Philanthropy
Asking for charity for the first time
Sherman Wilburn of Minneapolis has often given his time and money to others in need. Now he finds himself asking for help. He talks with Kai Ryssdal about the difficult times facing him and his family.
Sherman Wilburn (MPR / Submitted photo)
More on Charity - Giving
TEXT OF INTERVIEW
Kai Ryssdal: There's no illusion about the level of need this year. Even people who are used to giving are now having to ask for help. Sherman Wilburn is a newcomer to that side of charity. Thanks for joining us.
SHERMAN WILBURN: Thank you.
Ryssdal: I hear some kids in the background there, is that right? Who do you have?
WILBURN: Yes it is, that's my grandchildren.
Ryssdal: How many of them?
WILBURN: Right now, I've got roughly about eight in the house.
Ryssdal: And just you? Eight kids and just you?
WILBURN: Eight grandchildren. No my son, and two of my daughters and daughter-in-law are here at the present time.
Ryssdal: Now, I understand you've had to ask for some help in taking care of these grandkids this year, is that right?
WILBURN: Oh yeah, thankfully my son just recently went back to work, so that alleviates some of it. But in the meantime trying to play catch up with everything is kinda rough. Unfortunately, they won't see any Christmas this year until later, a little here, a little there, and things such as that and everything. But we'll be grateful for a family dinner and coming together.
Ryssdal: You're able to put food on the table?
WILBURN: Yeah, it gets tight and rough and everything, but we learn how to stretch meals. We eat a lot of chicken.
Ryssdal: Can I ask you Mr. Wilburn how you go about getting extra help you need from charities and other aid groups this time of year.
WILBURN: Well, in Minnesota it's kinda tight for a man. A woman can always get help in pretty much any direction from most all agencies. With a man he has to prove his point a little bit stronger and harder. Asking for help these days with the economy being what it is, most agencies are short on funds, and it's very tight and hard for them to get.
Ryssdal: So how do you get things like school supplies for the kids, and new clothes, and all of the rest of that?
WILBURN: Well, I have legal custody of my great nephew, and this year I haven't been able to buy any clothes for him. He's wearing things from last year and basically hand-me-downs. And he is in desperate need. We're trying to find a way now to get him a winter coat.
Ryssdal: In Minnesota?
WILBURN: Yes, yes, definitely in Minnesota you need one. Right now this time of year it's still cool enough to where you need some forms of a heavy coat on.
Ryssdal: Now I understand this is your first year sort of being on the receiving end of charity and aid. But you've been on the flip side, you've been giving and participating in relief groups for your whole life now.
WILBURN: Yes, I've donated where I could and when I could with time, as well as financially and monetary. I was raised with the attitude that you do what you can to help someone else and step up to the plate. And I strongly believe that what I do will be returned to me someday, someway, somehow.
Ryssdal: Sherman Wilburn in Minneapolis, Minn. Thanks so much for your time, sir.
WILBURN: You got it.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: People interested in helping Mr. Wilburn and his family can request his contact information through the Comments box below. Marketplace will send the information to the e-mail address you submit with your request.]
Comments
Comment | Refresh
From Los Angeles, CA, 01/15/2010
Did anyone get contact information for Mr. Wilburn?! I requested it and never did. Thanks!
From NY, 12/23/2009
I'd like the contact information as well. Thank you.
From fanwood, NJ, 12/14/2009
I would like to help...Can I please get info to do so thank you, Jocelyn
From Anchorage, AK, 12/09/2009
I called 411 for minnie after hearing the story and talked with Mr. Sherman. Some people are still listed! So nice to see other people wanting to share! Teachable moment for kids.
From Parker, CO, 12/08/2009
Can you please put me in touch with Mr Wilburn or forward any details that you can share? I too would like to help him.
I am very much touched not only by your story but also outpouring of support from your listeners. This is what Christmas really means.
From Baltimore, MD, 12/08/2009
I would like to help Mr. Wilburn. Can you supply contact information?
Thank you.
