Actually, I'm preparing checks for the charities we chose based upon helpful submissions from members. On January 1, I'm mailing checks to Bebop(Bill) for the St. Jude hospital in his area, to Mike (mikeathome) for The Humane Assn in his area and to Dano for the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation.

As before, I'm mailing the $100.00 checks to you guys and asking that you forward them to
the chosen organization with a note from you saying it is in honor of our friendship and association as musicians.

On a personal note, privately, I've sent a 2nd, much larger personal check to several of the groups identified previously by several friends here. This is personal and outside the scope of this joint project.

Hopefully, these small tokens will brighten the lives of some needy folks at the start of the year.

And, a sincere, personal word of thanks to those who have helped with this small but very personal project. It just makes me feel good that we're doing this together. I plan to keep this little effort going well into the future.

All the best to you and yours this holiday season, and to those people around the world who are not as fortunate as we are.


Russ

Russ....

Happy Holiday to you & yours....
I'm sure your donation is a small part of making the children very happy at the school here this season for sure.

Thank You

I hate to come off as some kind of do-gooder, but (inspired by Russ) my wife and I decided to do something different this holiday. On our last babysitting tour of duty, we couldn't help but notice that our two grands, ages 3 and 5, have like a gazillion dollars worth of toys of every type and description, filling both their bedrooms and their upstairs and downstairs playrooms (my son has a VERY large house).

With their parents approval, we decided to forgo giving them Xmas presents this year but instead, take them shopping for toys to give to a local children's shelter (actually, a shelter for homeless families with children). They picked all the presents (toys that they wanted for themselves) and then we took them to the shelter to deliver the toys. I'd like to think we taught them something about sharing but sadly, the three yr. old cried when he had to part with his . I'm sure it felt like me having to give my Nord C1 to a down-on-his-luck musician. I don't think any lessons were learned that day, but we felt like we'd at least tried. I've got a sneaky suspicion that they're still expecting something under the tree, so the concept may be lost on them at this age. We'll keep trying.

Happy holidays,

chas

[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 12-19-2008).]

[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 12-19-2008).]

[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 12-19-2008).]

We all give in our own way, Chas...I find it is most rewarding when I can keep it to myself and share what I've done with no one.

The moment I tell anyone, it seems to ruin the good feeling...but that's a personal view.

I also think (and I'm certainly not a religious person in any way) that charity is meant for more than just the holiday season.

Ian

[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 12-20-2008).]

Ian, I was just sharing a story about the uphill battle of trying to teach our grandkids the concept of giving instead of always taking. That's because over half of the board here are grandparents and I thought perhaps they could relate. I wasn't trying to self-nominate myself for the 'Mother Theresa' award. Sorry if it offended you.

chas

BTW, chas, you need a down and out musician to donate that C1 to, give me a call anytime...

I can be as down and out as you need me to be!

Seriously, it's wonderful what you are doing (both of you) and someone, somewhere IS taking note... (no, not the Dept. of Homeland Security )

Please don't take my post as being critical of your methods of charity, Chas...it wasn't meant that way.

As I began my post...we all give in our own way....I was merely describing my way as you did yours.

I think it's a wonderful thing you have done...and, I also think Russ is doing something terrific as well.

Peace to you over the holidays and the rest of the year.

Ian

While I can see where some people might take someone's 'announcing' that they've made a charitable contribution as that person calling attention to themselves, I see it more as perhaps a way to inspire others to do the same ... many of us have good intentions, but sometimes they don't get put into action ...
I'm not "blowing my own horn" either (hmmm ... I don't even have a horn )but I will say that this year our entire family has decided to cut way down on our own gift giving and provide more for local charities that help out those less fortunate ...
I'm not SAYING I might have been somewhat inspired by Russ, BUT ...

t.

Thank you again Russ,
Here is more info about St Jude Hospital.
St Jude Hospital is in Memphis, TN, not to far from you.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization.
Here is their website in case you have a need for a child or a wish to help a child: http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f2bfab46cb118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD
Merry Christmas to all.
Bebop Bill

[This message has been edited by BEBOP (edited 12-19-2008).]

That's a very big assumption that there are those who would take things that way, Tony, and it is hardly fair to Russ and Chas to even imply people would think that way about their honorable intentions.

Ian