Home 
News & Updates The Reverse Millionaire
News & Updates The Reverse Millionaire
| The Reverse Millionaire |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Dylan Gold |
| Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:28 |
|
Dear Everyone, My good friend Marc Gold has built one of the most captivating projects (and one of the most interesting lives) that I know of. While traveling in the Himalayas in 1989, Marc (probably) saved the life of a destitute woman by pulling a few dollars from his pocket to fund her emergency medical care. Struck by Actually Experiencing the huge difference that small sums of western money can make in so much of the world, Marc, before his next trip to Asia, wrote a letter to one hundred of his friends. He told them the story of the destitute woman, told them that on his upcoming trip he was going to share more of his money with other impoverished individuals, and promised that if any of his friends would like Marc to give away some of their money too, he would gladly do that -- and report back on the whole adventure. Marc guessed his friends and family might send $300-$400, but they sent over $2,000. From that beginning Marc has spent the past two decades building The 100 Friends Project. His current goal is to distribute, person-to-person, a total of $1 million (I joke to Marc, a 59-year old teacher who has lived "paycheck-to-paycheck" his entire life, that his goal is to become a "reverse millionaire"), and it seems that he is well on his way. When I met him, in 2002, Marc had distributed around $100,000, but now the total exceeds $500,000. He's donated (or loaned) money to desperate people in hovels, orphanages, refugee camps, and garbage dumps. Also in tsunami-ravaged and war-wracked places. (A few years ago, while my daughter and a friend rode the train at the Oakland Zoo, I was napping under a nearby tree when my cell phone awoke me: Marc calling from a rooftop under the stars of Kabul, Afghanistan). He has helped stranded people needing money to get back home, others needing immediate surgery, has freed several from virtual slavery and from other circumstances that most people reading this email (and the person writing it) can barely imagine. He's built five schools, four libraries, and four restaurants. With a tiny, tiny fraction of the United States' daily military expenditure, Marc has created an ocean of love -- and goodwill toward America. Word of his endeavor has spread far and wide, and Marc now devotes his entire life to 100 Friends. An expert in his field now, Marc is also eager and willing to teach anyone the simple logistics behind what he does, so that anyone who wants to can do the same. (Below, see the link to Marc's ally, Adam Carter, a beer vendor at Chicago Cubs and White Sox games.) The world can seem so very bleak at times, but when I look at Marc's life and consider the astonishing impact a single person can have, I'm humbled, and also very inspired. At 7 o'clock on Saturday evening, July 25th, Marc is holding a 20th anniversary celebration for 100 Friends. (Details at link below.) Marc has asked me to extend the invitation to everyone on this list: "Please bring your friends and family to enjoy the evening. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Donations will be accepted but not required and there is no entrance fee. Parking is free and there is plenty of street parking." There will also be live music, and a couple of short films will be part of an hour-long presentation about 100 Friends. I'm going to be there, and I'd love to see you there, too. Brad Newsham This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
Join us!
Sign up for updates!Spread the word!
