Anonymous Giving

 

Hody Childress was a farmer in the small town of Geraldine, Alabama, about 60 miles from Huntsville.  He was also a US Air Force veteran.  In 2012, Childress went to have a prescription filled.  He had recently been informed that residents of his town were sometimes unable to pay for the prescriptions they needed to maintain and restore their health.  Before leaving that day, he gave Brooke Walker, the owner of Geraldine Drugs, some money to help those people.  Hody told Brooke, “Here, this $100 is for anyone who can’t afford their prescription.  Do not tell a soul that the money came from me.  Tell them it’s a blessing from God.”  Each month, Childress would bring an additional $100 to give to Brooke for the secret fund.  Walker said, “He was a man of modest means.  Giving $100 a month was quite a gesture.  I knew that helping people was in his heart.  His contributions eventually grew into the thousands, and the money helped at least two uninsured people each month.”  For ten years, Hody’s generosity remained a secret.  His daughter, Tania Nix, did not find out until her father confided in her a few weeks before his death. “He told me he’d been carrying a $100 bill to the pharmacist in Geraldine on the first of each month, and he didn’t want to know who she’d helped with it – he just wanted to bless people with it.”  Hody Childress died on January 1, 2023.  Pharmacist Heather Walker commented, “There are so many people in Geraldine who have lived longer because of Hody.  Hody was a true humble servant who will always be loved.”  After word got out about Childress’ deed, friends and family have decided to keep the fund going in his honor.

Sue Mitas has been making fleece bears for children living in homeless shelters.  To date, she has made over 300.  Even though the children will not know who made the bears, Sue wants them to have something to hug and bring comfort.

 

Once he turned 18, James Harrison made a promise to donate blood.  It was discovered that Harrison’s blood contained a rare antigen that can cure Rhesus Disease.  To date, James has given blood over 1,000 times, which is enough to save the lives of 2.4 million babies with Rhesus. 

Whether it’s knitting hats for the homeless, secretly paying for someone’s meal, or other acts of kindness, may we, too, find ways to give and make a difference, even when others don’t know who did it.

 

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 15:1

 

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:3-4