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Disclaimer: I figured we need a thread like this at the moment. My OP might be a bit long and a bit boring but I'll try and edit it so you all know which parts to skip. If you don't wanna do it, you don't have to, but please try not to poo poo on other peoples efforts at having a go. Here goes: Okay, so the way I see things is, the world is a pretty great place. It's full of as much awesomeness as we're willing to go out and find. But, the world isn't so great for everyone. GBS has been responsible for some really outstanding altruism and giving to charity, I'm hoping to extend this out to a smaller scale. The world has been pretty full of some very depressing poo poo, and it's been reflected in GBS. We've had increased occupation and tension in Palestine/Isreal. Syrian conflicts ongoing. Mass shootings in the US. Another massive deathtoll from a nightclub fire. Very serious surprise sex in India. More tension between NK's acid trip view of the world and the west. Not to mention what the gently caress is going on with the US justice system, but that's an ongoing problem for another thread. poo poo is pretty hosed up. Think about it for a minute. My thoughts are, anyone who's able to have access to here and read this is pretty lucky by comparison. I thought I'd post this because I was inspired by this video, which I'm sure you've all probably seen by now, but if you haven't: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o Basically, the idea is this: What I hope to see, over the coming days and weeks, is that regular SA members do something nice for somebody else, and post about it here. Pics, Videos etc are encouraged. You don't have to post photos of videos or whatever. It doesn't have to be big or world changing. It doesn't have to cost you any money. Just do something nice for someone else, and talk about it here to hopefully plant the seed of encouragement for other SA folk. Anything from paying a stranger a compliment, to paying a tip to someone who doesn't usually get one, to donating to a charity, to just making someone forget their troubles and smile for a minute or two. Give it a go. boring Speaking from personal experience I can tell you that doing something selfless will definitely make you feel at least a little bit better if you're feeling low. It's not that you feel awesome just because, its more that it puts things in perspective. /boring So, I guess I'm issuing GBS a challenge. Go out and do something nice for someone. It doesn't have to cost you any money. Go bake some cookies for that homeless person you pass on the street regularly, gently caress, buy him a bottle of good whiskey. Tip someone big who gives you good service, or tip someone who doesn't expect it. Call someone you know who is feeling down and offer to take them out for a bite to eat and a movie, or bowling, or just to come over for shits and giggles and games. Then post about it here. I'd better offer my own story if I'm gonna put something like this up here, so, feel free to tune out now if you don't care....................... now. boring My story: Since late november, probably daily I've passed a guy by who has been selling Big Issue magazines. He's there every day from 7am till almost midday, then he moves to another spot in another suburb till about 7 or 8pm. I never carry any cash so I've never stopped and talked to him, and I felt bad because I was passing him several times a day doing Xmas shopping etc over the holiday season. First thing this morning, I got some cash out just to buy the big issue and to stop and chat, because I felt bad about passing him by. Today he has to sell 49 copies just to break even, so I bought one at double the price and told him not to worry about it. Turns out, Big Issue sellers usually aren't panhandlers. He only makes a dollar a mag on the $5 price. He's autistic and his job agency put him in the too hard basket, but he's out there 12-13hrs a day selling magazines because he likes talking to people. The magazines are weekly issues, but I walk past him almost every day for bread and milk, so I'm gonna do something nice each time I see him... just something small that I can afford like buy him a donut or a coffee or stop for a chat or something. Come on GBS. Doing something nice will help you forget you own troubles for a while, and help keep things in perspective. Do something nice for someone else. It'll might only cost you a couple of bucks or a minute or two of your time. Yes, I realise my story is pretty lame, but it's something. What are you waiting for? Get out there and do something, because you can, dammit. We all can. Favela Flav fucked around with this message at Jan 29, 2013 around 01:38 |
| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:31 |
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| # ? May 22, 2013 19:11 |
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Two years ago in rural Kenya my neighbor's son drank a bottle of cattle dip and wasn't responding. So I drove him 50 kilometers over bandit infested roads to the nearest hospital, and they evacuated his stomach and hooked him up to a saline drip and he survived.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:40 |
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Holy poo poo! That's the kind of goodness I'm talking about. Jesus!
