16 Nov From Fruit to Families: Paying It Forward
Dr. Beverly, far right
One Friday afternoon Dr. Laurel Beverly visited the West Side Market to purchase produce. She stopped at a fruit stand and picked out $8 worth of product.
As Beverly reached for her wallet, an enthusiastic woman stopped her because she was going to pay for that fruit. When Beverly protested, the woman insisted. “Great things have been happening to me lately. I want to do something nice for a stranger. I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer!” The woman told Beverly she should just “pay it forward” to someone else.
She then pulled out her Ohio Direction Card and paid for the fruit. “I have just enough on my card to cover this.”
I couldn’t believe it. I could easily afford to pay for my fruit. I just thought, ‘Lady, you have no idea how I’m going to pay it forward.
The next day Dr. Beverly attended her third Wine Women & Shoes to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland. She always enjoyed it for the wine tasting, the vendors, the fashion show, and the comradery with amazing women. But this year was special.
After the live auction, the Ronald McDonald House invites attendees to give Gifts from the Heart (a cash donation to support the organization).
When the auctioneer asked who would give a $5,000 gift, I told myself, ‘Well, this is it. It’s my time to pay it forward,’ and I raised my paddle.
What does $5,000 mean to the Ronald McDonald House? Dr. Beverly’s gift sponsors a room at the House for one year. That means 365 days that a family who cannot afford a $20 a night donation has a safe, secure place to stay while their child is receiving medical treatment.
The Ronald McDonald House is grateful to Dr. Beverly and the kind stranger at the West Side Market for their generosity. Would you like to give families a place to stay all year? Sponsor a room at the Ronald McDonald House.