Colorado, your heart is as big as your mountains.
When we asked readers of The Denver Post for unforgettable ways to spend $500, by far the largest category of Facebook commenters said they would spend a windfall on family or friends. You’d buy quality time to connect, send a faraway parent to see a faraway sibling, spoil a grown child serving in the military while he or she was home on leave, or thank a relative who has been the wall at your back.
You’d take the whole clan to a favorite park or museum. Or you’d assist the known or unknown needy. You’d buy batteries for a man’s wheelchair, or you’d donate the money directly to a charity that benefits people you might not ever meet, or one you are directly involved with. You’d give the homeless parkas and feed them a festive meal.
Oh, sure, there were jokers — where would we be without them? One responder would hire a backup band to follow him around for a day (we really think he should do this, on a bluebird day when the ice is gone, and we’d like to be there to shoot video). Another would buy a drone to follow Woody Paige around for a week to find out what makes him tick. There were the usual wags who would buy exotic entertainments and recreational drugs, legal or illegal (we laughed, too).
And there were critics, those who would “buy the DP a journalistic conscience” and who reminded us that $500 doesn’t go very far and $100 even less far.
There is plenty of need out there: The second-biggest category of comments talked about paying for health care, student loans, cars, food, bills and other essentials. In this informal poll, Coloradans who are in any kind of debt very much want out of it.
The need goes beyond the home: Four responders said they’d use the money for computers or activities for classrooms.
It was very tough. There are a lot of readers who know all about the things money can’t buy. We chose Diana Converse Wendling, who wants to visit grandmothers in Kansas who are 95 and 99, as our winner of $100 in seed money.
And we’ll say this to all The Denver Post’s Facebook friends: If you get to feeling that your bright shiny 2015 has gotten a little tarnished and cynical already, just take a look at one another. You know what’s priceless. Thanks for reminding us.
Susan Clotfelter: 303-954-1078, sclotfelter@denverpost.com or
Readers share what they’d spend $500 on
25 percent: Travel with or gifts for family or friend
16 percent: Bills, debt, health, other essentials
15 percent: Help needy
11 percent: Travel, fitness or adventure
4 percent: Responded with jokes
3 percent: Spa experiences
3 percent: Broncos
3 percent: Dining
3 percent: Gambling
2 percent: Clothes or jewelry
2 percent: Home improvement
2 percent: Pets
2 percent: Pet charities
2 percent: Classroom support
7 percent: Other smaller categories
Online: Still catching up on holiday charitable giving? Season to Share donations are matched 50 percent.
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