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Mayukh Saha
Mayukh Saha
February 25, 2024 ·  3 min read

9-year-old Boy Empties Life Savings To Buy Supplies For Homeless Shelter – I Think He Deserves Our Recognition

A Tiffy Taffy Highlight Story: Sometimes there are tales that are just too good, too beautiful, or too unbelievable to keep locked away. That’s why we scour the archives and bring some of them back to enjoy again. They may make you smile or shed a tear, but they’re always meant to add a little positivity to your day. Enjoy! 

Sometimes Youtube can be a good mentor to someone- especially to a young boy. Sure, there is some drivel out there, but there is also quality content to enjoy. And this is what exactly happened to Nathan Simons. While his father thought that this 9-year-old was watching too much Youtube for his age, his son thought differently. Nathan had been watching his favorite Youtubers donating money to the homeless. And while some of us would simply leave a comment and move on, this kid didn’t. I told my dad a couple of hours later when I got done watching the video, ‘I wanna do what they did.’”

A 9-Year-Old Boy Has More Empathy For The Homeless Than An Adult

With all the innocence of a 9-year-old boy, Nathan wanted to spend all his savings. But his father, Ethan, was quite hesitant in the beginning. And naturally so- after all, this was his little nest egg. “There was a part of me that almost wanted me to talk him out of this. But what kind of lesson am I teaching him if I tell him, ‘No, you shouldn’t be selfless.’

Read: Idaho Man Quits His High-Paying Job to Build Beds for Kids Who Sleep on the Floor

After this epiphany, the father had no qualms about it. In fact, he also matched his son’s donation. But the 9-year-old boy wasn’t done yet. He called up Christian Care in Rock Island on the 31st of December, 2019, and decided to get a few items for them. The homeless shelter informed him that they needed shoes, sauce, and gloves. “I got my list, and it’s for what we need to buy for the homeless shelter.

A Boy and His Dream- The Future Is In Good Hands?

The Simons then decided to plan their itinerary. First, the 9-year-old boy and his father went to the bank. After withdrawing around $150 each, they decided to visit the Silvis Walmart.

The little child later stated, “It feels good. I wish I could have it myself, but I have to think about other people sometimes.”

Such empathy from a child is definitely a good sign for the future. In fact, the child also went ahead and got a few extra things. The reasoning is so that the homeless could spend a happier new year. The Simons finally ended their impromptu shopping trip with cookie cakes and pop. After a euphoric shopping trip, Nathan stated, “It makes me feel happy and proud of myself. It’s just hard to give it away sometimes. But I’m thinking…about other people.” With their shopping strapped safely in their car, the Simons started towards Christian Care. 

Cindi Gramenz, the Development Coordinator for Christian Care, echoed our exact sentiments: “You know you’re doing an awesome thing, right? You’re helping a lot of people. At nine years old, to be feeling that kind of compassion for the work we do and for what’s going on in his community is pretty amazing.”

Keep Reading: Kind Man Buys Woman’s Groceries After Hearing Her Tell Daughter They Couldn’t Afford To Eat That Night

Sources

  1. Rock Island boy uses his life savings to donate to homeless shelter.” WQAD. Katherine Bauer. December 31, 2018.