Tidal Basin (Photo: Reed)
Last Thursday was April Fool’s Day. I decided to do the tourist thing here in DC and check out the cherry blossom mania down by the Tidal Basin. I took my camera down there and pretended to know what I was doing. I got a couple of shots…but I am still learning a lot about how to fully use my camera to take better photographs.
Photo courtesy of Donna and John
Anyway, as I was walking around I was asked to take a photo of a young couple, Donna and John. I obliged and then asked them to accept my $10. John’s reaction was amazing. He was the first person who I have approached about receiving my $10 who actually knew about the Year of Giving. He said he read about it I think on Yahoo! News. Looking back on it I might have taken advantage of the April Fool’s date and said, “Hah! I’m not that guy giving $10! April Fools!” But I wasn’t that quick-witted to deliver such a line.
Me with Donna and John (Photo: Kimon Kanelakis)
I’m glad I didn’t do that because then I wouldn’t have learned what a great couple they are. John works for the government and Donna is studying hearing and speech science. She wants to eventually work in audiology and do newborn hearing screenings. In fact if anyone knows anyone else who is in this field in the DC area and might perhaps be a good contact for Donna, she would really appreciate your help. She hopes to get an internship or job this summer doing newborn screening.
Check out this video of the cherry blossoms and a brief interview with Donna and John. They have a great story about finding love amidst struggling economic times after the subprime mortgage crisis. They are not sure what they will do with the $10 yet, but as you will see in the clip, they agreed to update us once they have decided.
On a separate note, I updated the Statistics page…sorry that was pretty outdated. Average age has stayed pretty consistent and so did the number one answer for where the money will go: “Food & Beverage”. “Gave the Money to Someone Else” has become the second most common response, replacing “Transportation.”
Year of Giving 
What a great project! I heard the story about it today on Marketplace and was moved to tears by it – I’m amazed by your creativity and generosity. If she hasn’t already, Donna should try contacting the DC Department of Health’s Perinatal and Infant Health Bureau, which runs the city’s newborn hearing screening program. Their phone number is 202-442-5925.
Rebecca,
Thanks for your kind comment and a useful information!
Reed,
Thanks for making our story awesome!
This is a great project 🙂 I’ve always believed people have stories to tell, no matter who they are. Good luck with the rest of your year. I’m sure you’ll meet some pretty awesome people 🙂
Reed, What a wonderful journey you’re on for just $10 per day! Life lessons are the best. Can’t get this stuff in college. Good luck on your job hunt. I have been in the trenches for 1 yr. now looking for work.
I just wanted to suggest to Donna to contact Pediatrix.com. They Providing neonatal and maternal-fetal services across the USA. Includes career information and details of clinics. They have internships for newborn hearing screening programs.
My niece is a Audiologist and is involved in this new hearing technology for newborns and loves it. The best of luck to you Donna.
I just read this, Peggy!
Thank you for your wonderful suggestion!! I shall try to contact them right away! =)
-Donna
Hi Reed,
I saw your story on aol, I think. I think what you are doing is great! One way to look at your spending is the education you are getting. You are getting practice in public speaking, talking to strangers, anthropology, sociology- so many areas that you are learning and practicing.
I feel this story is an example of how $10 can change someone’s life. The $10 gave you a reason to talk to Donna. She may now be given opportunities from youir readers to study and work in a field where she truly will be changing lives!
I look forward to reading more of your adventures-I’ve only read the most recent 20 or so entries. Any thoughts of publishing your story in a book?
You’re absolutely right, Beth!
LOVE your project, what an inspiring thing to stumble on tonight. I hope it is as powerful for you as it will be for the world (don’t forget to write the book when you are done…it would be a shame not to.)
Your statistics summary caught my eye. I’ve been re-reading Caroline Myss’ “Invisible Acts of Power: Channeling Grace in Your Everyday Life”, and one of the things she points out is that gifts of food are “first chakra”/tribal bonding experiences, for both the giver and the recipient.
I don’t think it’s an accident that so many people, when asked what they’ll do with a gift from a now-not-so-stranger offering an act of kindness is to nourish themselves in some way that feels like a treat. It’s an affirmation that they’ve just had their faith in the tribe renewed.