This forum is full of people that are constantly helping out others and trying to make a positive impact within their community. There are times that I have read a post and thought to myself "that's a good idea" I could do that in my area. It might be nice to have an area on the forum where we can call out for assistance from others for a charity cut or post storm / hurricane cleanup. Plus when people post stuff that has been done for them or others, it might give other members ideas for their area.
This might be a good idea, OS. It seems that everyone out there has a moment in life here and there where even just some words of encouragement can make a person's day. One thing is for sure (as has been done before), a PM to one of the mods is all it takes to get things going in the event of someone in need...... I'll talk to the other mods about starting a forum like that and see what they say. I agree that we have some of the most giving and heartful groups of members out there........hands-down.
I would hope that if a member here needs a hand, they would feel comfortable to ask for some help. I'm sure the other members will heartily respond. It sounds like a good idea.
This forum is great about helping each other. I thought a thread or area where we can post what we have done to help others, not as a bragger but as an area to give others an idea to do the same. I never thought about having a group charity cut for those in need till I read about it. I have helped people I know but not as a group. I also never thought about cutting and splitting for a fundraiser till I read about it on this site.
We are hoping that some of the wood (or all of it) that we cut and process at the GTG this spring can be donated to some family in need local to Swags. And you are correct, it seems the good vibes come out once we see someone else doing good......"pay it forward" is a great thing to do.....lets all keep the good karma going.
According to Swags? There will be several cord. So bring a couple chains... Or bring one and I will sharpen it for you As for the Forum? I am all for it. Sounds like a great idea.
Glad you posted this OS. I was thinking the same thing. A co-worker of mine scrounges a lot of wood throughout the year to give to "needy" families during the winter. I've given him a few excess trees and helped him buck and split some stuff. He also gets slab-wood from a local sawmill. Unfortunately, he's been limited to a lot of softwood. I'm trying to find a good stash of hardwood for the both of us (mostly him) to pick from. Also read an article this week about a Knights of Columbus council down in Maryland ( North Beach) that gathers windstorm/hurricane wood and distributes about 20 cords per year to needy families. They coordinate with their local Food Pantry to see who needs wood then deliver and stack. One of their Knights has a large enough piece of property to keep the wood and they have cut/split days throughout the year to process it all. Another thing that we've done around here is to cut/split a cord of wood and donate it to a local organization. They, intern, have a raffle. It's always a good, productive fundraiser for them. If it's local - the organization delivers it. If it's not local - the winner arranges to get it. As far as where the wood is coming from? Usually the organization finds someone who'll let us harvest a cord off of their property or a bunch of us will pool our resources to come up with a spare cord or two. Anxious to hear of any other ideas.
I think a thread would be a great idea, if you want to create one in the off-topic section we could probably throw a sticky on it if you want.
When you sticky a thread, it keeps it at the top of the page. Click in the firewood hood forum or the off topic forum and you will seem some threads at the top that are a different color and have pushpins in them. Those are the stickied threads.
On the topic of philanthorpy/charity but outside of the OP's example of a charity cut or anything wood related for that matter I'd like to mention Be the Match. Be the Match My wife's aunt, who was only in her early 40's recently passed of leukemia. It inspired my wife and I to join. Be the match is an organization that finds marrow and cord blood donors for people suffering from cancer and other diseases. It may seem like an inconvenience but just imagine if your child or spouse was the one waiting for a marrow transport. Something to look at for those truly interested in helping others.
OK. The Knights of Columbus in Columbia, NH is having a Firewood Raffle. Any members in ME, NH or VT want in on a cord ( all hard wood - not sure of species, most likely: ash, maple, cherry and birch) the cost is a $1.oo per chance and 6 chances for $5.00. They'll deliver locally, but we can arrange something for someone further away. Heck, I may even help stack it for a "Beer and a Burger". Drawing is on October 1st, if interested drop me a conversation with details. All goes to a good cause
