Oral Lee Brown was, for the most part an ordinary person. A former cotton picker from Mississippi and current real estate agent in Northern California, she made $45,000 and raised two children on her own.
What made this woman extraordinary was what she chose to do one day in 1987. She saw a young girl in her neighborhood begging for money. The next day, Oral went to the school the girl attended and found a first-grade class she "adopted". By "adoption", I mean that she pledged to personally pay for anyone who wanted to attend college! Brown lived up to her pledge: since that day, she has personally saved $10,000 a year and raised donations for her adopted kids.
Oral’s commitment demonstrates the good that can come from action. Lily Tomlin said it best with: "I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody."
So, to encourage you to make a difference in others’ lives, we have a short movie for you from the book Every Monday Matters:
Throughout this week, keep checking back for more videos and messages on service. How do you plan on serving others today?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I was not aware of these facts, always wanted to do something for society but was unable to get the ways.
now i have the path to follow, i can mentor a child & other ways to help deprived.
Thanks a lot for showing the path
Are you among the friendly folk who love to say “hello.”
Who don’t mind stopping just to chat when you are on the go.
You’ll never know how much it means to someone passing by,
For you to speak some friendly words or merely just say “Hi.”
Too many times we miss the chance to make a person’s day.
Perhaps we’re at a loss for words or don’t know what to say. More than likely we’re thinking of our problems large and small,
And don’t realize that someone else may have no friends at all.
very touching remarkable story . thanks for sharing with us MATT and provoke my thinking cap .
dave , florida