When's the last time you did something to make a difference with no personal benefit?

[footstepsfrom#27]

Question to anyone and everyone on this board...something we ought to be able to talk about without fighting...

Posting opinions and info about politics, religion, war...etc...it's all well and good, and sometiimes it might make people think, but if the truth were told, very little of what goes on in here makes any real difference. People have their opinions and they're probably not going to change based on what you or I say.

So that's why I'm asking this question...

When's the last time you did something nice for somebody and expected nothing in return...something that made a difference in some small way. I don't want to hear stories about grandiose involvement on national projects or political causes, etc...I'm talking about something PERSONAL you did to make a difference for someone else with no payoff for you. I'll tell you mine...it's pretty cool how it worked out. This is no big deal and I'm not asking for any pats on the back...but it just got me thinking...so I thought I'd relay this story...

A couple of weeks ago I was headed into a grocery store and overheard a conversation this couple behind me was having in the parking lot. They were fighting over something and I heard one of them say, "Now we're evicted". That's all I caught...but clearly they were really upset. A while later I spotted them in the produce aisle and they looked like they'd lost their last friend. So I figured what the heck...and I go up to this dude and introduce myself out of the blue and asked if they were OK, and he tells me they just got evicted from their appartments and had nowhere to go. I asked a few questions, and found out they had some disfunctional type family south of here about an hour and their 10 year old son was staying there, and they could stay the weekend there but not beyond that...plus they had no gas to get there. So I gave 'em a $20 for gas and my cell number and said if I could do anything I would. Keep in mind they didn't approach me...I approached them...so I knew they weren't scammin' or something.

I did some checking...found out the apartment complex evicted them wrongfully...they've done this to several other people as well in other properties they manage it looks like. So I made a few phone calls to people they told me had similair stories, got 'em together to ask some questions...and drafted a statement on letterhead...words to the effect that my firm was undertakling negotiations on their behalf including lining up legal council...etc...basically a threat to sue...we'll see what happens...who knows.

Back to the story...

Long story short...a lot of people fall through the cracks...here in Tarrant County the Human Services won't assist anyone who made any money in the last 30 days...so obviously you have to be living under a bridge before they'll help, and none of the agencies had any funds for rent. Anyway...what was I gonne do? I wound up kicking in another $100, and got 2 friends to also kick in $100 when I told them, and we made a few phone calls to get 3 churches in the area to help out also...and we managed to get them into a new appartment complex...nothing fancy, but a roof over their heads and their kid back home again, plus some food and gas... The guy...Corey is his name...got a new job and gets paid Friday so they're fine from then on. It turns out later...the wife told me this...her husband was talking about killing himself right before I showed up with the $20 for gas...which I didn't know. She said he busted down in tears after I left, and that this little chance meeting...in her words..."gave us hope again".

Wow...how can you buy something like that for a measley $100? You can't. I'd probably have wasted it in Bennigans. Moral of the story...you never know what one small action will do to make a difference...you never really know...so why not take a shot now and then?

Back to the question...When's the last time you did something for somebody to make a difference with no return payoff for you? Post your stories if you have 'em.

[ClevelandBronco]

Here's my best:

I was on my way to the grocery store a few years back. I was driving a car I wanted to sell for a week or two.

I saw a couple walking down the road on a Sunday morning. I pulled over and offered them a ride, but they said they were used to walking that route to and from their church since they couldn't afford a car.

Long story short: I gave them the car.

Over the years it's meant more to me than it ever could have meant to them.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Here's my best:

I was on my way to the grocery store a few years back. I was driving a car I wanted to sell for a week or two.

I saw a couple walking down the road on a Sunday morning. I pulled over and offered them a ride, but they said they were used to walking that route to and from their church since they couldn't afford a car.

Long story short: I gave them the car.

Over the years it's meant more to me than it ever could have meant to them.
Yup...I'm sure it did. Cool way to help out.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I wont boast, but Ive been involved in inner city social work for years now, 99% of the time as a volunteer.

