Hey BigBear,
Been wanting to touch base with you for some time. I've read your posts and feel a warm human spirit there.
This thread is just that.

Many biker types are involved with toy runs this time of year. The motorcycle community does a great job in many places doing other charity rides as well. If you can't ride, give the folks collectin' the toys some help by donations.

My wife can't pass up a Salvation Army bell ringer this time of year. She figures if they're willing to brave the elements, she certainly can spare some change.

To tell you all we do would be bragging and I won't go there, but rest assured, I'm sure there are many folks who think of the other folks.

What happened to your old picture? You're a truck driver, No? Many miles over the years here too. Let's talk sometime.

Peace to you Brother.

Jess, Dahling.....hope i don't cause you any embarrassment....but i wanted to thank you for your part in making this one of the best Christmas's i have had in years....

Your timing is impecable....thank you for dinner...and smiles....and i look forward to our friendship blossoming in the future....

I would get all mushy and stuff but i just try not to be that kind of girl...so ummmmm....I also look forward to having you knockin on my door in a bunny suit this coming Easter....LMAO

Kisses & Giggles,
Teri

harleygurl-here's a good one too.
I was working in Detroit, and as usuall in the ghetto's.Every stick of the furniture in the home I went to, though clean and kept, wouldn't have sold for more than a couple hundred dollars. I went to a womans home to do her FEMA inspection and it was the day before Xmas. While the woman went to gather her paperwork I spoke with her little boy who was playing with a toy that would have made noise had they been able to afford batteries-but he made the sounds to it anyway. I asked him what he'd asked Santa for, and typical of a boy around 5-6 years old, he had quite a list. When he finished his wish list his mother had returned and the boy had just asked me what I wanted for Xmas.I said that I would just be glad if I'd had back the gloves I'd lost earlier that week and thought nothing more of it. After the inspection, the mother asked me to wait and disappeared into a room. She returned with a pair of woolen men's gloves. This woman-who had so scarce little wanted me to accept them as a gift!!! I teared up and tried to explain that I couldn't accept gifts as I was her inspector. She looked into my eyes with such sincerity when she asked that I please take them adding/apologizing that they were mens gloves but that they would keep my hands warm that I did accept them. I take them with me now on EVERY deployment. Summer or winter. And when people let me down out there, I have those gloves to remind me why I go to disaster areas to try to help. It's because there ARE good people out there. When I returned to Texas, I sent a pack of 8 AA batteries and a pair of fur lined ladies gloves to her-return address unknown.

DD81 thanks for the boost! I spilling over with spirit!!

shipped off 2 boxes to my adopted Soldier Sgt Mulroy in Afganistan...hope he's not there but if he is this will be a nice piece of home for him and his buddys to share...

Bless the
Soldiers... they keep us safe....


We think the same SS
I joined "AdoptaPlatoon" 2 weeks ago. Had to write a regular letter to the unit Chaplin to get hooked up w/ the guys so I will Probably miss sending Christmas packages. I hope to make contact and send something for New Years. I been so busy w/ work and writing checks for my daughter's upcoming wedding, I forgot bout the guys overseas.
I remember being across the pond when the holiday season came, and it's real lonely. I hope others will make an effort to ship something over for Christams as well

Sorry Sky I've been out there since I left Cali..first chance I've had to see this thread again ...My Sarge go tthe boxes and they are happy for the special things we take for granted....

so glad you are helping your men too!! more people should....

I think most people try to do what they can. But the need can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. I have a few charities that I donate to, sponsor a child in a monestary and there's one old medicine man that I like to help when I'm able. I won't give money to someone standing on the street with a hand out. But, I have been known to ask them if they'd like to come in and get something to eat at a restaurant or 'to go' type place nearby. I tell them to please order anything on the menu that they'd like. One little gal said "Can I get something for my friend out there, too?" Of course, I couldn't resist her wanting to share with someone less fortunate.

