Our Most Heartfelt Donation

I never have considered myself to be a religious person but growing up in a Catholic household there were some stories from the Bible that have stuck with me well into my young adult life, especially those stories of giving and charity. One of my favorites is Mark 12:41-44, also known to some as “The Widow’s Offering”. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the story I have put it below.

“Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” – Mark 12:41-44 NKJ Bible

Now, everyone can take something different from this story. To me this story has always taught me to give as much as I can when I can. Just like everyone else I try my best to follow the example of the widow, but trying to keep your head above water isn’t always the easiest feat. Sometimes getting wrapped up in my day to day life, I only recognize how lucky I am and don’t actually express my gratitude.

Earlier this week I received a check for Love Has No Color from a former DC in our program. I was so shocked to have gotten a donation from this doctor at this time because according to Facebook he was going through several life changing events all at once. He was recently married, planning on moving into a new home, and is expecting a baby and as many of you know, all of which are very costly occasions. There it was right in my face, the widow. Even through his tight budget and even scarcer spare time, this doctor was able to see past the bills and make the effort to write a check for the kids on the Fort Peck Reservation.

Recently, we received another donation from an unsuspecting contributor.  His name is Kolby, and he is Dr. Kevin’s seven year-old nephew.  Kolby wrote to Dr. Kevin and Dr. Julie to thank them for the Love Has No Color T-Shirts we sent them. As Dr. Julie opened the hand-made card to read it, a single dollar bill and 50 cents fell out along with a note that said, “I wanted to give my savings to Uncle Kevin and the Indians.” There it was again, the story of the widow right in front of my eyes. It certainly was not the largest donation we have ever received but it definitely was the most heartfelt.

No matter how large or small a donation may be, we must always remember the impact it has. Everything counts. Your donations, be them monetary or a moment of your time, are all important and all have a standing impact on those in need. We should always remember the story of the widow; give as much as you can when you can, because for those who need it the most it all counts, every mite.

– Katie Cahill