by Peter Twitchell
In the 1980s my wife Betty and I began bringing our children to Anchorage to expose them to a world outside of the tundra, fishing on the Kuskokwim, dusty roads, and mosquitoes.
The kids enjoyed the swimming pool at the Holiday Inn, driving and seeing the sights, the Alaska Zoo and the birds and animals there.
Then there was the restaurants and fast food.
The kids were exposed to a new culture outside of Bethel and they experienced seeing the homeless population in Anchorage. People standing on street corners holding signs, “Hungry – haven’t eaten.”
So whenever we stopped to get fast food, my daughter or one of the boys would want an extra tray of fries and hambuger to give to a hungry person on a street corner.
I encouraged the thought of helping another human being. The kids would open their window and give the fast food to a man or woman. The homeless man or woman were grateful and some would say, “Thank you, God Bless You.”
I look at my children today – young adults who are successful. The mere act of sharing their food with a total stranger inspired me.
Since I have moved to live in the Anchorage area and when I chose to lose a 150 pounds of excess weight, I have donated my bags of good clean clothing that others would have thrown in a dumpster to the “Homeless Mission” on Tudor Road in Anchorage.
I have a friend who has come into town with a box of clothing for the homelelss mission.
We should all find joy in life. I took a cue from my children! I’ve made 3 trips a month with clothing to donate in 33 gallon bags since 2016.
