Charity is not about money,but the heart

Good morning/afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,

My name is David. I am from Guanghua campus of No.9 High School, Chengdu. I’m honored to stand here today. My speech is "charity is not about the money, but the heart."First, let’s share a story about charity.

To raise funds for poor children in Africa, a charity banquet was held in a manor house in Texas. People invited to the banquet were wealthy businessmen and celebrities. So, Lucy, a little poor girl holding a money box, was stopped by the securities at the door.

Anthony, one of the securities explained: "All invited are very important people. I am glad you are herewith love, but this occasion is not for you. "

“Sir, charity is not about the money, but the heart, right?” asked Lucy, with an innocent voice. Anthony was stunned at her words.

“I know p eople here will donate a lot of money. I do not have that much, but I can give all I have. If I am not allowed in, please take this box instead.” said Lucy.

At that time, Anthony did not know what to do. Suddenly a voice came, "Children, you’re right.Charity is not about the money, but the heart. So, all the kind-hearted can take part in the banquet.” said by Mr. Stock--Warren Edward Buffett.

On that day, the protagonist of the charity banquet was not the sponsor Annan, former UN Secretary-General. Nor was Buffett or Bill, one of whom donated 3 milliondollars and the otherdonated 8 million dollars. Instead, Lucy, with a donation of only 30 dollars 25 cents, won the warmest applause.At the same time, the slogan of the banquet was changed into “Charity is not about the money, but the heart.”

The next day, all the major U.S. media reported the philanthropic banquet with the new slogan. After reading the report, many Americans followed and make a donation to those poor children in Africa.

I totally agree with it.When I was little, a violent earthquake happened in Wenchuan, Sichuan. After the earthquake, I saw the news about it; Countless people lost their loved ones; innumerable buildings were destroyed. A girl of my age lost her two legs after this natural disaster. My mother and I were moved by her. Then my mother took me to the post office to donate money to the disaster-stricken people.Idid not understand the meaning behind the donation. I only knew my money could help the children to have a better life.

My mother once told me, “You do not need to docharity that how considerable, but you must be a kind person!” Since then I helped more people.

In China, we also have such great kind persons. Lin Xiuzhen, one of the candidates of “Impressed Chinese” got married in her twenties in a village. Although she lived a poor life, she was still willing to support six empty nesters in her village. And she promised to the old thatshe could give all what she had to make them survive. They lived a life of the lowest standard, but she kept her words for 30 years. At the presentation, her comment is “Making the world warm”.

Just as the saying I learned in the Sinology class goes, all the virtue is to discuss the mind first, regardless of the disbursement ". I think it is also true of charity. What matters most is not what we do or how much money we donate, but a heart full of charity!