Pay It Forward

[moi]

Good point DQ guy.

I think people do remember those moments, I know I do as I've been on the recipient side also. It's a nice reminder to know that our society hasn't all went to hell and there are people out there that still care.

With the homeless people, I used to give money to homeless people and then like everyone else here, have had a bad experience and wrote them off till I read a homeless research paper. Basically, it said that 50% of the "homeless" aren't really homeless...they just don't want to work etc. However, there is 15% group that are "permanent" homeless who have mental conditions like schizo, paranoia etc and will never be able to adapt to everyday life. I feel terrible for these people as they don't have a choice. So I donate time and money now to those homeless organizations.

As much as we all think we are secure, we're all a few paychecks away especially if the economy tanks like it has in the US.

I used to donate to (mind blanks) that agency which feeds children in 3rd world countries but since I paid for my own university fees this semester I have lowered my expenses.

I think the unemployment has almost no excuse in Alberta but in other parts such as Vancouver, Toronto it is quite hard to find employment.

 

[Guardian Angel]

I used to donate to (mind blanks) that agency QUOTE]

Hi Moi

I think yu mean World Vision. Good on you. Hope you do it again when you finish school.
You reminded me that I have a foster child in the Fillipines (spelling - I can never get this one right) and have sent presents and donations to the family for almost 10 years now.

G.A.

 

[seannachie]

Every year I take my truck to the putin where we do a lot of day tripping in the canoes. A full half ton load of garbage is collected and taken to the landfill. It's kind of weird...it's been the same amount of garbage for the last five years! You wouldn't believe some of the stuff folks throw away into the water and the bush. I've found radios stolen from Corrections officers, batteries, tires with good rims, antique furniture, expensive picture frames, etc. [Makes me wonder why people bring this stuff to this site...they have to drive past a garbage dump to get there]. Anything salvageable that we find gets brought to the local thrift store. I figure I'm going straight to heaven.

 

[chubbyguy]

Nice thread DQ

I try and do little things as well. Once went to get gas and only had $40 with me. The guy at the pump behind me was in uniform. He was just a younger guy and had a woman and baby in the car. Something just told me to help out. I already had $20 in the tank but just stopped there and gave the other $20 to the attendant and asked him to apply it to the guys purchase.
I was in a casino once and a blind (not completely but enough to have difficulty seeing) lady had just left a machine (that I like to play). She was in the bonus round and did not know it and still had credits in the machine. I went and got her and brought her back to it and explained what was happening. She ended up with $52 once the bonus was done. I helped her cash out and she went on her way. She offered me money but I said no (I did let her buy me a pop).
Another time (hmmm, in a casino again) an older lady in a wheel chair (not motorized) was try to wheel herself with one hand. She was just at the entrance iside the casino. I went up and asked if I could give her a hand. She said yes please. I took her around until she saw what she wanted and got her settled in (moved stools out of the way). She turned to thank me and was a little surprised. She had thought I was one of the workers. I walked back towards the poker room and the security guy comes and asks if I was with the lady. I said no and he just said thanks, he was busy dealing with a drunk jerk who had put him in a bad mood but that I perked him up again.
DQ guy, kudo's to you for the things you do but I really like the burger thing you do. As someone else also mentioned, we are never far away from bad times ourselves. There will always be people that do not appreciate the gift of food (like a couple here have experienced) but please dont stop the good deeds as so many others really appreciate it.
I am not well off, have bills etc but am lucky enough to have a roof over my head and a few extra dollars I can spend on pooning or whatever. If I dip into that once in awhile, no big deal (just last week a lady was short $14 at the till at safeway and was going to put stuff back and again, something told me to help out, so I did. I will also buy coffee for someone behind me at the drive through next time as well. Whether it is good deeds (buying/paying for something or just assistance) keep it up everyone, it gives us hope. Reading this post has made my day, thank you all.

 

[DominaPandora]

I have a special place in my heart for the mentally / physically disabled. I help raise awareness and change laws affecting handicapped people, I played a small part in the school changes locally.

Every Christmas, I buy 2 of the coolest toys that year and bring them to a local charity that gives hampers to families in need. And when I go out, I always smoke out back by the heaters as it gets cold. That's usually where the homeless warm up. I give them anything I can spare and simply chat with them, giving them someone respectful and non-judgemental to talk to about whatever they want. You'd be surprised how much that can mean.

These are my 2 personal causes.

 

[Mikey]

They were RCE , Royal Canadian Engineers or RCEME , Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers. If their badges had a horse and a lighting bolt, they were RCEME. kudo to you for your kindness. I know they will tell of it many times in the mess hall. Arte Et Marte

The badge looked like a wagon wheel sort of thing. or maybe it was a gear? i'm not totally sure to be honest. I had never seen it before and that's why i asked them about it.

 

[mick_eight]

The badge looked like a wagon wheel sort of thing. or maybe it was a gear? i'm not totally sure to be honest. I had never seen it before and that's why i asked them about it.

That was RCE , thanks again for your kindness.

