SeattleInsider: Homeless man donates $200 to Seattle Children's Hospital

A man with so little, doing so much.

James French is homeless in Seattle, yet he still found a way for the third straight year to make an annual donation to the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

French, aka Frenchie, spends his nights sleeping on the streets in downtown Seattle.

During the day he sells Real Change, a homeless newspaper, in front of Rite Aid in Belltown.

And all year he saves a portion of his hard-earned money to be donated to children in need.

This story began in 2011 when the Seahawks Marshawn Lynch - Frenchie’s favorite player - made the famous “Beast Quake” run in the playoffs against the New Orleans Saints.

The monster play by Lynch will go down as one of the greatest moments in Seattle sports history.

What Frenchie decided to do as a result is something that might stir up hope in everyone who hears his story.

“It inspired me to do something for the community,” French said.

On that day Frenchie made a pact: “That as long as I live I will be making an annual donation to the Children’s Hospital. Mark my words.”

And so late last month Frenchie made his annual trip to Children’s Hospital to make his donation – this year it was a trip that ended with two crisp $100 bills being handed to the folks at Children’s Hospital.

He wanted to publicly thank those who contributed to his cause and helped make his donation more than it would have been otherwise.

“I would like to mention Will, Ryan and Jenny. They are my current contributors, and I hope to expand that and increase it.”

When asked why he chooses to give money to the kids, he said:

“I donate to the Children’s Hospital because, one, I don’t have any. And, two, they give me lots of inspiration.

Hopefully I can do what little bit I can to take their mind of whatever there issues are with their health.”

And with that, Frenchie vows to continue to make his annual donation.

“Until I die, mark my words.”

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