The holiday season is here. It’s a time of year when we gratefully reflect on life’s gifts. I would
like to share a personal story with you if you have a moment to spare. It’s about a small act of
kindness, what it meant, and the unexpected positive benefits it had in the future.

My daughters both started fencing when they were quite young in the late 1990s. They took to
it quickly and really loved it. Fast forward a number of years; they’re fencing and competing
and doing really well. Unfortunately, a Lemony Snicket-like series of unfortunate events hit our
lives, and we found ourselves in a very tough economic situation. There wasn’t going to be
enough money to afford fencing. I dreaded telling them, and I procrastinated by first telling their
coach and the owner of the club.

I approached him while they were in class, told him what was happening, and let him know
that at the end of the month, they’d have to stop coming to the club until we got back on our
feet.

He asked, “Do the girls know yet?”

I said they didn’t, but I would need to tell them soon. He said, “Keep bringing them to lessons
and classes. Do not worry about it right now.” I was surprised and thankful.

We worked hard, had some better luck, and eventually got back on our feet. I told him we
could start paying again and presented a plan to pay him back for the classes and lessons
they’d had in the meantime.

He said not to worry about paying him back. Instead, he asked me to help someone else when
they needed it. He said, “Maybe someone here will need help, and I will ask you to help them.
Maybe you will, and you can help someone else. Help them.” I promised I would do that, and I
have done over the years since.

His seemingly small act of kindness meant that my daughters could continue to fence, and it
not only brought them great joy, but it also brought them self knowledge, self reliance, and
gave them something they excelled at that they could call their own. It helped them become
the amazing women they are today.

Here’s the unexpected part, the part of the story about unknown effects and how kindness
spreads. I started helping around the club more and more. I started coaching part-time and
began coaching high school teams in New Jersey. Eventually, I found myself coaching full-time.
You could reasonably say that I would not be at NWFC now without that act of kindness, the
financial help, and the encouragement we received. That small act of kindness, helping my
daughters keep fencing, was multiplied many times over.

I’d like to think this is how things are supposed to work. I believe that I’m not alone when
reflecting on my good fortune, which makes me wonder where I can help. That’s why I’m personally
asking you to join me in donating to NWFC’s financial aid program. Let’s help others continue
to reap the benefits of fencing. I’ve been on both sides of financial aid, and being able to
contribute is a much easier side to occupy. If you’re lucky enough to be there, let’s grab the
opportunity to do good, push the needle towards kindness, and have who knows what
wonderful effects on the future. Click that donate button and give whatever you can. Even a
little will do more good than you can imagine. I know I’m going to do it. Join me, and let’s move
the needle towards kindness together.

Thanks for letting me share. Happy Holidays. Michael McTigue