From Louisville, KY, 12/08/2009
I would also like Mr. Wilburn's contact information. My young sons, as we all do occasionally, need to learn the value of helping those in need and the importance of doing so throughout their lives.
From New York City, NY, 12/07/2009
Please advise how I can be of help to Sherman & his family. I'd like to help donate coats or other essentials.
From Greensboro, NC, 12/07/2009
Would like to help, please send contact information and a list of what they need would be great. I was touched that this man gave what he could when others were in need, would like to do the same for him.
From cincinnati, OH, 12/07/2009
OK, OK -this is my second comment! It isn't getting any warmer in Minnesota, APM! Provide the contact information, to we can act, rather than just type about it, for heaven's sake!
From Santa Rosa, CA, 12/06/2009
Please send me Mr. Wilburn contact information.
Thank You
From Bala Cynwyd, PA, 12/06/2009
Marketplace, this was a terrific story. I would like to help Mr. Wilburn or any other similarly situated people. Thanks for doing such wonderful human interest reporting.
Patrick J. Carr
12/06/2009
Please provide contact information so that my family can assist this family.
V/r
E Caleb
From Los Angeles, CA, 12/05/2009
Mr Wilburn displayed great dignity in your interview. My husband and I would like to help.
12/05/2009
Interested in helping
12/05/2009
Please send the contact info. How totaly awesome that so many people want to help! Thanks for doing the story.
From Lafayette, IN, 12/05/2009
I would like to help Mr. Wilburn and his family
12/04/2009
Please send me the contact information. Thanks.
From CA, 12/04/2009
We would love to help Mr. Wilburn. Please send us information on where we can send a little Holiday spirit.
From Medina, OH, 12/04/2009
Would like to help Mr. Wilburn and his family, can you let me know what sizes and a shipping address. Would especially like to know what size coat for his great-nephew.
From Mech, VA, 12/04/2009
I would like to help out Sherman Wilburn and his family.
From Los Angeles, CA, 12/04/2009
Would love to help Mr. Wilburn. Thanks!
From VA, 12/04/2009
I would like contact information to make a donation to Mr. Wilburn. Thanks very much to Marketplace for helping us to help out.
From Albuquerque, NM, 12/04/2009
I am interested in helping Mr. Wilburn and his family and I'm request his contact information. Thank you
From Ryegate, VT, 12/04/2009
I would love to help our Mr. Wilburn and others like him. It looks as if there have been many other people before me offering to help him. Does Mr. Wilburn have a favorite charity that I could perhaps donate to in his name??
From miami, FL, 12/04/2009
I would like to help out Mr. Wilburn and his family in anyway I can. I was inspired by his story and his positive attitude. Someone we should all learn by! please let me know how I can help. Thank you. Good samaratin in Florida
From Seattle, WA, 12/04/2009
I'd like to help out Mr. Wilburn as well so he can celebrate the holidays this year. Could you please forward his contact info to me?
From Los Angeles, CA, 12/04/2009
To all who have asked how to help Sherman Wilburn and his family . . . Contact information for Mr. Wilburn will be sent to you individually at the e-mail address you submitted with your comment.
From Minneapolis, MN, 12/04/2009
I live in Minneapolis and it is cold! Please let me know how I can help this family as well - I would be happy to buy a coat for the child or contribute to their Christmas in some way.
From San Diego, CA, 12/04/2009
I would like to help out Sherman Wilburn and his family..i.e. winter coats, etc. Where can I send donations?
From indianapolis, IN, 12/04/2009
I too would like to contribute to this family for clothing or food for the upkeep of these eight kids! Please tell me how I may do so as soon as possible.
From Fargo, ND, 12/04/2009
I understand that people have rough times and everyone is very kind for offering to help, but am I the only one who did a double take when I heard this story - Saying that the kids won't see Christmas this year (because they can't afford to buy new toys) - that is a shame, no matter what income bracket Christmas is more than new toys. Also, what is wrong with wearing last year's clothes and hand-me-downs. The are many of us out there that have the means and make the decision that our kids don't need new everything every year. Do you know how long a box of crayons lasts? They may get worn down and may not look as pretty as they did when they were new, but they still do their job of coloring paper. Don't mean to be a scrooge, but get a little bothered when I hear people implying kids need new things to be happy.
