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Author: Subject: Today I'm embarrassed to be a Gringo
toneart
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thumbup.gif posted on 3-29-2010 at 10:27 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
This is certainly painting an ugly image of the American tourist & expats. But please let's not forget how generous we can be either. Ask the kids in the towns about where they got their bikes. Or those that received help after a disaster where much of the donations came from. I for one am not ashamed to be an American. Even if our politics and a few arrogant people embarrass me at times we do come through in times of need.


I agree! Although I am not a pseudo flag waver, the People of The United States have always had the reputation, and still are probably the most generous, charitable people world wide. Nice people make me proud to be "an American". :yes: Mean people suck!:(




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DENNIS
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 10:27 AM


All I know for sure is that when giving becomes obligatory, it's no longer charity. It's a tax.
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 02:19 PM


Perhaps the Mexicans you see donating are more like local folks and want to suppory that community. Perhaps the Gringos you see not donating may be traveling many hundreds of miles an just got tired of shelling out over and over again day after day of traveling. Hmmmm, who knows.



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Bajahowodd
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 02:28 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by knuckles
"When there is an accident and they respond they aren't going to be looking for that sticker to decide whether to treat you or not but you will be glad they had enough gas to get there. "

Donjulio has it right.... and we know first hand what a wonderful organizaton this is.

We normally just give a little to all who ask on both sides. Even the rehab group dressed in white. They always say "god bless you" so I feel like I just got an extra blessing even though I paid for it.


If you are referring to the folks dressed in white standing outside so many stores NOB, they are members of a fundamentalist church. The uniforms are meant to make them appear t be more official- looking. I have nothing against charities that provide needed assistance, be it for rehab, or whatever. But, this is truly a case of where the unsuspecting have no idea as to where the money collected actually goes.
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MrBillM
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 02:29 PM
Cash in the Dash


I always keep a bunch of one-dollar bills wedged in a seam of the Truck dash for easy access and more than once I've been asked about it by the Mex Army guys who have looked through the cab.

On one occasion, when sent to U.S. secondary, the Customs official looking around gave me a suspicious look and said "What's this money for" ? I explained and said "NOBODY would think a dozen one-dollar bills would bribe anybody on EITHER side of the border".

Would they ?
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Bajahowodd
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 03:11 PM


And he probably didn't even know what a great tipper you are!:lol::lol::lol::lol:
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Bajaboy
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 04:00 PM


But I can't remember the last time I saw a Mexican tip at Pemex...making blanket judgments is a tough call. I'd like to think that we all give in our own ways and it should for our own reasons.



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ecomujeres
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 04:12 PM


This is the perfect place to announce a fundraiser by the Mulege Cruz Roja this week:

Carne Asada meal (includes ensalada, frijoles, tortillas) - 40 pesos

Wednesday, March 31

2 pm-6 pm

At the "Y", near entrance arch.

Also for sale: sodas, beer, desserts

So, come enjoy the food and company and support a worthy cause.




http://www.lasecomujeres.org (Bilingual environmental education about Baja California)

Check out: http://www.meloncoyote.org (project of Journalism to Raise Environmental Awareness; a quarterly news bulletin for the Gulf of California Region).
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Bajahowodd
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 04:20 PM


Kinda wish I was gonna be there. But at 40 pesos, you gotta hope folks are going to be way generous, 'cause you're not gonna make much giving that amount of food away for 40 pesos. Good luck on raising funds.
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 04:21 PM


ecomujeres...once again, thanks for being in the constant lead for our community....your direction and guidance and diligence has been wonderful. m.



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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 04:23 PM


Now I am embarassed this is even posted
Why does paulclark think just because he was working a collection point GRINGOS should be required to donate?
Is he famous?
Do not most people give to their own choice of needy?
Why be required just because it is the red cross?
Has he ever driven mex1 on a sunday?
Is not there collectors in every town?
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Bajahowodd
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 04:28 PM
Are There Not Collectors


Quote:
Originally posted by KAT54
Now I am embarassed this is even posted
Why does paulclark think just because he was working a collection point GRINGOS should be required to donate?
Is he famous?
Do not most people give to their own choice of needy?
Why be required just because it is the red cross?
Has he ever driven mex1 on a sunday?
Is not there collectors in every town?


That said, among others, I have posted here that keeping some change handy fills the bill. I absolutely do not disagree with the concept of one's personal choice for charitable donation. But this isn't a case of writing a $500 check. These folks are carrying cans for a reason. Give them a break, and perhaps a 10 peso coin. Unless that will ruin your trip.:rolleyes:
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 04:35 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
I've heard that Mexican Governmental, especially Law-Enforcement, employees set aside 20 percent of their Mordida for Charitable purposes.

Is that true ?


:lol::lol::lol::lol:




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ecomujeres
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 04:40 PM


Mulegemichael...thanks for the feedback. But I couldn´t do it without the support of open-hearted, generous people like yourself and so many others in our community who want to do what we can to better this world and help out our neigbors, even if it is only one peso or one person at a time. DV



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Check out: http://www.meloncoyote.org (project of Journalism to Raise Environmental Awareness; a quarterly news bulletin for the Gulf of California Region).
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 04:44 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by ecomujeres
This is the perfect place to announce a fundraiser by the Mulege Cruz Roja this week:

Carne Asada meal (includes ensalada, frijoles, tortillas) - 40 pesos

Wednesday, March 31

2 pm-6 pm

At the "Y", near entrance arch.

Also for sale: sodas, beer, desserts

So, come enjoy the food and company and support a worthy cause.


