Anonymous Donor Gives $8500 For Christmas Dinner

[Martian]

CBC News - Windsor - Anonymous donor feeds more than 1,000

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More than 1,000 of Windsor, Ont.'s neediest citizens were served a turkey dinner — with stuffing, potatoes and gravy — thanks to an $8,500 gift to the local Salvation Army.

They were also treated to a performance by a local orchestra and top-notch service from an army of more than 100 volunteers.

"I feel like a queen," diner Carol Kechego told CBC News.

"Magnificent!" said Joseph Francis Soulliere of the orchestra's performance. "I've never actually seen a live orchestra play. I've seen them on television and I've heard of them on movies, but what was so amazing for me was that I saw one in person. And it was amazing."
Gift was anonymous

The night was made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor.
A free performance by the Salvation Army band was 'amazing,' one diner told CBC News.

All that's known of the donor is that he or she had saved the money over several years, with the sole intention of giving it to the Salvation Army for such an event.

"It's wonderful to think that someone would do that for their fellow man," said Major Pat Phinney, the Salvation Army's public relations director. "We're just grateful that we can give [these people] this nice evening out and let them have a good turkey dinner."

"I've been coming here for the last five years, and it's a good time," Gilbert Duarte told CBC News. "Just seeing everybody enjoying themselves, and having an opportunity to have a free meal. That's a bonus, nowadays."

"Like they say, 'tis the season to be jolly, and, like they say, Christmas is a wonderful time of year," dinner guest Marie Bansky said.

"They received $8,500 from someone who didn't want to give their names to pay for this," Bansky added. "What do you think of that? I think that's great."

I don't know quite what to make of this.

I try to give to worthy causes when I can afford to do so, and I've never been overly concerned about getting credit or accolades for such a thing -- the giving is what's important to me. I can understand why someone who did something so generous would want to remain anonymous, as an act on this scale would probably be very disruptive to the donor's life.

What really struck me about this story is that the individual in question saved for several years to make this possible. This wasn't a case of someone ultra-wealthy seeking a tax deduction; it would seem that it was an individual of thoroughly ordinary means who felt strongly enough to create a plan and then execute it over a long period, all so that those in need could have a good meal and a joyful occasion.

Have you ever, or would you consider doing something like this? Do you know anyone who has?