I couldn't give a hundred and fifty dollars, but I could give a hundred and fifty minutes.

[trof]

Miz t. and I just returned from helping sort and bag food for over 1000 needy families for Thanksgiving.
(I don't really like the term 'needy', but can't think of a better one right now.)
This in a town of 15,000.

It was organized by our local elementary school principal.
This is 'our' school. We've never had a kid there, but do volunteer work teaching kindergarten kids their ABCs and numbers.

There were well over 100 volunteers.
Half a dozen huge smoker grills roasted 120 turkeys.
Mountains of canned goods, dried beans, pasta, etc.

We had team leaders for sorting, counting, bagging.
It looked like mass chaos in the beginning, but soon settled into an efficient operation.

The entire effort was aided and abetted by several area churches.
I may have been the only atheist there.
That didn't matter. It wasn't about churches or religion.
It was about helping people who badly needed help.
I felt good about being there.
Tomorrow, my Thanksgiving dinner will taste just a little better.

[Panasonic]

1. You do good work, trof.

Hopefully this kind of gesture will strike against the Republicans forever to change their minds but.... it's best to put aside politics and help what you can.

I was planning on helping out this year, but unfortunately two members of my family are ill with colds and such so it leaves me duties to take care of both of them.

[trof]

3. Gotta say, as much for me as for them.

I've never understood it.
A shrink would probably have a field day probing it.
But it just makes me feel really good to help people.
I mean I go WAY out of my way to help someone if I can.
It's weird, but it gives me a rush.
What's WITH that?
I think it's my mom's fault.
She was a liberal.

[japple]

14. You are blessed to have had a liberal mom! You have

much to be thankful for! It DOES feel good to help others. I think that is why we are here on this earth. It's up to all of us to make it work, for ourselves and for everyone else. That's what GOD is, and where religion has failed. Some "churches/religions/faiths" have it right. Most don't.

[niyad]

2. k and r- you are correct, this is not about churches, or religion. it is about beind decent human

beings, and helping our community. (one of my interfaith reverend friends talks about beloved community, a phrase I find very appealing)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. You did a wonderful thing today, my dear trof...

Blessings on you for your good humanity!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.......

[trof]

5. Same to ya', sweetie.

I'm worn out, but it was fun.
Made some new friends, too.
Win-Win

[jsmirman]

6. I'm a vegetarian, but I applaud your point that volunteering your time

is just as valuable as donating your money.

It takes some of both overall, but doing what you can do is a praiseworthy thing.

[trof]

8. We're retired, making it (so far) on our limited income.

It's a constant battle.
Any small increase in S/S benefit is always eaten up by increases in Medicare premiums.

But that does mean we have more time than money.
So...we give of our time as we can.
I just hope we run out of time before we run out of money.

[jsmirman]

13. So do I (on the last thing you said) - and I hope maybe things are going to get better

but giving up your time is such a valuable thing.

In campaigns, particularly, as we've all just seen, nothing beats beating the streets.

[Earth_First]

7. Good on you!

I have a Food Not Bombs event and a Wal Mart picket line to engage in this upcoming holiday weekend!

Looking very much forward to both!

SOLIDARITY!

[barbtries]

9. thank you

it does feel good to do good work. you made a positive difference in many peoples' lives.

[HopeHoops]

10. Um...

[trof]

11. Awww...

Thanks.

[ornotna]

12. You're a good guy trof

What a great story to share with us.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

15. Thank you for all you do...

for those in need...

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Happy turkey day to you too

[Rowdyboy]

17. A small effort can have a huge effect in someone's life....Happy Thanksgiving

Feeding hungry neighbors is an excellent way to pay back the community whatever your religion (or lack thereof). An empty belly hurts young and old, black and white, and gay and straight equally. When you help them, you may as well be helping me.

Bon apetit! my friend, bon apetit!

[trof]

18. Many thanks for all the kind words.

We're off to our own Thanksgiving dinner (supper) with some friends.
All the best to all of you.
trof