How Our Journey Starts

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I was on my way to work and took my usual exit into Tampa. I pulled up to a red light. As usual, there were people asking for help. Nothing unusual for Tampa Bay, where we face the highest rate of homelessness in the nation. 

But, today something was different. I noticed a new face. His cry for help seemed different, drawing my attention. 

"Anything you can give?" echoed through my window. 

I looked around my car, almost frantically. All I had was my red umbrella. After all, it was Summer in Florida and that meant extreme heat and lots of rain.

I apologetically offered him my umbrella, feeling it just wasn't enough. To my surprise, he received it with an amount of gratitude that surpassed any monetary gift I had ever given. 

I can still hear him today, "Mister, you have no idea what this means to me. If you got out, I'd give you a hug. I can't believe you just gave me your umbrella. Thank you, Mister, thank you".

I did not get his name, nor have I ever seen him again - but I wish I had. I wish I could tell him that he is the inspiration behind Covered Hearts. In a matter of seconds, the time it took for the light to turn green, my heart was transformed. My eyes flooded with tears and my heart filled with a desire to help the homeless that would last a lifetime.

The umbrella is an opportunity to provide the homeless with protection from Tampa Bay's rain and heat. And it's a step to giving security and comfort, in the name of human dignity and compassion.