We drive a lot during the day. It's simply the nature of our lives and jobs that we have to spend a great deal of our time burning fossil fuel. Most of my time is spent driving around Shoreline.
There's this guy we always see there. He's usually standing by the freeway exit ramp with a cardboard sign. We don't know his name but we call him Rasta Man because he has dreadlocks and he's usually smiling and laughing and singing to himself. We think he lives in the woods by the golf course there, but we're not sure.
When we can, we have given him some food or bottles of water during the hot weather.
Today the temperatures dipped into the teens and everything was frozen over. I was so grateful to get into my suburban and sit on heated seats.
We came across Rasta Man as we were driving the kids to school. Lance and I decided to swing back around and get him some hot chocolate. After we handed it to him, I asked him if he was hungry too.
"Yes Ma'am," he said as he bounced from one leg to another to try and get warm. "Anything with chicken please"
So we got him some breakfast at the Burger King there. I wish we could have done more.
As we were driving away we talked about how we can adopt a highway, or 'adopt' a child in another country...why couldn't we 'adopt' a homeless person? I know we can't bring them into our homes---some are unstable and that would put ourselves and our children at risk. But couldn't we make up little hygiene kits with some toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, soap, hand sanitizer, blankets, etc? I know downtown they have shelters and soup kitchens but out here in the suburbs those things aren't as readily available. The homeless are more spread out.
Before we left him I gave him my knit hat. It's going to be even colder tonight.
There's this guy we always see there. He's usually standing by the freeway exit ramp with a cardboard sign. We don't know his name but we call him Rasta Man because he has dreadlocks and he's usually smiling and laughing and singing to himself. We think he lives in the woods by the golf course there, but we're not sure.
When we can, we have given him some food or bottles of water during the hot weather.
Today the temperatures dipped into the teens and everything was frozen over. I was so grateful to get into my suburban and sit on heated seats.
We came across Rasta Man as we were driving the kids to school. Lance and I decided to swing back around and get him some hot chocolate. After we handed it to him, I asked him if he was hungry too.
"Yes Ma'am," he said as he bounced from one leg to another to try and get warm. "Anything with chicken please"
So we got him some breakfast at the Burger King there. I wish we could have done more.
As we were driving away we talked about how we can adopt a highway, or 'adopt' a child in another country...why couldn't we 'adopt' a homeless person? I know we can't bring them into our homes---some are unstable and that would put ourselves and our children at risk. But couldn't we make up little hygiene kits with some toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, soap, hand sanitizer, blankets, etc? I know downtown they have shelters and soup kitchens but out here in the suburbs those things aren't as readily available. The homeless are more spread out.
Before we left him I gave him my knit hat. It's going to be even colder tonight.
That's a great idea. I think I know who that guy is, and he is always giving a smile to people and seems very grateful when you hand him something. You're good to help him like that.
ReplyDeleteMUCH nicer than the one that threw our food right back at us and hit Alli in the head! :)
ReplyDeleteAt least you didn't let that past experience stop you from compassion. I like the adopt idea...has merit!! You could include those cheap little fleece blankets too, something to wrap around their shoulders. hmmmm
ReplyDeleteThis idea just crossed my mind because the cast of the radio show that I host and I are going to be giving food and blankets to the homeless here in Atlanta in a couple of weeks. So, I decided to google "Adopt a homeless person" to see how many other people had the same idea. I'm going to start a movement here in Atlanta. I hope it takes off. I see that this was written 2 years ago. I'd love to know how things have turned out. We may even be able to discuss it on my show. Please email me at thegreenchimp@gmail.com THANKS!
ReplyDeleteAdopt a homeless person today!
ReplyDelete