Stu?????s Current Wish List To Help His Less Fortunate Neighbors

[_Doctor Steuss]

It’s been an incredible year. I think this is the first year in a very long time where my seasonal depression hasn’t been debilitating. I attribute much of it to Emerson’s wise words that “One of the most beautiful compensations in life is that no person can help another without helping themselves.” And, I could never have been able to help nearly as many people if it weren’t for the kindness, compassion, and generosity of this board.

I know that everyone is probably starting to get what I call “giving fatigue,” as you’re bombarded by almost every angle with pleas for holiday giving. Being the rapscallion that I am, I figure I might as well see if I can be the straw to break the ole camel’s back.

Our food team has put out a request for the following items:

- Aluminum Foil.
- Aluminum Serving Trays.
- Handheld Can Openers.
- Ziplock Bags (quart and gallon).
- Styrofoam Food Serving Trays (the kind you usually get at a restaurant “to go”).

Most of this stuff will likely be cheaper and easier for me to try to wrangle locally, but on the off chance that someone happens upon an incredible bargain, or if someone here works in the food industry and has a wholesale source, I thought I’d throw it out there. The food trays are probably the biggest thing -- we usually use about 200 of those a night.

Thank you everyone, not only for what you have donated, but for your words of encouragement and support. There are a lot of nights where I wonder what on earth I am doing it for (standing in the cold, having an intoxicated person threaten that they are going to stab me, because I won’t let them cut in line) -- but seeing so many giving hearts out there helps keep my internal flame lit.

Thank you, for being you.

-Stu

[_Doctor Steuss]

A little update for Markk (and anyone else that gives to the less fortunate) on the hand-warmers.

Last night I gave out a case of the hand-warmers (40 pairs). It was bitter cold, and there was a breeze that cut right through clothing -- even a few of the east-coast guys were commenting on the cold breeze. At first, no one seemed to want them, until a few old-timers recognized what they were, and then everyone wanted them. The 40 pairs were gone within 5 minutes.

I regret that I didn't have more (as there were about 5 people who wanted them, that weren't able to).

[_Jersey Girl]

Hey Steuss,

Is there some way we can do a PayPal to PayPal transfer to you? I can't think of another way to help you guys get up the food preparation stuff you need from afar besides a monetary donation.

[_Doctor Steuss]

Hey Steuss,

Is there some way we can do a PayPal to PayPal transfer to you? I can't think of another way to help you guys get up the food preparation stuff you need from afar besides a monetary donation.

Definitely. Monetary gifts can be given via PayPal to Theasthmatics(at)aol.com

If you do give that way, please make sure to put a comment that it's for the homeless/less fortunate, and feel free to note if you'd like it spent on something in particular (i.e. food preparation/serving, hygiene, blankets**, gloves, scarves, etc.).

I was going to put togehter a GoFundMe at the beginning of the winter for blankets, but then I discovered the percentage they take out of donations. If I recall correctly, it's 9% (plus a $.45 transaction fee per donation)!



**For the most part, we are in really good shape with blankets, but if we end up with too many, we can always save them for next winter. Friends and family helped me to buy several cases of fleece blankets, plus a firefighter friend salvaged a lot of blankets from an old casino. Also, a tattoo shop is currently collecting blankets for us in exchange for ink work -- how cool is that!

[_Doctor Steuss]

Also, a tattoo shop is currently collecting blankets for us in exchange for ink work -- how cool is that!

In case anyone is in town... it's Savage Ink Tattoo at 3650 S. Decatur. Each blanket donated will get you 10 raffle tickets to receive a $500 tattoo session.