we all can help.

[AR182]

this morning while watching the news, i was moved by an interview with john carney & hal steinbrenner. they were talking about how the children of special operations soldiers are affected by the loss of a father who died serving our country. we all are vey much aware of the emotional loss these children feel. but these children may also be missing out on the education that they deserve.

so what the steinbrenner family & some former military officers did was start an educational foundation to help these children.

if you go to www.specialops.org you can see info about this charity.

no one can force anyone to donate, but if you appreciate what these brave people do, or if you appreciate that you live in a free u.s. or canada, maybe you can give a few bucks. even if you were against the war in iraq, maybe you can realize that these military people sacrifice their lives. they serve & sacrifice because of love of country. we at least can help their families.

 

[gardenweasel]

well done ar1

well done ar1

am heading there directly......good job

 

[TBONEZ0295]

I am surprised that yyz and Acehistry haven't chimmed in on this one..........

As always class act AR182

 

[yyz]

I am surprised that yyz and Acehistry haven't chimmed in on this one..........

As always class act AR182

Okay, I guess I had better 'chime'.

There is a difference between someone donating their cash to these kids and the government taking my tax dollars for it.

(From the site)

Today, more than 400 such deserving children exist who should not be denied the education their fallen parent would surely have wanted for them.

What parent doesn't "want" their kids to go to college? I want my kid to go to college, but I highly doubt I will have the cash to put her through. Since I have been a long standing member of Mad Jack Sports, maybe you can all help one of your own?

Maybe you can head up the trust fund, T............


If you want to feel sorry for someone who served their country, give to the disabled war vets fund. Some of these guys have been eating cat food, and living in wheel chairs for thirty years, and they actually faught for this country.

 

[djv]

Im not sure if most understand these kids will start to receive S/S checks till they are 18 years old. Now if there mothers and fathers are smart they will start saving some of that 1000 bucks a month for them. They also will be granted if asked for a student loan at time of need for 1% payback. Unless something has change in last 30 years and I did not ctach it. These kids will have the best chance to go on to school if they wish as anyone else.
Children left because of soldiers deaths are not forgotten. Not sure if this fund is even needed. Shut me up folks if you got better info.
YYZ You are correct went over to Tomah and visisted a old friend from Nam at the vet hospital. We keep cutting aid to those vet hospitals it would be a shame. So understaffed with wheel chairs and beds from the 1940's. Little or no planed activities. So they sit out side and watch birds or play some cards. Not many side trips. Over 175 staying There and one Van for them all.

 

[AR182]

there are many charities that are worth contributing to. this one just caught my attention for the reasons that i gave in my previous post.

djv quote:" Now if there mothers and fathers are smart they will start saving some of that 1000 bucks a month for them."

the point is that these kids will be missing either parent. and families most likely won't be able to save $ 1000 a month, especially if the main bread winner is dead.

and djv, why don't you tell these families that you think that this charity might not be needed!!!

 

[djv]

AR182 im only saying these familes either the mother or the father. May not know there children will not go with out. They will get checks sent at once after they file. They may think they are out. Also unless US government has changed. There is insurance. At one time many/many years ago it was 20 grand. I have to believe its close to 100 grand now. Marine could answer. I am saying they just may not know all this is avaliable.
I understand your point. Any mother or father when one dies thay are missing there parent. But our service does one hell of a better job for these folks then it used to. Chit when I was in they never herd of support groups or consulling. And many of the guys did not voluntier. They got drafted and forgot about. And YYZ is correct. Our Vets could use tons of help. They want to run this charitie I have no problem with it. AR182 whos running a charitie for you if something happens to you tomorrow. You are important to. You just took a differant job then our soldiers. But you count to your family just as much.

 

[TBONEZ0295]

YYZ - I knew you would appear...........Just a shame that your views on helping children still stink

DJV - $ 1000 per month for a kid is peanuts , especially minus the sole provider.

I think that this is a great charity AR It " IS " much needed in my eyes I just don't understand some of these cold points of view I DON'T GET IT :shrug: It baffles me completely.

 

[djv]

Hold it. Im not trying to be nasty. Hey YYZ had a point that is not all off base. We have Vets no one takes care of or even thinks about doing anything for. And our own government keeps cutting funds. YYZ in pointing that out is not at least I dont believe being nasty.
I know 1000 bucks dont cut much. But thats what anyone in your Family or AR or mind would get under the age of 18. Maybe it's alittle more but thats close. They also have insurance just like you and I have.
TBONEZ0295, AR182 and many like us went differant direction for our carriers. At least I dont believe none of us are in the service. I was twice but that's long time ago. I understand special forces. I also undestand our men and woman can volunteer. I did that. but many did not and were drafted years ago. Im only pointing out you me the country did not force them to do any of this. They know the risk. Im happy they have this fund. But 5000 bucks dont go far either. If we wanted it done right, We Can. With higher pay for our service men. And even higher limits for insurance all paid for by uncle sam. Then these little groups could use all there fund rasier monies for better consulling and support groups. And larger Scholarships for those kids that earn them by working hard.

 

[AR182]

djv,

i don't know where you got $1000 a month per child. i'm pretty sure the amount that a child gets is based on the head bread winner in the family. but i may be wrong.

i don't know what the amount of ins. these special ops people get, but am sure it's not nearly enough.

