During Road Rules, another team leader and I took some of our freshman girls to Earth Fare to can. After about two hours of receiving pocket change, an elderly man walked out of the door that I was staking out. I asked, with the biggest smile on my face, if he would like to donate money to UGA HEROs. Like any responsible man, he inquired about the organization that he was going to give his loose coins to. When I told him that we were a non-profit organization dedicated in bettering the quality of life of children affected with HIV/AIDS. Immediately he starting tearing up and took another step towards me. He then told me how his own brother died at a very early age because of AIDS. He pulled out a $10 bill, gave it to me, and then asked if we needed any help canning. When I told him that we had it under control but thank you so much anyways, he returned to his car, still with tears in his eyes. Before he drove away he turned to me and said “Be loud, be bold, because you have NO IDEA how much this means.” I instantly got goosebumps that did not go away all day long.

About 15-20 minutes after he left we were still canning. Then, the most inspirational experience of my life happened. I noticed a familiar car drive up to Earth Fare. It was the same elderly man. I ran over to his car and he asked me a couple more questions and then asked who he could write a check out to. He went and parked his car and came over and gave me a check for $300. Three. hundred. dollars. How absolutely mind blowing is that?! That amazing man has changed my life forever and I will never forget how much of an impact he had on not only my life but the lives of all the children that will be affected by this man and HERO as a whole.
-Molly Patton, UGA HEROs Member