Reply #12: Good for you [View All]

My favorite story happened in Boston. It was near midnight, and I was going home from work on the subway. A homeless man approached me, and I gave him the few bills and bits of change I had on me. It was January and bitter and he needed all the help he could get, and I apologized for not being able to give him enough for a room for the night. A yuppie type (who obviously hadn't gotten lucky) sneered and said he'd only spend it on booze. I said so what? It's cold and all the shelters are closed for the night and if that provides him some comfort, what business was it of ours?

That homeless guy got on the subway with me and went to the end of the line, which was my stop. If anybody even stared at me, he'd go tell them "Leave her alone, she's all right."

You never know where you'll find a knight in shining armor.

Giving to homeless folks is the most gratifying, something the major charities love to discourage by trumpeting stories of the few who panhandle as a scam. Yeah, the scammers are out there, but most of the folks genuinely need the money, and yes, alcohol can be a genuine need. Untreated DTs are 50% fatal. I'll continue to give when I can, and I'll continue to refuse to tell them how to spend it. I figure they know what they need, even if it's something I wouldn't choose for myself.