Well Thanksgiving was a chance to look at life and see what it is that you are thankful for. Now that you know what is so important to you, it's time to think of others who may not have or are in need of something. Your good deed will not go without being noticed, no good will is to small. We want to know how you are making a difference this holiday season by giving of yourself, to share your time, or skills or talents. Not everything is about money, and you can not buy the love that fills someones heart. Share a smile, a hug even a complement, hold a door open for someone, say hi to a stranger. Go on, it's easy.

At my place of work, there are many homeless people that frequent the public areas as a place to warm up, snooze and just get away from the streets for a while. There is one particular homeless lady who I talk with on occasion. She's perhaps upper 50's, knotty hair and doesn't bother anyone. On one particularly cold day I thought of her before going to work. I searched through the attic and found a nice long winter coat and a woolen sweater that would fit her and took it to work with me. That evening before leaving work, I caught up with her and her friend (another homeless woman in her 40's) and asked her if she knew anyone that could use the coat and sweater. She already had a coat (although it was ill fitting and needed a wash) but thought she could find someone at the Rescue Mission that could use it. They were headed there for the free evening meal provided . She was hesitant to take the items though, as she was already carrying a heavy load of bags. Her friend suggested to her that she could use the coat as a cushion to lay on. "See, we sleep outside." she explained. I tried to hide my sadness as I smiled and said that I was glad it could be of use. She planned on throwing away her old blanket and replacing it with the coat I gave her for her bed. They both smiled and thanked me genuinely. I haven't seen the two ladies lately as our management is trying to discourage the loitering of homeless people in our downtown Milwaukee facility. I hope that the ladies are okay and only wish I could do more.

Wow that is a heart warming story that is so sad. It was very kind of you to take the time to even try and make a difference. Something so useless sitting in an attic that could mean the world or in this case warmth to someone else. But it is even more important that you take the time to care, the time to talk to her when others would walk right by. What a difference we all could make. If I may ask you to do something, maybe the next time you talk to her, or if you already know, find out what place(s) she goes to. Then call that place and get an address and see if they have a list of items they need. Maybe others have items sitting around that could be better used. Thank you.

Just another e-mail from a friend, but worth reading:

You Reap What You Sow


The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.


"Leave me alone," he growled... To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows.

"Are you hungry?" she asked.

No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president.. Now go away."

The woman's smile became even broader.

Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..

No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.

"Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything.."

This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked."What is all this, is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place"

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh.."

The woman smiled again.. "I thought that might make a difference."

She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent... Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

he sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.
"Jack, do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes.. "I think so --
I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment.. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr.. Lyons . He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office."

She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he asked.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways.. "Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And..And thank you for the coffee."

Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You Always and don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you.


Well the story is over, but it should make you think. What can I do? It is not about having money, we all know that money can help, but it comes from your heart! It is the little things you can do each day that will touch others. Open a door for someone, say hello or good morning or have a nice day. Help someone who could use a little help. Make the time to reach out to others, it is not a waste of your time!