Kevin Salwen and Hannah Salwen: "The Power of Half"
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-06-02/kevin-salwen-and-hannah-salwen-power-half
The Salwen family
Courtesy Kevin Salwen
What happens when a family decides to drop everything and donate half of their savings to charity? The story of the Salwen family and how their decision to sell their house and donate half of the earnings to charity brought them closer together and taught them the value of family.
Guests
Kevin Salwen
a reporter and editor at the "Wall Street Journal" for 18 years. Served on the board of Habitat for Humanity in Atlanta and currently works for the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Hannah Salwen
Daughter of Joan and Kevin Salwen. She is a junior at the Atlanta Girls' School, where she plays volleyball, serves on the student council, and volunteers regularly.
Video: How Hannah's Lunchbox Started
Credit:cfgreateratlanta via YouTube.
Comments
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This is crude to say, but I think we need more people to come forward and prove that tsedakah can be _hot_.
(The word literally mean 'holiness', and is the only classical Hebrew term for charity.)
Compelling story. Yet, I see a problem for the message having broader reach.
It's fine and well for an affluent family to give away "half" for the greater good. But what can families "just getting by" or not quite as affluent do? We're still living in a privileged society that, to and extent, exists at the expense of less privileged ones.
It seems easier for some to contribute than others.
The man in the Mercedes doesn't, indeed, bear any direct responsibility for the homeless man. Both are just symbols of the extremes within our society.
Imagine that America is a family, a family not unlike the Salwens, only one member of the family is enormously healthy, educated, and prosperous, another is at the other extreme -- disabled, poor, unable to go to school or to take advantage of any education; and other two are somewhere in-between.
I think we would call that an unfortunate or dysfunctional family. And I think that's where America is today. It takes the Salwens and others like them to remind us that a healthy society is a society in which we are closer, more aware of those around us, and more caring. And less dependent on position and consumerism for our amour-propre.
young people don't realize that they can not only donate to charity but dedicate their lives for the benefit of the community. you can be an engineer and use it to benefit the community, an artist, a journalist, anything. you don't have to be a nurse or social worker to do something for others. i think the challenge is modifying what people feel is most important in life, employment and community life. do we just develop a career to make money, or do we think about how what we do can also benefit the community?
i've been homeless and broke for the last year. but i continue to work on developing a career for the benefit of people around me. i've been able to do public health research and volunteer in latin america and asia. i've biked across the country for charity (www.rideforworldhealth.org) i've worked in the anti-trafficking effort in the united states. i've done public health work in washington dc. and will start a masters in public health program in the fall at george washington university.
i haven't been able to give have of my money, but i have spent half of my life to improve the lives of others.
I will carry this family's dedication to the betterment of everyday lives of people in my heart for a long time.
I would like to share a little of how our family might have exemplified the power of half. We adopted two children, ages 10 and 11, and our home is now occupied by four people and not two. Our happiness has doubled.
Thank you for your humanity.
I agree with tarascon. When you see a homeless guy, and a millionaire with a Mercedes, something's wrong. Frank Cesno is also right in that "it's not the millionaires problem/fault/etc." But there's a larger point.
From the mere fact of being alive, each is obligated to make an investment in the environment in which they live, in the "systems" of that environment, and the algorithms that make it work. (Algorithms of movement, nourishment, health, work, education, family.)
The basic simple act of building a water distribution system in Ghana -- or whatever -- is a wonderful example. An investment in the community of villages benefits all: the "homeless" Ghanaian and the Ghanaian "millionaire". Each contributes to a better world, and earns his/her piece of it.
I am wildly impressed by this family's efforts to make the world a better place. I have been forced by the economy into bankruptcy, so getting by on half was not by choice, yet I agree that there are gifts from doing so. My family is closer and the freedom from the hamster wheel of consuming is now allowing us to look at the world and what is necessary differently. Our lives going forward will have greater quality. Thank you for sharing the message.
I have to comment. Kevin's response to the man who called in was ridiculous. The man had lost his job and was trying his best not to lose his home and Kevin suggested that now was his time to "get out there and give to others?!" Come on--it's easy to give and it sure feels great when you can afford to do it. Kevin made so very light of that man's situation--it was offensive.
I do appreciate what they have done, but didn't appreciate that flippant comment to a very very serious situation.
