Bill, my time is much more valuable as an advocate. My hourly rate for the "no charge" work I do for this cause is in the area of $250.00, where most of these jobs around here pay $100.00 per hour. I'm simply more effective doing what I'm doing. The one weekly job I donate the funds from usually pays $300-500, so that is also a better use of my time and funds.

Mainly, I'm too close to the problem. I will do anything I can for honest people and nothing at all for the rest. I'm simply too upset about this national disaster to be able to associate with these folks in ANY way. And, it is my opinion and the opinion of advocates across the country that what I'm doing is effective and valuable....a lot more valuable, looking at the over-all picture, than playing for the pay available....even if I donated it to our organization. I couldn't bear to take any pay or better myself in any form working for some of these people I firmly believe are "bottom feeders". And around here, there are plenty of people lined up to take the fee for performing, so the service is there and appreciated by residents, I'm sure.

In the end, we all choose to dedicate our time and efforts to causes we believe in.

I certainly understand your conviction that the patients you play for are benefiting and am glad you feel good about that.

And there are some very good facilities and lots of dedicated people who work in the industry.

It's the others I worry about.


Russ

P.S. My dear father-in-law passed away 4 months ago, and I still make daily visits to the VA he was at, bringing clothing, treats, sanitary supplies and watching out for the dear souls who live there. Sadly, most are simply "parked" there and virtually ignored by family members. That's why so much abuse goes unnoticed. I plan to continue to visit and watch out for my "little buddies" as part of my daily routine in the future. For me, it's just the right thing to do.



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 05-14-2010).]