Beat the heat

It was so hot yesterday, I saw a pan handler sit in his car for a while, just to cool down with the air conditioning.

I often wonder, when I see the folks standing on the corner with the cardboard signs, who really needs the money and who's just scamming. I think most are scammers because there are two shelters in this town where they can get out of the heat and get fed, as well.

The cardboard signs are the best way to market, although children and dogs work well, too. If they took the money they took during a couple of days of "work", they could go to Walmart and get some decent clothing. But wearing new clothes that match is bad for business.

I have a heart for the truly homeless. I have taken two very long stints of volunteer work at one of the shelters, spending a lot of time with the truly down and out. I'm no better than they are. We're all people, most of us doing our best to make ends meet, but some just can't at this stage of their lives.

I always wonder, when I see a homeless person wandering the streets either drunk or high, what their story is. We all have one. I realize we all have choices, but why did that particular person choose alcohol or drugs? It breaks my heart when I see them.

Some of the signs are very creative. I saw one guy with a sign saying, "I'll bet you can't hit my sign with a quarter". Another said "Please help. This could be you one day". I was thinking about giving him some money, but then I thought, what if he's right? I need to save all of the money I can!

Most of us have had interesting stories regarding pan handlers. In some of the larger cities, if you stop at a light, someone will suddenly appear and start cleaning your windshield with news paper and water. You're expected to give him some money. I did a couple of times. Then I became irritated at being guilted to pay.

The truth is that many of these people could rent a PO Box so they have an address and get telemarketing jobs or jobs where you work in door to door sales. You don't make a lot, but at least you have a job.

I knew a guy who was homeless and lived in his car. He got a job at a fast food joint and saved every penny so he could get a motel room once in a while. He was also getting at least two meals a day while working. To bathe, he would use the motel swimming pool late at night. As if things couldn't get any worse, his car was repossessed, with all of his belongings inside.

He moved on to a job as a production employee at a linen plant in town. This is not easy work. He was lifting 200 lbs of laundry from bins to washers, then washers to dryers. It was back breaking work, but he did such a great job, he was promoted to management. He later bought the company.

Today, he is an executive in a linen company, owns a beautiful home and an incredible car. Bravo to this man for turning his life around, by finding work, no matter how difficult, and sticking with it.