I think we, as a community, can do this

[whats77inaname]

http://www.operationsmile.org/

I've decided that next year I'm going to sponsor a child, and I'm going to try and sponsor at least one a year from there on out. Then I got to thinking....WE as a forum, could do this, too! One child is $240. There are a LOT of people on this forum that want to do something positive to affect someone elses life. We dump a lot of $ into our cars, but if random people can come up off $20 each a month, man, imagine what we could do! I can't think of anyone more deserving than a child. I honestly think we can help 6 or 7 kids a year, but I think starting off small would be a good thing. We can post a sticky or something in this forum, and give via paypal. We can keep and post a monthly list of those contributing so people (if they want) can receive credit. If people want to donate anonymously, they could do that, too.

Who'd be interested?

EDIT:

If you're not interested, DON'T REPLY. I don't need anything negative posted about trying to do something positive.

Double edit: I guess I should explain more thoroughly. When I say "we could do this" I'm not talking about everyone here sponsoring a child. I'm talking about people donating $2 or $3, or whatever they can, and when we have enough $, we, AS A FORUM (not individuals) pay for a child. Then, we start collecting again, and when we hit $240 again, we pay for another child, and we keep repeating it.

[QBoroLegend]

Well, I do it through my church and through my AMEX card. Funny thing, since this whole economic collapse, the charities really been "stepping up" their game when I comes to asking. I get so much literature and pleas for help. But times are tough for them so I understand. I know their charitable income has been hurt, collateral damage indeed. I dont give as much as I used to, but I still try to give.

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by QBoroLegend

Well, I do it through my church and through my AMEX card.

I give my tithes and offering, too, but this is something for us as a forum to contribute to.

[okie dokie]

i already sponsor a child, mine own, it is hard enough as it is to sponsor her!!

[Biggg72]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

I give my tithes and offering, too, but this is something for us as a forum to contribute to.

i hear you, me and the wife are tossing this around a bit, we are even thinking of adopting.

[QBoroLegend]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

I give my tithes and offering, too, but this is something for us as a forum to contribute to.

No, no, this is beyond that. It is a specific sponsorship that my church does through our corporate AMEX card and I do it through my personal card as well.

I was just commenting on it being a great idea - given our current economic state, but felt to clarify because I wouldnt be able to contribute.

[byalegend]

I'm sponsoring a child already (without my knowledge at first, by the way) - my wife has been sending money home to South America to put my nephew through college . Anyway, I'd be up for putting in a small donation for a forum sponsorship. Great idea.

[alittlethin]

If somebody can do some leg work then yes.

Questions:
1)Do I still get to deduct it on my taxes?
2)Do I get a receipt?
3)Will we post it on this site or another.
4)Are we a charitable organization?

5)(extra credit)Of the 6 children sponsored by the forum, I must choose exactly 2 of them. How many different combinations of 2 children are possible for me if there are no restrictions on which 2 children I can choose? :dunno:

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by alittlethin

If somebody can do some leg work then yes.

Questions:
1)Do I still get to deduct it on my taxes?
2)Do I get a receipt?
3)Will we post it on this site or another.
4)Are we a charitable organization?

5)(extra credit)Of the 6 children sponsored by the forum, I must choose exactly 2 of them. How many different combinations of 2 children are possible for me if there are no restrictions on which 2 children I can choose? :dunno:

1) I don't know, but I can see. I don't know how much of a tax deduction $10-$20 will net you :dunno:
2) I'm sure we arrange that.
3) This site. Period.
4) No, we aren't. We're just a bunch of kind-hearted guys and gals willing to make a difference.
6) There's no set limit on children we have to sponsor. We would keep track of the donations, and once they hit $240, we'd take care of a child, and we'd reset the count back down to $0. We'd keep on doing (or not). Even if people chipped in $1-$2/month, we have enough active members to take care of one child a month.

[mad_legend]

Keep this going, I will talk to the wife when I get home!