Captain’s Choice Gift Set

[PozzSka]

Via reddit.com/r/randomkindness I bought a single mom and her kids a pre lit Xmas tree and some gifts.

They've received it and put it up already. I'm glad I could help.

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

It only seems right that if I am going to ask others to share that I do so as well.

I am self-employed and so set my own hours with work. My habit over the past several years has been to be intentional with reaching out to other guys, mainly who I go to church with. These are guys who are often going through challenging times whether with their job, marriage or their kids. We meet for coffee and I listen. Sometimes I offer up advice but mainly the value I have is to simply be available. It is gender specific but a guy isn’t going to call another guy when going through a hard time. The ladies do it at the drop of a hat but not guys. A guy usually withdraws and then does something he will later regret. My hope is to short circuit a guy doing anything regrettable by coming alongside him during what I know is a time of need.

And guys are consistent: They never call me for coffee but are so very relieved each time we meet and it is clear I serve a constructive role. I get to hear their frustration and disappointment with the hope that they don’t take it back home. Sometimes I see a difference my role plays but usually not and I’m fine with it. My predominant spiritual gift is that of Encouragement and we are called to exercise our gifts, so I do.

[gigglemonk]

Excellent contest!One of my moms friends developed severe rheumatoid arthritis. I offered her some private yoga lessons (Im a yoga instructor). This was over a year ago, she and I still meet once a week for an hour. Her range of motion has improved and her general mood has as well. She says that the pain is much more manageable.
I guess if I charged her I could simply purchase the stuff myself but I wouldnt be eligible for the contest!
Happy Holidays!

[chado006]

I'm in with the others who don't like to boast about what they've done but here goes...

When it snows, I always shovel my older neighbors' walks and driveways because they have a hard time getting around as it is, they shouldn't have to get out on the slick pavement and push that heavy snow around. Just the other day, after it snowed, a woman was having trouble getting traction going up a hill in her Beetle so I jumped out and helped push her up over the top of the hill. It's really nice reading these experiences, it's unfortunate because it seems like so much of my generation (I'm 28) either don't have the compassion or just don't take the time to stop and help others. When I see someone needing help, I try to help as much as I can.

Thanks Captain, for the PIF and for starting this encouraging thread!

[getsome]

I understand that I may be bending the rules because technically my mother-in-law is not really less fortunate than me, but at the time, she sure seemed like it. So I'll offer this story.

I got a phone call from my MIL in the middle of the afternoon, and she calmly informed me that she had cut off her finger in the garage door. I think she was still in shock at this time, because she was eerily calm. She described the horrific event in detail, and I almost lost my lunch. A neighbor rushed her to the hospital, and I tracked down my FIL so he could join her.
*intermission* you might be thinking, "How could the garage door possibly do that? It would just bounce right up off the ground, wouldn't it?" Well, the incident occurred because the power went out for some reason and she was manually closing the door from the outside, and it was the hungry jaws of the garage door panels that attacked her finger.
Back to the story: After some prolonged waiting and consultations at the hospital and with various surgeons, they realized that they would need the missing digit immediately. Initially, they assumed it would not be salvagable. I got the call. Nobody... not even FIL, nor my wife, wanted to go near the scene. I took a deep breath, left work, and headed for their house. Being as clean as possible, I completed the mission and retrieved the missing finger.
You wouldn't beleive the amount of gratitude my MIL still has. It's been about 5 months since the ordeal, and she is still so thankful that I did it. She reminds me almost daily, and is very thankful to have something back that she admits she took quite for granted. Ultimately, this is pretty much a cosmetic issue, but she is so deeply appreciative, that it makes me feel really good about doing something so distasteful. I told her, "I'm sure you'd do the same for me. But let's hope you never have to!" :)

~B

p.s. There have been some great examples of being a person for others in here. Good reminders to all of us to keep our eyes peeled for situations when a helping hand, or a couple extra bucks, could go a long way. Well done, gents!

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

OK Guys, by my count we have nineteen entered which is terrific. We are coming up to the deadline tomorrow night at 9:00 CDT for the drawing. Here is how it will work: Each of the three teenagers here will select a number; those three numbers will literally be put into a hat and one pulled out as the winner. Then it will be posted here, just in time for somebody to know that a very special post-Christmas gift will be on the way.

