I walked into a store the other day and the person in front of me held the door open for me. I naturally replied with a "thank you." Which then made me wonder when -- and why -- should we say thank you? If someone does something nice, you should thank them. It's a simple and easy thing to do. Right?
But what if I wanted to thank 1 million people from all over the country for doing nice things?
You may be wondering how I would possibly know a million nice people... Well, I actually do! In 2007, I launched a social helping network called Wish Upon A Hero. It is a peer-to-peer website that matches people in need with those who can help. Think of it as the eBay of philanthropy. Recently, the 100,000th wish was granted. It is an incredible achievement shared by more than a million good doers.
So, who do I want to thank?
Doctors like those at Nevyas Eye Associates, who granted the first wish posted, which was for Lasik eye surgery to help a staff sergeant in the Army. Thank you!
Or the woman who gave her unused engagement ring to a young couple who could not afford one. Thank you!
The first really large wish was granted when hundreds of people from across the country donated money to send a World War II veteran back to Pearl Harbor for his 90th birthday. Thank you!
To the 25,000 first responders who sent cards to Nathan, a 6-year-old boy with cancer -- thank you! A special thanks, too, to the heroes at Home Depot, who built Nathan's family a shed to house all of the mail he received.
I must thank the 1,000-plus heroes who help raised $56,000 in 24 hours for Zoe and her siblings. Zoe is a New Jersey college student who lost both of her parents in superstorm Sandy.
To the thousands of other heroes who grant wishes every day -- a birthday card, pizzas delivered on a Friday night, a Thanksgiving turkey, a warm coat, a prayer -- thank you!
Wish Upon A Hero embodies the true human spirit. It highlights our compassion while amazing us with random acts of kindness. Such as the family that wished for a Christmas tree because they could not afford one. On their front porch the next day, one magically appeared. Or the incredible wish of the retired police officer who needed a kidney donor. After his daughter posted a wish, a hero 1,000 miles away offered to donate if they were a donor match. Amazingly they were a match -- and his life was saved.
It is reassuring to know that there are good people doing good things in this world, especially with so many sad things fighting for our attention. We should recognize the heroes of humanity. Please help me thank a million heroes by sharing this article.