An older couple living in Nova Scotia, Canada hit the jackpot. They won 11.2 million dollars from the lottery in July and within months all of it was gone. Surprisingly, this couple claims they didn’t spend any of it on themselves according to lotterypost.com.
Allen and Violet Large moved to Novia Scotia in the 1980’s from Ontario after working for 30 years. Allen was a welder and Violet worked for cosmetics and chocolate companies. They always put money away every month, so they were quite comfortable, not millionaires but happy.
Being modest people, they felt having all that money was more a headache than anything, so they donated all of it to churches, cemeteries, the local fire department, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and organizations that fight cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. They also donated to the hospitals that treated Violet while trying to battle cancer. According to this couple, they have each other and that is more than enough. Violet also said that, “What you’ve never had, you never miss.”
I can’t imagine winning that kind of money and handing all of it over to a foundation and feeling good about it, especially while fighting cancer. I could see myself willing to share some of it, but not all of it. This couple inspires me to be better. I want to be a good example, but what they did is better than that. Allen and Violet showed true love for human kind. And personally, they taught me that excess of money is a waste, that it is a good thing to be comfortable and not pretentious or audacious with your funds.
This is a great act of kindness and generosity that people need to learn from. This couple worked their whole lives to have a comfortable life. And when they were so lucky to win such a large sum of money that could make their lives much easier, they gave it all away with kind hearts. They were happy to give it all away for it to do good things.
As I hear of this amazing story of generosity, I wonder why there are not more people willing to give. Why are humans so selfish that they cannot willingly share their hearts, their minds and sometimes even their money to help the greater cause? This includes me. I was recently asked if I were in a position to donate money, would I donate to help those in need. I said absolutely, if I was in a position to give then I will and I will be in the position eventually.
After reading the Large’s kindhearted story, I’m questioning my answer. Should I just start giving, even if it’s only a dollar? Should I be more modest what I’m spending my money one?
This year for Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for people like Allen and Violet Large. I’m thankful for the people out there that sincerely want to make a difference in this world. The Large couple had no desire to receive fame for their charitable acts; it came from the most sincere part of them, which deserves applause rather than speculation. As humans, we should try to be more considerate and benevolent. I’m thankful I have the opportunity to give. One thought of kindness can make a difference, and I want to be part of that difference. Imagine if we all chipped in.