The Christmas Contest is here!

[EMG06]

Thanks @Captain Pre-Capsize for getting us to share these inspiring stories of selflessness in these times.

I will share the story of a walk home one night in late fall while my wife and I were living in Boston. We had dined at a restaurant and were carrying home the leftovers. We passed a homeless man on the street and offered him the food. He said he wasn’t hungry. Rather than walking away, we asked if there was anything else he needed. It was a cold night and he only had a t-shirt on. He said he had a sweatshirt and coat, but couldn’t put it on himself due to a stroke that had left him with limited use of his left arm/hand. He asked if I could help him get dressed so he could stay warm until the homeless shelter opened for the night. So I gave him a few minutes of my time, and helped him get dressed a little more warmly. He nearly cried in gratitude because he said so many people had walked by or ignored this request because they didn’t want to touch him. He thanked us and gave us blessings repeatedly for the gift of a few minutes of time and the gift of human touch that helped him get dressed for the night.

 

[Hannah's Dad]

Thanks @Captain Pre-Capsize for getting us to share these inspiring stories of selflessness in these times.

I will share the story of a walk home one night in late fall while my wife and I were living in Boston. We had dined at a restaurant and were carrying home the leftovers. We passed a homeless man on the street and offered him the food. He said he wasn’t hungry. Rather than walking away, we asked if there was anything else he needed. It was a cold night and he only had a t-shirt on. He said he had a sweatshirt and coat, but couldn’t put it on himself due to a stroke that had left him with limited use of his left arm/hand. He asked if I could help him get dressed so he could stay warm until the homeless shelter opened for the night. So I gave him a few minutes of my time, and helped him get dressed a little more warmly. He nearly cried in gratitude because he said so many people had walked by or ignored this request because they didn’t want to touch him. He thanked us and gave us blessings repeatedly for the gift of a few minutes of time and the gift of human touch that helped him get dressed for the night.

Very touching story. Thank you for sharing it.

 

[frozenoak]

A long time ago, I was a lance corporal (E-3) in the Marine Corps. I had just gotten back from Okinawa and had less than a year left on my contract. I had been in the shop for about a month when I found out that some of my fellow Marines were being attached to 3rd LAAD and being deployed to Iraq (OIF2). One of those Marines and I had a history. He didn't like me and, at least for him, it was with good reason. I thought it was silly but in effect, he didn't think I fit the image of what a Marine is.

Well, anyway, he found out that his wife was pregnant and it was about a month before the scheduled deployment. I don't know what possessed me, but I volunteered to take his place in the deployment. It took some finagling and quite a bit of negotiation but eventually we were able to convince command to make the switch.

I have a hard time casting myself in a good light but this is one of my most shining moments, I think.

 

[trentr]

A long time ago, I was a lance corporal (E-3) in the Marine Corps. I had just gotten back from Okinawa and had less than a year left on my contract. I had been in the shop for about a month when I found out that some of my fellow Marines were being attached to 3rd LAAD and being deployed to Iraq (OIF2). One of those Marines and I had a history. He didn't like me and, at least for him, it was with good reason. I thought it was silly but in effect, he didn't think I fit the image of what a Marine is.

Well, anyway, he found out that his wife was pregnant and it was about a month before the scheduled deployment. I don't know what possessed me, but I volunteered to take his place in the deployment. It took some finagling and quite a bit of negotiation but eventually we were able to convince command to make the switch.

I have a hard time casting myself in a good light but this is one of my most shining moments, I think.

Wow. That is something right there.

 

[gwsmallwood]

A long time ago, I was a lance corporal (E-3) in the Marine Corps. I had just gotten back from Okinawa and had less than a year left on my contract. I had been in the shop for about a month when I found out that some of my fellow Marines were being attached to 3rd LAAD and being deployed to Iraq (OIF2). One of those Marines and I had a history. He didn't like me and, at least for him, it was with good reason. I thought it was silly but in effect, he didn't think I fit the image of what a Marine is.

Well, anyway, he found out that his wife was pregnant and it was about a month before the scheduled deployment. I don't know what possessed me, but I volunteered to take his place in the deployment. It took some finagling and quite a bit of negotiation but eventually we were able to convince command to make the switch.

