This Christmas, The Please and Thank You Foundation undertook its first program to promote purposeful giving and community awareness.
Four individuals, representing different ages and locations were selected to carry out a purposeful act of kindness.
Each participant was asked to identify a person in need whom they felt demonstrates their own acts of selflessness and then write a story about why they have chosen this person and how it would make them feel to support them in their time of need.
Each participant will be granted a monetary gift to present to their person of choice.
Mason Cauley Age 9 Bethlehem PA
There is a man my mom and I see outside of our local shopping center. He stands there in all types of weather holding a sign looking for help from those passing by. I would like to give him something so that tomorrow he doesn’t need to stand there.
Helping someone brings a warmth to your body. I will not gain happiness in just that moment but it will stay with me for my lifetime.
Mason was given a $100 Giant gift card to present to the individual he has chosen to pay it forward to.
Rachel Heffner Age 27 Queens NY
Educators are often selfless givers devoting their lives to helping and molding others. Especially in today's world where their resources and funding are constantly being taken away.
This is why I nominate my friend. She is an elementary school teacher who selflessly gives her extra time and own money to help her students. She often has to buy them school supplies because the families in her district can not afford them. She also goes above and beyond by decorating her classroom and making sure she has all the tools she needs to give her kids the best education possible. She is passionate, hard-working, and really strives to make a positive impact in her classroom and community.
Rachel was given a $50 Staples gift card to present to the teacher in need.
Michele Donisi Age 53 Easton PA
The first person that came to mind when you explained your Please and Thank You Christmas fun was a friend of mine, named Chris. She is a hard working, loving person who has been raising her grandson, Jakob since the day he was born. She barely has the financial means to support herself, yet she goes to any length to get Jakob the help he needs. He is learning disabled and started speaking at around age 4. She works diligently with him on reading and is proud of every little accomplishment. She is more than a proud grandmother, she has saved this little boy. More recently he has been having issues with his eyes and needs expensive medical attention. He gets fever-related seizures and she has had him to the emergency room more times than imaginable. Needless to say, she has been successful in meeting his basic needs, but never anything extra. She has a mentally ill brother and has lost both her parents. I especially worry because she takes care of Jakob at the expense of neglecting herself. She is a loving, giving, beautiful soul who has taken care of others her whole life, even in her work life... She is a dialysis technician (one of the hardest jobs, that I have great respect for). It would be my greatest Christmas wish to give her an unexpected surprise for her to use as she wishes to make her Christmas a little less stressful. I love her and Jakob dearly. I can't think of anyone else more deserving.
Michele was given $100 Visa gift card to present to her friend Chris.
Dylan Lowe Age 17 Raleigh NC
You may wonder what exemplifies the true meaning of selfless giving? What does please and thank you really look like. Well, I’ve got an answer to this question. It revolves around a very special lady who is a teacher assistant in the elementary school I once attended. She is the type of person who continually gives of herself to make others around her feel good. She never asks for anything in return. She supported her husband while he battled cancer giving him all the encouragement and motivation he needed to fight this awful disease to only end up divorced. Alone and a mom to two boys, she continued to work 2 jobs to support the family. She always gave 100% at school making sure each and every child she worked with knew they were capable of succeeding and loved while they worked toward their goals. Sadly, not long after her divorce, she had a brain aneurysm. She fought long and hard and again overcame her obstacles and never once asked for help but instead still made sure those around her had their needs met. She would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She is a woman of fierce determination, constant encouragement, and always carrying a smile on her face. SHE is the perfect example of selfless giving!
Dylan has been given a $50 gift card to present to the teachers assistant.
“If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”
-Chinese Proverb
For centuries, the greatest thinkers have suggested the same thing: Happiness is found in helping others.