A few weeks ago, my wife and I were on our way to the Sun Trust Bank on Federal Highway #1 in Stuart. Along the way my wife saw this homeless man crossing the street. "Jack, look at that poor man." She said to me. Well, I continued on toward the bank. Just before we got to the bank, my wife said "make a u-turn!" I knew at that moment exactly what she had on her mind.
By the time we had gotten back the man was gone. It appeared the man had come from behind this abandoned building on Monterey and Willoughby. So we pulled in and there was another homeless man sitting on a bench. My wife got out of the car and asked him if he was OK and did he see this other man we had seen crossing the street? He said that was his friend and he went to see if he could get some food for both of them. The man also said someone had stolen his bike and he had a difficult time walking. She told him there was a Red Cross shelter down the street and we would take him there. He thanked us but said he had to wait until his friend returned. My wife told him we would check with the Red Cross to see if they could pick them up and bring them to the shelter. He said that would be great. It was getting chilly and the man was shivering. She told him to stay put.
We went to the Red Cross and told them the situation. This was about 1 P.M. They said they might have a van going by that area about 7 P.M. that evening and if the homeless men were still there they would bring them to the shelter. My wife stressed the point that it was getting colder and could they do anything now. The woman said hold on and she came back with two hot meals and two blankets. We were delighted.
We brought everything back to the homeless man who was still waiting for his friend to return. He was so happy that he kept repeating "God Bless you!" We told him to stay where he was and that he and his friend would be picked up about 7 P.M. by the Red Cross. We felt good as we left them and my wife said "I hope The Red Cross picks them up." "You've done enough." I replied. "The rest is in God's hands."
That night about 5:30 P.M. my wife went to her usual bingo game. At about 7 P.M. that night I was comfortably watching T.V. when suddenly I felt guilty about not being more supportive in my wife's effort to help these guys. I dressed myself, got in the car and drove around to see if they were still there. They were gone. Apparently, they were picked up as promised by the Red Cross. I felt better and when my wife came home I gave her the good news. She was happy, I was happy. This is a special woman who will not just talk, but will walk the walk. She's my hero. I don't know what happened to these guys, but this woman did what I know I couldn't do. Her name is Patricia Silverman.
Written By:
Jack Silverman