by Gail Maholick
Pennsylvania, USA
As a member of Dream Come True, an organization that grants wishes to sick children, I was invited to travel to Florida in early 2006. A group of young singers, the Dream Kids, was going to perform at Give Kids the World and Downtown Disney, and they needed chaperones. In fact, Dream Kids had already raised more than $40,000 for Dream Come True. They have been our biggest supporters since their group was formed.
I nearly missed the trip. At Philadelphia International Airport, I checked in quickly and went to my departure gate. When I realized I had forgotten to pack a small personal item, I went to a shop in the airport to buy a replacement.
Confusion turned to shock as I realized that my wallet — with my medical cards, driver’s license, theme park pass, two credit cards, and $200 in cash — was missing. In a panic, I ran back to the security checkpoint for help. All I had left was a boarding pass and $100 in theme park money. My trip would have to be canceled.
After calling my husband to pick me up, I had a second thought. I asked him to wait 30 minutes for another call, just in case someone turned in my wallet.
As I finished my call, a young man wearing a white shirt walked toward me and handed me my wallet. “I believe this is yours,” he said. I was dumbfounded. “I don’t know what to say but ‘thank you,'” I said, and gave him a hug. He then walked away, disappearing into the crowd. I cried with relief.
When I opened my wallet, everything was intact, including my money. I didn’t even have a chance to give him a reward.
My rescuer must have seen me leave my wallet somewhere, then waited for me to come back looking for it. Nothing he was wearing suggested he worked for airport security; in fact, the security people were as surprised as I was at how fast my wallet was returned.
The entire trip was marked with reminders of generosity. Give Kids the World is a special resort where wish-granting organizations send sick children to stay while visiting central Florida attractions. Give Kids the World accepts 96 families each week, but it does not require them to pay. Their expenses are covered by charitable donations.
By saving my wallet for me, one young man at the Philadelphia airport saved the day. He could not have known why I was there or what a difference his kindness made. While visiting Florida and ever since, I have made it my mission to remember and follow his example.
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