Unexpected acts of kindness from strangers can make your day or even change your life.
Whether it’s someone helping you change a flat tire on the side of the road, a passerby going out of their way to return your lost wallet, or a thoughtful neighbor bringing you groceries when you’re sick, these good Samaritans deserve heartfelt appreciation.
Expressing your gratitude in a meaningful way shows the person their kindness made an impact and encourages more of these selfless acts in the world.
But sometimes it’s hard to find the right words in the moment.
To help, here are 20 sample thank-you messages for a variety of common situations involving kind strangers.
How to Thank a Good Samaritan
Use these message examples as inspiration to craft your own personal thank you when a stranger helps you out:
1. For Helping With a Flat Tire
Thank you so much for stopping to help me change my flat tire on the highway today. I was feeling overwhelmed and your kindness and competence turned a stressful situation into a positive interaction. I’m truly grateful and will be sure to pay it forward. Thanks again!
Commentary: This message expresses appreciation for both the practical assistance and the emotional support provided by the good Samaritan. It’s an appropriate length for a verbal thank you or a handwritten note.
2. For Returning a Lost Wallet
I can’t thank you enough for going out of your way to return my lost wallet. Realizing it was missing put me in a panic, but your thoughtfulness and honesty turned my whole day around. It’s wonderful to know there are caring people like you out there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Commentary: This appreciative message conveys the relief the person felt when their wallet was returned by an honest stranger. It would work well as a thank you text message, email, or card.
3. For Helping Carry Groceries
I just wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for helping me carry my groceries to my car. I didn’t realize how much I had bought until I tried to lift all the bags myself! Your simple act of kindness made my day so much easier and brighter. Thank you again.
Commentary: This short and sweet message succinctly conveys gratitude for a helpful stranger. It would make a nice verbal thank you or quick handwritten note.
4. For Grabbing Coffee as a Random Act of Kindness
Hey there, I was the person behind you in line at the coffee shop today when you generously paid for my order. Your unexpected act of kindness put a big smile on my face and inspired me to pay it forward to the person behind me. Thanks for making the world a little bit better!
Commentary: This message acknowledges both the practical gift (free coffee) and the ripple effect of a random act of kindness. It’s casual and friendly, making it suitable for a quick in-person thank you if you see the person again or a text/social media message if you have their contact info.
5. For Helping Get a Car Out of a Snowbank
Thank you so much for stopping to help push my car out of that snowbank today. I felt so stuck and frustrated, then you appeared out of nowhere like a winter angel! Your strength and positivity turned a miserable situation into a heart-warming experience. I’m incredibly grateful.
Commentary: This thank you conveys relief and appreciation for the stranger’s practical help as well as their cheerful demeanor. It’s a bit long for a quick verbal thanks but would work well in a card, note, email, or social media message.
6. For Donating Blood
I recently found out I received blood from an anonymous donor during my surgery and it saved my life. I don’t know your name but I wanted to reach out and express my deepest gratitude. Thank you for your selfless act of donating blood – you are a true hero and I plan to follow your example as soon as I’m able. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Commentary: This emotionally stirring thank you message would be meaningful to send or post publicly (keeping details anonymous) during Blood Donor Appreciation Month or after a personal experience. It inspires other potential donors by conveying the life-changing impact of blood donation.
7. For Assisting After a Bicycle Accident
I want to extend my sincerest thanks for coming to my aid after my cycling accident yesterday. I was disoriented and in pain but your calm and caring presence helped me feel safe. You went above and beyond by calling an ambulance, contacting my emergency person and even safeguarding my bike. I am so very grateful for your kindness during such a scary experience. Thank you.
Commentary: This message’s detailed recap of the stranger’s assistance and the emotional support they provided would make a thoughtful email, direct message, or public online post to thank the good Samaritan after an emergency.
8. For Helping Catch a Runaway Dog
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for helping me safely catch my runaway dog today. I was so worried she would dart into traffic but thanks to you corralling her out of the street and distracting her with treats, disaster was averted. I’m beyond grateful and promise to double-check her leash from now on. You’re our hero!
Commentary: The all-caps “THANK YOU” and hero language in this appreciative message capture relief at a disaster averted thanks to the helpful stranger. It’s casual and a bit exclamatory, making it a great fit for an in-person verbal thank you or text message if you snagged the person’s contact info during the chaos.
