RichCI Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 These poor economic conditions are hitting everyone pretty hard but some folks are worse off than others and must rely on charity. The number of those people has increased quite a bit over the past several months which has strained organizations that already had a hard time providing services to those who need it - and that is compounded by fewer donations being made as everyone is struggling more. Thanksgiving is next week and, before you know it, the whole holiday season will be upon us. If you can, consider donating your time, some money or food or clothing to a charity who can use it to help make someone else's holiday a little brighter. If you'd like to help, here are some links but there are many other organizations who can use your help as well. Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (Google for a soup kitchen in your area) http://www.trentonsoupkitchen.org Marine Toys for Tots Foundation http://www.toysfortots.org Salvation Army http://www.salvationarmy.org Shriners Hospitals for Children http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/
AXE® Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 It would be nice if the mods could make this a sticky, through the holidays.
Space Pup Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 I've been donating to Toys For Tots for years. I once worked with a guy that grew up poor and the presents from Toys for Tots were the only ones he would get. Usualy it would only be one or two presents and they ment the world to him. He still has a football he got when he was seven. This year I'm going to try and give a little more.
RichCI Posted November 20, 2008 Author Posted November 20, 2008 That's great, Space Pup; Toys for Tots in an awesome program! No kid should have to miss out on the thrill of a new toy during the holidays; everyone loves the holiday season but it's really the most exciting for the kids.
AXE® Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 We have a toys run every year for the kiddos. One year we picked a deserving kid, and all rode to his house unannounced with the gifts. Scared the crap out of the little bugger at first.
L5Larry Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 In my neck of the woods this is the week for the Boy Scouts of America's "Scouting For Food" drive. Last Saturday they put a plastic grocery type bag on your doorknob or mailbox, and this Saturday they come back and pick it up. They certainally couldn't make it any more convenient. Instead of just cleaning out the pantry, my wife actually goes to the store and shops for the stuff to donate. Check with your local Boy Scouts, I'm sure there is a similar program in most areas of the U.S. The motorcycle club I belong to (well I actually founded the club 22 years ago), does a really neat Christmas ride. We collect any donations we can get our hands on (cash, toys, booze, gift certificates, whatever), we keep the toys, raffle off everything not suitable for kids, and take the cash on a major Wal-Mart toy buying spree. Then about a hundred Harley riders deliver it to the St. Vincents Children's Home, led buy Santa himself ( I bet you didn't know Santa rode a Harley). They have the kids outside to welcome us, and the looks on their faces is something else, kind of gives you that warm fuzzy feeling. Besides the toys, the kids get to check out the Harleys, I'm not sure which they enjoy more. Due to the current economic conditions in the U.S., the big "corporate" donations to ALL charities and fundraising organizations are WAY down. Most of these type organizations get the majority of their operating budget from large corporate gifts. This not only includes those that help the not so fortunate with day to day stuff, but also those that fund educational grants and schollarships, museums, zoos, parks, and the arts (which includes music).
retrosurfer1959 Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 Yep it's gonna be a rough year my work does families every year and the charity that runs it said requests are up 300% this year. The need was high enough they limited the gifts to the kids and young adult only and there still having more requests than they can fill. We took five families so far with kids and will probably end up with a few more. Last year we had two families cause the charity ran out of applicants before the holidays, kinda tells the story of the last year. On the good side one of the kids was 11 and doesn't want anything but a guitar of ANY KIND - ANY KIND OF GUITAR (how he wrote it) so there we go, I'll enjoy gettin that for him almost as much as he will :-s/
AXE® Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 On the good side one of the kids was 11 and doesn't want anything but a guitar of ANY KIND - ANY KIND OF GUITAR (how he wrote it) so there we go' date=' I'll enjoy gettin that for him almost as much as he will :-s/ [/quote']That" my brother, just made my day. Hats off to you mate...
RichCI Posted November 20, 2008 Author Posted November 20, 2008 You guys rock! Keep up the good work! =)
Flight959 Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 It would be nice if the mods could make this a sticky' date=' through the holidays.[/quote'] +1000000 Flight959 What a great thred!
xchrisbobisx Posted November 20, 2008 Posted November 20, 2008 we should all raise money to donate a squier or les paul jr. to a poor aspiring august rush kind of kid!
RudyH Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 Our charity is steady year-round, and we don't give extra at the holidays.
FallenRoses Posted November 30, 2008 Posted November 30, 2008 Well, my family just went to the mall and we are getting a kid a guitar and CD player! I'm so excited to share the beauty of music with another soul. This is a wonderful feeling!
Space Pup Posted December 1, 2008 Posted December 1, 2008 Fantastic! I got my first guitar for Christmas too. Hope the kid enjoys it as much as I did.
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