BajaNomad

Baja Philanthropy

Mike99km - 11-5-2010 at 01:21 PM

The Nomads often amaze me at how generous they are.
Raising money to me help a kid, flying docs to remote areas, helping folks walk or get around. Some of you go way beyond the norm. WOW!! Then talking to a friend who thinks that giving a bag of old happy meal toys is more than enough. This is completely novel to me.
Are there Nomads that think buying gas and a few meals is all they need to give? If so can you explain your reasons?

The wife and I believe we should make the world a little better in our own little way. We fall into the sometimes go out of our way generally at a micro-level.


[Edited on 11-6-2010 by Mike99km]

tiotomasbcs - 11-5-2010 at 01:49 PM

I'm a soft touch and I live down here. I speak spanish and like kids & sad songs! Once we were working/ cooling off some Pacificos so Jose was sent to buy some more coldies. He got collared by the Policia (didn't seem drunk & could drive) ! He cooled off for a few hours and the $200 p's sprung him . Does that count?!! I know.... Tio ps loved the Punta Prieta serenade; such a mysterious "poof"!

DENNIS - 11-5-2010 at 02:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tiotomasbcs
$200 p's sprung him . Does that count?!!



Friendship counts for everything. What more can you offer?

woody with a view - 11-5-2010 at 03:26 PM

i was surprised not everyone chose to be angelic in their own eyes. interesting.... this place is like kindergarden, all the same babies and their different stages of personal growth. it seems that snack and nap time should be extended for some of us, dontcha think?

back on point. as long as you give something, as opposed to just absorbing, while in baja it all counts.....

Mike99km - 11-5-2010 at 05:19 PM

Amen Woody, I do 5 or 6 trips a year just to help out but I know that it wouldn't take much more effort to do more.I feel like I should.
This has been looked that 161 times and 22 votes. Wonder what that means?

woody with a view - 11-5-2010 at 06:26 PM

as of now 203 looks, 4 votes.

what it means is 199 moochers can't take sides with their own conscience..... probably the same ratio - lookers versus donator's for Itzel (without looking, yet!).

not to mention, you are a butthead. that means 95% of moochers won't get it anyway.......

Merry Thanksgiving Mike!

[Edited on 11-6-2010 by woody with a view]

DENNIS - 11-5-2010 at 06:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mike99km
This has been looked that 161 times and 22 votes. Wonder what that means?



It only means it's a slow news day. Your thread will carry on and if it doesn't? You posed a good question. Thanks for that.

BajaBlanca - 11-5-2010 at 06:46 PM

I heard the oddest thing a while ago ... some scientists allege that generosity is physically a part of the brain. we are born either more or less generous because this part of the brain is bigger or smaller

doesn't that just take the cake ?

DENNIS - 11-5-2010 at 07:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
doesn't that just take the cake ?



Are you giving us a cake? That's very generous of you Blanca. Thanks. :biggrin:

Pescador - 11-5-2010 at 07:38 PM

Okay, just to stir things up a little bit, but I have a problem with people who come south of the border and suddenly become philanthropic. They do nothing for their neighborhoods or towns back home but when they come south, they turn into something else and hand out candy to all the kids ( like they don't get cavities), bring all their old clothes, and benevolently pass out things from North to South.
One of my favorite in touch people was the late Mike Humphreyville from Bay of Los Angeles who once said to his children that he hoped that he never treated someone differently because of their economic status.
I am not pretentious enough to even think that I have even come close to mastering the art of giving, but I do clearly know and understand that when I give someone something, and it comes from my heart, that both of us should be better off due to the interaction. If the other person has to feel less of himself due to something that I give him then we both lose.
I was once visiting a home in Baja for unwed mothers and they had a room that was filled to the ceiling with clothing that had been donated but none of the women really wanted to wear it because of the stigma that came with it. So when this new director came in, he saw that, immediately understood the problem and held a garage sale where the girls could buy the clothing for a couple of pesos and then they were proud to wear the clothing because they had done something to earn it.

BajaBlanca - 11-5-2010 at 07:56 PM

I am constantly impressed with how Americans in general support their various causes - people volunteer more in the US than in any country I have been to. which is being generous with their time and that is priceless.

Donjulio - 11-5-2010 at 08:18 PM

Giving down here is a good thing. There is a lot of need. There is also a lot of folks that will automatically take advantage of the situation and turn receiving into entitlement. I don't see the stigma problem that Pescador refers to.

I also see a lot of people who open their hearts and wallets and really get taken advantage of. I think we should always be willing to give and help no matter where we are. I also think giving with discretion is important here.

Know where whatever you give is going. I understand that comment about the happy meal toys too. Someone people think that it is not important what they give, just that they are giving. Well thats not always true either.

If your heart tells you to give, give. If it doesn't don't. And don't give for ego purposes. Just my 2 cents.

[Edited on 11-6-2010 by Donjulio]

fdt - 11-5-2010 at 09:55 PM

There has been, a very, very, clear example of what this forum and the people that contribute to it have done in favor of less fortunate children of Baja California. This is the Dia de Reyes Toy Drive. It started as an idea between Mr. BajaNomad and myself 5 years ago and is still going on and getting stronger every year. http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=42769#pid4699...
The honest truth is that one group, person (toy donor) made it all the more inspiring, Cabo Magic, on the first toy drive we had 72 children and they donated over 72 gifts, that made it possible to have over 100 kids, 112 I think to be more precise. Since then, last years event we had about 350 children. On Jan 09, 2011 we will have the 5th annual Baja Nomad Dia de Reyes Toy Drive and we have not yet notified people about it and already have a donor with 35 bikes and a couple of Nomads asking about the date so they can start shopping for gifts.
Stay tuned, it is year #5 and it will be big!

