Acts of Kindness by Joann Vanek

On December 8, 2006, walking in front of the building that houses Israel’s Mission to the United Nations on 2nd Avenue between 42nd and 43rd streets, I tripped on a cracked, uneven sidewalk cluttered with scaffolding, flew into the air, and landed on my face and wrist. Although shaking, bruised and bleeding on the side of my face, I thought I could walk home. The police officer guarding the building, Officer Paolino, came out of his little cabin to help and insisted I go to the hospital because I hit my head and called an ambulance. While waiting for the ambulance, Officer Paolino made me as comfortable as possible. He told me to sit in a chair in the lobby of the Mission’s building and got ice from the restaurant next door for the swelling. After an hour’s wait the ambulance did not arrive so Officer Paolino called a police car and two policemen escorted me to the NYU emergency room. I only had a sprained wrist so several days later I went back to thank the officer. He said he knew I was okay because he called the emergency room and was told I was released. 

I wrote a letter to the Police Commissioner and Officer Paolino’s supervisor to compliment the thoughtfulness and compassion of the officer. I received a follow-up letter from the Commissioner’s office. However, the more meaningful letter to me was the handwritten one delivered to my building one week later from Officer Paolino. A treasured quote from the letter is the following: When I have a bad day because someone is criticizing me or shouting about how horrible and evil the police can be, I will take out your letter and read it once or twice through. I’m sure it will help to make me feel much better.