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Heart Attack Survivor Shares Journey of Gratitude Through Philanthropy

El Paso Matters•Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM•Special to El Paso Matters

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Richard Pineda, a native of El Paso, experienced a life-altering heart attack on April 29, 2022, which led to triple bypass surgery. During his recovery, a friend gifted him a plastic yellow ark, known as a pushke, symbolizing gratitude and philanthropy. This container became a tool for Pineda to teach his daughter about kindness and the importance of giving back. The practice of dropping coins daily helped transform his approach to charity from reactive to proactive, emphasizing the significance of gratitude in their lives. Pineda encourages others to embrace similar practices to foster a culture of kindness.

Key Details: • Pineda suffered a heart attack on April 29, 2022, and underwent surgery shortly after. • The pushke symbolizes gratitude and is used to collect coins for charitable donations. • Pineda emphasizes teaching his daughter about kindness and philanthropy through daily practices. • For more information on the ARK project, visit chabadelpaso.com/ark or email rabbilevi@chabadelpaso.com.

community health family philanthropy gratitude

People & Organizations

El PasoRabbi Levi GreenbergSan AntonioRichard PinedaPeter SvarzbeinUniversity of the Incarnate WordChabad El Paso

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