9. For Offering Jumper Cables
I wanted to reach out and thank you again for letting me borrow your jumper cables when my car battery died in the parking lot today. I’d been standing there feeling very sheepish for quite a while before you came along and saved the day with your quick thinking and preparedness. Thank you for your generosity and the excellent roadside emergency tips! I’ll be sure to follow your stellar example by stocking up my car kit. With much appreciation, [Your Name]
Commentary: This message sets a warm, slightly humorous, appreciative tone that would work well for a thank you email, direct message on social media, or even an old-fashioned hand-written note. It’s specific, and personal and offers a concrete way the helper’s kindness will ripple forward.
10. For Giving Detailed Directions
You have no idea how grateful I am for your clear and detailed directions today! I felt hopelessly lost after my phone died mid-route and your step-by-step guidance was a lifesaver. Thank you for taking the time to help a directionally challenged stranger – your kindness turned a stressful situation into a heart-warming one. I will pay your patience and helpfulness forward!
Commentary: This appreciative thank you conveys relief, gratitude, and a “pay it forward” spirit. The slightly self-deprecating humor about being directionally challenged keeps the tone warm and friendly, making this suitable for an in-person verbal thank you or casual written note.
11. For Rushing to the Aid of a Choking Victim
I don’t have the words to properly thank you for saving my mother’s life when she was choking at the restaurant today. The way you immediately took charge of the situation and performed the Heimlich maneuver was nothing short of heroic. Our entire family is deeply grateful for your quick thinking, competence, and compassion. You are an angel! If there is ever anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. With deepest thanks, [Your Name]
Commentary: In this message, the words “heroic”, “angel” and “deepest thanks” convey the immense gratitude the family feels for the stranger’s life-saving actions. The tone is earnest and deeply appreciative, making it appropriate for a heartfelt email, public social media post or even a speech if the family reconnects with their hero under less emergent circumstances.
12. For Comforting a Lost Child
Thank you so, so much for staying with my daughter when she got separated from me at the park today. She told me how you calmly approached her, made her feel safe, and helped her look for me. I’m so grateful for the way you handled the situation and can’t thank you enough for keeping her secure until we found each other. It’s wonderful to know there are caring people like you looking out for others. Thank you again!
Commentary: This sincere thank you expresses relief and details exactly what the good Samaritan did to comfort the lost child. The message strikes an appreciative and slightly emotional tone befitting a scary situation with a happy ending. This would work for an in-person conversation, handwritten note, or heartfelt email.
13. For Helping a Person Who Uses a Wheelchair
I wanted to reach out and sincerely thank you for your help navigating [challenging terrain/situation] with my wheelchair today. So many people looked the other way, but you calmly offered assistance without making me feel awkward or burdensome. I’m grateful for your practical help, and even more for treating me with dignity and respect. Thank you for your compassionate allyship. It meant more to me than you know! Sincerely, [Your Name]
Commentary: This message specifically notes the importance of assisting while preserving the person’s dignity. That combination of practical and emotional support meant a lot to the author, as signaled by the heartfelt tone. This thank you would work well as an email, a social media direct message, or even a public post raising awareness (with permission and anonymity).
14. For Offering a Ride When You Were Stranded
Thank you so much for offering me a ride when my car broke down today, especially since we were strangers. I was feeling anxious and your kindness helped me feel safe and supported. You went out of your way to get me home and I’m truly grateful. Your generosity restored my faith in humanity and inspired me to look for ways to pay it forward. Thank you again! I won’t forget your act of kindness.
Commentary: Accepting a ride from a stranger is a vulnerable situation. This message captures the relief and comfort the stranded person felt thanks to the good Samaritan’s help. It’s warm, appreciative, and a good length for an email or a heartfelt card.
15. For Calling an Ambulance
Thank goodness for kindhearted people like you! I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t stopped to check on me and call an ambulance when I collapsed on the sidewalk. Thank you for staying by my side, contacting my family, and even riding with me to the ER. I was so scared and your steady presence brought me great comfort. I am deeply grateful for your compassion in my moment of need. You’re a true guardian angel! With heartfelt thanks, [Your Name]
Commentary: This thank you expresses the deep gratitude and sense of emotional support the person in crisis felt from the stranger’s assistance and presence. The “guardian angel” language and “heartfelt thanks” closing capture the emotion, making this message appropriate for a sincere card, email, or social media post if the author contacts the good Samaritan after the emergency.
