TGO Christmas "Pay It Forward" 2009 Results

[TGO David]

Folks...

On November 18th of this year, BrooksJr, one of our members, started a thread offering a Christmas gift of $100 to a member of the TGO community who needed some relief during the holiday season.

BrooksJr's thread quickly grew as other members of TGO jumped in and added their own money to the offer until the grand total stood close to $4,100 collected. Subsequently, several worthy cases have been addressed and will be receiving assistance from this spontaneous fund raiser.

On Tuesday, November 24, a five person panel of respected TGO members convened for a telephone conference call to review the solicitations for help that had been submitted to Brooks, and several decisions were made. The members on this conference call were:

• Mrs TGO David (my wife)
  
• Bronker
  
• Gun Geek
  
• JeffsSig
  
• MacGyver
  

Also present were both myself and BrooksJr although we both abstained from participating in any votes. We were simply present to moderate the call and to provide additional information as requested by the five person panel.

Distribution Of Assistance...

To respect the privacy of those who will be receiving assistance, I am not going to name "cases" or names. However, I am happy to announce that the assistance is being dispersed in the following formats:

#1 - $600 for Walmart gift card

#2 - $100 for Kroger gift card

#3 - $50 Kroger gift card

#4 - $150 Toys R Us gift card

#5 - $300 Kroger gift card, $300 Walmart gift card

#6 - $300 Kroger gift card, $300 Walmart gift card

#7 - $100 Kroger gift card

#8 - $300 Kroger gift card, $300 Walmart gift card

#9 - (2) $100 Walmart gift cards

#10 - $100 Toys R Us gift card or Toys

In addition to these specific needs which were met, the TGO community will be donating approximately $1000 to the Toys For Tots program administered by the United States Marine Corps.

I would like to thank all of you who participated in this amazing display of spontaneous giving, and will be working through the list of participants as provided by BrooksJr and will be assigning TGO Benefactor status to anyone who contributed at least $100 to the effort.

I hope to accomplish that part of my to-do list by the end of the day.

Thanks again, and Merry Christmas to all of you.

Edited November 30, 2009 by TGO David
Edited to reflect Brooks' latest information.

[Guest SUNTZU]

Very cool.

[brooksjr]

just to clarify the total collected was $4,100 and the above totals equal $3,100 so toys for tots will be receiving $1,000. all the cards have been purchased and will go out tomorrow. i was really hoping to get them out today but won't get a chance to go to the post office.

Edit: also one of the $100 Kroger gift card recipients graciously declined our help due to him starting to get back on his feet so that card will be added to #1 in the list above.

Edited November 30, 2009 by brooksjr

[MacGyver]

It was great to be a part of this, and I hope that a lot of families Christmas's will be at least a little bit better because of it.

Nice work TGO!

[jtluttrell]

Seeing it broken down like that is amazing. Good job fellas.

[Motasyco]

Incredible! I salute those that contributed to this effort.

[Rightwinger]

You don't see that happening just anywhere folks! Great job!

[Guest c.a.s.]

That's ten families helped AND a bunch of tots in need! I'm glad to be a member here. Next year, I will hopefully be able to contribute a meaningful sum, and I hope this remains a yearly tradition of generosity and holiday kindness of our community.

[Jasongar8]

Great job guys. This place is great.

[Guest Bronker]

It was certainly an honor to have been included in the process. There was wonderful conversation, and I was taken aback by the spirit in which the members involved approached this task. The discussions were very professional, very courteous, very informative and fair. I have total confidence that the decisions regarding the distributions were as appropriate and fair as possible. Thanks again for including me.

As a forum, we've done a good thing here. For those involved to any degree, be assured that acts such as these, done in faith, never return void. Your blessing is coming...be expecting it!

[EMTRN]

I salute those who gave. I am proud to be a member of this site.

[R1100R]

I am proud to have been part of this. I'm glad it went to some needy people.

[Guest Drewsett]

Not that this was done for attention...

but has anyone considered letting local media know about this? Lord knows gun owners could always use good press.

[Guest db99wj]

Wow. Didn't see this thread until about 30 minutes ago, read the other thread, I don't go there much, can't really buy anything currently.

Really can't say anything else, but wow. Wish I was able to help too. Makes me proud to be around a group of people like this.

Edited November 30, 2009 by db99wj

[THE COOP]

All of you who contributed are awesome, I'm a proud member of TGO... COOP

[willis68]

This was the best $100.00 I have ever spent, next year I will donate more money

[Guest Gun Geek]

Again I am proud to be a member here and am very glad to have helped out.

Not that this was done for attention...

but has anyone considered letting local media know about this? Lord knows gun owners could always use good press.

I sent Fox, the NRA, CBS all an email and a letter and have yet to receive a reply. Have not heard anything on the news either.

I wrote one little thing here. Admin Blog- Let Freedom Ring

[Guest HexHead]

That's awesome David. This is a wonderful community you've created here.

[Magiccarpetrides]

Way to go guys! Very awesome.

[Punisher84]

Very cool. Way to go everybody. Wished I could have pitched in, but I didn't even find out about this until the other day.

[Guest tnvolfan]

This is really special -- I hope that it will be the inaugural of an annual program for TGO. I know that the blessings that were donated will return many times over to those members with the big hearts!

[ShaunM]

This is awesome great job everyone.

[Guest JHatmaker]

Wow....just wow....

[Kegger]

You all have done a very admirable thing.

And it goes to show, that no matter what the person believes, the kindness of the human heart is the one thing that shines through all.

I only wish that I could have contributed to this fund. Hopefully next year I will be able to.

[Guest Mrs. H]

Dearest BrooksJr.-

You really are an Angel. Look how many others you inspired to give! And thank you to the others that contributed! The trust and honor amongst TGO members is so honorable. I wish more people would take initiative to be as selfless and thoughtful as you and all the others who are so willing to give to those they do not know. Thank you, thank you for your generosity. You give me hope that there is still some humanity on this crazy planet! I am so tired of seeing people just take advantage of others for the simple fact that they can get away with it. I appreciate that the members of this online community can trust each other.

Merry Christmas Tennessee!

Mrs. H