First of all, today we reached some milestones. Over 3,000 unique visitors to the site and over 6,000 hits. The site is growing much faster than I thought it would…that is great…hopefully people are inspired to do something kind to others during their day.
John (right) and I visit a few days after I gave him my $10
I met up with John from day 40 today. On Day 44 I ran into John from Day 40. He was not the jovial South Carolina native that I met on Saturday. He explained that his brother died on Sunday due to complications related to his diabetes. He had refused to take his medications for an extended period of time and passed away as a result. His sadness quickly dissolved into anger though as he told me about an upcoming court appearance.
He explained that he had served 17 years in prison for murder. I could hardly believe that this gentle giant could have killed another human being. “It was self defense” he explained. I didn’t have my notebook with me so I am relying on my recollection. He said that one day in 1980 he and his father had gone to a store at the intersection of 14th and T in NW, DC. His father, an off duty police officer, was shot in the head outside of the store. Upon hearing the gunfire, he explained that he excited the store, removed his father’s revolver and shot and killed the man.
As much as I want to believe everything that John has told me, I hope that some of this is not true. I can not begin to imagine what it would be like to struggle with so much tragic personal loss. He told me on Day 40 that he had lost two children and his wife as well.
I gave John a dollar from my pocket and walked to do some errands. I told him I would be back by in a while, as I had to walk back the other way to get home. He asked me to stop by on my way back, that he had a favor to ask of me.
When I reached John on my way back, he greeted me with the familiar smile. He asked if I had some more money so that he could get a shirt for his brother’s funeral. I only had $11 on me…$10 of which I needed to give away to someone else. I gave him another dollar and went on my way.
Then I had to find a recipient for Day 44. Would you believe I had a hard time? I first went to a couple who were sitting on the sidewalk around 24th and M Street. Both of them had a crazed look in their eyes. I sensed I was dealing with some people who were on a significant amount of drugs. I proceeded cautiously. I explained what I was doing and asked if they would accept my $10. They were so confused and paranoid that they declined. I went on my way and asked a young lady named Liddy who was walking her dog. She was nice, but said she didn’t feel worthy. So I was off again.
I walked another 6-7 blocks. I came across some potential people, but there was never the right moment to go up to someone and ask them.
I found a woman who was walking next to me and I thought, what the heck, nothing else has worked I am just going to start asking everyone.
Sara initially refused as well. When I explained that if she refused I would have to find someone else, I think I guilted her into it. The 28-year-old Chicago native now lives in DC and is a landscape architect for the US Green Building Council. Her position is an internship and she is actively seeking employment for a full-time position as a landscape architect. I might have a connection or two for her, but if anyone out there knows of something, please post here.
Sara was on her way to watch the State of the Union Address. I asked her what grade she would give President Obama after his first year, and she said an A-. I hope she reads this and will tell us her perspective on his speech.
Sara said that she was a bit undecided on what she was going to do with my $10. She was either going to use it to buy some food to take to her State of the Union party or try to donate it at Miriam’s Kitchen. She is scheduled to volunteer there soon. If you are not familiar with Miriam’s…you should check it out, they are an important organization for the poor and homeless communities in DC. She said she would let me know for sure what she did with it later. I hope she is better than Mark from Day 29…he never got back to me!
Year of Giving 
I received the the following via email from Sara, Day 44’s recipient. It is a very interesting analysis of her decision making process for deciding what to do with the $10. Enjoy!
Reed,
I was on my way to the grocery store…..at first, you startled me, because I am usually not approached on the street by random people on the way home from work – especially ones that want to give me money. Actually, I thought you were an activist and going to ask me to fill out loads of paperwork.
Initially, I was hesitant to participate… after all, I was always taught never to talk to strangers. Not to mention, passing out money on the street is an unorthodox thing. Particularly with today’s economic situation, no one is giving anyone something for free.
It actually made me a bit uneasy, because I now felt as if I owed you something. Taking the money meant taking on a responsibility. In fact, I now have the money in my pocket and it is burning a hole there…not because it is a ton of money, but because it symbolizes something greater.
I have been thinking about what to do with it. At first I told you I might spend the money on my friends – specifically to buy ingredients for a salad I was preparing for the barbecue / State of the Union Address party I was attending that evening… the reason I was on my way to the grocery store in the first place. Then, I thought twice about it, and felt that the money should go to a good cause. The name of the project is called “year of Giving” after all. I recently had been recruited by a work friend to volunteer at Miriam’s Kitchen – a local soup kitchen – and thought I could donate it there.
However, this morning after sleeping on it a night, reading your blog and exploring the nature of the project, I think the 10 dollars will go somewhere else – or actually it is the process of the giving that has to be different. Both of those previous things I mentioned spending the money on were already going to happen – I was already going to buy food for my friends, and I had already planned to donate my time to the soup kitchen. Additionally, I could afford the food myself, and didn’t need to spend in that way. I came to this conclusion because when you first told me about the project I asked if I could go to the website and participate there, but you responded that it was supposed to me more ‘spontaneous.’
I like that concept of ‘spontaneous acts of kindness’ and instead of planning out what to do with the cash, I am going to carry it with me and randomly give it away when I feel moved to do so. This is against my nature, since I usually plan most things in my life, and I usually don’t give away money on the street… but I will do it in spirit of the project, and hopefully continue to carry on the spontaneous acts of giving throughout the year – now I’ll have the New Year’s Resolution I never make.
Actually, this reminds me of something interesting about myself that I couldn’t think of on the spot what you asked me, “What is something interesting about yourself?”…. I volunteered one year with AmeriCorps NCCC traveling across the Southeastern Region of the US. It was an amazing experience where I met a lot of interesting people and participated in many hands-on construction-type projects. Your “Year of Giving” reminded me of my” year of giving” in AmeriCorps, and has reinvigorated that very spirit of giving within me that has been in hibernation since my busy days in graduate school and the stress of beginning my career.
I read your blog and was impressed by your project. It is an honorable and interesting endeavor… and I wish you luck! I will also update you with where the money eventually ends up.
Sara
Sara,
Thanks for your follow up posted by Reed. I hope you will follow thru & let us know of your experience in passing on the $10 & ’spontaneous acts of kindness.
Reed ,
Thanks for your giving & your blogging your experience. I think you will fid this year of giving is also a year of personal growth.
KD