-Blog post by Mary J., a Kindness Investor from Houston, TX
I got a refusal today. I first approached Carol M who was working at Pier One, but she decided not to accept the $10, but said that she liked the project and I did spend some time talking with her.
Later I gave the $10 to a lady selling newspapers on the street – I wish I had had time to talk with her and find out what she planned on doing with the money, or even get her name, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
Reed asked me to share the cards I have been using. Below is a picture of the cards with the ten dollar bills that I am giving out.
Year of Giving 
Mary, your cards are fantastic! I love them. Way to be creative. -Reed
I like the idea of the card and the $10 together. On one day I did it I felt rather odd walking around clutching the bill.
That day I found out that perserverence and culture made the process quite interesting.
Diane/Connecticut
Reed! I’ve got an update!
I found the lady selling newspapers I had given the $10 to. Her name is Judy B and she bought groceries with the money. Judy cleans houses for a living. She occasionally sells newspapers to cover for her son when he can’t make it. She is 56 years old, married to William for 12 years and has 5 children, “some here, some back home in Louisiana with their daddy”.
Originally from Louisiana, she came here when Hurricane Katrina hit and was sheltered in Reliant Center for awhile. I worked for American Red Cross and oversaw the networking of Reliant Center for communications during that time. I also assisted evacuees as a Red Cross volunteer, so this last meeting may be the third time our paths have crossed!
Judy is very thankful that Houston and American Red Cross stepped up to help our neighbors in Louisiana when they so desperately needed it. “Thank God for Houston and Red Cross!”, she said. “Y’all were a blessing, let me tell you. We had no place to go and nothing but the clothes on our backs. Houston saved us. Red Cross, Salvation Army… so many people came to help.”
I asked her if she needed help with anything for the Lend A Hand list on the Year of Giving. She said no, then added, “Winning the lottery would be nice.”
I’ve misplaced my cell phone, so I couldn’t take her picture, but Judy said she’d be happy to pose if I see her again in the future.