Here’s a positive story for you. At least 100 homeless people in Birmingham, AL will receive food, clothing, and sleeping bags because of the effort of an altruistic 9-year-old boy who sought to fill a need. For two years, Ethan Hill has conducted a fundraising campaign during the holiday season to provide resources for the homeless. 2019 is his third year. 

The campaign, which is being held on Facebook, has raised $6,500 so far this year. He has used these funds to buy 100 sleeping bags, food, and clothing for the homeless living in his neighborhood. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin lauded Hill’s efforts, describing it as “servant leadership at its finest.” 

Hill has also received support from the local Academy Sports and Outdoors store, who offered him a $1,000 shopping spree to obtain more provisions for the homeless. The store even opened early so that they could help him get gloves, cold weather socks, sleeping bags, meal assortment buckets, and other items for those in need. 

In an interview with WVTM 13 News, Hill said that helping the homeless “made me feel blessed that I have everything I need to survive and made me feel blessed that I could help others.”The fourth-grader says that he intends to continue doing the fundraiser each year. 

Stories such as these are important — especially given the state of our political and cultural climate. They serve as reminders that people are still willing to help one another. It’s so easy to focus on the clash of ideas that our country is currently embroiled in. Stories about who said what about who dominate the airwaves and our screens. 

But these are the stories that show what America is, and why we must remember to pull our heads out of the political divide from time to time and focus on what’s truly important: Working for the good of others. We’re not 9-year-old boys, but perhaps it’s time to take an example from someone who is. 

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

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