There are some little things that I like to do. If I happen upon someone enduring the heat outside (last time it was a guy holding a sign for a liquidation sale on a street corner, the time before that it was a grocery store cart collector) I will buy them a cold drink and bring it to them.

There was a really funny one that I experienced awhile back. I stopped on the highway to check on the people in a broken down jalopy on the shoulder. It was two elderly black people and their 6 grandchildren (that they raised). I stopped and approached the car. As I got closer, I could see the elderly man and woman in the front seats cowering down in their seats in fear of me. I knocked on the window and asked if they were alright. I talked to them quite a bit and looked at the car before they warmed up to me a little.

I ended up towing their car until it started to damage my bumper, at which point I told them that they would need to get into my vehicle so that I could take them home. They finally said yes after some reassurance that I wouldnt bite, and away I went with 5 chlidren and grandma crammed into the cab with me (two seats), and grandpa with the oldest child in the truck bed.

Grandma told me that they were afraid of me because I was white, but after all that we'd just been through together (probably an hours worth of problem solving at that point), she knew I was from the Lord. Sent to help them home safely with their grandkids. :) About 15 miles later, we reached their humble home and parted ways with smiles.

Not knowing what I was getting into beforehand, I look back with thanks for the opportunity to help chip away, even a little bit, at what undoubtedly was the fear that had been ingrained in the grandparents by the white men of their youth. I was blessed with the experience of helping to heal (even a tiny bit) the generation of bigotry that they experienced.

Anyway..Ive got plenty of other ones, but none as cool as ClevelandBronco's or Footsteps' stories.

[watermock]

Posturing isn't the work of the Lord.

I have done many kind deeds, but I'm not going to prostitute them.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

I wont boast, but Ive been involved in inner city social work for years now, 99% of the time as a volunteer.


Well, I think you might have just discovered the only thing you and I will ever have in common (aside from being Broncos fans, that is.) :D

From 1982 to 1995, I volunteered (anywhere from 5 to 15 hours per week) at the following:

A suicide/crisis intervention hotline.

Five different drug and alcohol treatment centers (most of which were non-profits in economically disadvantaged urban areas) for adolescents and adults.

A shelter for homeless, runaway, and throwaway kids.

Two different residential treatment programs for severely abused/emotionally disturbed children.

A group home for developmentally disabled adults.

[Spider]

without naming names .... I have bought Household appliences , for people , Clothing , food , even shelter .........
but then i have also recieved help along the way in some form or another .......

[footstepsfrom#27]

without naming names .... I have bought Household appliences , for people , Clothing , food , even shelter .........
but then i have also recieved help along the way in some form or another .......
Yup...it comes back to you. Check this out...

When I was in college one year I drove home from Tennessee to Denver during Christmas break and broke down on I-24 near Cadiz Kentucky with a busted radiator. The county Sherif took me, my sister and a friend in and put us up for two days in his house while they waited on the parts for the car to come in. His wife fixed us fried chicken and homemade apple pie and they treated us like royalty.

Three years later believe it or not, I broke down again going back the other direction with a friend in almost the exact same spot...maybe 10 miles from there. He had a blowout and for some reason didn't have air in the spare. I was with my girlfriend and him, so I left him with the car and thumbed a ride from a couple of Vanderbilt students into Paducah to find help. While I was gone, a busload of senior citizens from a church stopped there and the bus driver gave him some fix-a-flat and $90... they took up a collection for the poor dumb college students who I guess they felt sorry for because we were to stupid to have a working spare. So he shows up at the truck stop where I was, and I'd already called the state police to come give us a hand. A KY state trooper showed up, put the three of us in his patrol car and drove through all these little backroads for what seemed like forever till he got to his house. The guy goes into a shed and comes back with 3 new tires...they were used but much better than what we had on the car...same size and everything...and he gives 'em to us. So we wound up with $90 and 3 new tires out of the deal. It left me with a really good impression of the people in Kentucky.

[Spider]

Yup...it comes back to you. Check this out...

