Back in 1982 Delta Airlines was going through a tough time, and the employees of Delta decided to raise money to buy the company a brand new 767 jet ($30 million), affectionately named the “Spirit of Delta”. The Home for Children at Christian City had a wonderful relationship with Delta and the children began to work odd jobs to also raise money to help Delta. One of the young boys at the Home for Children, Adam Pepper, who was 6 years old at the time, presented the President of Delta with the money raised by the Home for Children. When the President of Delta told Adam how grateful he was, Adam pulled a quarter out of his pocket, which he had been saving for a candy bar, and gave it to the President, saying you need this more than me.

On March 3, after more than 70,000 flight hours the “Spirit of Delta”, Ship number 102 was retired to the Delta Museum. In honor of this occasion, the plane made its final flight around the city of Atlanta as part of its coming home. As the crowd gathered at Gate B 36 before the final flight, the current President of Delta thanked the guests, and made special mention of the Home for Children at Christian City and told the story of young Adam Pepper. Then he asked Adam, who was also there as a guest, to join him at the podium. Delta’s President thanked Adam, the crowd applauded, and as Adam was leaving the podium, Delta’s President said he could still use a quarter. Without hesitating for one second, Adam turned right around, walked over to the President of Delta and handed him a quarter.