Reed Sandridge lost his job last year and took up a new hobby. He gives away $10 every day to someone who looks as if they could use it, a different person every day. And Sandridge expects nothing in return but a good feeling.
Sandridge is using his savings and his unemployment benefits for the giveaways. Some of the folks he gives money to use it to help others. He tells stories of the people he meets in his blog, which has led others to help them out as well. Link to story. Link to blog. -via Digg
(image credit: Katherine Frey/the Washington Post)
His mom, the daughter of a coal miner whom he remembers most for her kindness, always told him that when you're going through tough times, that's when you most need to give back.
So not long after he was laid off, on the third anniversary of his mom's death, he started his "year of giving," documenting each $10 gift in a small black notebook and then blogging about the people he meets. By Day 94, he had given away almost $1,000, handing out money in blizzards, in rainstorms, on the sunniest of days.
Sandridge is using his savings and his unemployment benefits for the giveaways. Some of the folks he gives money to use it to help others. He tells stories of the people he meets in his blog, which has led others to help them out as well. Link to story. Link to blog. -via Digg
(image credit: Katherine Frey/the Washington Post)
While I think it's admirable that he's trying to help others with what is rightfully his to collect (it IS insurance, not welfare!) I understand some of the cynicism expressed here.
It would be better if he kept it to himself (the blogging about it), and if someone ELSE praised him for it, let it be made known that way. By doing that, he would be staying humble, and above reproach.
I personally disagree with the government giving tax deductions for charitable giving. That, too, is expecting something in return.
http://giveyourstuffaway.com
Thanks.
The great thing about people giving to each other and helping each other is that it enriches two lives at the same time, unlike many of our actions which further someone's interests at the expense of others'.