I am a *huge* fan of the dr show and usually love listening to the guests but these people annoy me for some reason. Everyday in my community people are giving time and money and energy and do it without needing to brag about it. This idea of living simply is not new and these people seem to think they are better than others. Just do what you love and don't broadcast it to the world!
Hannah and her family have nothing to do with the unfortunate dissatisfying events that happen in others lives. What they have done is reach out to others in need because they can and have the means to make an impact that others in afluence can follow.
I and many others who've been out of work recently or for the past few years during our national economic crisis should look at our own lives before discrediting anything the Salwen's have done.
I am proud to say I am a better person for hearing the story and learning that there are people like them still in our very materialistic world.
I have used a by line in my communications for a few years that speaks directly to the Salwens efforts:
"It is not what you collect in life that matters; it is not the things we have but what we have shared that tells the kind of life you've lived"
I found this story really bizarre. How did a journalist get so wealthy at a time when so many journalists are losing their jobs? Why did a family inspired by a homeless American try to solve problems overseas instead of those created here during the last 30 years of Reaganomics? How can ANYONE consider a family with a 6000 sq ft home "borderline upper middle class" when the average American family lives is a home less than a third that size and is grateful for it?
I knew that we there was a growing divide between the affluent and the rest of us, but I didn't realize how huge that divide had become.
Hey Salwens, thanks for the inspiration in paving a path to the Greater Good.
If two halves make a whole, the remaining half becomes the whole of renewed perspective and action.
What you are doing is Right-Sizing your lives and homes. I got this idea from the a book entitled, "Right-Sizing Your Home," a guide how to live more efficiently and comfortably.
Right-Sizing is a solid corollary to The Power of Half.
Y'all are good coaches, challenging team humanity to do what we may not want to do but glad we did!
Ivan Saul Cutler, Greensboro, North Carolina
Whoa! What is this family promoting? Is it not the end of the great American way of life epitomizing the Judeo-Christian values of materialism, selfishness, compulsion, status, waste, and greed? Think of what will happen to our economy if the public gives half its wealth to charity and cuts its consumption of goods and services in half! The well-being of our people depends on continued economic growth. In other words, it depends on making more by consuming more. This is the foundation of modern capitalism, and it is preposterous to consider an alternate economy based on leftist values such as common sense, charity, spirituality, thoughtfulness, humility, and moderation. Now, that would be socialism, if not communism. Starting tonight, this errant family should watch The Glen Beck Show on Fox News so that they come to their senses!
Hard to balance Jesus' observation of the widow in Mark 12:41-44 (see djtopper above) against his admonition regarding quiet generosity in Matthew 6:1-4 (see bethrhys above).
This family seems to have noble intentions.....but their need to publicize their generosity
makes the effort seem less noble.......father and daughter both have an "upper-crust" world view making them blind to or dismissive of the plight of others
This family's story is an inspiration. Those who find it offensive that a wealthy family would encourage others to give of themselves may need to take a look at where those feelings are coming from...
Thank you, Salwen family for what you are doing, and thank you DR show for sharing their story.
Before I became disabled I was active in social justice issues but since I cannot do much physically anymore and have a limited income my motto is now "do small things with great love", great advice from Mother Teresa. Sometimes that means just listening to someone in need and being there to give emotional support and practical advice.
Moreover, it took a while for me to accept my limitations, I felt useless but then a dear nun reminded me that by allowing others to help me I was enriching their lives. This caused a paradigm shift in my thinking and made it easier for me to ask for help when I needed it most. Charity is a reciprocal activity by nature.
Bravo to the Salwen family for promoting social justice, they are giving and gaining so much from their charitable work. At the end of one's life, it's not about how much stuff we have but how much love we have shared with others that really matters and makes a lasting difference in the world.
I am thrilled to hear about an American family with a thriving financial background, give as they are giving. I also like the fact that they are not phased by the negative feelings/frustrations that others feel about their contributions. They shouldn't have to apologize for the financial wealth or their generous contributions.
This is one family's quest to make their lives meaningful. I am very inspired by this and I come from a very humbling background, my parents and grandparents did as well. I don't make alot of money but their message is very clear...make a difference, maybe not with money but with something...anything. It could be with your time, a smile, an inspiring message to your kids, etc.
Everyone has a choice: to be part of something positive or do nothing.
Kudos to you family in spreading a positive message to all social classes because everyone, no matter how small, can make a difference.
