The other day my neighbor, who is a refugee from a war-torn country, living with her three daughters, came over to give me some cash because she was worried that I needed money for food during the pandemic. I tried to explain to her that I was fine and was not struggling, but she insisted that it is important for neighbors to take care of one another. When I realized how sincere she was (and I might add, by the way, she works long hours at a low-income job to provide for her family) I very graciously accepted her gift and thanked her profusely for her kindness.
I haven't been able to get her out of my mind because I could tell how important that act of charity was to her and how important it made her feel. There is so much dignity in being a benefactor, a philanthropist, a donor or just a charitable neighbor. Generosity elevates the soul and broadens its perspective.
As fundraisers, we have to be so careful not to get caught up with the amount of money that a person is giving. It's better to focus on the sacrifice a person has made to part with his or her money and to be grateful for that! That realization is truly humbling. Often the most generous people are the ones who struggle financially themselves, yet they have a special sensitivity to the needs of the poor--and they give.
The St. Nicholas Project donors are like this lady who lives next door to me. They are good neighbors. They know the joy of being charitable and they focus on the needs of others around them. The boys and girls at the Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, who are the beneficiaries of the St. Nicholas Project, will never know the names of those who gave money and how much--and that is the way it should be. But, I hope that I can spend the rest of my life being humbled and grateful for the kind-hearted and thoughtful donors who faithfully -- like good neighbors--give money through the St. Nicholas Project for care of the kids at the children's home.
It's humbling to ask for money. It's even more humbling to receive it. Humility is a good thing, though. It enables the soul to be grateful. And I am grateful to all of you.
Won't you please make a donation to the Kurn Hattin Homes for Children today? The boys and girls won't be able to thank you directly, but I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life. And that could be for a long time!
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