Posted: 12/11/2011 6:05:49 PM EDT
Times are tough for sure. I am looking for something that I can do to help out the less fortunate this year. I've seen several articles about paying off someones layaway, with the only requirement that the clerk verify toys are in it. I'm not a big "soup kitchen" volunteer, but would not rule this out. Also, dating a big woman for CHRISTMAS because you feel bad for her isnt a good deed, right?
Gimme some ideas or post what you are going to do this CHRISTMAS to help someone |
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You could give away gun stuff....
...everyone loves the guy who gives away gun stuff. You could upgrade someone's membership, that seems to be a trend around here. Oh you mean the less-less fortunate? Hunt and donate the meat to one of those charities that processes and feeds to the needy. |
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You could...
Pay someones check at a restaurant for them. Give some homeless people a gift card for food. Pay for someones range time (flat rate places only, or first hour) Volunteer a day at a thrift shop or goodwill. (not only are you helping out a lot of people, but you get first dibs on stuff before you put it on the floor). Pay for a homeless person to have a day at a local gym (day pass). Give him a disposable razor, shaving cream, cheap bathing suit, and let him/her get a hot shower, a shave, and relax in a hot tub. Visit anyone at a retirement home. My church group and I have done this during halloween and Christmas before. Many people in the retirement homes have no family locally. It is a blessing for them to sit down and talk to someone for a couple of hours. It is a lot of fun, and you hear some great stories. Try to find a couple of old war vets and shoot the shit. |
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Toys for Tots is apparently facing high demand this year and having a difficult time meeting it, I'm dropping some stuff off in the bins at work tomorrow. Also have some stuff to take to the dojo, one of our black belts organizes gifts for residents of several nursing homes. |
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I have some friends that are teachers at elementary schools, Kids always need coats. Call a school in your area and ask if they have any kids in need. Jackets and beanies and gloves are always needed.
A very kind member in this forum donated a bunch of jackets to an elementary school in gwinnett last year. These kids were wearing zippered hoodies or less while waiting for the bus in 30 degree weather. They are still wearing these jackets and my friend gets choked up everytime she sees one of those kids walking into the school in their warm coat. |
| Well, the family and I are planning on taking some baked goods over to the two local fire stations for the fire fighters. Want to try to teach my two young boys that giving something and not expecting something in return is ok. Trying to show thanks for the local heros. |
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Find a .mil family with someone deployed and offer to help them in some way. Rake the leaves, clean the gutters, surprise them with dinner, etc. Don't just ask them what you can do for them b/c they will likely say they are fine but go with some suggestions of what you'd like to do for them.
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I've volunteered for Toys for Tots as a sorter/picker at their warehouse locations a couple of times. That gave me a pretty good feeling.
I had an idea this year that I haven't followed up on, yet, but I think it would be good one, and that is to "sponsor" a family through one of the many battered womens' shelters. People sometimes forget about the "other" victims of domestic violence- the kids. A buck goes a long way, as well- there are some great charities in Georgia to donate to. This year, the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation got my "big" donation. They provide an entire Christmas- toys for the kids, dinner, gift cards, and more- to dozens of Guardsmen who have fallen on hard times and could not provide Christmas for their families. The Patriot Guard also does some great work with their Heroes on the Homefront programs. Last year, I asked them to sponsor one of my Soldiers who happened to lose her home in a fire a month prior to Christmas. They showed up to her apartment a week later with new furniture, Christmas gifts for her kids, gift cards for food and neccessities, and so on. That came out of their pockets. Throwing them a donation is a great idea. |
| Thanks for the good ideas guys. I think I have come up with a plan. I have a specific family that I have encountered here at work on a fairly frequent basis. Mother and kids are good, dad is a total dirtbag. I know they normally have very little. I'm going to pay their gas and electric bill for this month and get a small gift card for the mother to take the kids out for a decent dinner. Not saving the world, but still doing something ok. Thanks for all of the input. |
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Thats a real nice thing to do for a family anytime, but I'm sure it'll be extra special during the holidays.