Yeah, the homeless might have a certain aroma and some can smell pretty bad, but I've still given a few a ride in my car in winter with the windows up to the local shelter. (Yeah, I know, I hear it's not safe from my family, too.) I just thought that if anyone was wondering how they could make a difference, but really don't have much extra cash on hand to just give some thought to inviting that panhandler who's hanging around outside the restaurant or fast food place to come in and order a meal.

Of course, please use your judgement and intuition. If that person looks really scary or makes you feel too uncomfortable to even approach. Wait until the next opportunity arises. There are many.

yo bigbear love ya babe yera star happy xmas and an even happier new year hunny

Wow girls...what are we doing to have all these good men around us?!?

Don't let that be your last post...welcome!

This is my first post in a thread... as I read it I was really touched by all said. For Thanksgiving, I helped make up and deliver over 350 meals to the elderly in this small little town. It was so nice to share and see the looks in their eyes. A few even offered to pay and were surprised it was free. For some reason, the bell ringers are awesome this year. I have seen a spirit much higher than in years past. One, a biker, was even singing carols... good too! I always make sure I have extra dollars in my pocket for them. In the military (22 years), I was ALWAYS involved with the toy drives. Through the years (yup, I grew up some), I found it more important to give what I have been so totally blessed with to those who need it much more than I. Most bikers I know in this area act tough, look tough, are tough but they all would give you the shirt off their back to see a blessing. With this anti-Christmas stuff they speak of on the news... I just want to say, I am not seeing it this year. However, I just saw on Fox News a list of House members who wanted to vote away Christmas symbols. The resolution passed in favor of Christmas and I sure would not want my name posted as theirs were. The names were roundly boo'd on the Daytime Show! Not one yeah? I spose I am an activist of sorts too... I make sure the stores I shop (year 'round) support good charities to include the Salvation Army. I also belong to one of those groups that E-MAI L's and faxes and hounds those that don't. I am in no ways or means unique, I am just like most of you all here and I also don't tiptoe around saying... MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Have ya'll heard, on national news, that this year marks the highest in donations and gift giving to the needy there has ever been in the US. It's also been said that sales are down and donations are way up. I think that says a lot for the folks in this country, and where our priorities really are.
Happy Holidays....

I couldnt have said that better .Ty bhg. peace to everyone!

DD81 thanks for the boost! I spilling over with spirit!!

shipped off 2 boxes to my adopted Soldier Sgt Mulroy in Afganistan...hope he's not there but if he is this will be a nice piece of home for him and his buddys to share...

Bless the
Soldiers... they keep us safe....


We think the same SS
I joined "AdoptaPlatoon" 2 weeks ago. Had to write a regular letter to the unit Chaplin to get hooked up w/ the guys so I will Probably miss sending Christmas packages. I hope to make contact and send something for New Years. I been so busy w/ work and writing checks for my daughter's upcoming wedding, I forgot bout the guys overseas.
I remember being across the pond when the holiday season came, and it's real lonely. I hope others will make an effort to ship something over for Christams as well

Merry Christmas to everyone...I have missed all of you greatly and as I read through the posts, I realize what wisdom and strength you, my friends, have been this year for me, and that has been your gift to all of us, maybe when you didn't know you were giving it, and maybe we weren't sure at the time what we were receiving, all of you have reached out in your own way to someone, to me, and given me your gifts, and I thank you. Bless you all.

Thank you Jer.....

Wow!

DD81 thanks for the boost! I spilling over with spirit!!

shipped off 2 boxes to my adopted Soldier Sgt Mulroy in Afganistan...hope he's not there but if he is this will be a nice piece of home for him and his buddys to share...

Bless the
Soldiers... they keep us safe....

Happy Holidays you all.

Yes, It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Everywhere you go:
Skaneateles this weekend.

Why Thank you sweets!
Life send you a curve ball yet?

Merry Christmas on this wonderful day!..
Char and I are heading back out Sunday...want a visit?..

secretsquirrelgirl2....y*ahoo! addy...

Rocky...Merry Christmas to you!

Well Thank you HG1 : ) I can say the same for many of the ladies here. (and you most definately included)

For those who do not know: "Nyawe" is Iriquois for "Thank you."