 

[Pujo21]

There seems to be all points a view here.

There seems to be all points a view here.

hey it's great to help out kids and families. Ya know The government has no problem sending foreign aid to all these countries but when it comes to our Veterans, they give them a jerk around.

My father is turning 84 this year and he needs help. So my brothers and I provide the additional funds added to his Social Security and a very small pension that he has to see that he is taken care of.

We found out that the Vetrans facilities will only help you after they review his bank records for some 3 years.
Isn't that something ??????? Here's a guy that fought in World War II-------- and he volunteered after the attack on Pearl Harbor , and when his time of need comes, they won't help or they will help provided they can suck his bank account dry. And my dad has very little in his name.

Side Note: This is not a complaint ! Just an observation of facts !

Is it so hard for Washington to consider helping out Americans ? They have no problem showering foreign countries !:shrug:

 

[TBONEZ0295]

DJV I know you weren't being nasty, I just knew somehow YYZ would find a reason WHY this charity was unsuitable for him..............

THE VETS are another story altogether.

Maybe if some one could find a site to donate to them ( VETS ) would you then contibute yyz ?????

 

[yyz]

No. I have a daughter to support. The idea of a charity seems to be lost on you, Tara. You give what you can, when you can, and when you feel it is what you wish to do. You can't guilt someone into doing it.

I toss my dollar bill in the Totsie Roll jar when the Vets are looking for donations, but that is about it.

Everyone has a cause now. You can't swing a dead parent without hitting someone with a hand out!

My point, yet again, is:

"Why are these kids any more important than any other kid who loses a mom or dad?"


What about the kid whose dad was killed in a carjacking? Or the dad who had a heart attack at 43? Or the family wiped out by a drunk driver? As Red Buttons might say, "They never had a dinner!"

AR182 posted this because to him, it is a worth while cause. That is fine.....I have no problem with that. But YOU wanted me in this thread T-Bonz. I was content to just read it and go on my merry way. You act as if I am a bad guy because I won't turn my checkbook into Federal Aid to cleanse my soul, and spare some kid from public school!

As cruel as this might sound, these kids still have it better than a lot of kids around the world.

 

[TBONEZ0295]

YYZ- your right ! I apologize Charity is just that charity................If people choose to give then they can give, if they choose not to that should be OK too.

I do agree that our country gives way to much to the foriegn countries and leaves some in America destitute WHAT "IS" UP WITH THAT anyway :shrug:and the fact that our vets are eating cat food is disgraceful



I do have a soft spot for less fortunate children ( and I don't mean public school kids ) yyz

 

[acehistr8]

My point, yet again, is:
"Why are these kids any more important than any other kid who loses a mom or dad?"

Sorry to be late chiming in, planning a wedding is taking its toll on me and my time.

I couldnt agree more with yyz. Now I have sponsored/sent care packages to 3 guys in the Middle East so far this year, so please dont construe my feelings on this as anti-solider because anyone that knows me knows my feelings are quite the contrary. I lost one of my best friends in December over there, so I am probably hypersensitive to the needs of the families/spouses these guys leave behind.

The bottom line is, if people want to donate to a charity, I strongly encourage them to do so. If its only a few bucks, it still makes a difference. If its this charity or the VA or the USMC Toys for Tots program, whatever it is, it makes a difference.

 

[dawgball]

My take on charity is this. My wife and I tithe to our church weekly and when we have extra charitable money after that, we sponsor a family. I always feel when I give to a charity such as (pull one out of the hat) United Way, my money is so dilluted with administration that it is very ineffective. If you sponsor a family, every dollar you spend goes to the person(s) that actually needs it.

Just my opinion. So instead of donating to this charity, find someone in your community that is in this situation and help them out at Thanksgiving, X-mas, or anytime of year that you have the extra dough.

BTW--YYZ is right on with his point, but I think it would be easy to jump on the other side of him from reading it and not hearing him explain it verbally. That's the problem with written communication. There's no inflection unless you're beantown and you YELL everything!

AR--Can't wait to meet you someday. You seem like one hell of a guy!:thumb:

 

[AR182]

dawgball,

thanks for the nice words but my ex would probably disagree (lol).

first few drinks are on me if your going to be in vegas during the superbowl weekend.

 

[taoist]

I always feel when I give to a charity such as (pull one out of the hat) United Way, my money is so dilluted with administration that it is very ineffective. If you sponsor a family, every dollar you spend goes to the person(s) that actually needs it.

...while I agree wholeheartedly with this statement, I feel obliged to tell everyone that if you're planning to write off charitable deductions on your Federal Income taxes, they have to go to organizations, they cannot be family or person specific. For instance, if your church is sponsoring a mission trip for a particular person, while your donation to the church is deductible, your donation to that specific person's mission trip is not. Just wanted to get that out there.... See, law school ruins you for life!!!


...of course no one ever donates for the tax write-off, we just do it to make ourselves feel good, right?

 

[djv]

Taoist half and half here. Half to make sure I try to screw uncle sam like the big boys. Other half to feal good. One way many can help is join some of your local walks in your cities for good causes. The money helps and the walk is good for you.