Homeless man offers his coat and blanket and gets a chance at a new life

Charlotte Ellis and her boyfriend Taylor Waldon, both 22, were out for drinks one night last week in Covent Garden, London. They missed the last train home to Essex, and the next one wasn't due for four hours. They had to tough it out in the freezing night. 

Charlotte heard someone behind her say, "You can borrow my coat and my duvet if you like." The voice belonged to a homeless man known only as Joey. Charlotte accepted his offer and wrapped herself in the duvet. While sitting with Joey and talking with him, Charlotte was struck by both his sincerity and the horror of staying out in the cold overnight. She offered to bring Joey to the home she shares with her mother where he could get a shower and shave and a good hot meal. At first, he refused. Eventually, Taylor convinced him that Charlotte wasn't leaving without him. He went. 

Charlotte's mother was understandably taken aback by the late arrival of her daughter and a homeless man. But they talked and she agreed - Joey could stay with them. After providing him with the basics for hygiene, a warm place to sleep, and some good solid food, Charlotte's friends got into the act. They offered him a haircut, clothes, and a cell phone. He accepted. 

Five days later, Joey had a job offer. 

Joey's life has changed because of his generosity toward people who obviously had more than him. Chances are, the lives of Charlotte and her loved ones have changed too. 

The true measure of character

Columnist Ann Landers, novelist Paul Eldridge, entrepreneur Malcolm Forbes and several others are credited with versions of this quote:

"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them."

 If that's true, then Paul and Shaeleane are both people of high character. In the course of performing their job, they each found a way to show empathy and kindness for someone who can give them nothing in return.

Paul Edden is a Lance Corporal of the Coldstream Guard outside Windsor Castle. During the routine guard change, he noticed something. A small boy in full Coldstream uniform stood near the guardroom, saluting the guardsmen as they marched by. After leading his men past the boy and into the guardroom, Edden stepped back out and posed for pictures with 4-year-old Marshall Scott. He later invited Marshall and his family on a tour of Windsor Castle. A dream come true for Marshall on his birthday.

Shaeleane, no last name found, is a cashier at WinCo in Temecula, California. She must have noticed the contagious smile of 14-year-old Andy who was shopping with his mom, Jeannie Robinson. Andy has cerebral palsy, and loves to push the cart and help at the checkout. Shaeleane let Andy step behind the counter and helped him scan some items while his mom videoed the experience. Andy was thrilled, and Jeannie later reported that he didn't stop smiling all day.

This 7-year-old works at McDonald's

Trenton Gardner of Bicknell Indiana is not your average 7-year-old. When he saw the Toys for Tots bins before Christmas, he asked his mother what they were for. She explained that not all families have the money for Christmas toys, and that made Trenton upset and sad. He decided to do something about it. He asked his grandfather to take him to McDonald's so he could get a job.

Trenton's parents are proud of his kind heart and his concern for others, but the manager of McDonald's was obviously reluctant to have a 7-year-old employee. When he was told he was too young for a job, Trenton burst into tears. He kept at it, asking repeatedly to meet with the manager and asking for a job. His persistence paid off.

Trenton is now an honorary employee, wiping tables for $1. The money he earns when added to the donations of toys by McDonald's has given many kids in that Indiana town a wonderful holiday season.

This Montreal restaurant gives free food to the hungry

Marché Ferdous is a Montreal restaurant situated beside a church. The restaurant co-owners, Yahya Hashemi and Ala Amiry, noticed a number of homeless people gathering near the church. Their Muslim faith and their middle-eastern upbringing led them to be generous to those folks, so several months ago they posted this sign in their window in English, French, and Arabic.

Their offer went largely unnoticed until a skeptical man who works nearby decided to test it. On January 2nd, Sean Jalbert went into the restaurant. He said he had no money and was indeed given free food, no questions asked. 

Jalbert was delighted with the warm hospitality and good meal he was given. He admitted his ruse, paid for his meal, and then posted his findings on Facebook. His post was shared thousands of times. 

Hashemi says that support for the restaurant's generosity comes back to them, often right from other customers. Many pay their bill and leave extra, saying "The next meal you give away is on me." 

 

Bringing a family to safety

Fulbright scholar Rasha Elendari came to the US from Syria seven years ago to study archeology. She planned to return home to Syria to participate in an archeological dig that summer but escalating violence in her homeland made that trip impossible. Missing her family, Elendari stayed in the US to finish her degree, then moved to Toronto for graduate school.

Meanwhile, Syria's war and the Elendari family's situation went from bad to worse. They had stayed in Syria to fight the devastation caused by the Assad regime and provide humanitarian support.

Educated professionals, Elendari's parents, two sisters, and two brothers-in-law volunteered in community programs in their home region in Syria to help war widows and orphans. Two years ago, their own safety and that of their toddler-age children was threatened. They fled to Turkey.

After making contact with the Canadian officials there, the Elendari family was contacted by Jewish Immigration Aid Services (JIAS) of Toronto. JIAS was coordinating the efforts of three Toronto-area sponsors who offered help: Supper with Syria, Temple Har Zion, and Imam Mahdi Islamic Centre. The Temple and the Mosque share a parking lot, and had agreed some time before to sponsor a family's immigration. The Elendari family was the perfect choice for their combined financial and logistical support.

So the plan is in place for the family to arrive from Turkey next week. Details on housing are sketchy, but a job awaits Elendari's pharmacist brother-in-law.

What a great start to the new year - a family reunited in safety.