I guess the only thing I can do is remember it and pass on a kindness in the future...
A while back some friends in our Sunday School just out of the blue gave us $200. It was the jedis' Christmas that year. I'll never forget it and intend to give that same amount to the HSLDA benevolence fund someday. (The friends in SS were homeschoolers...actually, he was the president of big CHEF at the time.)
You know, several years from now, when Steve has a new job, and you're settled in your finances somewhat, you'll be able to do something similar for a young family that you know. You'll have the chance to 'pay it forward'.