Just wondering, is the dad a dirtbag in the sense he gets physical with her? Don't take this the wrong way, and let me know if I'm off base here, but any chance the dad feels threatened or any such BS over something like that and takes it out on her/the kids cause someone else does something nice for her for once? Not to detract from your plan, its more than I've done for anyone lately to be sure, its just what popped in my head, so please don't take it as criticism. |
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Quoted:
Thats a real nice thing to do for a family anytime, but I'm sure it'll be extra special during the holidays. Just wondering, is the dad a dirtbag in the sense he gets physical with her? Don't take this the wrong way, and let me know if I'm off base here, but any chance the dad feels threatened or any such BS over something like that and takes it out on her/the kids cause someone else does something nice for her for once? Not to detract from your plan, its more than I've done for anyone lately to be sure, its just what popped in my head, so please don't take it as criticism. Nah...I know the dad well. Hes a well known thief and nickle and dime doper. I've never known him to be anything other than that. He and I have an extensive "professional" relationship, I've provided him room and board several times. I dont think he would ever hurt anyone other than himself honestly. Thats a good point thought, never even crossed my mind. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Thats a real nice thing to do for a family anytime, but I'm sure it'll be extra special during the holidays. Just wondering, is the dad a dirtbag in the sense he gets physical with her? Don't take this the wrong way, and let me know if I'm off base here, but any chance the dad feels threatened or any such BS over something like that and takes it out on her/the kids cause someone else does something nice for her for once? Not to detract from your plan, its more than I've done for anyone lately to be sure, its just what popped in my head, so please don't take it as criticism. Nah...I know the dad well. Hes a well known thief and nickle and dime doper. I've never known him to be anything other than that. He and I have an extensive "prefessional" relationship, I've provided him room and board several times. I dont think he would ever hurt anyone other than himself honestly. Thats a good point thought, never even crossed my mind. ok, cool then. like I said, not to detract from the idea, thats a wonderful thing to do for someone over the holidays and makes me want to do more myself. just putting it out there. |
| Pay the bills anonymously...contact the utilities and tell them what you want to do. I'm sure they could arrange it. When I was going through my divorce and money was a battle someone did this for me with my power and water bills. I have an idea who but they've never fessed up but it meant the world to me. It was just the right blessing at just the right time. |
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We have made a tradition of doing this Clark Howard thing but you missed it. You go to walmart, The radio folks are there with hundreds of wish lists from children, and you pick up a few items for each kid. You missed it this year, but if you have kids, its a fun way to do it.
http://www.clarkhoward.com/topics/christmas_kids/ |
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Quoted:
We have made a tradition of doing this Clark Howard thing but you missed it. You go to walmart, The radio folks are there with hundreds of wish lists from children, and you pick up a few items for each kid. You missed it this year, but if you have kids, its a fun way to do it. http://www.clarkhoward.com/topics/christmas_kids/ Actually, there is still work to be done; you can volunteer to be a "Santa" and deliver the toys. They need help, specifically, with the more rural counties. There is a guy in south GA that shows up to their warehouse with a tractor-trailer and delivers for three entire counties. |
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Another possibility: I hope you are enjoying the Holiday Season so far. Tim Racher has talked to the good people at Chick-Fil-A (located across from Sprayberry High School on the corner of Sandy Plains and East Piedmont) and they have graciously agreed to have a night to benefit Danny and his family. As you know, Danny is the father of one of our softball players here at Sprayberry. The event will be next Tuesday on 12/20 from 5-8pm. All you have to do is drop your receipt in boxes that will be set up at the front counter and a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the family. Please stop by and share this with everyone you know that may want to help this family during the Holiday Season. Thanks for all that you guys do and have a Happy Holiday Season. Coach Robertson Danny Irizarry is a 33 year old father of 4, with braincancer, stage 4 Glioma astrocytoma. Danny is a dedicated father and husband and has served as a mentor for many children from T-ball to high school. Danny is a baseball coach of a Sandy plains 14u travel team. His friends & community are trying to help Danny and his family during the holiday season. Most of the family’s funds are going toward medical expenses. Your support and help can make a difference in a neighbor’s life! Danny is currently being treated at the Burzynski clinic in Houston, Texas. If you are willing to help please contact Donny Robertson. 706-639-7556 or [email protected] There is an account set up at Suntrust Bank. The name is Irizarry Support Fund. |