DianaT - 11-5-2010 at 09:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fdt
There has been, a very, very, clear example of what this forum and the people that contribute to it have done in favor of less fortunate children of Baja California. This is the Dia de Reyes Toy Drive. It started as an idea between Mr. BajaNomad and myself 5 years ago and is still going on and getting stronger every year. http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=42769#pid4699...
The honest truth is that one group, person (toy donor) made it all the more inspiring, Cabo Magic, on the first toy drive we had 72 children and they donated over 72 gifts, that made it possible to have over 100 kids, 112 I think to be more precise. Since then, last years event we had about 350 children. On Jan 09, 2011 we will have the 5th annual Baja Nomad Dia de Reyes Toy Drive and we have not yet notified people about it and already have a donor with 35 bikes and a couple of Nomads asking about the date so they can start shopping for gifts.
Stay tuned, it is year #5 and it will be big!


Sure is good to see you around these parts again! You have been missed.

fdt - 11-5-2010 at 10:05 PM

I know, Thanks, I never left, just made a right ;D

shari - 11-6-2010 at 07:49 AM

Something I have learned by living in baja is that giving/generosity is how things run here...with no social safety net...alot of help is necessary and is given unconditionally.

For example...there are always a need for operations, travel money to see sick relatives, money to make a 15 year old happy so she can have her party...nearly every day we encounter people who need a bit...and we see everyone pitching in to help. It may be only a few pesos but everybody tries to contribute and things get done....knowing next week it might be your family in need.

Mike99km - 11-6-2010 at 10:59 PM

Pescador
I agree with most that you say. When the Goodwill, VNV, or salvation army pick up 20 bags from my neighbors, is there any difference between them and some charity in Baja ? When you were in the home for unwed mothers I assume you were helping? That makes you better than most.
Mike MMc

CaboMagic - 11-7-2010 at 09:59 AM

Great topic ..

We go out of our way often .. as Sheri notes, its just the way things are done. Not with an agenda, nor expecting "return on investment", rather, we are all sisters and brothers one way or another ... With the continued growth & development in Cabo (please, Cabo bashers take it elsewhere) we find the 'extended family' gets larger all the time.

Several yrs ago had a heated discussion with the wife of a very important banker from my days before Cabo Magic who thought bringing down a suitcase with used clothes and pencils was fabulous.

I tried explaining how used clothes are ok to pass around to family, but, when people dont have much, they really dont want charity and would much rather work for it, or, receive a gift. "Gifts" are new.

Target has 75% discounted racks of clothing, and after holiday deep discounts, and that is where we go and fill up those huge totes that Ferna refers to for the Annual Dia de Reyes event organized by Mrs & Mrs FDT.

That event touches many hearts beyond the obvious for eternity as not doubt the children whose lives have been so positively affected by the kindness of others will be passed on and emulated.

Donations made to Goodwill etc go to their retail stores - They benefit becasue people then pay for what they purchase the item/s originated as a donation. In my view, thats different than a gift .. but to each their own, and I say giving is beautiful in whatever way one can do.

As we approach the season of giving traditional thanks, this is a time to extend ours - we are grateful and thankful for oppotunities to be reminded that no matter how tough things may be, there is always a way to give to someone in need.

Thank you for the opportunity time and again to help and give which feels so good.

burnrope - 11-7-2010 at 10:23 AM

I always give to Cruz Rojas and a buck a limb to amputees when crossing the border.

BajaBlanca - 11-7-2010 at 10:28 AM

Everyday I give thanks for all I have and try to give something back to the universe...with a smile...a kind word .....anything that might make someone's day just a tiny bit better.

DENNIS - 11-7-2010 at 10:32 AM

I sincerely hope all of this notoriety we're giving ourselves doesn't produce a negative effect. I've seen it happen that, when it becomes known a certain segment of a community can be relied upon to give financial assistance to a worthy cause, similar causes begin to emerge more frequently.
That in itself is a good thing, but it tends to dilute the resolve [not to mention the funds] of the collective donor. I believe "Donor Fatigue" is the term.

I'm not saying anything should be changed. I'm only making others aware of the phenomenon as I've seen it play out elsewhere.

.

[Edited on 11-7-2010 by DENNIS]

BajaNuts - 11-7-2010 at 04:48 PM

I wasn't going to vote a first because I haven't spent much time in Baja. That might explain why there had been 120 views and 22 posts. People may not have felt qualified to vote since they may not be living in Baja or traveling to Baja as much as others.

After reading the posts, I voted because I do help Baja projects and causes even from NOB. And I also help/donate in my local community, so that counts as helping locals in my book.

fdt - 12-8-2010 at 09:18 PM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=49503


TMW - 12-9-2010 at 10:29 AM

In the late 80s and most of the 90s I spent a good deal of time taking clothing, toys, blankets, food etc. and many other things to a Padre in southern Baja to be given to the locals. Skeet got me into taking coats to a DR. in Constitucion. In the past dozen years it's been more of the money donations to various causes such as the floods or the earthquake in Mexicali. Give me a cause and I will help be it here in the US or in Baja.