During the Christmas season I like to go to the big city
with 20 five dolor bills in my pocket and give them out
to pan handlers or homeless.
What hurts me about that is I know some of them will
just buy drugs or alcohol with it. It can also be a bit dangerous
once a guy wasn’t happy with the $5 and he
gave me a sucker shot to the side of my head figuring he would
get the rest of my money.
Anyway I didn’t let a scrooge like that spoil my tradition
and I have done it for 6 years now. Cheers!

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The rain falls on the rivers and trees and we
live by the golden rule.
But a hard road can bring us all to our knees and we can die by are own point of view. (Mark Geronamo and the sluggers)

Awww Nanoose that's very nice of you. I would say generous but $5 is nothing to us, could be SOMEthing to them. I hate to give money too because of the drug thing. A better alternative might be to hand out $5 McDonalds gift cards or something. That way you KNOW they did something useful with it.

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

I told someone here that I was leery of giving out money but still do it. That person said that I didn't need to concern myself about what they spent it on, only that I had done what needs to be done, and that is to share with other people.

So hats off to you Nanoose for being a generous person. Peace n nuf luv, JM

I am jaded about this issue. I worked in a Church for 7 years. We had all kinds of people knocking on the door for every reason under the sun. We noticed a trend of those we gave money to and the number of people who just walked right over the the bar across the street. We went to canned foods with easy open lids. Those we eventually found bags of in the bushes. We gave out gift certificates to a local market and heard there was more alcohol and ciggys bought then anything. And, after seeing "Supersize Me", I am learing of perpetuating the poor and cheap bad food choices issues. Not sure what the answer really is; but I'm not happy with the options thus far.

Well I have seen people head for the crake dealer right
after I gave them the $5 and I have seen a guy and his gal start relaxing because they knew they could put
their belongings in a storage locker at the bus station then
have a good nights sleep and not have to worry about
getting ripped off well they snoozed.
When I go to the big city to give out $5 bills I shop around
and try to get my monies worth. I usually don’t give to pan handlers because I know some of them make more money then me. I just walk around until I get a feeling that that person could use $5. I figure the answer is involvement no matter how futile it seems. Cheers and Merry Christmas!

__________________
The rain falls on the rivers and trees and we
live by the golden rule.
But a hard road can bring us all to our knees and we can die by are own point of view. (Mark Geronamo and the sluggers)

your foolish for doing this..... it is unsafe and people will hurt you for money. Especially since this is a every year thing for you, people pick up on it and will do bad things in order to get what they want. There is more than one way to help the needy. ie. make donations to the Red Cross and other trusted organisations that give to charity... you would have achieved the same goal ..with out the sucker punch and the additional drama! Unless you enjoy being at risk.... but to each thier own.

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Just because nobody complains doesn't mean all parachutes are perfect.

I will never give to the Red Cross. Many times my father who helped with disasters told me the Red Cross stands around in their suits and the Salvation Army is the one handing out food, blankets, etc. So you have to be careful of where you donate, too. Also some charities have over 80% budget for advertising and other means of gaining money, with less than 20% used for the real purpose.

I think we all need to follow our heart in giving and Nanoose, if that is what you like to do, please continue, with discretion. Peace an luv to all this joyous season.

I thank you for your concern and maybe I should add that
I do wear my steel-toed work boots when I go to the big city.
Also I only take one bill out of my pocket at a time so no body
no’s that I am loaded.
Cheers and merry Christmas!

__________________
The rain falls on the rivers and trees and we
live by the golden rule.
But a hard road can bring us all to our knees and we can die by are own point of view. (Mark Geronamo and the sluggers)

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Nona Manis.. finding out where I belong

O.A. I was meant 2 luv u..

Ok..re-read what I wrote...cause if you read my message ....you would have gotten my concern was his/her safety , I dont give a flying f...k which organisation he/she invests into, ....walking around with money in your pocket, (and seeing he/she has already been attacked) IS UNSAFE!!! For Christ sakes the hung Jesus on the cross for creating miracles, this day in age what hell do you think is going to happen to him/her if they know he has money in his pocket.... heellooo can we apply a little common sence here!!!

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Just because nobody complains doesn't mean all parachutes are perfect.

Your welcome...and that's smart. My two cents for what its worth, dont go to the same place every christmas, it is dangerous contrary to what any one may think/say... I have been mugged and it is not nice!!!

Take a fools advise!

Best of wishes!

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Just because nobody complains doesn't mean all parachutes are perfect.

My point was LadyH that you can't trust the charitable organizations. So who can you trust? Anyway maybe some trusted friend can accompany him to help with his endeavor. I understand your concern for him.

I've been mugged a couple times (not while giving out money or gifts I might add).
Growing up, I've seen all types of people knocking at our gate asking for food, money, clothes, etc. I have an idea of who really needs it. My giving pattern is also irregular but I wont let fear stop me from giving. I would prefer to die sharing than to lock myself away with fear (IMO).

I've stoped on a lonely road at 4am to lend a guy a lug tool (who had a 9mm gun in his waist) so he could change his tyre. Was it dangerous..hell yes. Do I do this everyday....hell no.

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One World, One People

The opinions expressed by Samba are not the official opinions of ETJ or its owners.