16. For Surprising Someone With Cash Who Was Short on Funds
I’m still in shock over your incredible generosity at the grocery store yesterday. When my card got declined, I was so embarrassed and worried about how I would afford food for the week. Your kindness in discreetly handing me cash to cover my bill moved me to tears. I wish I had your contact info to thank you properly! Please know how much your compassion meant to me during a really difficult time. I will pay your act of kindness forward. Thank you, kind stranger!
Commentary: This message captures the relief and deep appreciation the recipient felt when the good Samaritan covered their grocery bill. The tone is earnest and emotional, making it fitting for a public social media post in hopes of finding a stranger to thank them or inspiring others to give generously.
17. To a Kind Stranger in a Store Who Helped Quiet an Overwhelmed Child
My daughter and I want to thank you for your compassion and creative problem-solving when she had a meltdown in the store today. You didn’t judge or get impatient like many onlookers. Instead, you calmly approached and asked if she would like a sticker. That simple distraction stopped her crying and helped us both regain our equilibrium. Thank you for making a tough parenting moment so much brighter with your kindness! It meant more than you know.
Commentary: This message specifically highlights the good Samaritan’s compassionate approach and the impact it had on both parent and child. The appreciative tone strikes the right note for an in-person conversation, a social media direct message, or even a pay-it-forward post raising awareness about supporting overwhelmed parents and kids. The author felt seen and supported.
18. For Rescuing Someone From a Dangerous Situation
Words feel inadequate to properly thank you for intervening when you witnessed me being harassed and threatened on the train platform today. I was terrified but your bystander courage in shutting down the perpetrator and leading me to safety meant everything. Thank you for putting yourself at risk to help a stranger. You’re a true hero and I’m eternally grateful for your brave compassion! If you’re willing, I’d like to take you to coffee to thank you properly. No pressure though! [Your contact info]
Commentary: This serious thank you message expresses heartfelt gratitude and even calls the kind stranger a “hero” for their bravery. The offer to meet up (without pressure) shows the recipient is open to thanking them again in person. The tone is somber yet deeply appreciative, making this appropriate for an email, DM, or public post.
19. For Assisting an Older Person With Technology
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for generously helping me navigate the library’s digital resources today. I was feeling so overwhelmed and frustrated trying to use the computer system. But you swooped in with endless patience, kindly explaining everything step-by-step until I understood. Thank you for taking the time to assist an old fogey like me! Your compassion and tech skills are super impressive. I’m grateful for your help and inspired to keep learning. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Commentary: This appreciative message has a warm and slightly self-deprecating tone, likely from an older adult to a younger good Samaritan. Specifically noting the helper’s patience, kindness and skill makes this a thoughtful thank you to deliver in person, in a card/email, or as a complimentary review to the library.
20. For Sponsoring an Educational Opportunity
Dear [Community Leader], I am writing to express my profound gratitude for your generous sponsorship of my tuition for coding boot camp. As a single parent struggling to make ends meet, I never dreamed this opportunity would be possible. Thanks to your kindness and belief in me, I’m gaining valuable tech skills to build a brighter future for my family. Your investment in my education and potential means more than you could ever know! I am deeply honored and committed to paying your life-changing gift forward however I can. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Most gratefully,
[Your Name]
Commentary: This formal thank you letter expresses humble appreciation for the leader’s generous financial gift. The message conveys the life-changing impact of the sponsorship and the recipient’s heartfelt gratitude and desire to pay it forward. The tone is professional and earnest, making this an ideal format for an emailed, physically mailed, or even hand-delivered letter.
Other Ways to Show Appreciation
In addition to verbally or formally thanking a good Samaritan, here are some other thoughtful gestures to show your appreciation:
- Pay their kindness forward to someone else in need
- Deliver a heartfelt handwritten thank you card
- Post an appreciative shoutout on social media (with their permission)
- Offer to buy them a coffee/meal or make a donation in their honor
- Give them a small gift like a gift card, bouquet, or their favorite treat
Wrapping Up: How to Thank a Good Samaritan
Thanking a kind stranger for going out of their way to help you is a meaningful way to express appreciation and encourage more everyday heroism in the world.
Whether you have the opportunity to thank the good Samaritan in person, send them a message, or pay their kindness forward, showing gratitude for selfless acts makes a difference.
Use the 20 sample messages above to find the right words for a variety of common situations.