When I was in college one year I drove home from Tennessee to Denver during Christmas break and broke down on I-24 near Cadiz Kentucky with a busted radiator. The county Sherif took me, my sister and a friend in and put us up for two days in his house while they waited on the parts for the car to come in. His wife fixed us fried chicken and homemade apple pie and they treated us like royalty.

Three years later believe it or not, I broke down again going back the other direction with a friend in almost the exact same spot...maybe 10 miles from there. He had a blowout and for some reason didn't have air in the spare. I was with my girlfriend and him, so I left him with the car and thumbed a ride from a couple of Vanderbilt students into Paducah to find help. While I was gone, a busload of senior citizens from a church stopped there and the bus driver gave him some fix-a-flat and $90... they took up a collection for the poor dumb college students who I guess they felt sorry for because we were to stupid to have a working spare. So he shows up at the truck stop where I was, and I'd already called the state police to come give us a hand. A KY state trooper showed up, put the three of us in his patrol car and drove through all these little backroads for what seemed like forever till he got to his house. The guy goes into a shed and comes back with 3 new tires...they were used but much better than what we had on the car...same size and everything...and he gives 'em to us. So we wound up with $90 and 3 new tires out of the deal. It left me with a really good impression of the people in Kentucky.

This is the reason why Terrorist will never win , we see fellow Americans in trouble alot of us stop to help , maybe not on the side of the road help , but they help in other ways .... I stop alot on the road to help , as I have been helped .......I got great stories about People all over this great nation ......

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

This is the reason why Terrorist will never win...

:thumbsup:

Whether the terrorists hiding in a cave in Pakistan or hiding at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

[cbs1177]

As a general rule I have always tried to help others very very discretly b/c I feel if the good Lord found it in his heart to bless me and my wild ways the least I can do is help others. It does seem though the more you give the more that He blesses you with. Crazy idea really. I have volunteer at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock, AR which is a camp that each week host a different disablility. Such as Oral hearing impaired week, cancer week, and any other child impairments that are thought of. One it allows them to be like real children surround around those that are just like them invovle in summer activites like "normal children". I dont' want to beat my own drum but I think every one helps those that are in need. When I am down on my luck I seem to always make it thru and I tried to help others like wise

[cbs1177]

This is the reason why Terrorist will never win , we see fellow Americans in trouble alot of us stop to help , maybe not on the side of the road help , but they help in other ways .... I stop alot on the road to help , as I have been helped .......I got great stories about People all over this great nation ......

no they tend to blow themselves up for the name of a prevet god. When the great wave hit indonsia I think it was the western powers that helped that muslim country not Iran, Not Iraq, not any other OPEC nation but the American red cross, English and the Australians.

[Spider]

I am sure it would blow alot of you away to find Rednecks in the North east , Catskill cowboys they are called ;D but they are there , Blue Bloodsin the south , but they are there ........
everystate has somthing to offer , upstate New York ,Maine( my personal favorite , if i had to leave Wyoming , maine is the place to be ) all states inbetween during fall is a must see ......
Smokey mountians of Tenn , the back hills of Georgia , on through th Cali , the North west is a sight to be hold ......we live in a great country .......

[Spider]

no they tend to blow themselves up for the name of a prevet god. When the great wave hit indonsia I think it was the western powers that helped that muslim country not Iran, Not Iraq, not any other OPEC nation but the American red cross, English and the Australians.
the American spirit .......we do plenty of fighting amongest ourselfs , but when disaster hits , we put aside our differences , roll up our sleeves and hit the problem hard and get it done ...... 9-11 perfect example , Bush walked away with a 80% approval rating , if not for Iraq , I suspect Bush is low 60's high 70's , but the entire country stopped fighting amongest ourselves , and we tackled the problem , by giving blood , sending money , weeping for those that had fallen , we was united in our front against Afghanistan ..... and we will be again ....... we even helped Iran during a massive quake ....... But Iran is playing a dangerous game by toying with our resolve , all one has to do is see , we rip a country apart , we rebuild it also .... now that is compasionation ;D