Your greatest good is to be of service at your highest level w/o breaking any commandments.
There is no disconnect between people, animals, continents, cities, states, countries or time.
All are connected and, by being your best here, now; you are most powerful at creating and improving everything.
That includes the lives of all people everywhere, simultaneously.
Do what ever you like wiith the petty flat screen TV, Mercedes', mansions...
The material manifestations of your work are literally the tip of an iceberg.
Cash, autos, homes, land, food,.. its all just vehicles for energy. Our energies are what we have to make sure is good and get transferred efficiently.
The majority of effects of what you do are experienced by everyone. Noticeable but not necessarily visible or tangible.
Meditate on that for a while; then, in about 10,000 years, we'll get another message.
Giving always gives back: Remember how it felt to contribute to Care packages 'way back when'? As a nation we have lost the joy of giving, and it is good to see the Salwens and others jumping in with joy and creativity and energy in figuring out their own abilities and goals in giving.
We can ALL give. When I was a student, I gave away, e.g., a bag of groceries and a smile -- small things. When I became more established, I made a decision to donate 100% of my income for a year and to live on savings. It was liberating and joyous and established a new level of giving to reflect changes in my life.
Dear Salwens, Thank you! I see and understand the joy on your faces. Your story is a spirit raising gift to all.
It seems inappropriate to congratulate a family who gives up part of their abundance at a time that has been so very difficult for so many of us. They do not know need nor do they suffer fear of not being able to pay for food or medical costs or losing a home to foreclosure.
The father said in the interview that he could empathize with the financial hardship of one caller, but then referred to people as getting themselves into trouble with leases of cars and overcharging credit cards. This proves that he does not really understand that most bankruptcies come from unexpected medical costs, even to those with medical insurance, and sudden loss of a job!
Jesus told a parable praising the widow making no fuss about giving her small coin as opposed to a wealthy man giving from his abundance and making a show of it. That, I think, is the real giving.
i am sad that this family chose to support another country instead of their own, after all mercedes vs homelessness, we seem to forget about Americans in our diligent efforts to feed terrorists as is the case and always will be in Ghana. While I commend you for trying to assist, I feel your family is very short sighted and seemingly only making a buck for terrorists, therefore i will not purchase yoyr book..thought for a change Americans were helping America, sadly mistaken. If we do not help OUR country first, then WE will not be able to EVER help others And while you feel good about helping out at Homes for Humanity, just another NON PROFIT conglomeration gaining on societies need to feel good about itself instead of correcting the problem...look around Habitat for Humanity has been in existance for HOW LONG. Exactly how much do their DIRECTORS GET PAID? shouldn't you have built enough homes to house the homeless? I think SO! Good effort, poor judgement, feel good book does nothing for America!
Another show with an arrogant, upper-crust person hawking their book about how to manage life........she is theorizing about hypothetical living styles that lots of cash would make possible.........if I had an unlimited budget I could relax too!! and think the great thoughts that she arrogantly is pushing.........call it "Platitudes"
I think you really are on to something with "half." It's just easier to consolidate things by half. A couple of years ago, my boyfriend and I moved toward that direction. We moved into an apartment that was half the size we were used to, but we’re happy here. I donated my car to a local environmental charity. We donated about half our clothes, appliances, and electronics to charity, too. And then we were both laid off. It was painful, because we're both very proud people who had a lot of our identity tied to working. But we were also living a life that was more sustainable. We used our free time for more volunteering (which is not entirely selfless: it’s something to put on a resume, it’s something to distract from depression). I say all this because I wanted to point out you don't have to give away hundreds of thousands of dollars to get connected to your community. The community is the important thing. And also, having a more sustainable lifestyle is important, too. And after all my talk about "you can do it on a smaller scale," I just wanted to say that the Salwen family did a significant thing. That is a lot of money to go to the Ghana hungry! Thank you! And thanks to all the other "big donors" who reach out to their communities and to the world. And all the "little donors" add up to something great, too!
The Salwen's story reminds me of the story in the book of Luke in the Bible of the tax collector Zaccheus, who voluntarily gave half his wealth to the poor after he met Jesus. I remember having feelings similar to Hannah's as a child and I guess many children do also until adults discourage them. Fortunately the Hunger Project and personally meeting Jesus helped me get back in touch with those feelings over 30 years ago and I have tried to hold on to and act on them since.