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One Thing One Day One Time – day 8 After many bad decisions one after another, my father had been a part of a homeless community for many many years. Unfortunately, I was unable to find him to help him in time but when my youngest at the time starting asking questions about his grandfather, I was left helpless in trying to explain to a young child what happened to his grandfather and the choices that he made. Instead, I went on a search to find ways to show him. I wanted to him to not only understand but to make a difference and be a part of a more humbling. That was when I stumbled on The 25th Project on Facebook and it was close to home. I was able to show my son the effects of homelessness and many other life lessons, starting with a simple meal on a cold Thanksgiving afternoon which turned into Christmas. Now, my family has been an active part of The 25th Project and have a special place in our hearts to be able to embrace the challenges and dedicate ourselves to the mission to do ONE THING, ONE DAY, ONE TIME

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One Thing One Day One Time – Day 7 – The homeless have always held a special place in my heart. T25P had mentored me for several years on how to work with the homeless in such a way that we give them a hand up instead of a handout. After leaving northern VA to relocate to central VA, I carried with me a heightened sense of awareness in recognizing someone who might be homeless. Shortly after moving to my current location, I was driving to a grocery store one early afternoon and noticed an old man walking along the street. He looked frail and exhausted and, as I passed him, he slowed down, took off his backpack to form a makeshift seat, and half-collapsed on it. I immediately pulled into a nearby parking spot and hurried to him. He seemed startled when I approached, so I quickly reassured him that I had noticed his fatigue and wanted to see if I could do anything to help. He said he was just tired from walking a long distance and would be alright after a little rest. I asked if I could sit with him for a while, so he patted the curb and I sat down. At first he didn’t speak, then, in a cracked and tired voice he admitted that he had been walking from Culpeper and was on his way to Charlottesville, a distance spanning three counties and approximately 45 miles. He then said he had lost his job a decade ago and had been forced to vacate his rented trailer when he could no longer pay his rent. He found sporadic day labor at a warehouse but it didn’t give him enough to rent a room or to pay his way. After living a transient life for years, a volunteer organization had suggested he find his way to Charlottesville to get into a shelter. This is what he was doing when I encountered him. Being late March, it was going to get dark soon, and the temperature would start to drop. I knew there was no way for him to continue by foot. I offered to drive him to Charlottesville. He seemed stunned to think I would do so. I suggested we go into the store so we could get him some bottled water and a few supplies. While he stopped at the rest room, I asked one of the employees to help me locate the store manager. When she came to where I was standing, I quickly explained the situation to her and asked how I could find the address and number to a shelter in Charlottesville. This lady was terrific – she not only used her Smartphone to look up information but, when I began to call around, she personally went and fetched bottled water, toiletries, snacks, a blanket and a travel pillow for the man, and refused to let me pay. After some frustrating attempts to get through to a few of the shelters, we finally found one that took our call. After obtaining driving directions, we left. Stopping at a fast-food franchise for a quick meal, we got to our location. I waited while he went inside and, after a short while, he came out and thanked me for all the help. He was given a place to sleep, and the manager of the shelter said he would help him get assistance in the days to come. I left him after giving him my phone number in case things didn’t work out. I never did hear back from him, but still think of him frequently and hope he is in a better place than where I first found him.

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One Thing One Day One Time – I was standing in a checkout line at my favorite Dollar store, buying a month’s worth of supplies (i.e. my cart was overflowing). The check out girl had just started scanning my things when a line formed behind me. Most of us had carts quite full, but the guy immediately behind me had only one item~ (a mop) and sadly he was stuck having to wait through my lengthy purchase. Had the cashier not started I certainly would’ve let him gone ahead of me. (We all know that exasperated feeling of being behind the person who gets everything when you’re only getting one item.) Since I couldn’t undo what had already started, I turn to the guy, take his mop from his hand and lean it toward the check out girl, who looks a bit startled at first, but then laughingly scans it. With that, I turn and hand it back to man and say, “Here. Have a paid for mop. You deserve it for being patient.” The guy looks at me strangely at first, but then shaking his head says “I’ve heard about people doing things like this, but I never thought I’d be the one to have it done to me! Thanks Lady!”

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August 5 – One Thing One Day One Time – While walking out of the Walmart in Kingstowne and a lady approached me to ask for money. She was clearly pregnant and stated that she had no food at home and was in need of milk, bread. Eggs and other essentials. I thought about it and decided I would not give her money, but instead took her inside with me to shop for what she needed. As I guided her through the aisles, it was clear she was shy about what brands to pick up and how much, so instead I started picking things up for her and placing them in the cart. Once we had gathered up a cart full of groceries and also diapers, then I took her to the checkout line and paid for the groceries. I also gave her $20 for gas. She was very thankful.