From Doylestown, PA, 12/04/2009
I really appreciated the grace that Mr. Wilburn displayed during his interview yesterday. I found the interview to be so thought provoking, especially in these times of need for so many. I mistakingly contacted my NPR station requesting contact info for him and was referred here. I am so happy to see the level of support that is being offered. Please add me to the list of those who would like to send Mr. Wilburn's family something for the holidays! Thanks so much!
From Southfield, MI, 12/04/2009
This story touched my heart especially the part about the little boy not having a coat for the winter. I have lived in MN before and understand how cold it can get. Many times we think only the people in the so call third world need help and ignore those in our backyards. I would like to donate to the family also. Please let me know how to.
From Farmington Hills, MI, 12/04/2009
I too was touched by the story and would like to help. Is there a list of what the family needs?
From Moorpark, CA, 12/04/2009
Like many of your others, this story touched my heart. Mr. Wilburn gave when he could, now how can I help him and his family when they are in need. Can you provide information on donations on how we can help him care for his family?
From San Francisco, CA, 12/04/2009
I would like to contact Mr. Wilburn for a donation. Please let me know the best way to do that.
thank you,
Sally
From Minneapolis, MN, 12/03/2009
Please include me too. Look at all the people on this site that have commented that they wish to lend a hand of support to this man and his family. I would also be happy to do so. Please let us know how we can help him.
I would be happy to help them too.
thank you,
Kelly MacLennan
Minneapolis MN
From Kent, WA, 12/03/2009
I heard the story this evening driving home from work. I feel blessed to have a good job. My family would like to help Mr. Wilburn and his family. Can you please send informaton on how we could make a donation that would go directly to help them?
From Capitola, CA, 12/03/2009
I would like to buy a coat for Mr. wilburn's great nephew. Can you please send me the information or address as to how I can do this?
Thanks
From Leesburg, VA, 12/03/2009
Where can I send some clothes and what sizes?
From Duarte, CA, 12/03/2009
I would also like to send something to this man and his family. Can we have contact info?
From San Diego, CA, 12/03/2009
I would like to help and send clothes and toys. Can you send an email letting us know when contact information is available.
From Sonoma, CA, 12/03/2009
Please let me know how and where I can send clothes and toys for Mr. Wilburn's grandchildren and nephew. Can you tell us each child's age, size, and sex? Thank you!
From LA, CA, 12/03/2009
This was a very moving piece.I would love to send food and books to Mr Wilburn--or any other family in need this season. Please let me know how to get in touch.
From Phoenix, AZ, 12/03/2009
I too want to help Mr.Wilburn and his family. I am thrilled to see how many others are willing to help as well! Please let us know how to make Christmas special for him and his family! Peace from Phx.
From Portsmouth, 12/03/2009
What an amazing testimony to our humanity that SOOOOOO many people have offered to help this stranger! I was touched by his comment regarding how he lived his life doing good deeds under the belief that someday it would be returned to him somehow. That's EXACTLY what I believe Mr. Wilburn and I think after all this our beliefs WILL come true! :) PS I found the link to contact the staff of Marketplace and sent them my info regarding wanting to help out Mr. Wilburn. I think it would be great if others did the same so they would know we are serious about helping :)
From Plymouth, MA, 12/03/2009
Please let me know how could I sent him bit of money to help his family with their winter clothing needs? Very touching story.
From CA, 12/03/2009
Thank you for sharing your story with us Mr. Wilburn, and thanks to Mr. Ryssdal for arranging the interview. I am very moved by the story, as well as the outpouring of support by all the kind people on this site. I look forward to hearing how we can all help. Best wishes to you and your family, Mr. Wilburn.
