I CAN'T FORGET AND I WON'T IGNORE
When I decided to volunteer for this program it was not my intention to attempt to find a solution for poverty. I wanted to help some homeless people, feel good about myself, even a little self-righteous, and move on, content that I had done my part. ... read >
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GIFT OF HOPE
This wasn't a normal thrift store, though; it was linked to a community organization that helped to give people with disabilities hope for a better future. ... read >
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NURSES MATTER
She will never know how much that mattered and it has been 25 years later now. ... read >
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CHILDHOOD INSPIRATION
One day, I offered to help her out in all of her errands, purchases and general upkeep of her house, but on one condition: that she did not corrupt me with payment in cash or kind. ... read >
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NINTH WARD TREASURE
I was itching to go back on active duty with the US Coast Guard, especially to go back to the Gulf Coast of the United States. I had been ordered down to Gulfport, Mississippi the night after Hurricane Katrina hit. ... read >
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ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE
Only a minute after I stopped on the side of the road, a semi pulled up behind me to see I needed help. I explained to him that I had to make my appointment, and that I was to deliver any day now. ... read >
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A REAL CHRISTMAS TREE
We’d always wanted a real Christmas tree—a tall, lavishly decorated one, like other families had. It would have had singing lights, silver tinsel, blown-glass ornaments, and icicles dressing its snow-tipped branches. ... read >
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FINE EXAMPLES
My mother through her fine example instilled within me the desire to help others. She taught me to notice those whom others ignore ... read >
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IN THIS MOMENT, WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT?
Today in the moments of frustration, ask yourself the question, "In this moment, what is most important?" ... read >
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THE GRACE OF SMALL KINDNESS
Just like I knew that Ryan would be fine, I knew that I would be fine, because love and peace aren't just in heaven, they are in every one of us. They were in the people who packed and painted. They were in the people who entertained Ryan in the hospital. They were in the people who reminded me to eat. They were in the people who had moved us. They were in the people who had arranged for hospice. I knew that just as I had needed Ryan to tell me a joke when I was down; I had needed those people, and they had wanted to be there for me. ... read >
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BEAUTIFUL
I realized at that moment that no matter how I was feeling, it was what I was doing that was important. ... read >
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SUNDAYS WITH JESSE
The principal had put me down for watching over Jesse. Jesse was like any other 4th grade boy except for one thing: He was profoundly autistic.
... read >
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THE OLD LADY IN THE WORN BROWN COAT
After a short while, my father had the heater up and running, making great heat for their cold home. I followed my dad upstairs where the lady asked my dad in poorly spoken English how much she owed him for fixing the heater. My dad looked around the house and said that he had to go out to the truck and write the bill. ... read >
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A GIFT TO ALL - BUT THE GIFT WAS IN THE GIVING
In 1994, the year after my father-in-law died, I planned a surprise for my husband on our anniversary. My husband didn't know where we were going, only that we were flying to see someone he loved. ... read >
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A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER
One of the men wanted to go to a restaurant for his birthday with a few of his friends and housemates. We were all having a great time, eating and joking and just having fun. ... read >
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GOING TO THE ELEVEN
My family was getting ready to sit down to dinner. My son was hopping on one foot and counting to ten. He had me count three times. 1, 2, 3, ...10. He stayed balanced each time. Then he tried his left foot. 1, 2, 3, ...10. He did it again. Then he paused... "This time Mommy. let's go to the..." He thought about it for a long time, "to the eleven." At first I laughed. What great inspired things kids say. ... read >
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ONE STRANGER'S KINDNESS
While doing some caving in Southern Missouri a few years ago, we came out of a cave only to find a flat tire on our van. I was with three or four of my buddies and we were covered in mud and not the most clean-cut group. We were way out in the country and we stumbled across a "mutton feed.” We were told that there was a gentleman who might be able to help us. ... read >
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THE GIFT OF SELF
I was a very young mother of two, when my husband of nearly ten years died very suddenly. Bob, who had just turned 34, had, had a fatal arrhythmia in his sleep. I was 31, with a thirteen month old baby and four year old–both girls. ... read >
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HELPING THE ELDERLY
To live in a hard-knock place, and see that there are still values that people believe in and live up to, is so rare. ... read >
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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
I have come a long way from riding on the back of a donkey as a child in Portugal in the 50's and 60's, where I grew up. My family was poor; in fact, I recall times when my courageous mother had to literally beg for food to feed four hungry boys. ... read >
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TWO AMAZING PEOPLE
I recently read a wonderful account of an incredible act of kindness. It involved the country singer, Jan Howard, and it occurred back in the early or mid 1950's. ... read >
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HOLDING DOORS CAN SOMETIMES MEAN MORE THAN YOU THINK
We were cutting it close on time and our coach is very into punctuality—meaning we would be punished severely if we were late. As we rushed to the double doors leading to the University Center, I saw an elderly woman, walking very, very slowly, but almost to the doors. ... read >
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SERVING THE UNDERSERVED
My story is about an individual who truly represents servant leadership and community betterment. As a college student, I was fortunate to be hired as an intern for an international community development organization. ... read >
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THE STRANGER
The guy I was with reached into his pocket to give this man a $20 bill. As the other man was extending his hand out to take the money, I put my hand on my new friend's hand and said, "Can I talk to you for a minute?" ... read >
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HELPING SOUTH FLORIDA
Helping South Florida's homeless... one bag at a time.
... read >
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