Jonathon Slack, Second Grader, Organizes Community Effort To Help Homeless

A Chicagoland second grader proved that you don't have to be big to be a big help to the homeless, NBC reports.

After seeing a homeless woman during a holiday trip to Chicago, Jonathon Slack, a seven-year-old boy from Orland Park, led a 10-day donation drive, collecting over four truckloads of food and toys for a Chicago shelter.

The boy, after brainstorming ways to help a homeless woman he saw in front of a Macy's store, decided to write a letter to his community asking them to pitch in. He dropped photocopies around his neighborhood and the collective response was massive: In just over a week, four truckloads of food and toys were sent to the Su Casa Catholic Worker homeless shelter in Chicago.

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Comments

[shutterbabe]

12:17 PM on 01/11/2010

I thought about this overnight and wish to apologize to all the HP posters on this thread for losing it with GlennWatson's comments about Jonothan's caring acts. I mean everything that I wrote in follow-up to him but want to be respectful to the IMPACT section and everyone who was touched by this story, I cannot imagine anyone coming here, reading IMPACT's articles on these wonderfully giving people, and not be full of heart and gratitude.

Peace to All,
shutterbabe

[shutterbabe]

04:55 PM on 01/10/2010

How can anyone post a negative comment about a young boy who took the initiative to do something charitable, an act that was filled with genuine compassion?

Jonothan, you are my hero of the day.

[GlennWatson]

08:53 PM on 01/10/2010

Compassion requires sacrifice. What did he sacrifice? And by the way. No one said anything negative about the boy.

[shutterbabe]

10:21 PM on 01/10/2010

OK, GlennWatson. Here is how it goes: I took a moment to check out your profile. You are brand new to the HP and have "contributed" 12 comments in total. Quite a few on this story about a young boy who did a fine act of charity. All your remarks were negative and challenging which seems inappropriate considering what Jonothan's actions represent.

I will respectfully ask you not to respond to me. I have had enough of you.

Charity begins at home, Sir. Go do something kind, exercise this compassion you write about and make a sacrifice. Leave this page and all the posters who feel good about this sweet kid.

[lemondade]

07:58 PM on 01/09/2010

LET'S BE HONEST, NOW, PARENTS; THIS INNOCENT YOUNG BOY HAD A GOOD HEART TO THINK OF THE LESS FORTUNATE, BUT DID HE 'ORGANIZE' IT ALL (NO).

[GlennWatson]

02:39 PM on 01/08/2010

What did he personally give up? Like I said he is a sweet kid but a lot of people are generous with other people's stuff. Democrats come to mind.

[wdw505]

02:44 PM on 01/08/2010

well said

[zootliberal]

08:57 PM on 01/08/2010

well said? lol, you guys are funny.

[lmab]

11:02 AM on 01/10/2010

As opposed to those who help themselves to other people's stuff. Republicans come to mind.

[GlennWatson]

11:27 AM on 01/08/2010

Could someone explain to me what is so compassionate about one person asking other people to donate to the homeless. The kids is sweet i guess but he did not do anything. Other people donated old toys and clothes and someone shipped them north. Congratulations kid, your Noble prize is in the mail.

[VivamusAmemus]

11:56 AM on 01/08/2010

I bet you're a lot of fun at parties. Lighten up or take an Exlax.

[UnoDosUltraviolento]

12:27 PM on 01/08/2010

LOL

[BabaLou7]

12:53 PM on 01/08/2010

He's a LITTLE KID, Glenn. In a world where few care and good values are scarce, it's heartening to see a young child know what is right. Get a clue!

[BebeLush]

11:08 AM on 01/08/2010

Great job, Jonathon. We're proud of you and your efforts.

[VivamusAmemus]

10:55 AM on 01/08/2010

Oh noes! You know what community organizers turn into when they grow up... :)

[pearlx2]

12:01 PM on 01/08/2010

yep, Presidents!

[UnoDosUltraviolento]

12:28 PM on 01/08/2010

Warmongers, imperialists and lackeys of global financiers?

[mamapower]

12:40 PM on 01/08/2010

And as in your case, cr@ck heads!

[wdw505]

02:46 PM on 01/08/2010

imperialists? i wish we were

[coveark]

09:42 AM on 01/08/2010

It is a pity that we are so messed up here.

In 2009, Oprah traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark's capital city...
Danes are consistently happier than the rest of the world. On the "world map of happiness"—a map created by a social psychologist .... Canada comes in at number 10, while the United States a distant 23rd.

So what makes the Danes so happy? Oprah met up with Nanna Norup.... to find out.

. A third of the population rides bikes around the city, many with grocery bags or small children in tow.

Homelessness, poverty and unemployment are also extremely rare in this nation of 5.5 million people. If you lose your job, Nanna says the government continues to pay up to 90 percent of your salary for four years. And not to worry…healthcare is free for everyone...........

..........The Danish government also takes a special interest in mothers and their children...... typically get six to 12 months in paid maternity leave. And, when it's time to go to college, citizens get paid to go the universities. "When you go to university, then you get paid $400 or $500," Nanna says. "You have free education. Then, you have healthy, well-educated people in the world. What could beat that?"

The tax is 50%...there is no middle class to speak of..they are all pretty equal, doctors make same as bakers...they choose their professions for their interest in it. They do not feel or think of themselves as socialist, simply civilized.

[Jay Adams]

12:10 PM on 01/08/2010

Sounds good to me, everyone lives a good life. Not dog eat dog I get mine and screw you. Ah, but that's capatalism, how can you be better off if you're not better off than someone else or capatilizing on them.

[coveark]

01:18 PM on 01/08/2010

Capitalism and all the attitudes you mentioned make me CRAZY !!!!!!

[wdw505]

02:50 PM on 01/08/2010

"doctors make the same as bakers"........wow why be a doctor then........ why work hard at all

[coveark]

03:44 PM on 01/08/2010

You have obviously never been a baker....................

Where education is susidized there are more Doctors who are not under the "push more through" HMO code.............they can actually do their work between them and their patients.

[spottery2k]

09:41 AM on 01/08/2010

Just imagine if this kid was just one corporate CEO. In 10 days he could end homelessness.

[UncleSamb]

09:05 AM on 01/08/2010

This kid is AWESOME! But, I wonder if the response would have been so strong if the plea for help had come directly from the homeless woman? We so often turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, and it is unfortunate that it takes a child to shame us into action.

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

09:36 AM on 01/08/2010

You know I was thinking the same thing. Maybe we should start letting young children be in charge. They seem to get things done.

[pearlx2]

12:02 PM on 01/08/2010

That's not the answer. The answer is for all of us to show more compassion to people in need. You don't have to be a child to feel empathy with people.

[jlg34]

08:53 AM on 01/08/2010

incredible. oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. i am seriously crying now.
i hope his compassion and drive stays with him all his life. it probably will though.
may his courage light the way for us all, and may it lead to even greater things.

[leora kurtzer]

07:55 AM on 01/08/2010

remember his name folks

[realpolitic]

07:22 AM on 01/08/2010

The little guy really came through.

[rabiddog6708]

07:12 AM on 01/08/2010

New D.C. game show ARE YOU AS SUCESSFUL AS A SECOND GRADER? Members of CONgress compete to see if they can do anything for anyone (other than bankers and corporations) as well as Jonathon Slack.

[wilray]

06:47 AM on 01/08/2010

The way his mother describes it, for this kid to take things in this manner at this age, I won't be surprised if he has a compassionate heart all his life.