The Heart of A Child

I am a volunteer for The American Diabetes Association (ADA). I am on the planning committee for a one day cycling event called 'Tour de Cure'. It is sponsored by the ADA and the proceeds of this event, are used for diabetes research and program funding.

While I was talking to people about our 'Tour de Cure' event in downtown Denver one day in July of 2008, I met a young lad from Oklahoma named Jack. I think he was ~ 10-11 years old. It was the jar of red rubber wrist bands (The American Diabetes Association diabetes awareness wrist bands) that caught Jack's attention. These are the bands we give out to people who have diabetes, who have a family member who has diabetes or to those people who know someone who has diabetes. People wear these for a variety of reasons: in memory of a loved one, to promote diabetes awareness and to show support for people who have diabetes.

Jack walked towards me eyeing the jar and then he said, "Can I have one of those?" So, I replied to Jack, "Do you have someone in your family who has diabetes?" Jack said, "No, but I know someone who has diabetes." So I gave him one to wear for his friend. The boy who was with Jack asked if he could have one too. So, I asked him, "Do you have someone in your family who has diabetes?" He echoed Jack's words, so I gave him a wrist band too.

Then, Jack began looking at our 'Tour de Cure 2007' photo album. I think he spent nearly five minutes browsing it, as I was chatting with other people about 'Tour de Cure'. When Jack had finished and was about to go, he looked up at me and said, "Would you take a donation?" I was surprised to hear this from a 10-11 year boy, but I said, "Yes."

I took the lid off of our donation container as Jack was reaching into his pocket. His hand came out clinched around the donation he was about to make. It was my impression that what he had in his hand, was everything he had in his pocket, as he did not count it.

After Jack dropped his donation into the container, I gave him a high-five, as I so often do to acknowledge an accomplishment or in appreciation. I also gave him a handshake before he parted.

After Jack left, I counted his gift --- $3.00. I then realized that he gave all he had, without counting the cost.

The heart of a child made smile that day in 2008. Thank you Jack.

Submitted by Anonymous

Helping Others