Wish we were in the area---40 pesos? I hope a lot of it is donated food so that you make good money.

Have fun
Diane




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ecomujeres
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 04:59 PM


Wish you were here too, Diane!

Here´s more info on the organizing of the event:

There is a committee of 10 women, las Damas de la Cruz Roja, who are responsible for organizing the event. Each of these women and their families or friends are donating all the food and supplies to the event.

They only item so far that they will buy is the meat.

Cruz Roja from Santa Rosalia and from La Paz are helping with a few of the supplies as well.

They are raising money for their supply fund, which is used to purchase items such as syringes, alcohol swabs, gauze, oxygen, gasoline and other misc. supplies needed to stock the ambulance.

All of the people working at Cruz Roja in Mulege are volunteers who are giving of their own time in providing this vital community service.




http://www.lasecomujeres.org (Bilingual environmental education about Baja California)

Check out: http://www.meloncoyote.org (project of Journalism to Raise Environmental Awareness; a quarterly news bulletin for the Gulf of California Region).
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 06:19 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by mulegejim
Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by Paulclark Today I'm embarrassed to be a Gringo


well, diff cultures think differently about looking for donations in median of road. gringos associate that with homeless (in US I have only seen homeless or firemen in median -- i donate to homeless, but not firemen who already got lots of tax money), while in mexico it is common for organizations to collect in road.


I will respond one last time as I am very offended by Goats post regarding Firefighters "Fill the Boot" campaign for MDA. As a retired Los Angeles City Fire Captain long involved with the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Local 112 (UFLAC) - the union representing Firefighters in Los Angeles City - I will just include this post from the Local's website and let the issue rest. I do not want to hijack this post, however, I could not let this pass. Please read the attached and remember this is just one Local Union's contribution in the IAFF to MDA. I am done.

5th Annual LAFD/UFLAC Fill the Boot

March 15, 2010
Bul 16 – 10


5th Annual LAFD/UFLAC Fill the Boot


"The 5th Annual LAFD/UFLAC Local #112 Fill the Boot drive to benefit the Muscular
Dystrophy Association will take place on Monday, April 19th, Tuesday, April
20th, and Wednesday, April 21st. Your local MDA representative will be
contacting each battalion to kick off this year’s push.

Over the last four years, Los Angeles City Fire Fighters have raised more
than $536,180 for children and adults living in our city suffering from a
neuromuscular disease. Our contribution was $201,465 in 2009 alone. These
funds provide health care and support services to individuals living with
muscle diseases in Southern California. Additionally, MDA uses Fill the Boot
dollars to fund scientific research towards finding treatments and cures for
the 43 diseases under the MDA umbrella.

The partnership between International Association of Fire Fighters and the
Muscular Dystrophy Association began in 1954, and the fire service has
remained the biggest champion of the MDA and Jerry’s Kids. Since its
inception, Fill the Boot has raised over $350 million dollars nationwide. We
at the UFLAC office would like to thank you for your hard work and dedicated
effort in supporting this worth cause.
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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 06:24 PM
What community was this?


Quote:
Originally posted by Donjulio
Had an interesting experience on Saturday. We had an idea at the food bank to get all of the local businesses to help support the community that has supported them for so many years.

With the economy and tourism down so much here the community is suffering but we wanted to find a way to empower the people to become more self-sustaining.

So the idea was to go each business and get them to sign a commitment for 100 pesos a month. Thats not much until you multiply it 400 times. Then it feeds a whole lot of people.

I had a letter written in Spanish explaining what we wanted to do so that it was very clear. I watched the people nod their heads as they read it. Out of the 24 Mexican businesses I went to 23 signed and made a monthly commitment and only 1 said next month (cause his business wasn't even completely open yet).

Out of the 4 American owned businesses I went to, one of them would commit to 100 pesos per month. 1 gave 100 pesos and said she would do that when she could but wouldnt commit to it. The other two didn't sign and didn't give.

Interesting.




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[*] posted on 3-29-2010 at 09:02 PM
Big Tipper


That's Me. Just an all-around great guy.

I've always tipped generously and contribute dollars to ALL of those solicitors, Cruz Roja, Drug Rehab or whatever. Usually no more than Ten dollars or so on the trip south and mostly less than Twenty heading North. I even pay those guys with the dirty rags to NOT wipe down my truck. Probably more than they get from those they do. It's the cheapest part of my trip.

Some friends have been irritated with me for that tipping. I guess they feel it makes them look cheap. Especially if they're leaving the tip and I add to it before leaving. THEY claim I'M setting the bad example and making people expect that of everybody.

Personally, I feel that anybody driving a 40K truck filled with toys who goes the cheapskate route is a Jerk, but it's their money and their business, just as it is mine since it's a matter of CHOICE.

Like someone else said, North of the border, I usually limit my contributions on the street to those who are trying to raise dough for Booze. Anybody holding one of those signs can count on me for a buck or two. I don't want to hear about being Homeless, needing work or buying food. Drinks, I'll buy.

My contributions to Organized charity in the States is limited to the ASPCA and like organizations. The government can take care of the people. I like Dogs better.
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[*] posted on 3-30-2010 at 12:04 AM


You know, I met the woman who started the drug CREEAD rehabilitation program here in Mexico. She was my student in San Diego many years ago. Her son died from drugs and she swore she would dedicate the rest of her life to helping others .... TONY - she was a student at our downtown school

Today an ambulance with lights aflashing was stopped at the checkpt between santa rosalia and san ignacio .... quite shocking to us...but recently in Ensenada, evryone moved over to the right when one came by :)





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