I SAW it in the big pre-Christmas snowstorm--people leaving their cars and homes to help those stuck and stranded.

I've witnessed it over the past several days as black ice on walkways and in parking lots had people going out of their way to help others maneuver safely.

And beyond that, I've seen it over the past year or two, people giving money to help the homeless, showing up to fix a wheelchair ramp or taking meals and necessities to friends in hard times, even as we struggle with hard times of our own.

"It" is the kindness and caring people show during emergencies and tough times.

Not long ago, I heard someone say that we're not as caring as we used to be around here, that folks helping others is now more the exception than the rule.

I don't believe that, and I want you to help me prove it.

I'd like to collect some examples of people helping people.

They can be first-person descriptions, from those helped by good Samaritans, of how friends or strangers showed up in the snow, on the ice or in the midst of economic turmoil to help.

Or they can be observations from others who saw acts of kindness and caring, be they shoveling of sidewalks or an extra mile gone to find someone a job, a meal or a warm place to stay on a cold night.

Help me prove that this is that kind of place where people care enough to turn out when help is needed.

Send your tales via e-mail, fax or through the mail, using the information in the attached box.

Include your full name, the name of the locality where you live (i.e. Fredericksburg, Stafford County, the town of Orange) and a daytime phone number where I might reach you with any questions.

And also, so I don't make a wrong guess, please indicate whether you're male or female.

The point here is to give credit to the caring that I believe exists in our community.