Homeless man gives $10,000 to the art gallery where he panhandled

[Cannikin]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Don is giving up a life if crime, drugs and booze, and giving back to the community - the art community.
The former burglar, crack cocaine smoker, state prisoner and alcoholic has donated $10,000 to the art gallery where he had panhandled for the last few years.

The man - identified only as Don - inherited $187,000 from his long-estranged mother who died a year ago. Executors of her estate tracked him down a month ago through his Social Security number and help from local social workers.

One of the first things Don did was show his gratitude to Blue Room Gallery owner Paul Mahder for treating him with respect.

"When I had a heart attack and wound up in the hospital a year ago, who was the only person to visit me? Paul. And when I needed a doorway to sleep in over the past couple years, who let me? Paul," Don said. "He treated me like a human being. That's something you don't forget."

Both men burst into tears when Don presented his check.

"We both stood there crying," Mahder said. "Me, because I knew how much this meant to Don. And Don was crying because, I think, he was able to really do something big for something he really cared about."

Social workers are helping Don manage his money. He has bought a $35,000 trailer and has started drug and alcohol counseling, the paper reported. He also bought a Rolex watch and tipped cab drivers with $100 bills.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBWCJYPYWD.html

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I hope Don can turn his life around

He obviously has a good heart-as does Paul.

[JI7]

2. very inspiring and compassionate

from the guy at the art gallery being compassionate to someone who was homeless. to the homeless man trying to make something better of his life and giving something back to the person that was kind to him.

[unblock]

3. good luck to him. but 10-1 he'll be homeless again inside a year

sounds like he's burning through his money like there's no end to it.
rolex? $100 tips for cabs?

the $10,000 donation would be a nicer story if the guy was taking money management seriously but made one exception to repay a debt of kindness. instead, it just looks like another part of subconscious poverty-seeking behavior.

[opihimoimoi]

4. The urge to splurge...hope he gets it fixed...

[Mike Daniels]

6. Sounds like he has a home what with buying the trailer.

However, I do agree that he needs to realize that the windfall was a one time deal and that it's not going to keep rolling in.

I've gone on some sprees before but I have an income to help override that. This guy's going to be doing minimum wage for a while until he dries out and that ain't going to keep up with the way he's throwing it around.

[Rainbowreflect]

5. Thank you for sharing this.

This story made me cry.
You never know how even the smallest act of kindness or compassion could possibly change someone's life.

[Cannikin]

7. kick