Thanks to the givers among us

[mgc1961]

When Warren Buffett and Bill Gates urged their fellow billionaires to pledge half their wealth to charity, I smiled. I know someone who did better than that.

It was an old woman just ahead of me in the supermarket checkout line last year. After buying her meager groceries, I could see her wallet held only $20. As she walked out, she put the whole $20 into the red Salvation Army bucket and was thanked effusively by the bell-ringer.

She did better than the billionaires' 50%: She gave all she had that day.

This Thanksgiving, I'm giving thanks for all philanthropists, great and small. But I'm especially grateful for the "little people" like that old lady — those who have so little but give so much, even during our harsh recession. They are like a great evergreen tree planted in the heart of the nation, sustaining their neighbors and friends with their generosity.

There's more to read at http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-11-24-column24_ST_N.htm