[cbs1177]

the American spirit .......we do plenty of fighting amongest ourselfs , but when disaster hits , we put aside our differences , roll up our sleeves and hit the problem hard and get it done ...... 9-11 perfect example , Bush walked away with a 80% approval rating , if not for Iraq , I suspect Bush is low 60's high 70's , but the entire country stopped fighting amongest ourselves , and we tackled the problem , by giving blood , sending money , weeping for those that had fallen , we was united in our front against Afghanistan ..... and we will be again ....... we even helped Iran during a massive quake ....... But Iran is playing a dangerous game by toying with our resolve , all one has to do is see , we rip a country apart , we rebuild it also .... now that is compasionation ;D

I like to think of the marshall plan after wwII and helping Japan develop into the world's second largest economy. Berlin airlift (which the log still amaze me with out the use of computers). Of course I always like to think I live better the any monarch in the Middle Ages with central air and heat and clean running water. Our country club took up monies for the New Orleans CC. and our members match whatever we raised and after reading the letter I got tears in my eyes b/c They gave our monies just before Christmas to only the hardest hit and hourly employees. And they were heartfelt replies. On and on I think most of us lend a hand and not for tax purposes.

[Spider]

I like to think of the marshall plan after wwII and helping Japan develop into the world's second largest economy. Berlin airlift (which the log still amaze me with out the use of computers). Of course I always like to think I live better the any monarch in the Middle Ages with central air and heat and clean running water. Our country club took up monies for the New Orleans CC. and our members match whatever we raised and after reading the letter I got tears in my eyes b/c They gave our monies just before Christmas to only the hardest hit and hourly employees. And they were heartfelt replies. On and on I think most of us lend a hand and not for tax purposes.
we lend a hand cause it is the right thing to do .......

[BroncoBuff]

I have done many kind deeds, but I'm not going to prostitute them.
Why stop now?

[bendog]

Posturing isn't the work of the Lord.

I have done many kind deeds, but I'm not going to prostitute them.
Giving money to hookers is NOT a good deed!

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Giving money to hookers is NOT a good deed!

ROFL! ^5

[alkemical]

I always tried to help before - but this is when it changed for me.


I had always tried to help others, and not always as a benifit to me or to give me some moral authority. I was in scouts when younger, and somewhat poor growing up - i always tried to offer labor instead of money when i could.

Well, one day when i was amesj523 - i ended up homeless in seattle. I learned alot about myself and tons of other stuff.

Well when it came time for me to leave, some posters on the DPO forum sent me money (bendog is one of them) - to help get me home.

Well in order to leave - i had to get rid of 99% of everything i had ever owned and took with me to seattle......

I gave my boots (pretty new timberlands) to another homeless guy, gave all my clothes away i couldn't take wiht me - gave away my most precious collection of books (keeping some by i needed), and everything that else that i could to help someone else out.

After having been helped out and having given all of myself away - i realized that things weren't important to me.

So now i try to give what i can, and as stated above - it does get returned to you. (EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE=EVERY ACTION HAS AN OPPOSITE AND EQUAL REACTION - Clavicula's obersvation # 2353532)

So what have i done that has had the most effect on me personally?


Going to the battered womans shelter i stayed at when younger and teaching these women how to use a computer - to be familiar with it - so they can be proficient to find other work. Then i gave the "home" 5 brand new machines i built (ok, they were parted together - but good machines - not junk - 2ghz proc's 512mb ram, etc) this was about 2yrs ago.

This one woman came up to me and told me that she was going to take her skill and train people there to learn this - and so on and so on.

Seeing the ripple was the most beautiful thing i've ever seen.

I only did it because when i was hiding out with my mom - there wasn't anyone to do that for her. To give her that extra bit of training so when they get a job - they can succeed and not be 'lessened' any more than what has happened to them.

Dignity, not pride.

[footstepsfrom#27]

So what have i done that has had the most effect on me personally?

Going to the battered womans shelter i stayed at when younger and teaching these women how to use a computer - to be familiar with it - so they can be proficient to find other work. Then i gave the "home" 5 brand new machines i built (ok, they were parted together - but good machines - not junk - 2ghz proc's 512mb ram, etc) this was about 2yrs ago.

