Do What You Can
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 @ 2:23 PM
My regular lottery buying customer came in last Thursday wanting to change her $100 note.
Out of my curiosity I asked her what she's getting with her smaller change.
"Nothing. There's this guy outside the mall. He told me he's from a foundation and they are pooling donations for the poor children in Philippines. I want to donate $50 but I only have a $100 note."
Now, I know which guy she's talking about because early that morning this guy came into my store and told me the same story. He wore glasses and with his clean honest look, he asked me if I wanted to donate some money for the poor children in the Philippines. He didn't have an ID to identify which foundation he's with and he only showed me pictures of children living in very poor conditions from a small photo album. I have my doubts so I asked if he can issue me a receipt. He answered yes and I donated $5.
Normally I will just mind my own business when it comes to other people's money but I know this customer of mine well. She works alternate day/night shift, 60 hours per week getting minimum hourly pay and sends back half of what she earns to her sick and old parents in Thailand every 6 months. I wouldn't even say that she's an average earner. In fact, I think she barely has enough for herself.
I can't help myself and blurted "you should reconsider the amount you are donating dear. Are you not afraid that he is a fake?"
She looked at me for a sec and said, "Hmmm... you are right. He might be." To that she added, "oh well never mind. If he's a cheater, God will know. God bless him for having the cheek to use those poor children pictures to cheat good hearted people. But then again, even if my $50 can't help those children, it can at least help that guy out there to get his food or his necessities? I'm just doing what I can to help those children or... him. Sometimes there's no point worrying if the money goes to the children or not. Just do what we can. God knows."
With that, she smiled, patted my hand gently and walked towards the main door of the mall.
img via here
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