Okay, you people. I'm going to do you all a huge favor. As the holidays approach your sometimes cynical hearts melt like a Hershey bar on the dash board. And you read about the needs of your fellow man...and you don't know what charities are eating up your donation with administrative costs, or whom you are really helping, even the guy with the sign on the side of the road.
Well, I'm gonna give you a good cause and I'm gonna ask you to put your trust in me and donate what you can afford to a fellow and his wife who had their house burned down last night. Their names are Jerry and Betty Craddock from Minco, Oklahoma. They are the Uncle and Aunt of my dear cousin Tammy who spends most of her waking hours donating her time and money to schools, her church, Ronald McDonald House and Oklahoma hurricane victims.
Last night Jerry and Betty's house caught on fire and they lost everything. They didn't have insurance. Now, I'm not going to be judgmental about folks not having house insurance; I don't know their circumstances. Maybe the difference is having house insurance or eating ALPO, or eating hamburger without it.
All I know about Jerry is that he's the type of fellow that you, as a complete stranger, could walk up to and ask for his last two bucks and you'd get it. Both of them have given all their lives and now need help; this despite the fact that they haven't asked anyone for a dime.
So niece Tammy, she of the giving heart, is making T-Shirts with the logo "Gooder than good" which is Uncle Jerry's inevitable response to anyone who asks how he's doing. Tammy is selling the T-shirts for $10 dollars each and I'll give you an ordering address in a minute. Tammy hopes to raise some funds to help her two dear ones get back on their feet.
Now try to imagine this; as the old fella's house is burning down he's out there in the front yard apologizing to the Fire Fighters and thanking them for trying to save his home. When family arrived and hugged him, tears in their eyes, he hugged them back and said "that's alright darlin.."gooder than good"..
A man of strong faith, but I can tell you that if I was standing there watching every personal picture, every momento, all of my worldly goods, and my home burned to the ground, I could never muster enough courage to keep it all together, much less buck up someone else's morale. And I'd be wondering where I'll spend Thanksgiving or if I'll have a roof over my head come Christmas.
So I'm doing you all a great favor; I'm giving you a good cause to donate to. And I don't want you to give till it hurts; if you can't afford to buy a t-shirt, please put two bucks in an envelope and send it to Tammy Jameson Fouch,
1006 SW Maple
Minco, Oklahoma 73059
If you want to order the T-shirt, just send ten bucks and your t-shirt size to the address above.
Now, go and do what I know you'll do because my readers are good, good people. "Gooder than good".
29 comments:
I'm bringing this need to work, hopefully it does well we've 22,000 employees. I make no promises other than I'll try. They sound like damn fine people.
Thanks so much, Brian. I'm hoping to help these people get on their feet 'two bucks at a time".
I'm in on this. I know these folks and can honestly say, " They're as genuine as it gets ". Great people!
Sending my contribution!
Thanks so much, Carol. i'll try to update everyone in the next month or so on how they are doing.
I know these 2 people personally and even sifted through the ashes looking for their personal belongings with them. Then as I layed in my own warm bed I thought.. there but for the grace of God go I. Wonderful Giving family who needs help desperately.
Thanks so much, Joey. I have faith that the response is going to be great...it will enrich the hearts of both the giver and receiver.
Is there anyway to send via paypal?
I'm afraid not, Trevor. Thanks for asking.
Trevor...I missspoke...there is a pay pal account; it's called the Braddock Fire Fund. Details as follows;
Cradduck Fire Fund. It's under my email tammy@oklahomasteamclean.com
I searched cradduck fire fund and don't come up with it. Please post a link? If not, I'll mail cash Monday.
hi Rebecca, thanks for asking about this...I don't know about paypal very much but i think if you type in tammy's email address it might come up. BTW, here's a link to the newspaper story on it..it has Tammy's phone number on their as well. I'll try out the paypal thing and see how it works and post here later.
Thanks so much for supporting them.
Can't seem to do anything right this morning...here's the link: http://www.mustangpaper.com/contentitem/364499/1586/minco-comes-together-to-help-couple-who-lost-everything
Good morning - tammy should receive a donation today.
More good news: I actually know my pay pal password! Bought slipcovers on eBay recently, they have great deals on those.
Not to give the impression that I'm so concerned with people wrecking my furniture, I'm not at all that type. The thing is that the dog loves to sleep in the sun on the Living room furniture- the dog uses it way more than anybody else. I keep it covered so that if people actually want to sit on it, I can take the covers off and company can sit there without getting dog hair on them. Much easier than trying to clean it. The $50 for sofa and loveseat covers is well worth it. Cleaning them is a major ordeal.
Thanks so much, Rebecca! You will be blessed for your kindness. I plan to write a blog sometime in December and update everyone on jerry and Betty's status.
BTW, are you going to accept my challenge and write a short piece on your favorite Christmas?
I also like how pay pal is now stating how much the recipient will get: I'm guessing they have had complaints. They suck basically; they want your bank account#, which I'd never give. At least they are now verifying what you send will be received by whomever you send it to.
And no, I've never considered keeping the dog off the furniture. Not an option. She's a happy, friendly, great dog. I want her life to be as pleasant as it can be. Furniture is just more junk I can replace if I need to. The dog on the other hand, well she is irreplaceable. :-)
favorite Christmas: yes, I'll have to think about that. I can think of some funny, yet inappropriate stories. Like the time my sister peed in the woods and I wrote a Christmas carol about her: silent night, holy night, my sister peed on eagle drive. She wasn't pleased with my song, I can tell you that. I laughed for 3 weeks at least.
Then there was the Christmas I was snowed in with a couple who faught constantly. I started drinking wine and 11 am and was well beyond "merry" by 2 - maybe not that one either. ;-)
Rebecca, re, the dogs, I agree with you...my dog's comfort comes first since this is their house too. I cover the furniture they frequent but now have to restrict my older dog, Ginger...she's over 100 now and I fear she'll break her leg jumping up and down off the chair she likes...She's already sprained a leg and had to hobble for a few days after a bad jump off the chair.
Your two brief Christmas experiences sound intriguing for a longer story.
Again, thanks for the donation.
You're very welcome. Alternate definitions that I find to be very accurate:
Conservative: generous with their own money.
Liberal: generous with someone else's money.
;-)
Rebecca, here's the directions from paypal...type in your address, then type in the recipient's email address, note the amount, then send:
Send money to a friend
Your email
Their email
Amount
USD - U.S. Dollar
Tammy's paypal email adress is tammy@oklahomasteamclean.com
T-Shirts are $10 plus $1.50 shipping.
Dearel- You have some of the kindest readers. I've received several blessings in the mail for my aunt and uncle. I wish I could hug each and every one of them. They are all just awesome. Thank you again for your help and your blessing as well.
i agree Tammy. Most of them I know through comments here and in emails. They are smart as whips and great hearts!
She should have gotten money fom pay pal! She didn't? They charged me; I have a receipt. Please confirm?
Rebecca, I'll check on the pay pal payment; I'm sure she got it but I'll check for sure.
Good, very good. :-)
It's not a ton of money, I'm not wealthy. But, it''s enough for me to go bother pay pal if she didn't get it. Understand what Im saying?
Sure do. Never hurts to check.
Tammy said she got it, Rebecca...she plans to send back her thanks to everyone...see her earlier post. night.
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