A Homeless Man’s $1 Donation After Oregon Riot Speaks Volumes
After a riot caused extensive damage to the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) building, Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk took to social media to share a profoundly moving story.
Amid the destruction, an anonymous donor—later identified as a homeless man named Oscar—left a handwritten note and a one-dollar bill at the OHS front desk. The note read:
“Hello, I’m homeless, so I don’t have much to give you. Just some of my bottle collecting money. But I saw your windows got broken, and I wanted to help. You once gave me a free tour before the pandemic. So, this is a thank you.”
Tymchuk expressed deep gratitude for the gesture, stating that while OHS has received many generous donations over the years—including contributions exceeding a million dollars—Oscar’s act of kindness stood out.
“No donation means more to me and to the society than this dollar donation from Oscar,” Tymchuk said.
A Night of Destruction
Sunday’s riot, organized under the name “Indigenous Peoples Day of Rage,” was intended as a protest against historical injustices toward Indigenous peoples. However, the demonstration escalated into vandalism. Several sculptures were toppled, windows at OHS were smashed, and flares were thrown into the air.
While most historical artifacts remained intact, an African American heritage bicentennial quilt was stolen and later found several blocks away. Tymchuk noted that the quilt was soaked but remained hopeful it could be restored, calling it a “priceless piece of history.”
Beyond OHS, the Heroes American Cafe on Park Avenue was also vandalized. The café’s owner, John Jackson, condemned the destruction, stating, “I think downtown is the worst I’ve ever seen it. There’s no reason to damage property to get your point across. Matter of fact, I think it’s counterproductive.”
A Selfless Act in the Face of Adversity
Authorities arrested three individuals following the night’s chaos. Yet, amid the wreckage, Oscar’s small yet significant donation became a beacon of generosity. While $1 may seem like a small amount, for someone struggling with homelessness, it could have been his last means of self-support—making his gift all the more powerful.
His act of kindness reminds us that true generosity isn’t measured by the amount given but by the heart behind it.