Acts of Kindness | Just BeCause

The Gift of Giving

Thoughtful Thursday
At McClure Elementary in Dallas, Texas, the students are taught and encouraged to perform acts of kindness. Last January 8-year-old Katelyn Indelicato and her friends approached their teacher about having the desire to help someone in need. Jodie McCloud, Katelyn’s third grade teacher had heard of a story on the news about a 21-year-old being an innocent bystander that was severely injured in a drive-by shooting. This innocent bystander was Lukas Da Cruz, who can no longer walk and will need physical therapy to learn how to use his wheelchair. Lukas and his family are having a hard time paying for the cost of the physical therapy.

When Katelyn heard Lukas’s story, she felt the need to help him by donating money to assist him for paying for his physical therapy. First she donated $40 from her piggy bank, then she raised $250 by having a lemonade stand at her grandmother’s house, and then during Easter, she gave a speech to her friends and family about her mission. They were inspired by her desire to help so they contributed $400. There is even a retired woman that sends Katelyn money at the end of each month to help her with her cause.

All the money that Katelyn has collected has been donated to Lukas’s physical therapy sessions at Project Walk in Dallas. Katelyn began this journey of giving through simply hearing Lukas’s tragedy, however, after all of her donations, her mother Shala, surprised her by taking her to Project Walk to meet Lukas. At first, when Lukas had heard of Katelyn’s generosity, he was confused and did not understand why she wanted to help. Lukas’s aunt explained to him that she understood why Katelyn was doing this; it was because it made her feel good to help someone in need.

Upon meeting, Lukas presented Katelyn with one of his soccer trophies to show her how much he appreciated her efforts for helping him. This Thoughtful Thursday, we are showing our appreciation for Katelyn and her desire to help others through the gift of giving.

If you would like to make donations to Lukas’s therapy at Project Walk, a donation can be made to:

Project Walk Dallas
15046 Beltway Drive
Dallas, TX 75001

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