Craigslist Prank Turns Into "Miracle at Wabash and Union"

Sure, the occasional prank is run on craigslist, but people are pretty good at responding in a positive way.

In this case, a guy decided to turn a mean prank into something really good:

What started as an online hoax culminated on Christmas day with dozens of people banding together to help those in need, in what's now being called "Miracle at Wabash and Union."

[[in response to the bad listing:]]

Without giving it too much thought, Peace said he posted on Craigslist promising to make a turkey and round up some old clothes to bring down to the dilapidated church building on Christmas Day.

"I thought, at the very least, I can be there," Peace said. "Me with one turkey is better than nobody at all. I had no idea what would happen."

Over the next several hours, Peace watched posts flood Craigslist's free section, with people promising to show up with toys, food, paper plates, plastic silverware and anything else they could offer. When somebody pointed out rain and hail were in the day's forecast, posters volunteered tents and awnings.

"Everything we needed came together, and it was very effortless," Peace said. "It was really a miracle."

Comments

[pcplz]

I am an ex-airline employee....one Thanksgiving, I was unexpectedly grounded. I was supposed to be away but cancelled. Everyone I knew was either out or had plans so I bought a 12 lb turkey and cooked it for myself with all the trimmings. When it was ready...I went to the local pubs, figuring that anyone sitting in a pub on Thanksgiving had no place to go. I rounded up quite a party with owners and b'tenders.

Not as good as the deed stated above but, in a small way made others happy. We do need a 'pass-it-on' world right now.

[WilliePilgrim]

I seem to recall, before all the dazzling success, that the original idea for CL was pretty much as a free bulletin board where folks could get together on community needs. Sure that includes yard sales and house-sitting opportunities, but so nice to see the original impetus is still active. My hope for 2009 and beyond is more of that. Thanks again, Craig.

[OneVoiceRising]

Lately I've been writing about a lot of these stories -- stories of people tapping into their humanity, taking a chance and reaching out to others directly and receiving -- at the Wishadoo blog. Craigslist factors into most of them.

I know you never imagined Craigslist would grow to be what it is now (rarely can we imagine such things, eh?), but this model has inspired countless social entrepreneurial and grassroots enterprises, including Wishadoo.

Godspeed to all those creating miracles out there, and Happy New Year to everyone!

Dena

[Mark Goulston, M.D. - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey Craig,
I'm a fellow Huff Post blogger. Tried to reach you by email. Had idea for you and craigslist. Could you do a section entitled: LMVO, meaning Last Minute Volunteer Opportunities.

I know many people who don't plan ahead and get bursts of energy/desire to do something charitable at the last minute in their community (especially when they get sick and tired of being self-indulgent).

All the best,

Mark Goulston
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-goulston-md
[e-mail]