This one woman came up to me and told me that she was going to take her skill and train people there to learn this - and so on and so on.

Seeing the ripple was the most beautiful thing i've ever seen.

I only did it because when i was hiding out with my mom - there wasn't anyone to do that for her. To give her that extra bit of training so when they get a job - they can succeed and not be 'lessened' any more than what has happened to them.

Dignity, not pride.
If that cause interests you then check out this Denver based organization. They generate their own revenue through sales of food products and use it to house and train homeless women and those fleeing domestic violence to gain skills to go back into the work force.

http://www.womensbeanproject.com/

http://www.brainsparkmedia.com/BSMv1/images/logos/wbp.gifhttp://www.womensbeanproject.com/image_lib/ProductsPage6Soups.jpg

[alkemical]

If that cause interests you then check out this Denver based organization. They generate their own revenue through sales of food products and use it to house and train homeless women and those fleeing domestic violence to gain skills to go back into the work force.

http://www.womensbeanproject.com/

http://www.brainsparkmedia.com/BSMv1/images/logos/wbp.gifhttp://www.womensbeanproject.com/image_lib/ProductsPage6Soups.jpg


I will and thank you. (I do give a % of my salary to things i find worthy)

If it sounds weird though, i actually like to do things in person.

[alkemical]

Oh and i taught another homeless man how to roll cigs by hand.



The krisna's taught me this thing about enabling behaviour. If you give a homeless man who obviously drinks money, you know he will drink it away. Thus you are enabling that behaviour because you give him the tools to do so. Granted you can argue choice and will, but until you've been there - it's a tough thing to say. So instead of money, maybe a gift card to the grocery store or something. They can always sell it (you can sell foodstamps too, .50/dollar is a good rate) - or you can take him to the grocery store and buy items they need (some non perishible food, can opener, etc)-

But the krisna's got it right (and is mirrored in the bible too, so dont get twitchy with me) - when it comes to some of that stuff.

[Rohirrim]

Let’s see, my last good deed? Well, my neighbor bought a new Honda. Everyday he would brag about his great mileage. “I’m getting 35 mpg,” he would laugh. Or the next week, “I’m getting 37 mpg!” So, one night I snuck over to his house and poured an extra gallon of gas into his car. The next week he’s really spouting, “42! I’m getting 42 mpg! Can you believe it?” So, over time, I keep sneaking over there and adding gas until he’s just jumping up and down yelling, “50! 50! 50!”

Then, one day I notice his car’s not in the driveway. So I ask him what happened. He tells me it was some kind of recall for a suspension problem. A couple of days later, I notice his car is back. That night, I sneak over there and siphon out a gallon of gas. A couple of days later I see him out there. “So, how’s the mileage?” He looks all dejected.

“I’m only getting about 27 mpg,” he says. So, that night I take out some more gas. A couple of days later he’s really depressed. “Only 20 mpg,” he tells me.

So, I told him, “You know what probably happened? You had an experimental engine. You weren’t supposed to have one of those. So, when you took it in for the recall, they removed it and replaced it with a regular engine.”

The last I heard, he had been arrested in front of the Honda dealership and put in restraints. He went down there and went completely crazy, screaming, “Give me my engine back!” ;D

[alkemical]

lol

[bendog]

I changed the carboy on the office water cooler, even though I had filled my cup.

And, I didn't physically assault or shoot any co-worker today.

[Spider]

I changed the carboy on the office water cooler, even though I had filled my cup.

And, I didn't physically assault or shoot any co-worker today.
:spit: you are all heart

[alkemical]

Bendog actually helped get me off the street.

[sisterhellfyre]

When's the last time you did something nice for somebody and expected nothing in return...something that made a difference in some small way.

That would be telling, wouldn't it? ;-)

I do help folks out sometimes when and as I can, but I don't like to talk about it afterwards.

Regards,
m.

