Teen Chooses Charity Over Chatting

In a country with a struggling economy, declining housing market, and rising consumer costs, there is little good news these days. On a smaller scale, local news stories seem to focus on murders, robberies, car accidents, and other negative events.

Many people find themselves saying "What is wrong with society?" A lot, perhaps. We are, after all, born sinners. But does that mean there is nothing good to turn our focus to?

A glimmer of hope comes from a thirteen year old with a small frame, but a huge heart. In addition to the amazing act of kindness, she also does not want recognition for what she did. We'll simply call her Meagan S.

Cell phones cannot swim. Michael Phelps? Yes. Cell phones? No. And that is how the whole thing started. Meagan had been saving money for a new cell phone after hers met an untimely demise. You see, her BFF ("best friend forever" in the world of text messaging) dropped her phone in the toilet!

Her favorite thing about the phone that succumbed to the porcelain god was that it was pink (what girl doesn't like a pink phone??)! The coveted phone, on the other hand, is lime green and black and best of all, she would be able to send pictures to her friends and texting is super easy.

However, after three months of saving, a mission trip to a local nursing home opened Meagan's eyes and heart to a world of people in need. Instead of using the money to purchase a new phone, Meagan, along with three of her friends, donated her money to the nursing home, which was run by nuns.

During the trip, Meagan saw the few amenities the home had. "It seems," she said, "that they needed the money more than we needed "stuff". She learned that "nuns are awesome!!" and her favorite part was meeting the people. She cleared up a misconception that I think we all have or have had at some point: the people who lived there were not all old. Some had severe disabilities and simply could not take care of themselves. And in her words, "they were all cool."

Think about the timing of this act of kindness. Meagan is thirteen. That is an age that often means puberty, talking back, seeking independence and trying to find oneself. It's confusing! But somehow, amidst the all the horrors that this time can bring, Meagan has found her heart, and a sweet one it is. She will continue to volunteer in the future and has some advice for anyone considering it. "Don't assume somebody is bad or scary just because they need help. I met the nicest homeless people while helping give out food this summer. A lot of them had kids too. The kids were happy to just play with people."

When I asked Meagan how she hoped the money would be used for the home, she replied that she didn't know. She said that she was sure they'd use it in the best way they could and that "they were just really thankful".

I know they were, Meagan. Thank you for proving that people can, and do, choose to do good things.