For those of you who don’t know, I work in the call center at my school. We call alumni and ask them for money for the Santa Clara Fund which goes to things like scholarships and support for immersion trips, etc along with other Funds at our school.
Today I had a conversation with a man who had a very impressive resume which included 13 years in law and 18 years with the FBI, along with many other jobs. After I asked for a donation of $500 (which was not unreasonable, since he had been a major supporter in the following years), he said, “Lauren, I have to tell you, I’ve been in and out of the oncologist recently for my liver cancer, but I know that the students at Santa Clara really benefit from the funds you guys have going on there. I can’t give $500, but how does $250 sound?” My heart sank. After everything, to make it even worse, I asked him if he would like the donation in his and his spouses name. He replied with, “my spouse is deceased.”
I just wanted to cry.
I really like my job a lot, but it’s talking to people like him who really make it hard. Keeping him in my prayers.
I really like my job a lot, but it’s talking to people like him who really make it hard. Keeping him in my prayers.
:( For my advanced journalism class I've been interviewing people at a homeless shelter... It's so sad the things that people have been through. But it gives me hope that so many of them can remain optimistic despite it all.
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