Boy, 11, delivers gifts to homeless in Detroit

[Omaha Steve]

Source: USA Today

Tresa Baldas

Instead of building houses, Caleb has spent the last five years trekking to downtown Detroit each holiday season to pass out Christmas presents to homeless people on the streets.

DETROIT -- Caleb White was on his way to the circus when, from his car window, he spotted a man curled up and sleeping on the side of the road.

The 6-year-old, puzzled, asked what the man was doing there. His parents explained that not everybody has a warm bed.

"He was really quiet for a while," said his mother, Melissa Kennedy. "And then he said, 'We have to build him a house.'"

Caleb's homeless project was born. Instead of building houses, Caleb has spent the last five years trekking to downtown Detroit each holiday season to pass out Christmas presents to homeless people on the streets.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/24/boy-delivers-gifts-to-detroit-homeless/4185181/

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Robert Tucker,50, holds a gift behind as Kim Alegers, 47, gives Caleb White, 11, a hug after receiving gift box from him on Trumbull and Michigan Ave. You are about to make me cry" said Alegers, as they stood in the rain in Detroit. "Operation Give" "I think that's what I'm going to call this" said Caleb on the spot Saturday, December 20, 2013. Caleb passed out over 100 gift boxes, he has been passing out gifts to needy people on the streets of Detroit since he was 6, a yearly tradition that his mom supports full heartily. Jessica J. Trevino/Detroit Free Press
(Photo: Jessica J. Trevino Detroit Free Press)

[grilled onions]

1. Such An Adult, Already

Such a great spirit and understanding of those around him(especially those who have nothing). If we only had a few hundred of these "young men" instead of the "spoiled brats" we have in Congress imagine what good things we could accomplish. He is an inspiration to others(like his school). Next thing you know he will be doing motivation speaking to ADULTS!!!
To you Caleb

[niyad]

2. k and r--what a beautiful soul that child is.

[Wait Wut]

3. Thank you, so much.

I needed this story today. I may not like people much, but I love humanity with every cell of my cold, black heart.

[tblue]

7. I know just what you mean

Don't like people but love humankind. I've said something like that at times.

[FrodosPet]

10. I'm just the opposite

I love individuals. But when they get together in groups, it frequently becomes a problem.

[elleng]

4. 'We have to build him a house.'

[1monster]

5. This:

"It feels really good to help them," said Caleb, recalling the first encounter with the homeless man. "I just thought to myself, 'What if one day I was going to turn up in that position?' … I felt kind of bad for him. I just wanted to take action."

[Curmudgeoness]

8. Empathy at age 6.

This kid will be one hell of an adult.

[tblue]

6. My gosh, what an angel!

I'm so sad we don't have adequate government response to these issues. I don't like Republicans insisting that private charity is the answer to humanitarian crises. Pisses me off.

But we each have to do what we can to ease the suffering of people right now today. People are dying out there in the cold. Just imagine not having a warm bed guaranteed tonight....

[freshwest]

9. Love that picture. More on the story and what he's learned in five years doing this...

Caleb said his project has a message.

“Don’t take for granted what you have because there are some people out there who are struggling. … We have beds and toys, and they don’t even have a place to sleep,” he said. “I think we need to think about those people more.”

And then take action, he added, noting that’s what Christmas is about for him: helping others.

“You should give as much as you can,” he said. “And shouldn’t expect anything in return.”

More at link:

http://www.freep.com/article/20131224/NEWS05/312240017/homeless-project-caleb-white-6-downtown-detroit

Detroit needs to provide houses, just as Caleb said at first. This is love that may turn the tide on housing.

[Melissafkennedy]

11. Caleb's recent speech...

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10204570113647247&pnref=story

Thank you for the support and love - it means so much!

[uppityperson]

12. Welcome to DU and good for him, he sounds like a fine boy.

Keep up the good work and tell him thank you from us.

[Terra Alta]

13. Welcome to DU!

I know you must be so proud of your son. You're raising him well.