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August 4 – One Thing One Day One Time – Hot Dogs and Silver Bells Aunt Mary Ellen is a determined and very independent woman. She lives alone in an apartment hotel in a distant city and loves seeing us which isn’t very often unfortunately. I have learned over the years that she loves Hershey’s Kisses or “Silver Bells.” She isn’t expecting them and forgets from one annual visit to the next that we know how she loves her Silver Bells. She has that ability to be surprised with every kind deed that is done for her. On our last trip “up north,” we stopped and bought a big bag of Silver Bells, and enjoyed the look of joy on her face as she greeted us with Silver Bells in hand. As we chatted about family and memories, and in the course of conversation, we asked if there was anything we could do for her, or anything she needed. She said at 101 she doesn’t need anything except her apartment which she has occupied for decades, help with laundry which she has, and a friend to visit once in a while which she has. After a few seconds, she said “I sure do wish I could just get up and go get a hot dog from Coney Island.” Coney Island is close to Aunt Mary Ellen’s age and is the local purveyor of hot dogs extraordinaire. She reminded us that walking was hard – she uses a walker and does very well in her building but the sidewalk is another thing. My Hero immediately remembered something he needed in the car, and excused himself from our “ladies” conversation about the state of fashion today. You have guessed that he needed to go to Coney Island, just down the street, to get a hot dog, two hot dogs with chili, no cheese thank-you-very-much, for a spunky outspoken and loving 101 year old Aunt. She was thrilled of course. And wouldn’t take a bite until we left; that would not be polite.

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August 3- One Thing One Day One Time I was standing in a checkout line at my favorite Dollar store, buying a month’s worth of supplies (i.e. my cart was overflowing). The check out girl had just started scanning my things when a line formed behind me. Most of us had carts quite full, but the guy immediately behind me had only one item~ (a mop) and sadly he was stuck having to wait through my lengthy purchase. Had the cashier not started I certainly would’ve let him gone ahead of me. (We all know that exasperated feeling of being behind the person who gets everything when you’re only getting one item.) Since I couldn’t undo what had already started, I turn to the guy, take his mop from his hand and lean it toward the check out girl, who looks a bit startled at first, but then laughingly scans it. With that, I turn and hand it back to man and say, “Here. Have a paid for mop. You deserve it for being patient.” The guy looks at me strangely at first, but then shaking his head says “I’ve heard about people doing things like this, but I never thought I’d be the one to have it done to me! Thanks Lady!” another kind example of someone doing One Thing One Day One Time

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August 2 – One Thing One Day One Time – I have a heart for the homeless, especially in the winter months where Nashville has this great volunteer program involving all our area churches. That said, I’m not prone to giving money as a rule as I don’t want to reinforce the beggar mentality. (Meals, yes, but money I try to avoid.) But all that changed the day I was running late for a meeting downtown (where it’s increasingly difficult to park). But low and behold, a metered spot opens up RIGHT in front of the building I need! Backing into the space, I begin digging in my purse in a frantic search for change and …dang it–I have none. I check cup holders…console…under floor mats ~nothing! I’m totally flustered when this homeless man gets up from a planter box, walks straight to my Jeep, and holding out a handful of quarters says, “Need some change ?” The irony of the moment made us both laugh out loud as I humbly conveyed I had no bills on me either, and that I might be in this meeting for more than the meter would allow. “That’s ok,” he said. “I’ll stay right here. I’m happy to keep an eye on things till you’re back…I’ll watch your meter and keep it plugged.” Suffice it to say I learned to get over my judgment of homeless and money as one never knows when you might be the one needing change yourself. No doubt angels come in all sorts of disguises. (And yes I was able to cash a check inside so my new friend would have his own story to tell.)

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August 1st – One Thing One Day One Time wants to encourage YOU to: Do ONE THING…whatever it is….help with the homeless, help at an elderly home, help with Autism, help with Alzheimer’s…these are several examples…pick that ONE THING and help. Do that ONE THING ONE DAY…pick a time and then do it…mark it on your calendar and execute your plan. Do that ONE THING ONE DAY ONE TIME. We are not looking for a major time commitment. Tell us about your experience email info@onethingonedayonetime.com We live in a very myopic society. I believe if each of us can take a few minutes to help another person then we will see and experience more joy in our lives. There was a time in my life that I took time to have dinner with seven homeless men in Washington DC. I ate with them, connected and encouraged them. I don’t know where these guys are today. However, I do know that 16 years later I learned a lesson of helping the homeless with a meal was encouraging to me and that we always have hope.

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1. T25P was helping one of our homeless friends who was trying to transition back into the workforce. He had a pregnant girlfriend, and was trying to get a job. The one thing that he lacked, was the ability to get to and from work because he didn’t have a car. A friend from church heard about the situation, and without hesitation, said I have a car that I could provide him. He hopped in his car, found the individual, and gave him the keys. Full tank of gas, insurance paid, no questions asked. The end of the story doesn’t matter….to that guy, there was nothing more important that donating his car. To our homeless friend, there was nothing more important than getting that car. That man did One Thing, One Day, One Time, and we are still talking about it years later.

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