Izy "I'm Helping The World"
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RANDY BACON
I like to give a lot of gifts and cards to people and I have always wanted to help homeless people. While at the grocery story, I noticed a chocolate bar with Santa’s face on it and dollar signs (it was a $1 million-dollar bar). I said to my mom, “I wish this was real. If I had that much money, I would give it all away to homeless people.” I then came up with a great idea to take $100 out of my account and give it away to homeless people for Christmas. My mom and I decided that I would use the money to buy things to help people living on the streets.
I do not have a lot of money in my account, but my mom and dad said that I could take the money out and use it. I wrote a list of the things I wanted to buy for them; things like blankets, socks, hats, gloves, snacks, dog food, lip balm, lotion, cough drops, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, flashlights, and batteries. Shopping for the things was fun. I asked my mom, “This is a good thing I’m doing, isn’t it?” She said, “Yes, it is.”
Izy with the many items she bought for the homeless and a 'love letter' to her favorite homeless friend, Caveman - in the background are portraits of the homeless from the project "The Road I Call Home" and Caveman is the man on the far left laughing.
My mom took me to meet Randy and drop off the items. I’m not just helping a few people. I’m helping the world. We dropped off all of the things I bought for the homeless and then Randy said, "I am actually getting ready to deliver water to a homeless camp. You can ride along if you want to."
I went with my mom and Randy to a homeless camp to give some things to the people living there. At first, I was kind of scared. Going to the camp was little bit sad but also good because I saw the people that live there and their tents. Seeing them in pain and sick was sad for me, but I tried not to cry.
I met a man there named Dee and I gave him some socks, lip balm, and deodorant. He gave me two rocks from his collection. I have them sitting on a special spot on my dresser. That night, my mom and I started to cry. I felt so bad for the homeless people in the tents, so we prayed for them. My mom told me how proud she was of me and how brave I was to do what I did. She told me that I did a very good thing.
Izy with handwritten letter to her homeless friend, "Caveman"
I want people to live healthier, to stay off drugs, and to be safe. I want people to not be afraid, and to have more courage. I want people in the world to help others and not be mean. I want homeless people to be given things and to be fed.
I want others to give to homeless people, but what I really wish for is no more homelessness.
A few words from Izy’s Mom:
“It was very moving to watch my brave girl walk right into the homeless camp, hand over items that she bought with her own money, smile, and shake the hand of a gentleman living there. When he reached his hand out, I couldn’t help but notice how dirty it was; however, when I saw Izy grab his hand without hesitation, I thought, “This is what Jesus would do.” It was surreal and just an awesome reminder that I am raising a fierce child, and that there are people in our community surviving anyway they can, and dealing with the bitter cold of this season.
As her parent, I have come to realize that generosity is a gift that our daughter possesses, and if we were to deny her the ability to give, then we would be denying an important part of who she is. Some people say that today’s children are spoiled, want immediate answers, or don’t seem to care about others but we don’t buy into that notion. We feel that if you offer children the opportunity to do what is right, to give, and to shine in the ways they are gifted, chances are you will be amazed by just how
kind, thoughtful, and hopeful they are. We know that Izy’s generosity is an intrinsic part of who she is, and we suspect this quality will only deepen as she grows up. She wants to change the world, and we believe that she can.”