The power of one. It runs counter to the pluralist phrase “power in numbers” which, after this mid-term election, I am relieved to set aside and consider a more singular viewpoint.
Greg Mortenson’s book “Three Cups of Tea” is a distinctive reminder of the power of one, though I daresay he would see his journey to build schools for girls in Pakistan as a effort borne of many minds and hands. My fellow book club members and I heard the author speak several years ago in Media, PA shortly after we read his book. What impressed me most was how he did not intend to impress us at all. For example, as he was to begin his talk, he noticed some people arriving late, and pointed out a few available seats at the front of the auditorium. He tended to those visitors as though he was an usher at the event. This was no deflection on his part – he truly cared about the newcomers feeling welcome and comfortable. His intention was warm and transparent like the tea he drinks in his bestselling book.
I thought of him when I read a couple of related articles about the ‘power of one’ this week. They are gentle reminders of the power in each of us.
There was an anonymous donor in Canton, Ohio during the 1930s who remained so for almost 75 years. It is important to note that this donor was no Bill Gates as far as phenomenal wealth and philanthropy. His story is as compelling, however, because his intention carries the same magnificent impact as any philanthropic powerhouse.
In 2008, a few days before Christmas, an op-ed piece appeared in the New York Times written by Ted Gup, a professor of journalism at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio and the grandson of a clothing store owner. In the piece, Mr. Gup wrote about his mother giving him an old suitcase that belonged to her parents, Samuel and Minna Stone. The bag was stuffed with papers and had been sitting in the attic since the Depression.
The 150 letters inside the suitcase all requested one thing – financial help. How they found their way to the home of the Stones and eventually to their grandson is a story of awareness and compassion.
Samuel Stone was born into a poor family in Romania and immigrated to the US in the early 1900s. He knew hard times. He eventually started a clothing business, married, and had three daughters in Canton, Ohio. His business thrived, failed, and thrived again. Mr. Stone never forgot the help he received to get back on his feet. In 1933, understanding hardship and the blessing of a helpful hand, Mr. Stone put a notice in the Canton Repository newspaper stating he would give $10 to the first 75 people who responded to his offer with letters that briefly explained their need. He signed the letter “B. Virdot” which was an alias he devised from the names of his three daughters, Barbara, Dorothy, and Mr. Gup’s mother, Virginia.The healthy response quickly led Mr. Stone to decide to halve the dollar amount and double the number of recipients. Christmas in Canton that year was a little bit better for these 150 folks who each received $5. (Several years later, Mr. Stone sent winter coats to British soldiers prior to WWII – each coat contained an anonymous note of encouragement.) And while the Canton Repository reported on the generosity of the person behind the ad, Mr. Stone's status as the donor remained anonymous, even to Mr. Gup until he opened that suitcase in 2008. The letters, canceled checks and bank deposit slips inside detailed the efforts of his grandfather and led to the stories behind those whom he helped.
Last Friday, in Canton, at the grand Palace Theater, Mr. Gup met many of the relatives of those who received the $5 checks. In attendance was Helen Palm, who at age 90, is the only one of the original 150 recipients alive. She read her original letter to the group gathered, noting, “I am writing this because we need clothing and sometimes we run out of food.”
Mr. Gup noted that in 1933, milk cost 7 cents, bread cost 7 cents, and a pound of meat cost 11 cents. Five dollars was no small sum.
Mr. Gup researched and found many of the families who received the checks, interviewing over 400 people. He has written a book, just published, titled “The Secret Gift,” documenting the lives of those whom his grandfather helped.
I don’t know what to call the economic times we currently are experiencing. But I do know our every deed has a ripple effect and it humbles me to share the story of one person’s decision to act during some mighty tough economic times.
Greg Mortenson’s book “Three Cups of Tea” is a distinctive reminder of the power of one, though I daresay he would see his journey to build schools for girls in 
In 2008, a few days before Christmas, an op-ed piece appeared in the New York Times written by Ted Gup, a professor of journalism at 
Samuel Stone was born into a poor family in 
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