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:44 |
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Tell unicef to stop buying commercials. There are 130000 starving kids in america. Then again it reminds me of the peta ads by sarah mcclaughlan. Every day dogs and cats are killed. Charititable orgs are vultures, donate in person.
Somebody fucked around with this message at Jan 29, 2013 around 02:22 |
| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:44 |
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I read through your OP.  Fakeedit: My job is helping people with their writing--not by telling them how to write correctly, but by leading them along and prodding them until they get out what they're trying to say. Handing someone an A paper is one thing, but talking people through the process and seeing the look of pride on their faces when they tell me they aced it is so much more rewarding. It really is the greatest job I've ever had and I can honestly feel satisfied with my work at the end of most days. Oh, and it makes for tons of interesting stories.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:53 |
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CatCannons posted:Tell unicef to stop buying commercials. There are 130000 starving kids in america. Then again it reminds me of the peta ads by sarah mcclaughlan. Every day dogs and cats are killed. Charititable orgs are vultures, donate in person. That can be your good deed today: telling Unicef to stop buying ads. Off you go, I'm sure they've got an email address. Post back when it's done.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:53 |
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I lent my student a pencil even though my clinical teacher forbade the borrowing of pencils from teachers (or student teachers). He stole it.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:54 |
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Pipski posted:That can be your good deed today: telling Unicef to stop buying ads. Off you go, I'm sure they've got an email address. Post back when it's done. Well, to be honest I donated to planned parenthood when some senators got it in there head it is our job to control womans bodies. happens.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:56 |
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CatCannons posted:Tell unicef to stop buying commercials. There are 130000 starving kids in america. Then again it reminds me of the peta ads by sarah mcclaughlan. Every day dogs and cats are killed. Charititable orgs are vultures, donate in person. I agree wholeheartedly with this. The celebrity endorsements make me less likely to donate. I do give regularly to the Salvation Army though, they're only of the few charities who really do put their money where their mouth is.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:57 |
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Pipski posted:That can be your good deed today: telling Unicef to stop buying ads. Off you go, I'm sure they've got an email address. Post back when it's done. How many charities do you trust anyways, most are scams, see LIVESTRONG, UNICEF, THE SUSAN KOMEN foundation. Might as well just throw your money on the ground an walk away. Also all charitible donations are tax deductible. Now thats funny.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:59 |
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Favela Flav posted:I agree wholeheartedly with this. The celebrity endorsements make me less likely to donate. I do give regularly to the Salvation Army though, they're only of the few charities who really do put their money where their mouth is. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/..._n_1628135.html
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 01:59 |
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CatCannons posted:How many charities do you trust anyways, most are scams, see LIVESTRONG, UNICEF, THE SUSAN KOMEN foundation. Might as well just throw your money on the ground an walk away. Didn't you have a boner over slamming charities in another thread as well?
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:05 |
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Most charities are scams, i should make a thread about it, i tried cops, but you know. When a charity has funds to have commercials, its a scam. When you get a robocall from FFOA its a scam. planned parenthood s getting scammy, I donated awhile back because its the only access in a heavily Christian area, I gave um like 4000 bucks. Jokes on them I won it in a gambling den. Unicef has to go though, it infuriaes me. Look at this starving africa child when you never see povery in america. thanks obama
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:06 |
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I told the barista at Starbucks on Saturday I thought her hair looked really nice, cause it did. This week my good deed is staying the gently caress home because I'm sick (again! Seriously, does nobody vaccinate in this town?), and collating and reading the community announcements for our local community radio station. I also do a little bit of on air stuff and help organize community events and things when I'm not in self imposed quarantine. It's really rewarding and fun and I've met really cool people who also like to help and do community stuff.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:13 |
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Mind if I post something kinda simple? One of my friends is going through a rough time, and that's an understatement. So I'm making them a nice buttload of Thai noodles. They're delicious, and I really just wanna see them smile! Should be a welcome change to dorm food!
