MetaChat - Today I Did Something Really Cool And Good In My Community

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13 December 2008

Today I Did Something Really Cool And Good In My Community →[More:]

I volunteered for a local grassroots organization here in Portsmouth known as (H)EAT,(heat-eat.org), pronounced Heat-Eat, which is trying to raise $50,000 in food and home heating costs for families in our area who are without enough money for either this winter.

I stood out in front of our makeshift storefront in downtown Portsmouth and cajoled passersby to donate or buy our swag.

All in all, I managed to pull in somewhere around two hundred and fifty dollars for the cause for five hours work.

Favorite quote:
ME: "Hi, we're trying to raise money for people who need food and heat who can't afford it this winter."

THEM: "Oh, I thought this was a restaurant."

ME: "No, we're a local grassroots agency trying to heat people's homes and get them some food this winter."

THEM: "Oh,yeah? Well, I'm starving, too. Where's a good restaurant in town?"

THEM walks off.

post by: Lipstick Thespian at: 16:40 | 10 comments

Aww. Altruistic deeds but no comments yet while one post down has 11 comments on salad bar experiences.
Good work m'lad.
*pats lts shoulder. Puts pipe back between teeth*

posted by jouke 13 December | 17:56

All in all, I managed to pull in somewhere around two hundred and fifty dollars for the cause for five hours work.

Holy cats! That's a lotta dough to rake in today! Good work --- it's a tough day to be out in the cold, man.

posted by Elsa 13 December | 18:16

Yeah, I have to say I'm damn proud of myself.

I just jumped in, and if anyone looked at our little blackboard sandwich sign posted out front, I started chatting them up and more often than not, I got them to donate.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 13 December | 18:51

I am glad there are people like you in the world.

posted by Twiggy 13 December | 18:52

Good job LT!

posted by gomichild 13 December | 18:54

I wonder, were people more sympathetic because of the power outage? For those elsewhere, we had a terrible ice storm Thu/Fri night that knocked out power for 30,000 people in the state. It is gradually being restored, but there are still plenty of people who have had no heat, lights, hot water, or cooking ability in their homes for 2 nights, both below 20 degrees. As far as I could see today, it was making people a little more appreciative for things like just being warm. I wonder if that helped (H)EAT a little bit.

posted by Miko 13 December | 21:15

I would like to believe so, Miko. I didn't meet anyone today who felt more or less appreciative because of the weather being what it is now.

There were times when I honestly believed I could be standing next to a shivering, malnutritioned orphan in rags and passers-by would simply look curiously at the orphan and mutter, "We're all set, thanks." and keep walking.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 13 December | 23:57

Great thing you did today LT.

posted by arse_hat 14 December | 01:23

Fantastic, LT! I know that this is also making you feel a little warmer inside, too.

posted by taz 14 December | 08:27

If anything it's a great lesson in sheer patience.

You guys know me enough on here to know that's not my strong suit. But I really love doing it - any kind of social volunteering gets me pumped. I feel fantastic when I can persuade people to look after one another.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 14 December | 14:28

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