I didn't sleep well last night. I was worrying a lot about a lot of little things that really aren't significant in the grand scheme of things. I woke up for my run - first run since I've had food poisoning all week. Felt good to get outside in the fresh air with my iPod and just go.
I live in downtown Phoenix and I run through a park that is on Central. There are many people that sleep there and a few that live there. 2 in particular have become friends of mine and we chat, say good morning and have light conversation. They are are very nice and as the weather has gotten cold I have worried about them. I brought them breakfast and hot coffee last week, figured I would do that each week.
Today I talked to them and learned that one of them has been in downtown for 38 years, I am still trying to figure out his whole story. I learned that he has 4 blankets and where he sleeps at night because he prefers this over chaos in one of the shelters. The other one, I don't have his whole story. He came walking back as we talked. He goes every morning and gets coffee from Krispy Kreme for a $.27 refill - today he learned that they raised their coffee price to $1.25 a cup and they cannot afford it anymore.
I smiled and told them to have a nice day they told me the same. I felt bad. I was worrying about small stuff but as I looked at my bed I sleep in every night and took my hot shower I realized that nothing is that bad. I decided that I would go to Kripsy Kreme today and buy them a gift card to use for coffee and stop and the sandwich place next door and get one from there too.
Then it started me thinking. Kristi told me she has gift cards that are 2 years old that she will never use - I have a few friends that told me that. So I decided to start asking anyone if they have a fast food gift card that they will never use - I have a few in my wallet. Every week or so I'm going to give them to my homeless friends in the park so they have the ability to get something warm to eat and drink.
Downtown is a community and we look out for one another. So if you see someone where life has served them up something not so sweet maybe a gift card would help - it's actual food not money or bringing food. If you have some and want to mail or drop them off to me let me know! I will make sure that they get in the hands of someone that needs and deserves it. I'll even talk them in to letting me get their picture.
I wrote a check the other day for St. Mary's Food Bank and I know that will be put to good use for families but I enjoy seeing what I can do as a direct impact. I always told myself that as soon as I had a little to give that I would give it and now I'm getting that opportunity.
So dig in your purses, wallets, dresser drawers and junk drawers - find those gift cards and lets put them to good use!
To Success,
Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer
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