each year
i happily take part
in a wonderful program
to help warm the children.
through the generosity of the local community
money and time are donated
to provide new warm clothing for children in need.
children are referred
by school counselors and social workers.
these families meet with volunteer shoppers
to help with the process.
all of the money raised
goes directly to purchasing clothing,
with no administrative costs
subtracted from the donations.
i am one of the volunteers who take the families shopping
and never fail to be amazed by the people i meet.
on my shopping trip this year
i met a single mother whose husband had died
raising sons, 12 and 16
supporting them by working at mcdonald’s,
her oldest son works at taco bell
she’s had a rough time of things lately
extra money has been harder to come by
both sons are in school, play football, and do chores at home.
when i asked how she was able to do it all
she told me, “life goes up and down. you just do what you have to do.”
after we shopped for her sons’ winter clothing
we made our way to the register.
just ahead of us in line
another family was checking out
who were also program recipients.
after being rung up, it was discovered
that they had gone just a bit over their allotted budget
and were going to have to put something back.
immediately
the mother i had shopped with
reached into her purse
and gave them the $1.89 they needed.
what an incredibly generous act of compassion
from someone who had so little herself
as she helped someone else to warm their children
when we checked out and went to leave
she hugged me and said,
“thank you so much, i always pay it forward.”
—
“to keep a warm heart in winter is the real victory.”
participating partners: kiwanis club of ann arbor, washtenaw county, walmart, mlive, old national bank, ann arbor news
What a wonderful initiative. Bless you all. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is wonderful for everyone involved
LikeLiked by 1 person
never cease to amaze me. You have such a good heart. Wonderful post.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great work and so important.
LikeLiked by 2 people
it’s a way to add the human connection into the equation
LikeLike
I love people. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
me too –
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many of the things you do add warmth to your local community 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
and they surround me with it –
LikeLike
It is a great project, I always admire the mother who brings up 10 children and they are poor and some bring up 1/2 and always say they do not have enough while they make 10 times more than others…
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes, i am so with you on that –
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing, Beth.
LikeLiked by 2 people
my pleasure
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the generosity and warmth that we share when we are at our best. Thank you for sharing your story Beth, and for all you do for children 💛
LikeLiked by 2 people
my pleasure, val –
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love discovering all over again that people are good, Beth. Thank you to all who participate in this great program!
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes, is so good for everyone involved
LikeLike
also heart-warming that some who seem to have so little are willing to give so much:)
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes, that’s it, exactly –
LikeLike
Oh, Beth. Right in the feels!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes –
LikeLike
Oh, boy, this really got to me. There are so many people struggling to keep their heads above water through no fault of their own. And they just do it, no complaining. I so respect and admire them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
you are so right, judi. i do too –
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I might have shed a tear or two there! So many people already struggling, with Christmas looming in the distance and all its pressures. A little kindness goes such a long way.
LikeLiked by 3 people
yes, hard not to. it sure does –
LikeLike
What a beautiful, uplifting story! It’s good to reminded that there are still people in this world for whom kindness and generosity are an instinct. (And I count YOU among those, Beth!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes, it is such a happy story, those people are out there – thanks, heide
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
it was so powerful
LikeLike
beautiful!!!! it is often those that have little who give so much!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
that is so true, jodi!
LikeLike
It is nice when those you are helping are willing to help others. Sweet story. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It so is –
LikeLike
❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
❤
LikeLike
Heartwarming story! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ) ☕
LikeLiked by 2 people
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Volunteer work is always admirable! I do a lot myself in my community, mostly for children and the sports clubs. I teach my children to do the same. Paying it forward can be done in so many ways. Thanks a lot for this inspiring post 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
it’s so good for everyone involved at every level. thanks!
LikeLike
So wonderful to hear. Love it all ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks)
LikeLike
❤
LikeLike
What generosity! And an amazing initiative to be involved with.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was so kind of her. I love the program
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️
LikeLike
Beautiful. I will look up a similar initiative here in the UK.
LikeLiked by 1 person
wonderful. if you can’t find one, you can start one –
LikeLike
That’s wonderful. You receive so many blessings when you show generosity. There’s so much more happiness in giving (Acts 20:35).
LikeLike