Recession spurs some to do good deeds
Leonard Abess Jr.
During these tough times, some people have taken notice of the people struggling around them and decided to do something. In a speech, President Obama told the story of Leonard Abess Jr. Last fall, after Abess sold his Miami bank, he divvied up $60 million between his employees.
Turns out even people who don’t have $60 million to go around are finding ways to help the people around them.
A mini stimulus
When pharmacy owner Danny Cottrell called his employees to a meeting, many were worried that he would be announcing layoffs. Instead, Cottrell gave each full-time employee a $700 bonus and part-time employees $300.
These aren’t payday loans that the employees have to pay back, but they can’t just do whatever they want with the money. He asked that they give 15 percent of the money to someone who was worse off than they were or donate it to charity. He also asked that they spend the rest of the money at locally owned businesses in southern Alabama. It was his own little stimulus package.
A little extra work
At a suburb in Minneapolis, a gynecological practice now gives free preventive care to existing patients who lost medical insurance because of layoffs. They are also offering STD screening at a reduced rate for people who have lost benefits.
“It’s not going to kill us to do a little extra work,” Dr. K. Anthony Shibley said. “They probably already have enough bill collectors calling them.”
Teaching men to fish
Timothy Tucker, a gourmet chef, used to work at expensive restaurants in Seattle and Dallas. Now he has a very different “customer base.”
Now, Tucker helps the homeless and others living below the poverty line in Louisville, Ky., learn to cook. His goal is to teach them culinary skills so they can land jobs at local restaurants. The food prepared in his classes at the Salvation Army feeds 400 people a day at a homeless shelter.
For more stories about people ABC News calls “Recession Angels,” visit this page on ABC News.
What a wonderful thing to do! Hard times definitely bring out the best in people. I’m glad to hear there are still sensible people in the world. I can imagine the looks on their faces when the sound of good news rang through their ears. I’m sure it lifted a huge burden off their backs. There’s nothing more rewarding than providing help to others in far worst situations.
This is Encouraging. So much news is negative, it is heartwarming to hear about selfless acts of kindness. If everybody gives a little, a lot can be accomplished.