I have a hard time casting myself in a good light but this is one of my most shining moments, I think.

And that, my friends, is how to 'love your enemies'.

 

[DocPapi]

I'm in!

A decade ago, when my two youngest children were still young teenagers, I read in the local newspaper about an elderly woman in her 80's need. She had fallen while leaving a friend's house (also in her 80's) and broken her hip. After surgery, she moved back in with her friend while she had physical therapy. While she was there, someone broke into her humble home and thoroughly stripped it of everything of any value at all. Even the windows were taken, appliances, furniture, everything. An appeal went out through the newspaper for anyone who could help replace any essentials so that she could move home again.

I brought it up with my wife and kids, and we put together a cash amount, then scoured our house for anything we could contribute. Then we took a large collection of home goods over to them. They invited us in, and we sat and talked with them for s good half hour or more. Later, on the way back to the car, my then 14 year old daughter slipped her hand in mine and in a soft voice said "Best Christmas ever, Dad." It was for me, as well, and for all the right reasons.

We found out later that the victim's friend helps run one of the major local food banks. We've since created many fond memories working with them, and it's where my youngest son also did his Eagle Scout project. Great memories, all.

 

[Aziraphale]

Thanks Captain for another wonderful contest.
I won one already this year so I am respectfully not in.
Thanks to all for the wonderful stories of giving. I could equally say, thanks for the stories of love that you've shared.
When we have so much love in our hearts that it overflows. We give that love to others so that that love can overflow theirs as well.

I work in the American Railroad industry and have access to many of my company's customer's goodies. These goodies often include specific railroad branded things like date books, calendars, hats, notepads, etc... One of the items is a calendar from a customer that is a very detailed photo-essay with notes from the photographer about the photo and when they took it, how they set up for the shot and stuff like that. The other interesting note is that the photographers are all railroad employees. The calendar also showcases the employee and where they work and what their jobs entail.

My wife works with a woman who has an autistic son who is in love with trains and everything railroad related. He has vowed (at 6 years old) that he is going to work for a railroad some day. For the last three years (I'll make it 4 if I can swing it) I've given this young lad not only a train calendar with spectacular photos, but a thorough look into the employees and what sort of jobs they do. Every year he writes me a letter to say thank you. I cannot express in words how this makes me feel.

 

[Jmp63]

Thank you Scott for putting on such a fantastic giveaway. Your generous spirit is very contagious. Everyone that has posted here, it has been a blessing to be able to read about times you gave. Thank you all for sharing them. Respectfully not in. Merry Christmas y’all!

 

[gvw755]

Thanks again Captain for another gift to us all.

When I was still working in higher education, I was a program specialist and made friends with the clerk supervisor (I learned early on that they had more power to get things done than the people above me). She was taking courses part time with the intention of getting her degree and after a long while, she succeeded. She applied for a job as a program director in the community colleges and because that was where I had a lot of experience, I told her any time she needed help, call me.

I was surprised when she started calling me almost immediately, but I assisted her because I didn't think it was right to say - You know when I told you I would help, I was just trying to be nice and didn't mean it. The talks and visitations lasted for a long time and she eventually became very good at her job and well respected in our group. Sometimes, giving does not involve gifts, but time.

 

[Billski]

This is about right now. The virus has caused problems with the the charity groups. So I gave money to 3 different groups. The 1st is to ’save the children’. The 2nd is $30.00 to , I forget. The 3rd is for African girls, so they will not be forced into marriage . 13 year olds are forced to marry men 3 times their age.

 

[Pat Puma]

Thanks for another generous giveaway, Cap. My cousin, a scientist who makes supplements and healthy foods, and my doctor told me that giving blood benefits the donor as well as the patients receiving blood. I thought I might benefit with some better blood flow as my blood always flowed very slowly for my doctor. It turned out that I have blood type O negative, which can be given to anyone regardless of what type they have. I really don't know if I benefit at all from donating, but it doesn't matter now. I give blood every four or five months for the right reason, to help others.

