Charity Challenge 2021

[DanOregon]

The Haitian Project - $50
Native American Youth - $50

Hello Daniel,

Thank you for your gift of $50.00 to the NAYA Family Center. Your gift will impact more than 10,000 individuals through our suite of wraparound services from pre-natal care to elder support, that are Youth Centered, Family Driven and Elder Guided. We are grateful for your generosity in making a difference in our community.


Your gift details:
Amount: $50.00
Payment Method: Visa Credit card ending in 4982
Date: 12/14/2021
Designation: General Donation

Please select one: Read about you in a news article

Donation Details:
Organization: The Haitian Project, Inc.
Campaign: Online Giving
Donor Name: Daniel Oregon
Amount: $52.07
Donation Interval: One-time
Receipt #: 18260757
Donated At: 12/14/21 08:15:54 EST

 

[Songbird]

Over the last several months in Long Beach, I spent a healthy amount of time walking great distances while befriending homeless folks and helping them as much as possible. I bought them food, meals, clothes, booze, cigarettes, hygiene supplies, and gave them cash. I'd say I spent between $500 and $1,000. If you were going to do a match, I think a fair amount would be $250. When I get back from France, I plan to volunteer at the Midnight Mission on Skid Row in L.A.

This is the Midnight Mission's wish list: https://p.flowcode.com/FXhfrL4q?fc=0

Or you can donate straight to the Midnight Mission: Support Our Cause | Help Those In Need | Donate | Midnight Mission

These were the men and women I passed almost every day in Long Beach.

MARA (She was beaten to a pulp a few days earlier. What I find amazing -- fascinating and uplifting -- is the toothbrush behind her, with toothpaste on it ... because life still mattered to her.)

RUDY (I spent alotta time with Rudy Robertson, who's from Tennessee. Bought him these shoes)

SAL (Spent a lot of time with him too and bought him a lot of pizzas)

ISAIAH (I spent probably $200 on Isaiah. On this day he asked for socks and McDonald's)

JUDY (Another regular. On this day she asked passersby for money and they gave her change. I gave her 5 bucks.)

LEO (As I approached him on this day I thought he was dead. Woke him up and we chatted. His boyfriend quit drugs. He couldn't.)

JOE ALI (Only saw him this one time. Said he could work as a mechanic if someone would just give him a chance.)

JESSIE (Sweet guy who stood on this corner every day and saw and heard everything)

I never got her name but she was starving and tore into the Cambodian food I ate for lunch 30 minutes earlier.

 

[dixiehack]

Last night's offering at church went to what was formerly known as the state United Methodist Children's Home. They continue to fill that role, but now also provide additional services such as support for college for kids who have otherwise aged out of the system and congregate living for teen moms who want to learn how to parent better than the example they grew up with.

Embrace Alabama Kids – Homes, Healing and Hope for Vulnerable Children and Families in Crisis

I did not think to snap a picture of the check but if you are willing to take my word, I'd be honored to have you match my $50. And if you prefer to give to a secular charity doing similar work I understand.

 

[Vombatus]

Azrael,

This is non-monetary, but if you'd like to match my efforts on this:

I donated platelets today to the Red Cross. 5th time this year (down from trying to avoid the virus).

They pull three units from me on each trip.

If you'd like to also donate, let me know. If you are here in the Maryland area, I can point you in the right direction.

Merry Christmas and thanks for your charitable efforts.

 

[DanOregon]

I'd second that - donated a pint last week. The need is real. Also - you all are champs for donating and matching donations. Thank you.

 

[Azrael]

Happy to match platelet for platelet.

I'll get up there in the New Year, once our current surge has passed.

Thanks, my friends.

 

[dixiehack]

Curious where the final total ended up.

 

[Azrael]

Year-end results TK.

Thanks, everyone!

 

[Azrael]

OK. Just did this year's final tally.

I owe 8 hours of in-person service and some platelets. All of which I'll do once Omicron passes through town on its way out to sea, where it will persist forever in the poorly maintained air conditioning system of a discount cruise ship.

In the meantime - thanks to you and to our modest @doctorquant - we gave and matched more than $4500 for charities from Georgia to California to Colorado to New York.

You helped a lot of kids. A lot.

Well done, everybody.

Thank you. I send you the love of this household.

 

[MileHigh]

Well done all. And thank you.

 

[Songbird]

That's a lot of money from our little corner of the Internet. Thanks for doing this i.e. matching and for posters who donated to make $4,500 possible.

 

[Azrael]

Just catching up here.

I prefer to donate time rather than money. If I provide proof, would you volunteer at a nonprofit as well?

Still need to do my platelets, but I discharged 20 hours of volunteer time last weekend. We were doing renovations upstate on a facility that's begun taking in Ukrainian refugees.

And we have one staying in our home.

Platelets soonest. Promise.

Thanks again everyone!