I just wrote you a lengthy reply and lost it in cyberspace before it posted. Let me try again.
Until three years ago, We never sought a dime in outside donations. We funded all of our activities from our own membership. We still do that for most stuff.
Since then, we have had some folks wanting to contribute to our special projects and we have accepted. My project has been the refugee resettlement.
Lots of effort is also going into helping SF families with men deployed and families of KIA/WIA SF members. Outside donations are now being accepted for that too.
For my Chapter's activities, local Wal-Marts in NC have been one source. I like Wal-Mart because they read about our effort in a newspaper and came to us. Actually they came directly to me initially. We did not ask them, they asked us to let them help, and they have been generous, numerous times.
The VFW approached my SFA Chapter last week, volunteering again to help with Christmas for the refugees this year.
The USMC Toys For Tots folks always asks to help.
The American Legion folks have helped. And other businesses have assisted in their own way.
We have had lots of local American Doctors volunteer to cure numerous refugee health problems for free. Everything from cataracts to severe gunshot wounds that had never been treated. We can always get a free operation for a refugee including hospital or clinic.
Two years ago, after a big drive, Green Berets had pledged $44,000, but the key donation that we desperately needed at the last moment to make the down payment for the farm in NC that we purchased for the Christian Montagnard refugees, was a surprise $25,000 check from a retired local Jewish businessman.
Tim,
From my catbird seat I know America is one awesome place. In my nearly 11 years of overseas duty, I have been in 26 different countries in line of duty and visited many others.
No where on earth compares to America.
Yet we have lots of room to improve.
If we can ever turn the 47% of Americans with expectations to receive something for free from our government into grateful folks wanting to assist others, our potential accomplishments will know no bounds.
I often thought John Kerry and little Johnnie Edwards were right when they said we have two Americas.
One America wants to stand with them and piss and moan that the battles are too rough, the jobs are too tough, everything costs too much, and Americans have a guaranteed right to live forever, but only if they can manage to be born.
The second America recognizes our battles can be won, no task is too great for American entrepeneurship, the real solution to increasing government tax income is to improve opportunity not to increase taxes, and we are all going to die.
The second America knows the most fortunate of us will live to be 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 years old; and the most unfortunate will never breath a breath of fresh air.
When little Johnnie Edwards is willing to file lawsuits to give unborn, but viable, children the same right to draw a breath as we give to 90 yo adults, we will be ready again for great social progress.
America may not be perfect...but it is a helluva long way in front of whatever is in second place.
I like the Montana saying. "This Is The Last Best Place".
If the folks who voted for Kerry can ever get off the pitty pot, and quit pissin and moanin, and begin to look for ways to contribute instead of ways to take, there will be no limit to America's potential accomplishments.
uw |
