
July 21, 2017 Charity
It's Thursday and
it's early for me to prepare this email. I thought I'd do it now because
in a few minutes I will be heading off to do caricatures for the Whittier
Chamber's SHOP LOCAL at Parnell park. I expect long lines in the heat
of July and I'm pretty sure I will be too tired to do anything else after
that. Last year the lines were so long someone had to help me shoo the
crowd away.
As you probably know,
I do this for charity. However, I'm beginning to wonder if this is worth
all the trouble. Don't get me wrong. I don't mind; in fact, I enjoy doing
this for non-profits --- especially for poor people ... but I think some
people who can afford to pay are taking advantage of my kindness. It's
almost like the rich people demand "FREE." Surprisingly, it
is the so-called "poor" who give me the most tips (which I give
to back to the non-profits) ... and they insist on it.
Could it be because
the poor empathize with the poor? Do they want to help their fellow impoverished
get out of their rut?
Do YOU also give
of your time and money for some benefit to the community? Why do we
do this to ourselves?
I remember a wealthy
friend of mine who went with me on a trip through an impoverished village.
There were food peddlers selling their wares at dirt cheap prices. I was
shocked when my friend haggled for even more discounts ... and he got
it.
Is it in the DNA of
the rich to know how to squeeze every drop in every opportunity? If you
think about it, many of the rich only give when it's tax deductible. In
fact, (I believe) many millionaires would not be philanthropists if not
for tax advantages.
But it's not just
the rich. Some regular people NEVER give. Their excuse? They say
they cannot trust their contribution will be spent wisely. No guarantee?
No money! Is that right?
I believe there are
no guarantees in life. We should donate for other reasons. When we're
up we should help those who are down. And even if our generosity
goes in the wrong hands, our conscience should be clear that our intentions
were right.
When we do something
charitable it will do us good to remember this: we do it for the poor,
we do it for the rich, we do it because we can. We do it because it will
bless others.
Whoever
sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully
will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his
heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
--- 2 Corinthians: 6-8
TGIF people!
Lawyer
vs Cop Contributed by
Tom of Pasadena, CA
An egotistic lawyer
runs a Stop sign and gets pulled over by an elderly Scottish policeman.
The lawyer thinks that he is smarter than the cop because he is a LAWYER
from the big city and is better educated, better bred and well just BETTER
than any elderly cop. He decides to prove this and have some fun at the
policeman's expense!
Elderly Cop:
"License and registration, please."
Hot Shot Lawyer:
"What for?"

Elderly Cop: "Ye
didnae come to a complete stop at the stop sign."
Hot Shot Lawyer:
"I slowed down, and no one was coming."

Elderly Cop:
"Ye still didnae come to a complete stop. License and registration,
please"
Hot Shot Lawyer:
"What's the difference?!!" barked the lawyer.
Elderly Cop:
"The difference is, ye huvte come to complete stop, that's the law.
License and registration, please!

Hot Shot Lawyer:
"If you can show me the legal difference between slow down
and stop, I'll give you my license and registration and you can
give me a ticket. If not, you let me go and don't give me the ticket."
Elderly Cop:
"Sounds fair. Exit your vehicle, Sir."
The Hot Shot Lawyer
gets out of his vehicle. The Scottish cop takes out his baton and starts
beating the living daylights out of the lawyer and says, "Do yeye
wants me *to stop* or *just slow down*?"

TGIF Videos

Just
for Laughs Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA
Collection of
humorous pranks.
|

Happy
Bday Variation Sent by Charlie of New Jersey
What if a serious
composer were to rehash that famous tune? What would it sound like?
|

Downhill
Biking Sent by Tom of Pasadena, CA
Riding downhill
on a bike can be exciting. It can also make you sick. Now I remember
why I don't bike!
|
Parting
Shot Thanks
to Naomi of N Hollywood who provided this photo

|
Comments
Anonymous
Sat, 07/22/2017 - 15:41
Permalink
Roaring with Laughter
Yes, I was telling you how awesome the "tricks" were~~I was not smiling, but roaring with laughter!! The "slow down or stop" Was great, especially the drawings~~Happy birthday was very interesting~~The Bike was very frightening!! All in all, I loved TGIF, yesterday!! I always like it, but this was OUTSTANDING!!
Judie! of Florida
PS Try to stay in the shade, today!!
Anonymous
Sat, 07/22/2017 - 15:47
Permalink
Volunteering
Great intro and art with Scottish Cop.
Volunteers are wonderful and fun to be with. Those appreciating what they do make it worthwhile. I feel better about giving time and talent where and when I can.
Thanks Tom of Pasadena
Anonymous
Sat, 07/22/2017 - 15:51
Permalink
Fairness in Volunteering
Hey Raoul:
I got to Parnell Park with my BLT and a bottle of water yesterday and I could not find a parking space! And, while I was on the way my 81 year old friend called to invite me to a Big Band concert in Montebello which I declined. I think an Uber would have been the best idea. Anyway, I called her when I got home, ate my sandwich and went to her concert which I enjoyed. I stayed up past my bedtime.
I understand what you've written about today and throughout my life I have volunteered myself and get exactly what you mean. Because you're so good at what you do, I think there should be a charge and you should receive half of all monies. It would be the fairest thing for you and the organization you're providing your talent to.
Have a great weekend.
Heather of Whittier, CA
Anonymous
Tue, 07/25/2017 - 04:03
Permalink
Entertaining
Salamat, Raoul!
Nakakatawa (Delightful) and very entertaining! Thought-provoking, too.
Benjie, Manila, Philippines
Anonymous
Tue, 07/25/2017 - 04:31
Permalink
Back in the days (when I was
Back in the days (when I was receiving over $200,00 annual pay) I was able to give out cash foolishly just because it made me feel good to help. Believe it or not, I didn't care about a tax write-off and I also paid a lot of taxes because I thought it was the right thing to do. Now that I lost my job and I'm getting old I've realized that if it makes you feel good (to give your money away) do it where you can write it off.
It's smart to get some of the money you give away back, because we all know that even with a write-off you don't get all your money back, but at least it helps you to continue to give to your charity or church organization for the following year. That's how you make your money go round the right way.
I don't think the rich just give money out because they get a tax break. That doesn't make sense to me because they are rich and have a choice to make. It's either the government take the money or a charity. Keep in mind that either way they lose money but are rich to make up the difference.
What I am saying is that the rich that give money out to charities is a choice they made from their heart and is a smart choice because the write-offs helps them to continue to give yearly, rather than give it to the government. This doesn't mean to be a cheap tipper with cash ... it just means to be smart with money. That's why for now on I really study what we vote on when it comes to raising taxes because I rather decide how I spend my money and not have the government do it for me.
O.L., Whittier, CA