Twenty-dollar Philanthropy

I was ecstatic when we ran into our neighbor and found out I was invited to his 80th birthday party (especially when he mentioned there would be no children). I love my kids more than anything, but celebrating a remarkable man’s monumental day—amongst adults at an establishment other than Chuck E. Cheese’s—sounded amazing. 

A few days later, we ran into him again; this time he was wielding an envelope. I assumed it was an invitation for the big event and could not wait to open it. It was not an invitation at all—quite the contrary. It was eighty dollars cash with a letter explaining he wanted us to help him surprise deserving individuals in honor of his birthday.

I was not only taken back by such an incredible sentiment, but I could not wait to share the mission with my fellow philanthropists, Sandler and Bootsie. When they returned home from school, I read them the letter and explained there were four, twenty-dollar bills and it was up to them to choose the four people to gift. 

Together the kids immediately suggested our favorite family, who was right in the middle of a move, and not only incurring the expenses of moving, but also juggling a new job, toddler and still finding time to include the three of us in their lives. Then it was agreed upon that another $20 would go to a friend who is putting herself through grad school, working full time and raising a rescue dog. The third $20 went to a veteran skater who rides his bike to the skatepark every day and has encouraged aspiring, young skateboarders for years.

The smiles and appreciation were contagious. Sandler could not get enough of spreading the prosperity and asked how many more people we could gift. I explained we had one more twenty-dollar bill, and he could choose who he thought needed it the most. Without hesitation he said, “Mommy, I want to give it to ‘Dugley’… I don’t think he has a home or any money.” It took me a minute to figure out he was referring to our homeless friend, Douglas, who spends countless hours at the skatepark collecting cans and cheering on Sandler. 

Upon our arrival at the skatepark, we looked around and saw Douglas in his usual seating area. Sandler eagerly skated over to him and gave him the twenty-dollar bill. As Sandler rolled away, I looked at Douglas and he had tears streaming down his face. It was then I realized how grateful I am that my kids had the opportunity to pay someone’s birthday wishes forward.

I certainly do not have to give Sandler any lessons in philanthropy, however, he may need some assistance in understanding you have to have money to give it. Bless his heart—he keeps asking me for twenty dollars every time he sees someone he thinks could use it.

- Nikki