ActiveRain's December Challenge is about sharing Love and Joy this holiday season. I had a very humbling experience a few years ago while visiting Portland, Oregon. We were playing tourist and stopped at VooDoo Donuts since it is a legendary stop. While waiting in line, a disheveled man approached me asking if I had any change I could spare. I am not used to being asked for money from strangers and am not used to just giving my money just for the asking. I responded that the parking meters took all my change.
To my surprise, he reached in his pockets and handed me the entire contents, $1.37. He said, "Here buddy, you need this more than I do!" and then he walked off.
My son was impressed. He said, "Dad, you are the only person I know that can convince a homeless guy to give you money!"
When we were served, I tried to find him again to give him a few donuts and $5; however, he was gone.
Another time, a homeless guy asked me for $0.65 since it was a nice day outside and he was $0.65 shy of being able to buy a quart of beer to drink while listening to a concert. I appreciated his honesty and gave him $5. He tried to stop me saying he only needed $0.65. I acknowledged it and told him I appreciated him being honest and to buy a six pack and share with a friend or two.
Years ago, I was in Las Vegas for a real estate conference. Patty Luther and I took the city bus to Old Town so she could get a feel for the locals instead of taking a taxi. The man sitting in front of us smelled of urine, vomit and alcohol. She asked him if someone gave him $100, what would he do with it? He said he would go buy more alcohol. Had he said almost anything else, she would have handed him $100!
Another time, I was talking with a real estate client of mine about homelessness. He had been homeless in the past. I asked him how to determine which people actually need the money and which ones don't. His response shocked me . . . "If you have to ask, you are not worthy to give." I still struggle with that answer to this day.
Back in my college days, I qualified for a national competition in Chicago. At that time I met my first entrepreneur of the worlds' oldest profession. I was so clueless that when she propositioned me, it went right over my head. She made her way around the block and asked again, and I decline her company a second time. Finally, the lights went off and the bells rang in my subconscious mind and I figured out what she was really asking. I caught up to her and admitted my ignorance and asked if I would walk with her to learn more. She said I was cute and asked if I could pay to talk? I admitted that is what I needed to talk about since I was ignorant. I ended up walking with her to a coffee shop, bought her a bagel and coffee and discussed her business model; then tipped her generously for her time. My fiancé at the time was sure shocked when she asked me about my trip and I told her I paid for (leased / rented) a hooker!
As I look into my goals and objectives for 2024, I think I will go back to that process when someone asks me for money. I will offer to take them out for a meal (or bring one to them) and then donate to them afterwards. At least this way, I will see them as human beings, not just as a statistic. I would much rather give to people and try to give them a hand up verses giving them a hand out. I would much rather donate money personally to those in need instead of through organizations that spend 50% or more on administrative overhead and salaries!
I have a friend that does a lot to help the homeless here in Boise. I have already told him that I want to stand beside him and help him in 2024 so I can personally learn more about the people he so unselfishly gives his time and heart to. I intend to give away $20 a week to people that he identifies as "Caught being good". Ironically, that equates to $1,040 which is the number on my tax forms that I might be able to put it on for a tax deduction as well.
What are your plans for charitable giving in 2024? Will it be time, money, love, or ?
If we all do a little, we can accomplish a lot!
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