STATE COLLEGE, Pa. --
A man living on the streets in central Pennsylvania has returned a lost purse containing nearly $400 to its owner - a single mother who is on welfare and battling brain cancer.The man tells WJAC-TV on Thursday that he was sitting on a bench in State College waiting to go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting when he saw the handbag.
He says he opened up the wallet and saw a public assistance debit card and knew the owner was struggling, too. He turned the purse over to a homeless shelter, which tracked down the woman.
The homeless man and the purse's owner met Thursday and exchanged hugs and smiles. The woman says her whole life is in the bag and she was grateful to have it back.
Hats: 238
Scarves 94
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 63
Rain Poncho's: 95
Cotton Washcloths: 221
Afghans: 16
Socks: 157
Cowls/Hoody Combo's/ 17
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted
All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.
Because you are Homeless or poor does not mean you have no strength of character or good values. I think many of the Homeless would probably do the same knowing that they were taking from someone who needed it as badly or worse then they did.. When you think of the situation this man lives in, it makes you wonder about your own character and what you or many other people would do in those circumstances..
ReplyDeleteSurvival of the fittest comes to mind. This man apparently had good morals and a desire to help others.Hopefully someone is kind and generous to him in return.
GOD BLESS HIM AND GOD BLESS THE HOMELESS marj in minnesota/80 degrees
HAPPY FATHERS DAY, AND FIRST DAY OF SUMMER.
So very true Marj, strength of character, such a wonderful way to say it. We must get people to understand homeless are people, someone's son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, daughter, sister, aunt, mother, and grandmother. The disdain for someone who's poor, down and out is so miss-placed. Yesterday we had sun, for first time in over a week. What a welcome change, though it helped to dry things out, things are still soggy, and this morning being up earlier than normal I can see how wet with dew and fog things are. Hopefully another sunny day is store for us and our homeless friends.
DeleteStereotyping is big and, although there may be grains of truth in a stereotype, they are just that-little bits of grain. This should not be given as truth. Many people who are homeless don't wish to be. They have been dealt harsh blows in life and either suffer from some disease of the brain, suffered a job loss or had to leave home plus so much more. The homeless deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
ReplyDeleteYes Birgit, you are 200% correct the homeless do deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
DeleteBoth of you ladies said it so wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteUp to 82 here in MI today. It is windy. We might get storms tomorrow.
Hope the storm passed you by Sue. We finally had a day of sunshine...was nice, and I know appreciated by our homeless friends as well.
DeleteWhat a great story to share!
ReplyDeletebetty
I love being able to share some nice stories, it's important for people to know things are good for the homeless with facts, and figures, but it's also important to see the more human side of things too. Thanks Betty
DeleteIn a town so financially well set as State College, I would hope they have many services available for the homeless. It's so bitterly cold there in the winter, the blight of the homeless can be lethal.
ReplyDeleteRight you are Susan, I've been to State College and it's a very prosperous little town. Pennsylvania, like Ohio is a tough place to be out in the elements without a roof over your head. Thanks for the visit.
DeleteBeautiful story!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story. Sometimes, it's necessary to remind ourselves that homeless people are people too.
ReplyDeleteYou make an excellent point, Sandy. I think I have stereotyped this population over the years. This true story really says it all.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful story! sharing it brings more awareness that bad things happen to good people and we shouldn't judge based on appearances or circumstances.
ReplyDeletethank you!!
That is a wonderful story. As the homeless problem grows (sadly), more and more people are realizing that the stereotypes don't hold.
ReplyDelete