[Ascowgirl]

These were really cool stories. I work for a program that helps single moms become employable again. A lot of the stories that I read reminded me of the moms that I work with.

[Ascowgirl]

These were really cool stories. I work for a program that helps single moms become employable again. A lot of the stories that I read reminded me of the moms that I work with.

[footstepsfrom#27]

So, I told him, “You know what probably happened? You had an experimental engine. You weren’t supposed to have one of those. So, when you took it in for the recall, they removed it and replaced it with a regular engine.”

The last I heard, he had been arrested in front of the Honda dealership and put in restraints. He went down there and went completely crazy, screaming, “Give me my engine back!” ;D
LOL...only the joke's on you. Anxious to please the customer and avoid negative publicity, the dealership decided to give him one of these babies:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/marketsmag/honda.pdf#search=%22honda%20AND%20%22power%20of%20 green%22%22

[alkemical]

I found this article on disinfo.com, and they yanked it -

but i saw someone made a generator that ran on water or something - i wasn't able to remember the URL and the story has been yanked -

[BroncoBuff]

Let’s see, my last good deed? Well, my neighbor bought a new Honda. Everyday he would brag about his great mileage. “I’m getting 35 mpg,” he would laugh. Or the next week, “I’m getting 37 mpg!” So, one night I snuck over to his house and poured an extra gallon of gas into his car. The next week he’s really spouting, “42! I’m getting 42 mpg! Can you believe it?” So, over time, I keep sneaking over there and adding gas until he’s just jumping up and down yelling, “50! 50! 50!”

Then, one day I notice his car’s not in the driveway. So I ask him what happened. He tells me it was some kind of recall for a suspension problem. A couple of days later, I notice his car is back. That night, I sneak over there and siphon out a gallon of gas. A couple of days later I see him out there. “So, how’s the mileage?” He looks all dejected.

“I’m only getting about 27 mpg,” he says. So, that night I take out some more gas. A couple of days later he’s really depressed. “Only 20 mpg,” he tells me.

So, I told him, “You know what probably happened? You had an experimental engine. You weren’t supposed to have one of those. So, when you took it in for the recall, they removed it and replaced it with a regular engine.”

The last I heard, he had been arrested in front of the Honda dealership and put in restraints. He went down there and went completely crazy, screaming, “Give me my engine back!” ;D
ROFL!

That reminds me of a pretty cruel trick that happened around 1983. I was in a musical showgroup in Denver ("Rare Moment") ... the group had 11 members incl. four girls, and we drove around in a converted greyhound bus.

The bass player "Dee" was dating a singer/dancer named "Erin" who was really crazy about him. As winter was coming, she decided to knit him a sweater on during a 10-day trip to C-Springs, La Junta, Santa Fe and Albuquerque. She promised him she'd finish by the time we returned.

"Dee" could be a real bastage, no doubt .... during the trip, whenever she was sleeping/in the restaurant/whatever, he would sneak into her storage area and knitting bag, and unravel much of her progress . . . . He did this just often enough, and unravelled just enough, that she couldn't understand why it was taking so long. Eager to please - more than a few times on the trip I saw here feverishly knitting ... more feverishly as the trip progressed.

As we finally were headed back north returning to Denver, Dee and a cohort in on the joke really tore into her (albeit quasi-playfully), "I thought you said you'd be finished" ... "have you ever actually finished one of these before, Erin?"

Finally, as we're coming to our rendezvous - too many people were laughing and the joke was out. Erin actually cried.

[alkemical]

in someways that's kinda mean, i laughed but i felt dirty later... ;)

[SteveTensi13]

:thumbsup:

Whether the terrorists hiding in a cave in Pakistan or hiding at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

You are possibly the only person who can take a simple non-political thread and turn it upside down. Would it hurt to put politics aside for a minute?

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

You are possibly the only person who can take a simple non-political thread and turn it upside down. Would it hurt to put politics aside for a minute?

I'd say you were the only person who could take such a simple statement out of its context, but that would be a lie: There are plenty of other neocon nitwits just like you who make their living doing exactly the same thing.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Group hug?