 

[trentr]

Thanks for another generous giveaway, Cap. My cousin, a scientist who makes supplements and healthy foods, and my doctor told me that giving blood benefits the donor as well as the patients receiving blood. I thought I might benefit with some better blood flow as my blood always flowed very slowly for my doctor. It turned out that I have blood type O negative, which can be given to anyone regardless of what type they have. I really don't know if I benefit at all from donating, but it doesn't matter now. I give blood every four or five months for the right reason, to help others.

Having family members who have received blood and have life as a result of it, I thank you!

 

[DocPapi]

...I have blood type O negative, which can be given to anyone regardless of what type they have. I really don't know if I benefit at all from donating, but it doesn't matter now. I give blood every four or five months for the right reason, to help others.

I'm have O-neg blood also, and have always felt sort of an obligation to donate as often as possible. Seems like if I were blessed with blood that can help anyone, I ought to be willing to share! And in my experience, there are tremendous benefits, though they aren't necessarily material in nature.

 

[FarmerTan]

Hey @oldskool76 ! This is the thread I was telling you about my (new) friend!

Sorry for hollerin' so loud everybody! If I can come up with a story of me ever giving anything I will, later.

Or I will just make one up....

Oh, I remember, this one time, I gave a present to @KeenDogg !

He asked for my autograph. I didn't charge him a dime! He more than likely sold it on the 'Bay for enough money to buy 5 or 10 Derby blades!

 

[KeenDogg]

Hey @oldskool76 ! This is the thread I was telling you about my (new) friend!

Sorry for hollerin' so loud everybody! If I can come up with a story of me ever giving anything I will, later.

Or I will just make one up....

Oh, I remember, this one time, I gave a present to @KeenDogg !

He asked for my autograph. I didn't charge him a dime! He more than likely sold it on the 'Bay for enough money to buy 5 or 10 Derby blades!

I believe I was paid with a wooden nickel....

 

[Pat Puma]

I'm have O-neg blood also, and have always felt sort of an obligation to donate as often as possible. Seems like if I were blessed with blood that can help anyone, I ought to be willing to share! And in my experience, there are tremendous benefits, though they aren't necessarily material in nature.

It does make you feel good about yourself, and it should. I worked part-time in a hospital's lab for eight years and that's when I started donating. In the lab is the hospital's blood bank, and it is not an exaggeration to say that the need for blood is constant. There is never enough.

 

[FarmerTan]

I believe I was paid with a wooden nickel....

'Dawg, I sure am glad you got yerself a sense of humor! (For our fancy pants frends that like extra letters, read: "humour!")
I have no idea why I pick on you!

To make it up to you, I will send you two FREE autographs! You just say the werd.

 

[KeenDogg]

'Dawg, I sure am glad you got yerself a sense of humor! (For our fancy pants frends that like extra letters, read: "humour!")
I have no idea why I pick on you!

To make it up to you, I will send you two FREE autographs! You just say the werd.

That wasn't supposed to be funny.

 

[FarmerTan]

That wasn't supposed to be funny.

Dude. You got up early AND had yer Wheaties!

I ain't gonna rattle yer chain again until I've had more coffee and I'm ready to bring my "A" game!

You da man my friend!

 

[oldskool76]

Way back in 2012, I had bought 2 old double edge razors I spent a couple of months restoring them and gave one to my brother with a whole wet shave set up that I made for him with a col. conk badger brush and bigilows shaving cream, and a sample of I believe it was Mama Bears shaving soap. I gave this too him with a whole man crate that I assembled with 3 mini bottles of my preferred drinks, to get him a sample of the good life. So he got this restored razor, soap and cream samples, blade sampler, brush, aftershave, liquors, shot glass, and a cigar box to keep it all in. I told my brother in this nice little letter that it was meant as a way for him to experience the good life and to remember to take time to enjoy the small things now that he is married. It served him well, he was grateful not at the time but later on when he had his children and started dealing with stress. I always have tried to give gifts that are meaningful to people and if possible make the gift or compile the gift and make a kit like this. It meant so much for him to tell me what it meant to him months later when he needed to realize what I had said that he remember to take the time to remember the small things in life.