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:14 |
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Nice guys finish last *looks suspiciously both ways, then devil horns spout out of head eheheh* (USER WAS PUT ON PROBATION FOR THIS POST)
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:18 |
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Lets use a charity to funnel into a money laundering ring. seems legit to me. GO KONY
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:19 |
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I'm starting a community garden in the spring and today I made official plans to donate all our empty beds to provide fresh produce for a soup kitchen in our city. The lady organizing the service was so happy it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:26 |
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Wario In Real Life posted:They must need a lot of money then because they've got a pretty big mouth! I can't speak for all the Salvation Army but I do have a very personal relationship with many SA soldiers.. I guess things are different here in Australia. I've yet to meet a Salvationist who has been prejudiced against anyone, but then that is anecdotal.. I'm pretty sure though that this is probably best suited to another thread. edit: I guess I should state that I'm atheist here, just for clarification. SA do, for the most part do good work, at least that has been my experience. Favela Flav fucked around with this message at Jan 29, 2013 around 02:31 |
| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:27 |
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I rewound.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:29 |
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Well, I'm not going to win any person of the year awards for this but I always try to hold the door/elevator, make eye contact with people, smile, and be sincere when I wish them well. Sometimes I also look at people and think to myself "This person is really lovely and attractive because of ____, and you know what? They should really be complemented on it." It's really kind of sad how often that seems to make people feel better or really perk up.  I also try to leave at least a $2-5 tip if I can, since working service jobs sucks.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:29 |
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nuts_rice posted:Mind if I post something kinda simple? It doesn't matter how simple it is.. It's a good thing to do! All I'm hoping for is that people do something nice for someone else and share the experience. Kudos! Anything that you do to brighten someones day or help them forget their troubles momentarily is a good thing.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:29 |
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Favela Flav posted:I agree wholeheartedly with this. The celebrity endorsements make me less likely to donate. I do give regularly to the Salvation Army though, they're only of the few charities who really do put their money where their mouth is. I can tell you a lot of bad poo poo about the Salvation Army, I won't though... all major charities have issues, it comes with being a huge multi-national organization. But ultimately, shooting down organizations that their purpose (even if they're only 80% successful) is to help those in need, isn't the best way to go about it. UNICEF can go gently caress itself though.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:50 |
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Today I helped a fellow who was a little new to the whole society thing find a toothbrush. He literally walked up to me and said, "please help, I don't understand. There's so many toothbrushes and I just want a simple tooth brush and toothpaste." He also mentioned it was all a bit new to him. I didn't push for info but I got the feeling he was on his own for the first time. It felt really great to help him out. I even helped him find the "tooth rope" as he called it.  I love this thread. Great idea, I hope I can bring a few more stories as the days go on. Puppies are dicks posted:Sometimes I also look at people and think to myself "This person is really lovely and attractive because of ____, and you know what? They should really be complemented on it." It's really kind of sad how often that seems to make people feel better or really perk up.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:51 |
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Yay OP, I live for this sort of thing!  The biggest thing I've done is taking in my best friend. If you are bored enough to go through my post history you'll see that I constantly bring her up. But to be honest, I've never had a friend I loved as much as her. She was living in a really lousy situation where she was being constantly verbally and financially abused, so my family took her in. A few months later, she got pregnant and I stayed with her through the whole 9 terrifying months. Right now I'm watching a 14-month-old girl bang bath toys together. I'm extremely happy. Small things I've done... I've picked up hitchhikers (stupid, I know), helped out a meth addict find a place to stay for the night with her daughter ($30 for a cheap room) I once treated a homeless chick to breakfast and I'm currently looking for a place to volunteer. Downside is I'm a huge pushover and I have had a couple people take advantage of me because of it. Turns out I one gave a guy a ride to pick up what I thought were his clothes... It was a bag full of meth 
