Comments on: The Power of One

By: 12 Days of Charitable Giving: Shoes That Fit | Zalando Shoes India

12 Days of Charitable Giving: Shoes That Fit | Zalando Shoes India — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:58:14 +0000

[...] your family can’t afford to send you to school in new shoes like everyone else. You may remember my own story about helping out a child who needed new shoes. It made a world of difference to him. And to me. Helping others does that. It makes you feel [...]

By: 12 Days of Charitable Giving: Shoes That Fit - Forbes

12 Days of Charitable Giving: Shoes That Fit - Forbes — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:58:06 +0000

[...] family can’t afford to send you to school in new shoes like everyone else. You may remember my own story about helping out a child who needed new shoes. It made a world of difference to him. And to me. Helping others does that. It makes you feel [...]

By: 12 Tips for Year End Charitable Giving - Forbes

12 Tips for Year End Charitable Giving - Forbes — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:25:11 +0000

[...] As the holiday season comes to an end, I hope that you’ll remember to be charitable. No matter what your individual situation, you can likely do something good from donating cash to a used prom dress. Even if you can’t claim a donation, you can take a hour out of your week to be a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army, deliver meals to the homeless or shovel some snow for a shut-in (although remember that you cannot deduct the value of your services). Never underestimate the difference that one person can make. [...]

By: Personal Finance News » Blog Archive » Uncertainty Over Taxes May Affect Charitable Giving

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:01:45 +0000

[...] I was in junior high school, I met a boy who changed my life. His name was Adam. No, it’s not what you’re thinking. You see, I grew up in the rural [...]

By: Taxes, Donations and Lending a Hand | taxgirl

Taxes, Donations and Lending a Hand | taxgirl — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:48:31 +0000

[...] As the holiday season approaches, I hope that you’ll remember to be charitable. No matter what your individual situation, you can likely do something good from donating cash to a used prom dress. Even if you can’t claim a donation, you can take a hour out of your week to be a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army, deliver meals to the homeless or shovel some snow for a shut-in. Never underestimate the difference that one person can make. [...]

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:37:41 +0000

Yep, 14. Thanks! I was also raised by some pretty good folks… that helps a lot!

By: ehutch

ehutch — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 02:40:34 +0000

you were 14 when you did this? im impressed. you have a good heart.

By: 12 Days of Charitable Giving | taxgirl

12 Days of Charitable Giving | taxgirl — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:11:50 +0000

[...] and some warm fuzzies, knowing that you’ve done something good in the world. Remember, the power of one can be [...]

By: Peter

Peter — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:30:47 +0000

Come on, what did you really do to get those beads?

By: Willy

Willy — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:51:45 +0000

That was a great thing you did for that kid. I had a CCD (“Sunday School”) teacher like that when I was in the 5th grade and spiraling; everyone hated me, teachers, other kids, parents, I was violent and angry and wired. Couldn’t sit still, couldn’t shut up, couldn’t keep from punching people if they pissed me off or tried to touch me, including adults and other kids. All this guy did was tell me he saw through my crap and knew I was a good person, not the tough guy I acted like, and I bawled like a baby because noone in my whole life had ever told me I was a decent person till then. This guy was only there for a few months and they replaced him with some mean old nun, but that offhand kindness really made a difference. And I never tried to piss him off again. I wish I knew his name and could thank him directly, Jack Brotz is what I vaguely recollect, but at any rate, I always tell people who get frustrated dealing with emotionally disturbed kids, that you might not get feedback at the time, but the tiniest things can mean a whole lot to people who have nothing, people that noone’s ever been nice to. Charity comes in all forms, and simple kindness is pretty powerful. I give everything I can afford to help the homeless and mentally ill, both time and money. Mental illness and homelessness are closely correlated and I can really empathize with the latter, and used to really fear the former, back when I was seriously nuts. Next time you’re downtown smile at a homeless person. I’ve always gotten a big smile back.