From minneapolis, MN, 12/03/2009
We would like to help Mr. wilburn and his family as well as buy a coat for his nephew. Please send us information on how to accomplish this. Thank you so much! (Please leave my name out of anything published.) Judith
From Cresco, PA, 12/03/2009
From one wintery state to another- we have to get this man coats for his family and soon!!
From Columbia, MO, 12/03/2009
Strongly suspect that the needs of Mr. Wilburn's family goes even deeper right now than the story revealed -- perhaps limited or no access to healthcare and other basic needs. The past few years we have donated our Christmas gift funds to the regional food bank and other agencies in lieu of family gift-giving. Can you please post a list of the Colburn family needs and a way to provide assistance for those who want to help? Thanks!
12/03/2009
I heard Mr. Wilburn's story and I would like to send him a small donation to help out. Can he be contacted? and if so, is there a phone # or address where he can be reached. I look forward to your prompt feedback.
Hector
From Willoughby, OH, 12/03/2009
I would like to send warm clothing to Mr. Wilburn and his family. Please forward any information you are able to.
From Stockton, NJ, 12/03/2009
Where can we send this deserving man a holiday gift?
From Sunnyvale, CA, 12/03/2009
How can I help Mr. Wilburn? Please provide details. Santa is on her way.
From cincinnati, OH, 12/03/2009
please let me know how I can help. The need everywhere is extreme, but I'm hoping at least in this instance that APM/NPR can identify a way for those who'd like to help, to do so.
From Bismarck, ND, 12/03/2009
I too was hoping to donate an old coat to Mr. Wilburn's nephew.
From Granite Springs, NY, 12/03/2009
Like others here, I'd like to help. Looking forward to the info you can provide to that end.
The story and all these comments fit in great with the other piece today about the "donor illusion".
From Decatur, MS, 12/03/2009
Mr. Wilburn's story touched me tremendously. My heart goes out to all those like Mr. Wilburn who have worked hard to provide for their families for years and are now going through touch times. I too would like to be able to provide help to Mr. Wilburn and his family. I hope you will make a way available for getting needed clothes and funds for food, etc. to he and his family. Thanks for the story!
From Wellesley, MA, 12/03/2009
I would like to provide some assistance to the Wilburn family or other families you are interviewing, please let me know how I can do that. thanks,
From Los Angeles, CA, 12/03/2009
We're looking into the best way to put you all in contact with Mr. Wilburn. We'll post the information here as soon as we get it. Thanks!
From Mill Creek, WA, 12/03/2009
I am ready to help just let me know how
From Palo Alto, CA, 12/03/2009
Hello,
I would like to send a cash donation to Mr. Wilburn. You may forward my email to him or send me an address to mail a check to him. Thank you
Jennifer Van Natta
Palo Alto, CA
12/03/2009
Please let us all know how to help!
From NJ, 12/03/2009
I hope you will make some way of donating available to those of us who want to help. Thanks
From Concord, NC, 12/03/2009
Please let us help too! We are struggling but are blessed enough to have Christmas for our kids.
From Portsmouth, NH, 12/03/2009
We would love to coordinate gifts for his grandchildren.
From Bear, DE, 12/03/2009
Repeating what the prior commenters asked: where can I send money or gift cards to get his nephew clothes?
From Nyack, NY, 12/03/2009
How can people contact Mr Wilburn or send donations to his family? I really appreciated the interview with him and the way he is dealing with hard times.
From New Braintree, MA, 12/03/2009
I would like to help play Santa....how can folks help?
From Elkton, FL, 12/03/2009
We would also be happy to help if possible.
From Irivne, CA, 12/03/2009
I, too, would like info on where to send clothes/toys. Thanks!
From Leesburg, VA, 12/03/2009
Where can I send some clothes and what sizes?
From Leesburg, VA, 12/03/2009
Where can I send some clothes and what sizes?
From Grosse Pointe, MI, 12/03/2009
Is there any way to help Mr. Wilburn? I would be happy to send a coat to his nephew if you could suggest how?
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