In uncertain times where we’re doing everything we can to look after ourselves and our families we may have forgotten about the true needy out there.
But here to remind us of the kindness we must continue to show to others is 9-year-old Nathan Simons who did a remarkable thing to help his local homeless shelter.
Ethan Simons says he sometimes worries it’s not productive for his nine-year-old Nathan to watch so many videos on Youtube. But that opinion changed a little after Nathan watched some Youtubers donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to homeless shelters.
Like all youngsters Nathan, from Rock Island, Illinois, enjoys watching YouTube videos, much to the concern of his dad Ethan.
But his dad’s concerns were allayed when Nathan saw something on YouTube that inspired him to empty out his own personal savings to buy supplies for a local homeless shelter.
The fourth grader watched a YouTube video of people giving money to homeless shelters and was inspired.
“I told my dad a couple hours later when I got done watching the video, ‘I wanna do what they did,'” Nathan says.
Nathan wanted to take all the money out of his savings account and do something for someone else. His dad was hesitant at first.
“There was part of me that almost wanted me to talk him out of him,” Ethan says. “But what kind of lesson am I teaching him if I tell him, ‘No, you shouldn’t be selfless.'”
And Nathan’s dad even decided to match his son’s donation dollar for dollar.
Nathan then got in touch with his local shelter and asked for a list of items they needed, he then went with his dad to their local bank and they each withdrew $150 from their accounts.
Nathan’s money was all of his savings from the past 18 months.
Nathan bought shoes, gloves, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce as requested by the shelter and even some treats such as pop and cookie cakes. “It makes me feel happy and proud of myself,” Nathan said.
Waiting for them at the shelter was Cindi Gramenz, development coordinator, who told Nathan: “You know you’re doing an awesome thing, right? You’re helping a lot of people.
And Ethan says he couldn’t be prouder of his son.
“Not many people can say they emptied their savings account and went shopping for a homeless shelter,” he says. “You did a good thing today my son.”
The donation to Christian Care was extra special for the Simons. Nathan’s older sister is a marine and he wanted to make sure the veterans staying at the shelter were taken care of.
Nathan says he could see himself doing this again or donating his time by volunteering.
Source:en.newsner.com, wqad.com
