Surprising Donation
$100 Bill Slipped into a Donation Box
Over two years ago, Klingberg Family Centers received permission from the Food Bag Division of General Equities, Inc., to place donation boxes in several of their local retail stores. Since then, over $7,500 has been donated by customers of those stores, to support our programs designed to treat troubled and traumatized children. Not surprisingly, the money slipped into the Plexiglas boxes is made up mostly of coins and dollar bills, by caring individuals who want to help. Periodically, we are pleased and surprised when a five, ten or even a twenty dollar bill shows up in one of the boxes.
Recently, a call came in from Food Bag in Meriden suggesting we come down to the store right away, to empty one of the boxes. The reason: the box contained a one hundred dollar bill . . . by far the largest individual donation ever given over the past two years, through any of our 12 boxes.
Through our questioning the Food Bag employees, we discovered Jerry Baranowski, an independent contractor who delivers snack food products to the store, was the generous donor. Not looking for recognition of any kind, he made the quiet contribution. “Sometimes you have to thank God for things” was Jerry’s reply when asked what motivated him to give the $100. He went on to say that sharing his financial blessings is “something my wife taught me. She told me not to be afraid, and to donate to good organizations, because we have so much.” Jerry also credited the crew at Food Bag, who he said “are very easy to work with. If they weren’t, we probably wouldn’t be talking about any donations that I made at their store.” From everyone at Klingberg Family Centers, we send an enthusiastic “Thank You Very Much” to Jerry Baranowski! We are truly grateful and will not soon forget your generosity!
