A helping hand?
By Lakota12
@Lakota12 (42600)
United States
May 27, 2007 11:48am CST
The other day setting in my house heard a knock at the door ,never seen a car or anything different out front window.
So went to the door this colored man was standing there and he showed his ID to me then asked if we had any work for him to do that he had been laid off and was working around the neighbor hood to make money for his family to have a place to stay and eat. He had made the rent money he said but needed enough for food that night.
Well I couldnt think of a thing to have him do so he went to the neighbors she had him wash her car.
But we felt so bad that we didnt have anything for him to do we found up some dollor bills and canned goods and gave them to neighbor lady to give him when he got done . Well he came back and thanks us .This man had tears in his eyes and we felt so down hearted for him.
The one thing I can say he did ask for work and not just a hand out!.
What would you have done?
8 people like this
18 responses
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
7 Jun 07
Hey LKo,
God smiled on you for that even if that's not what the money was for ppl don't understand sometimes that when you give it's not yours anymore so you needn't worry where it's going to only that you gave to a person that you felt was in need.
I would have probably just gave what I could w/o working him the same as you. Now, I have been approached by ppl who we're obviously scam artist's & I say "sorry,can't help ya" To me the signs of a scammer is when they give you too many details.
+'s 2 U
:D
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
28 May 07
yes, we would and that give him dignity by not asking for alms.there is a real man facing himself head on.and that is the greatest thing to do for you to go out of your way to help a real needy person striving to make a living even for food dor the night.i commend you on your good hearted ways.let us all hope that instead of worrying about terrorism ,we all focus on how to help one another in times of need. the world is so thirsty ,love and care has been drying up.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
27 May 07
Lakota that was so good of you and I would have done the same
I would not have expected anything else from you as you are a giving Person with a heart
I will never ever forget how you responded to my cry of help 3 years ago
You could not advise me but you gave me something more you accepted me as a Friend and pulled me close to your Heart
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
27 May 07
I would find the job around the house, or on my yard and help the man. I would ask about his family and maybe help the family to....
life is short...I always pay it forward...
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
27 May 07
yes, it was...in the movie...you help others without the question and universe will send others to help you..
1 person likes this
@stella1989 (2274)
• India
28 May 07
Umm..!!
Honestly I'll never do it!!
I may call him and give him some clothes and food to eat but can never give any cash in his hand!
As once I cheerfuly gave some money to a begger so that he can eat something but..no he wasted all his money over a ciggrate!!
Now how bad is that!! He made me regert on what I have done!!After that I never give any cash money to any begger. I would rather buy food for them but giving them money in their hand is can't be done!!
But welldone you did a good job.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
28 May 07
There was one different to this man he came and asked for work and he found some next door she I gave her the money and the food and she agve it to him but told him we had done it. To me this wasnt just a begger on the street for I dont give to them or at rest areas for they make alot of money and pay no taxes on it they dont have to even report it so they are probably not in the IRS files
2 people like this
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
7 Jun 07
have you ever thought that wasn't a waste to him? If someone's bumming money to get drunk or smoke well let 'em have a nice trip b/c maybe their lives are so miserable & that smoke or drink just made 'em feel good for just one moment out of their sorrowful lives-you gave it away what does it matter what happens to it anymore cause it's not yours.
1 person likes this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
30 May 07
I don't know- In this day and age when so many bad things happen to people- I have a child in the house- I'm not sure I would have even opened the door- If I look out and I don't know the person at the door- If I am alone I'll still answer it- but if it is just my daughter and I - I won't. Call me a scaredy cat- I think it was a great thing you did- I'm super glad that you could help out- If it was a neighbor that stopped and asked that I would have given them money or at least food as well. You should feel really good about what you did- An act of kindness!
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
30 May 07
I just opend the door not the security door and he really couldnt see me but had also showed me his ID. No one really does that when they are just begging.
