the Gameroom Junkies podcast tonight and I'd love to share some uplifting stories on the show, and thought we could get the ball rolling here. Please share a story how you have either given or received generously. I'll start by sharing two experiences: one of giving and one of receiving.

Giving:
I once scored a old EM pinball machine from a friend for a great deal. It was an old Sunset pinball that worked, but definitely needed some TLC. One day, a friend of mine said "Hey, do you think I can come over tonight and bring my cousin? He needs to get his mind off of some things, and playing some arcade games would be just the ticket." I said "Sure! Come on over!" Come to find out, just a few weeks prior, he lost everything he owned in a fire - including his son!!

He (the cousin) was talking about how he was an artist and loved the old EM game artwork. I told him about restoring games, and he said that sounded really interesting and he'd love to have an old game to get back into his art by cleaning up the playfield and cabinet. I asked him if He'd like to have a game like this? He said, "of course." I said, "Well, take this one - it's yours!"

He was dumbfounded and so appreciative of my generosity, it really made me feel good. I ended up delivering it to my friend's house for the cousin to pickup whenever he got his feet on the ground. My friend and his cousin really enjoyed tinkering around with it, and I'll never forget how great it felt to bring a smile to his face.

Receiving:
I'll never ceased to be amazed by the people in this hobby. I announced that I would be in Boston for a work trip last month and if anyone wanted to get together to play games. Scott, a wonderful guy I met through KLOV, went EXTREMELY out of his way to drive in from NH to Boston to pick me up, drive me an hour to the Pinball Wizard Arcade in Pelham, NH, drive me BACK to my hotel at Logan, and drive himself BACK to NH. All so I could see something I wouldn't have a chance to experience otherwise. Not only that, but the next day he was going to the Dr. to hear about final options for his cancer treatment. Talk about thinking of others before thinking of yourself! Simply amazing.

Share your own feel-good stories below. I wanna hear TONS and share several of these stories on the podcast! Thanks!

awesome stories, guys. Keep 'em comin'!