Saturday, January 14, 2012

Day 14: Delivered Care Packages to the Homeless

This morning I woke up, took a shower, ate breakfast, and brushed my teeth. Then, due to the frigid temperatures outside, I put on some warm socks and was sure to put on gloves before I went outside with my wife and daughter. It was a fairly run of the mill morning. These were things that I do every day. To be honest, these are things that I take for granted.

There are an estimated 6,000 homeless living in Chicago. Many of them are forced to sleep on the streets, even in our freezing winters, due to overcrowding at warming centers and shelters. So today for the random act of kindness, I decided do something to try and help some of them. I went to Costco and loaded up on warm socks, gloves, and handwarmers. I also decided to get some everyday accoutrements such as deodorant, tooth brushes and toothpaste. Finally, I packed them all up in a bag with some instant oatmeal and granola bars. I delivered these care packages to the homeless around my neighborhood and some adjacent areas. Each person was so grateful, but each was also very surprised by getting the care package, which kind of broke my heart. I almost lost it when I man said to me, "I was praying that something positive would happen to me. I just knew it would happen" I just can't imagine sleeping outside in this weather, and the fact that this man was able to still remain positive was incredible. This was a random act I may have to duplicate later on.

6 comments:

  1. I saw your story on channel 7 because Allison Jones posted it and I am so happy she did- ask her about day 9 for me:) however, this day, day 14, truly made me so... Warm, happy, grateful, (think any positive word and I felt it). Thank you for what you are doing!

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  2. I read about you and your mission on HuffPost's new Good News section. I have long wished that stories such as yours would receive national media attention more often and here you are and here I am reading about you while checking my preferred national news distributor.

    You have inspired me and you have given me much food for thought.

    Thank you.

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  3. This was so moving to read. Thank you so much for reaching out to the people sleeping on the streets and giving them basic needs such as toothpaste and deodorant -- giving them dignity. God bless you!

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  4. I love this! Such a great idea, especially going to get things in bulk. We do take so many things for granted and these are the small ways we can help out.

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  5. What a wonderful thing to do, I also do the same thing when I get my salary.
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  6. I too almost lost it when i read what the man said to u. I can only imagine how u felt.
    Thank you for doing wat u did and also being inspiration for others

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