More Families Less Money...too much Brandy-- pissed off E-mail -- God n' Country

[Oldman]

This year Susan and I had more families come to us for help. However, we had less money than last year.  Nevertheless, all families got something.

Two weeks back I was sitting here with just one to many Brandys and got an E-mail from my site supervisor about the lack of escort. I was had been thinking / wondering how we where going to replace the monies that should have been paid to us on the 15th of December. The amount is 22K. It is what we used last year for folks.

Well I got totally pissed off (not a good thing at my age in the business world) and E-mailed God n' Country. A few days ago I was sitting at this rather large table with God n' Country. I looked them there boys in the eye balls and told them that the monies from the 15th of December go to the needy.

Told them that we had to be done by the 31th of December 08 as it would still take another 30 days to be paid. That some of the work then would be 90 days in the bucket. That Susan and I made the decision to take 20K from our credit line to help these folks.

Out of this group of several military and civilian personnel the head person said we would be done by the 31st and that when we returned in February that we would be timely escorted in all areas to include spin-dials, skiffs, TS and S areas.

Days later I re-read what I wrote and said man you did not really write that did you?  I guess the ole-gamer in me came out.

Anyway it all turned out good. Several families have something and by the Jan 30 09 we will have the monies back to pay off the credit line withdrawal.

I'm sure there are many others members here who play Santa Claws.

I've shared this here as I guess sometimes it is not a bad thing to step out of the role of being a seasoned business man, and have just a few to many brandy's -- get totally pissed off -- and send E-mails to God n' Country.

Merry Christmas to all...
Olds

[Smoking Duck]

I've always believed that helping out folks is a duty of neighbors and friends and not the government.  Eben in my current situation, I try to help anyone who's down and out worse than I am.

This board (and I apologize for not knowing who was involved) stepped up big when we had our house fire earlier this year.  Others from this board have helped out tremendously as well (who wish to remain anonymous).  I truly think that the kindness we show to others is the greatest strength we in this country and other countries show.  I'm not a religous person by nature but I do believe that if this country lived by the golden rule (Do unto others as you would have done to you), that we would live in a much better world.

As an example, the wife and I returned home one day while the kids were at school.  We found a box addressed to our children that had the return address cut out and "Santa Claus" replaced in its stead.  I had a sneaking suspicion it came from one of my best friends.  He always calls or stops by at least once a week and asks how we're doing.  I had made a comment that all was as well as expected but I was a little concerned that the kids were only getting a few presents as compared to past years and I didn't want the kids to think Santa thought they had been bad.  I was kind of rambling and thinking out loud when I made the statement and didn't think I'd said it loud enough for him to hear.  Sure enough, he did and he went to the store and remedied our situation.

It's the kindnesses we do to others that I think measure us.  These kindnesses don't have to involve money; just an act of an open and willing heart.  I thank God for people who do these things.  They are the backbone upon which countries are built, IMO.

This board is filled with folks with that kind of heart and selfless actions. God bless all.

Sorry for the soap box......I'm down off of it now.

SD

[Habanero Smoker]

Nice to see that you took the extra step (and possibly risk), to help others in need.

[iceman]

Good job Old's.  ;)