The news these days is often depressing at worst and frustrating at best. It’s easy to get caught up in the spin cycle and let it get us down. Never fear… The News Blender has you covered. Once a week, we feature Something Good and, in return, all you have to do is tell us something good that has happened to you this week, something you are thankful for, a joke, a cute animal story, an inspiring tale of heroics, a Random Act of Kindness… SOMETHING good!
Today’s something good is going the extra mile and, in doing so, inspiring others to do the same.
Henry Darby is the principal of North Charleston High School and has a long history of serving the community he grew up in, not just as school administrator but also as county councilman. Almost 90% of the students in his school are living in poverty and Principal Darby has taken extraordinary measures to help them, according to the Post and Courier.
In August, Darby took a third job – stocking shelves at his local Wal-Mart from 10 pm to 7 am, three nights a week. He finishes just in time to make it to school in the mornings. Initially, he was working five nights a week but had to cut back after he realized he “wasn’t as young as he used to be”.
He took the job in order to help the families of low-income students buy food and pay bills. Henry has also helped former students pay college tuition and purchased supplies to improve teacher morale.
To date, Principal Darby has donated about $2,500 – about half of his earnings from Wal-Mart. He will donate the rest after he files his taxes.
Elizabeth Bowens, a fellow administrator at the school, says that she and other colleagues have to try to rein him in because Darby’s “heart is so big”.
Henry has a long history of working several jobs at a time, from the time he was a teenager. His dad died when Henry was three years old and then his mother died when he was 17. He told the Post and Courier, “I can say that people really helped me to get to where I am today.” He cited the members of his church buying him a suit when his father passed away and his family helping him when his mother died.
Principal Darby tried to keep his Wal-Mart job a secret but was quickly recognized by a student his first night working. He was also reluctant to be interviewed, not wanting attention for simply doing something he felt was right. Darby used the interview to encourage the community to give back.
Jesse Rone, a real estate agent who once worked nights at the same Walmart where Henry works, worked with the school and set up a GoFundMe. His goal was to raise $20,000 by the end of January to supplement Principal Darby’s funds. That goal was met in 48 hours. As of this writing, more than $48,000 has been raised.
The law office across the street from the school, Miller, Dawson, Sigal, & Ward, has pledged $2,499.99 to principal’s fund for his students. They will also match contributions up to $2,499.99 made to the fund.
Another GoFundMe has been created for the school by 21 year old college student George Kinzler. George has never met Henry but felt inspired to help make the world a better place. Nearly $6,000 has been raised through that page.
Henry Darby is a great example of how the actions of one person can create ripples that move and inspire others to help those less fortunate and change the world.
Now it’s your turn… Tell me something good!
