My business donates space to house the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame Preview Gallery (www.PhiladelphiaSportsHallOfFame.org) It is a proof of concept in an effort to raise funds for an actual museum one day. It is closed during the week, but I have a key in case there is a Philly Sports fan wonders in during the week and wants to have a look. I received a call that this was the case this week. I came from my office to find a Mother and her son who were from Florida, requesting a tour. They were driving by and saw the banner for the museum, Googled it and stopped in. The son was 11 year old Mason, who was in town visiting The Shriner’s Hospital in the area for treatment. Mason, God Bless him, was slightly deformed and undersized, yet claimed that “I’m going to be a football player.” I never found out why he was visiting Shriner’s or what his disability was. Despite his life and health challenges he was extremely positive, polite and precocious. He LOVED Philly sports. Football is his favorite sport. So naturally, the Eagles were his team.
I opened up the museum and took him for a tour. His eyes sparkled, he smiled wide and he was star struck. “This is SO cool” he declared. His mother took a picture of Mason in the Tommy McDonald display. McDonald is an NFL Hall of Famer who played for the Eagles in the ’50’s and 60’s. We went over the many classes that have been inducted, that hang on the walls, to find his favorite Eagle, Brian Dawkins, whose name was inscribed. His mother proclaimed … “every time we are in Philly we are spoiled.” They shared a story how they met legendary Philadelphia Flyers announcer Lou Nolen and how kind he was in meeting and greeting them at a Flyers game.
After the tour of the HoF was complete I proceeded with a back stage look at our awards production facility. During the tour of our personalization department I asked if Mason would like his very own personalized Eagles mug. He jumped at the idea, as he shared that his favorite number was “5.” So I sat Mason up (pictured) so he could watch his Eagles Green insulated tumbler be laser engraved with an Eagles logo, his name and the number 5. He proclaimed that “this is my favorite cup now.” We ended our hour long visit with a picture of him and his mother next to the Eagles Super Bowl Mural, that is on the side of our building. I made a parting offer to come back in November for this year’s Philly Sports Hall of Fame Induction banquet at LIVE Casino as my guest. My offer was accepted in a text message upon their return to Florida … “My husband and I are so overwhelmed with excitement for Mason!! Thank you so much for this opportunity.” See you again in November Mason!
First time I had ever done something like this, for a complete stranger. It will now not be the last time. The lesson I learned was of taking the time for an act of kindness. It didn’t cost me anything, but paid incredibly rewarding dividends! Quite a return on my investment. Forever grateful!