You can make a difference

​“No person was ever honored for what he received, but for what he gave.”
                                                                                                ---Calvin Coolidge
 
A few days ago I listed a few tools that may be of benefit to you during this upcoming season of Spring and Lent. One of the ideas was, “Pay it Forward.” I gave a suggestion of telling the cashier in the fast food line to apply your change to the next person’s bill.
 
The next morning in the newspaper the headlines were that Tom and Gayle Benson’s charitable foundation gave $5 million dollars to a local high school.
My immediate thought was I am telling my readers that passing on change from a $20 bill will make a difference in someone’s life and the Bensons just gave away millions. A few days later I received a confirmation that small acts of “paying it forward” do matter. Regardless of the dollar amount people appreciate the generosity.
 
Every year during the Mardi Gras season we support a local school’s annual fund raiser that is on the parade route. We purchase a package from them that includes parking, grandstand viewing and food.  When we entered the parking lot the organizer of the event thanked me for supporting them and said they were especially grateful for my additional donation. My wife looked at me and said how much extra money did we give because they seem to be so grateful. I told her when checking out as I registered on line, a pop-up appeared and asked if I would consider making a $20 additional donation. I checked “yes,” not giving much thought to such a minimal amount. It was very surprising to me that my small gift was even recognized.
 
One day we may all be in  the financial position to make large charitable contributions. In the meantime  this recognition of a small donation supports the benefit of giving from your substance because it does make a difference.
 
You may want to share with the readers any situation you experienced when “Paying it Forward” made a difference.