 

[DQ Guy]

I hopped on the bus yesterday, I usually drive but today was different.
My goal was to pay for every second rider. Not much I know but its the little
things that count right.
ended up riding for 4hrs on 2 different busses, aside from forking out a fare bit
of change, I got to meet some of the most interesting people. One bus was the downtown. Lots of nice university girls on that one
One ladie even found me later on and brought me a coffee.. that was nice of her.
so there yeah go, even a small bit of change can make someones day

 

[gumbyman6900]

Finally, I am able to post instead of just read.

I do a LOT of volunteer Live Theatre work. A couple years ago, one of my theatre companies put on My Fair Lady out in the Park. on 3 separate nights of the show, I got there way early for my crew call time and bought 2 pairs of tickets each night.

I then went to Sherwood Park mall asked random people if they enjoyed live theatre and had any plans for the evening. If they said yes to theatre and no to having plans, I gave them the tickets and wished them a Merry Christmas. Knowing what seats I purchased, since I damn near live there some shows, I looked out after the show started. Every night except 1, all 4 seats were occupied by the people I gave the tickets to.

Being a theatre geek as I am, it was certainly a rewarding thing for me to share the show with people who may have not have a chance to see it otherwise.

 

[mrbjt]

Well does haveing a young boy of 15 living with you and your family for the last six months who got kicked out of his parents place cause he wanted to go to school all the time instead of working a full time job count as a good deed. He is a very good kid i meet him with him asking if I could buy him some food at safeway on day and now I have custody of him..... and I am only in my late 20.

 

[HB40]

Well does haveing a young boy of 15 living with you and your family for the last six months who got kicked out of his parents place cause he wanted to go to school all the time instead of working a full time job count as a good deed. He is a very good kid i meet him with him asking if I could buy him some food at safeway on day and now I have custody of him..... and I am only in my late 20.

That sure does, what a wonderful thing you are doing. I have loaned out alot of money to young people starting out and never expect it repaid. I had a young man from Ontario stay at my house for a while, he had no money but he was responsible, hard working and ambitious. 15 years later he's a millionaire with his own company. Sometimes folks just need a little help.

 

[mrbjt]

I figure you know what, ya I may be very well off and never even finished high school but that is very very rare now a days. So he helps me out with my work, (I work in the computer industry) and this kid is smart he hows a lot about what I do and when he is done high school my company ( me and my partner) have told him we will pay for his university as a scholar ship. But he has to keep his marks above 80% min lol, and you would never guess he holds an 91% average so I'm not to worried. And my 2 daughter love him.

That sure does, what a wonderful thing you are doing. I have loaned out alot of money to young people starting out and never expect it repaid. I had a young man from Ontario stay at my house for a while, he had no money but he was responsible, hard working and ambitious. 15 years later he's a millionaire with his own company. Sometimes folks just need a little help.

 

[DQ Guy]

So the other day I was waiting in the Drive thru
at starbucks. I happened to notice the car in front had a few
gals looking back at me from time to time..
and wouldn't you know it, they bought my order for me. now how nice is that.
In return I had to buy for the car behind me as well.
I can only hope that they in turn passed it along.

now with the christmas season apon us, I have decided to adopt a family or 2.
where you go out and buy a few small gifts and the makings for x-mas dinner, to drop off for them. this year I have 3 familys I'm helping out, and the kids love it too.
Maybe I should dress up as santa as well, I'm not sure yet.

 

[HB40]

now with the christmas season apon us, I have decided to adopt a family or 2.
where you go out and buy a few small gifts and the makings for x-mas dinner, to drop off for them. this year I have 3 familys I'm helping out, and the kids love it too.
Maybe I should dress up as santa as well, I'm not sure yet.

That's awesome, how do I get invoved with that, who is organizing?

What would really surprise the kids is if you could get a copy of their wish list from mom or dad, come dressed as Santa with the list and gift them with something on the list.

My family has a large Christmas dinner every year where we use a church basement, it's not far from the Mustard Seed place. Last year we invited the homeless that were passing by in to share a meal with us and even had a gift for them, I always bring extras. My nasty cousins wanted to call the cops to chase them away but I was having none of that....they don't like me much because I re-gift their crap back every year lol.

The thought is nice but is not what counts.

 

[DQ Guy]

Check out the salvation Army for info..

http://ab.salvationarmy.ca/

or read up here

http://www.christmascarnivals.com/christmas-family/adopt-a-family-for-christmas.html

I think Its the best thing I'll do all year. even better then saving the kids cat from a tree

 

[HB40]

Thanks DQ, I'll check them out.

 

[DQ Guy]

So I was out shopping the other day, on Friday no less.
I have to say the mall was rather quiet for a friday night..
Managed to pick up a few toys to bring down to legends for the toy drive.
seems everyone is doing something this year. sure is noce to see so many people
who give a damn .
should be a great season for a lot of needy people

 

[sales]

I was watching the news yesterday and somewhere in the States a Starbucks had 53 people in a row buy the person behind them in the drive thru their drinks.