I do feel good about it and I am glad my neighbor lady had something for him to do even if it was washing her van
2 people like this
@loujac3 (1188)
• United States
28 May 07
Exactly what you did. He isn't standing out an the street corner with a sign and he isn't asking for handouts. That is a good man and he has a family that he is sticking by even when times are tough. He is an angel in disquise and you will be blessed many times over for being there in his time of need. Bless you!
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
27 May 07
I would definitely have done what you or your neighbor did. As you said he was willing to work and to me that would be the defining factor. I am one of these people that get mad when I see people using food stamps or are on welfare and are driving a big expensive car and wearing expensive clothes.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
27 May 07
I had to get on welfare and get stamp for my kids when Hubby was out of work for a year and It felt like I really had to beg to get the food stamps. We were only on them till hubby got back to work!But I did get mad when I saw a feller come in and tell them he didnt get his stamps and he was drunk and they told him he got tham he had just spent them on drinking instead of eatting!
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
28 May 07
I would've done what you did. He didn't just ask for work, he believed that some good souls would help him. And you did. It's so terribly sad that in this day and age people are having to do these things.
I've heard on the news recently how a bunch of families are living in caves here in Australia because the bank repossessed their homes.
Things are going very wrong for lots of people and families.
@mummymo (23706)
•
28 May 07
I would like to say I would have done the same as you my friend - sounds like a man who really wants to provide for his family and I am so proud of you for helping him! I pray things pick up for him and if he has the strength of character to go knocking on doors to find odd jobs to provide for his family I am sure that he will eventually get a good job and the family will have more stability!
1 person likes this
@krgreen (61)
• Philippines
28 May 07
i wish people here were like that i'd gladly give him something just for the effort. people in poverty here always BEG for good or money. the first few times were ok, but the number of beggars have increased so much that it's become a normal thing that my doorbell would buzz every now and then. what's worse is it's the same people coming back.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
28 May 07
This is my first one while living here.
But we get about 4,000 homeless coming here every month for some reason they think Vegas is a hand me town.
And we really arent there are jobs out there if they want to work and I have worked with people from the homeless shelters thoses are the people ya want to help the ones that are willing to help their self up
1 person likes this
@yamahagirl (415)
•
28 May 07
Hi there,
Can i just say that was a really nice thing to do i would have done the same,but can i just say somethink to you without sounding rude you said colored man its not clored man its black man colored is green, red, blue, ect... some people can take that in the wrong way if you know what i mean take it from me as im mixed race but it is great that you did what you did.
1 person likes this
@vampoet (825)
• Singapore
28 May 07
Some people are pushed to the brink to resort to such things, it is especially difficult for a guy to lower his ego to go around begging for help. Glad you felt bad enough to hand him some bills and food. I would have done something similar but kept quiet about it.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
28 May 07
I thought it was a good topic to bring out . As he ws so forthright and really not begging. I see so many homeless out there on the streets that beg for money and not work but lay drunk in the parks and road sides. It was refreashing to see someone actually will to work for pay
1 person likes this
@nannacroc (4049)
•
27 May 07
As this man was prepared to earn what he needed, I think I would have felt the same and done what I could to help. I won't give money to people who ask for handouts but this man retained his pride as he earned the things he recieved.
1 person likes this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
13 Jun 07
I would have done as you. Tried to find something around the house or yard for him to do. He didn't ask for money for doing nothing. He wanted to earn it. We are supposed to help our fellow human beings. The man will never forget it. I always remember that hopefully never but a person never knows when that might be them in the situation. It was good that your whole neighborhood pitched in and helped the person out.
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
16 Jun 07
Oh Lakota! That's so great, so generous and I would have done the same. And I agree with you, he put his pride down, he knows his needs and asked for work. And you did a great thing to recognize his needs and humble plea. You have a golden heart. I think if people were helping each other the way you and your neighbor did, our society could become a better place. More blessings my friend! Have a beautiful day! (^^,)
@fhunter910 (156)
• United States
27 May 07
I would have done the same. That's a good , feeding his family at any costs. Sometimes families hit rock bottom and need alittle helping hand. I'm gladto hear that they're are still good people out there in the liek yourself. have a great day.
1 person likes this
