its own pleasure . When a journalist from People magazine asked her why she did not spend the money she had saved on herself , she answered with a smile that , thanks to the pleasure of making a gift , “ I am actually spending it on myself ! I am proud that I worked hard and that my money will help young people who also work hard . I am proud that I am leaving something positive in this world .”
She did not seek any recognition , monuments or fame . But the selflessness of her gift would , of course , draw worldwide attention . Eventually honoured by the United Nations , she shook hands with President Bill Clinton and received more than 300 awards . People across the world took notice . She received the Presidential Citizen ’ s Medal , the US nation ’ s second-highest civilian award and an honorary doctorate from Harvard University .
In 1996 , she carried the Olympic torch through part of Mississippi . Later that year , hers was the hand on the switch that dropped the ball in Times Square in New York ’ s New Year ’ s Eve celebration . The University of Southern Mississippi honoured the life and legacy of McCarty on Thursday , 8 October 2020 , on the 25 th anniversary of her unexpected gift , through a virtual celebration ( it was during the COVID-19 era ) and the unveiling of a sculpture on the campus . Her only regret ? “ That I did not have more to give .”
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Perhaps our most treasured assets in life are the knowledge that we have helped others .
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It has also struck me that so many gifts that we can freely give every day to each other have no monetary value . It is gifts like recognition , acknowledgement , kindness , advice , empathy , sincerity , encouragement , being interested , listening , greeting … These gifts often come back tenfold .
Perhaps our most treasured assets in life are the knowledge that we have helped others . In fact , if we are blessed to live to advanced ages , when the lifestyle assets and the toys have lost much value and meaning , then , if it was a life well lived , the joy in reflecting on the past and the contributions to making the world a better place will be of enormous value .
Therefore , we should not allow opportunities for acts of goodness to pass us by . Generosity can change lives , including those of benefactors . Those cents that we spend on goodness can earn rand in real-happiness-returns .
At PPS , giving to empower is very much part of our philosophy . Professionals enter their professions after years of dedicated study . Hence , education is close to our hearts and our professional ethos . Here are a few examples .
When our friends at Primestars , a company specialising in facilitating youth development programmes , asked us to assist matrics during COVID-19 lockdown , it was an easy decision . Primestars used cinema theatres ( standing empty at the time ) as theatres of learning . PPS was very happy to be involved as a sponsor .
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