Yesterday I received a phone call from a parent of one of our students. She wanted to pay anonymously over the phone for a meal plan for another student who did not have a meal plan because she could not afford it. This wonderful kind lady wanted to make sure that this young student would be able to eat dinner that night and she paid for all her meals for the remainder of the school semester.

My heart was very touched by this act of compassion. I immediately took care of the credit card transaction and notified the campus dining office of the situation and faxed them the information they needed. I then proceeded to notify the Dean of Students that the payment had been processed so the student could indeed eat that night. The Dean contacted the student and she was able to eat that night.

I left work that evening wondering how long this poor student has been struggling. I couldn't help but feel grateful to this lady, who reached out, from the kindness of her heart, to help someone else with a great need. Not only did this lady provide meals for this student; she also showed me there are wonderful people out there that really do care and that compassion can make a difference in someone's life.

I just hope someday that I can make a difference in someone's life as much as this lady did! I am awestruck by this act of compassion and I am sure the student who received this anonymous gift is absolutely grateful.

By Colleen Duval