carpool mates
ride with smiles
chat about the day
throw down our heavy things
relax at last
stop to buy a ticket
and
share
what we’ll do
when/if
we win
the 800 million
and
the first thing
that each of us names
is a donation
to someone else
who needs some of it
more than we do
and
it’s part of
the reason why
we
all ride together
with smiles.
lesvos, greece.
volunteers have
a message for the world
made from refugee life jackets.
—
credit: open homes open hearts u.s.
halifax, nova scotia’s residents have recently been seeing an interesting sight: coats tied to street poles. at first, one might think that these clothes are lost, but they’ve actually been put there for a specific reason. if you look closely, there are labels attached to the jackets that read, “we’re not lost! if you are stuck out in the cold, please take me to keep warm!”
every year, tara smith-atkins works to help the homeless brave winter’s freezing temperatures. she asks the community to donate old coats and then invites local children to help her tie them to lamp posts for those in need. they also bring along scarves and mittens.
as the kids are tying outerwear to the poles, she aims to teach them an important lesson. she explained, “When we got back in the car after an hour on the street, they were all freezing and crying for the heater to be on and complaining because they were cold. and they were bundled up.” not only is the compassionate woman working to help the homeless, she’s also teaching young children the significance of what they’re doing. next year, smith-atkins hopes to include a $5 voucher in each coat pocket so the wearer can buy themselves a hot meal.
—
credits: halifolks, tara smith-atkins, amy poehler’s smart girls, ann gragert
“maybe we are not here to see each other
but to see each other through.”
– anonymous
it was building day in kindergarten and all kinds of things were being built.
both those one could easily see and proudly carry home, and those one could carry inside forever.
I personally believe we were put here to build and not to destroy.
Red Skelton
——
image credits: j. kurtz
Without humility there can be no humanity. – John Buchan
as i watched the local news last night, and after taking in all of the stories of war, and violence, and crime, and mayhem, i saw this story – of a man’s love for his children, of family, of survival, of a community, who didn’t judge or turn away, but instead, who reached out and gave what they could to help someone who needed helping. this deeply touched me and reminded me of the innate goodness in people.
According to My Fox Detroit on Jan. 23, an anonymous donor will be paying utility bills for Don Epperson, a 53-year-old father of four who walksDetroit’s mean streets looking for salvage firewood to keep his kids from freezing this winter.
“The same fire that keeps us warm, feeds us,” says Don. The family heats water in buckets to wash dishes in and bathe.
Don has worked as a roofer and a butcher. He’s very willing to work, but there are no jobs. So he does the best he can for his four children, the youngest of whom is just 10. Despite it all, Don’s children are performing very well in school and their current lifestyle hasn’t discouraged them.
After hearing the story, a Good Samaritan stepped forward offering to pay Don’s utility bills. Don was emotional and overjoyed.
I’d just like to say thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart and from my children. We thank you all, we love you for what you’ve done for us. I’ve never had anybody do anything to this magnitude for myself, or even for my children,” Don says.
Thousands have been touched by Don’s story and have asked how to help.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. –C. S. Lewis
I didn't have my glasses on.... 