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:53 |
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I'm a member of a local betta club, and we decided to start doing donations of fish to local hospitals and libraries and kids' hospice areas. Bettas usually have at least 50 fry per breeding, and once you cull out any abnormal or genetic issues, you still can have a good 30 fish. When you breed several pairs at a time, that becomes a LOT of fish that all need their own tanks/jars. Up next, get supplies of jars, probably plastic for hospital areas, and start making contact with the right people in those organizations to get the fish out to people trapped in hospital rooms, or as rewards for reading challenges at the library.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:56 |
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Everybody gets so hostile when you mention you did something nice and maybe they should too.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 02:58 |
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I'm glad this thread is taking off. I'm not only learning a lot about the people who are replying, but I'm learning a lot of ways I can do more too. Cheers everybody! Also, if you don't feel comfortable about giving to a charity fund, don't. Don't feel like you have to. This thread is more about doing something, anything to make someone else feel nice, so don't feel pressured to do something you don't want to / don't believe in. Favela Flav fucked around with this message at Jan 29, 2013 around 03:04 |
| # ? Jan 29, 2013 03:00 |
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Actually, doing nice things for others has really helped me keep a positive outlook on life. I know the spirit of the thread is to do an action within these next couple weeks to be nice goons and such, but I feel my volunteering at Special Olympics has made me a better person. It isn't even anything I've really done; all I do is help out with the men's gymnastics tea weekly and chat with/help/have fun with thr athletes there. Really, they're the ones who are beating the odds and doing things that I couldn't dream of doing. They're considered the underdogs of society but they're ability to becomeliterally awesome at what they do keeps me really positive. Pardon my corny exposition. That being said, it still is a little awkward for some kids to get last place. And yes, I've seen a couple of athletes do embarassing things with the consolation prize. Doesn't change the fact that it's a really happy and positive experience for all involved. E: changed some of the wording DasNasty fucked around with this message at Jan 29, 2013 around 03:10 |
| # ? Jan 29, 2013 03:08 |
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DasNasty posted:Actually, doing nice things for others has really helped me keep a positive outlook on life. Ah, I was thinking about doing this through my college! Sounds like it would be a great experience, and honestly I love seeing people succeed and do the best they can, no matter who they are.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 03:19 |
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A bum pulled a knife out and started screaming, shouting and frothing at the mouth just a few feet away from me. I thought for a second he might have been trying to rob(armed courier) me so I pulled my gun on him. Turns out he just wanted to kill another bum running away from him so I didnt shoot him. Whew. I'm a pretty nice guy if you are not trying to rob me.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 03:20 |
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Went to a restaurant a few days ago with the GF, had a pretty decent meal. Food was average but our server was amazing. I never had to ask for anything, it was like she was reading my mind. Talking to her, we found out she's in school, but having to pay everything out of pocket because her parents make too much money for her to qualify for financial aid, but the catch-22 is that her parents don't help her with school (for whatever reason). We finished our meal, and as a tip, I left a scratch-off lottery ticket that I had in my wallet (I was actually about to cash) that was a $500 winner. The ticket only cost me $10, so whatever. Hopefully it helps her out in some small way, and heres to hoping she doesn't spend it on booze/drugs/partying...
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 03:35 |
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dog of war posted:Ah, I was thinking about doing this through my college! Sounds like it would be a great experience, and honestly I love seeing people succeed and do the best they can, no matter who they are. If you're willing to actually work with the athletes as they are - humans just like you and me - then it's an experience almost without compare. (This is a general you and I am by no means specifically implicating you you. I've seen lots of "volunteers" who walk with their noses stuck up in the air and treat the athletes like sub-human freaks who are there simply to expedite the process of getting service hours. As a brother of someone with autism, this pisses me off like nothing else.)
