Wednesday's Child Surprise

I know I don't work for KSPR anymore, but I had one piece of business to finish. I hope this story will inspire you to pay it forward!

I received a call from a viewer a couple of weeks ago... he wanted to purchase a computer for one of the kids we featured on Wednesday's Child. This person has grown to be a friend of mine, even though we've only briefly spoken on the phone.

I honestly didn't expect him to come through with his promise because it was such a financial commitment. I shouldn't have underestimated him.

Yesterday morning, my friend and KSPR producer Terra picked up the viewer and took him to Walmart. Mind you, I had only met him briefly at the library once before. He had already put a laptop on hold... and when we all three arrived, we went straight back to the electronics department to pick up the computer.

I bought a card and had him sign the bottom. He didn't want anything in return... he just said he hoped the child grew up to be successful and hoped he would remember where he came from.

This viewer inspired me this week and reminded me how kind people can be. He's a veteran, who on first impression, may seem a little gruff. He's the kind of guy who, at times, seems skeptical of the government--the type of person who calls the TV station after a story airs to share his opinion or argue with the someone over an issue. He does not seem like a hero, but now I realize he is.

I will not be there when the Wednesday's Child gets his computer. It has to go through the proper channels since he lives in residential care. By the way, residential care facilities are great in their intentions, but can you really imagine a child growing up in one? Or a child not having a place to call home? with people he/she trusts? Imagine what it's like during the holidays, when their schoolmates talk about Santa. Many of these kids miss their siblings who have already been adopted. I can't imagine the world these children live in, despite the fact that they have people who genuinely care for them. And remember, these kids are in our backyards, kids who go to our churches, kids who are friends with your kids.

This viewer wants to remain anonymous... yet, he could potentially spark something really great inside this kid. This could be a game changer...what an unassuming superhero.

While we all holiday shop for our families and friends and get wrapped up in the material things, please take the time to think of all of those children who go without.

I am so touched that Don, a person who lives on a fixed income, took the time to not only watch a Wednesday's Child story... but also act on it. Even I could not afford to buy a child a computer, and I feel ashamed of myself... I need to start saving up for one good thing like this a year! Don said something that inspired me--he said he could've been a Wednesday's Child, but luckily for him, he had good grandparents. It got me thinking--I was an orphan, too, and all of us have experienced some sort of unfortunate circumstance...but many of us are lucky enough have it happen to us at an age when we can take care of ourselves. Or have it not be detrimental to our existence. Kids have no choice. We have to remember them!

I hope you'll think of Don this year... and his courage to spark change in someone else! So many of us choose not to get involved, and we should try to change that. Don's kindness-in-action has been the best holiday gift I've had so far for 2010, and it wasn't even meant for me.