It was almost midnight, on a snowy winter's night in Dayton Ohio. I was leaving a trendy new night club, after having had a few drinks with some friends. "It's bitter cold," I thought as I began the walk to my car. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed an old homeless man pushing a shopping a cart full of discarded soda cans . The harsh wintry weather had caused icicles to form in his untrimmed beard.

My mind raced with thoughts about how unfortunate it would be to be homeless in the winter and how cold the man must have been. I had about $10 bucks in my pocket that I wanted to give him, but I was quite frankly afraid.

"$10 dollars would at least be enough that he could buy a sandwich and a hot cup of coffee," I said to myself. But it was late and there was no one else outside. "I don't know this man, what if he tries to rob me? " I questioned.

I wrestled in my mind over what to do. I sincerely wanted to help the guy out, but I was worried that it might not be safe to do so. With a deep sigh I gave into my initial charitable instincts and called out to the man. "Excuse me sir!" I yelled, "I have a little money if you want it".

His head turned to look at me, his eyes were dark almost black. His skin was chapped by the freezing cold winds. I must admit I was a little nervous, but it was almost Christmas and I knew helping him out was the right thing to do. "I'll take it!" he yelled back.

He began pushing his shopping cart in my direction, the sound of old soda cans rattled with every step he took. "It's not much", I said, "but it should buy you something warm to eat."

He reached out his hand and I placed my $10 inside it. "I'm collecting these cans to make money for the unfortunate" he said.

I was confused. Here I stood looking at a battered old homeless man and he says he's collecting the cans for the unfortunate?

"I've been collecting cans out here for 10 years," he explained. "I take them to the recycling center and they give me a little bit of money. I take the money and donate it to the Children's hospital."

"Aren't you homeless?" I asked.

"I've got everything I need son. I come out here every night with my shopping cart and find pop cans in the garbage and on the street. Been doing it for 10 years," he explained.

He went on to tell me how he had donated over 10,000 dollars to the Children's Hospital and he had even been featured on the news. Here was a man with absolutely nothing but the clothes on his back and an old shopping cart and yet he was out collecting cans so that he could give money to those he viewed as less fortunate.

I was ashamed that I has questioned if this man was dangerous and I was amazed by his absolute selflessness. "God bless you," I said and we went out separate ways.

Looking back on this story I can't help but to question if this man was some sort of Angel. In any case he inspired me more than anyone I have ever met. Ever since my encounter with this holy homeless man, I have realized how thankful I should be that I have so much and I have done everything I can to give to those who have so little.