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 03:43 |
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Every year I donate time to a local children's hospital. If you really don't trust charities then any children's hospital is a pretty safe bet. They all can use volunteers too, which is nice if you're brokeass like I am.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 03:56 |
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Doing Random Acts of Kindness is pretty awesome, and if you do it anonymously/stealthily you feel all  PLUS  My RAoK is in it's 10th year! I make origami models as physical therapy for my hands, I then attach quotes to them--some fun, snarky or inspiring--and leave them around for random people to find...the response has been really positive. I've got a simple little website that people can get off the back of the tag I attach to the models so they can see what the Hell they just found. Here are some:   I especially love finding paper to use like maps, ruined books, comics, gift wrap, etc.    Also, right after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, I came across Ann Curry's Twitter, in which on December 16th she posted, "Imagine if all of us committed to 20 mitvahs/acts of kindness to honor each child lost in Newtown. I'm in. If you are RT #20Acts" The response she had to her idea was explosive. The number has since been upped to #26Acts to include the teachers as well as the kids. Her Twitter feed is now filled with people around the world--not just in the US--doing amazing, surprising, heartbreakingly kind things for complete strangers, all in memory of the teachers and children killed. I highly recommend reading her Twitter feed, it will restore your faith in humanity: https://twitter.com/AnnCurry If you want to participate in #26Acts on Twitter, do it! It's not too late, it's still going strong. My own tiny contribution (slightly delayed due to my entire family, including me, coming down with a whacking great case of the flu) was to make 26 origami doves, placing special quotes on them, the tags on the back likewise have a special line denoting that they are in response to #26 Acts. Some are large, some are small, some have little origami bows on them...all are special to me. Here are a few:  I really hope they help to brighten someone's day, and just maybe inspire others to participate in Ann Curry's amazing idea. My plan is to take the entire flock of 26 doves somewhere and release them all on the same day.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 04:45 |
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Velvet Sparrow posted:...Origami RAoK... Holy Christ those are badass... I especially enjoy the note "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort"
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 05:51 |
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I currently work at a gas station, which means I have to deal with a lot of irate people. But, just a few simple words and and you can turn people's mood up. A while back, a guy left his keys on the seat, and the car doors auto-locked, leaving him stranded at a pump. He came in and asked if we had a public phone, and I stated that we didn't. He seemed pretty upset, so I asked what wrong, and he explained himself. I let him use my cell phone, and he did eventually manage to get a hold of someone to come unlock his car doors. He was waiting a good long time on top of this, so I offered him a free fountain drink, which he declined. But, when he left he thanked me personally, and seemed much more happy about things. Then again, not everyone is this nice (I recently got cussed out by a teen and his dad for denying his out-of-state, unlaminated ID for a tobacco purchase), but you can't please everyone. 
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 05:55 |
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dog of war posted:Today I helped a fellow who was a little new to the whole society thing find a toothbrush. He literally walked up to me and said, "please help, I don't understand. There's so many toothbrushes and I just want a simple tooth brush and toothpaste."  This makes me really happy. It doesn't take much to make someones day brighter for your helping someone. Can I ask though, what country are you in? I'm just curious because I've never seen or heard of anyone confused by toothbrushes. Good job for helping out!
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 05:58 |
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You know when you're holding the door for someone, and they happen to be just a bit too far away and they need to do that half-jog thing to still be polite to you? Well, I've begun to simply let the door go when I see someone behind me that's just a little too far away. I believe it saves us both from embarrasment 
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 06:07 |
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| # ? May 22, 2013 19:11 |
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I thought I'd add another story, I just remembered it. Mid last year, during winter here, I broke a tooth, a molar. It left exposed nerve and I had to wait to get in to the dentist for a few days, and no amount of painkillers helped. Anything that wasn't body temperature and required no chewing was a no go, and when I lay down my whole jaw throbbed, so I couldn't sleep. After about 2 nights of no sleep, feeling really lovely and sorry for myself, I went walking around. I got near a McDonalds not too far from where I live and I could smell it from a few blocks away. The whole time I was cursing how lovely my situation was, how I was really hungry and I couldn't eat anything tasty, until I realised I'd passed 4 different homeless people, who were sleeping in shop stoops and alleys and it hit me. Here I was comfortable in my place whinging about some pain while these people were out in the cold and I had a nice safe warm place to come home to. This was probably about 1am, almost 2am in the dead of winter, and without the wind chill it gets to around -4 or -5 celcius nightly here. I went into the McDonalds and got 8 double cheeseburgers in 4 bags, and change to put a $5er in each of the bags, and dropped them off, and went home still hungry, just happy that I had a warm home to come home to. 
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 06:10 |
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