If there are any lurkers out there, here is your chance - only a few hours left!

[jbradley]

I feel that to truly be charity it has to be anonymous. We have a family in our neighbor that has fell upon hard times. Several times they have woken up to find clothes, or toys for the kids, or groceries on the front seat of the car (where we live, no one locks their car). I pick the boy up and take him to cubscouts with me, and make sure he has everything there that the other boys do. Not much in the grand scheme of things, but it is all I can do.

JB

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Well Gentlemen, the results are in. Each of the teenagers picked a number and the numbers picked were .....

3, 13, 19

Then all three numbers were put into a hat - a Tilley hat - for the Grand Prize drawing. One of the slips of paper was drawn out and it was...

what turns out to be lucky number 13. The winner is Daverasi !!!! Here is your gift:





Here is the best part. In the spirit of the season, I have decided to send a free small sample vial of Captain’s Choice bay rum aftershave to #3 and #19 which are thubbard76 and getsome. Lastly I have selected one other entrant to receive a small sample vial purely upon content. He has been contacted via PM by me and will remain anonymous as that is my preference.

Congratulations to our Grand Prize winner and the two runners ups! As time permits, send me your shipping address and your freebie will be on the way! Thank you to all who entered and what an affirming thing it is to read through the posts. Well done and may we each continue to make a difference in the life of others in the new year!

[gigglemonk]

Congrats!

[daverasi]

Wow! What a pleasant surprise! I feel very fortunate and really appreciate the kindness of the Captain. Thanks to all the entrants and many others who do what they can to help others!

Have a Great Holiday and a Very Happy New Year!

[mechanically]

I think the crate is awesome! Really makes the set.

My church does a lot with folks here in town who are going through tough times. Seems like that's a lot of folks lately...

Most recently, my wife and I met a lovely young lady asking for help outside the grocery store. I've worked with the homeless for many years, and while each situation is unique, her story was unusual. Her husband had been injured, and they had quickly gone from two cars and a house to living in a really sketchy hotel week-to-week and owning almost nothing but the clothes on their back.

We got them fixed up in a house that a church member wasn't using while they finished up seminary across the country, and helped out with some clothes and Christmas needs for the kids.

This was over 2 months ago. They're now members, and the husband, who is a really talented laborer in his field, is back on the job and providing for his family. In fact, he's now one of my go-to's when I have other folks who need help. Their generosity has been a blessing to my family!

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

I think the crate is awesome! Really makes the set.

My church does a lot with folks here in town who are going through tough times. Seems like that's a lot of folks lately...

Most recently, my wife and I met a lovely young lady asking for help outside the grocery store. I've worked with the homeless for many years, and while each situation is unique, her story was unusual. Her husband had been injured, and they had quickly gone from two cars and a house to living in a really sketchy hotel week-to-week and owning almost nothing but the clothes on their back.

We got them fixed up in a house that a church member wasn't using while they finished up seminary across the country, and helped out with some clothes and Christmas needs for the kids.

This was over 2 months ago. They're now members, and the husband, who is a really talented laborer in his field, is back on the job and providing for his family. In fact, he's now one of my go-to's when I have other folks who need help. Their generosity has been a blessing to my family!

A story like that makes my day because of the constructive outcome and lives changed for the better by people willing to extend themselves. We are involved in a homeless veterans shelter in a very small way but their posture is much the same. There is room for six in the house and if they are accepted it is understood this is only temporary. Career counselors, psychiatrists, life skill coaches and more come to the house to get the vets back on their feet. Their day is spent looking for a job, being taken to an interview, doing chores around the house and helping to cook for the others. Each time one gets a job it is a celebration as they move out and another moves in. Good people all ‘round.

Here is the site: http://www.helpaveteran.org/

[duokun]

This is a great contest, and it is great to read these awesome stories!

just wanted to share this even though it is past the deadline because i found the other stories to be so inspiring!

Last Christmas i worked at a kiosk in our local mall at a 3rd party mobile phone retailer. our location was rather small, i was one of only 4 employees, counting our manager. That being said the four of us became rather close. Our manager is a really wonderful woman and a single mother of four. When we found out that she as not going to be able to afford new winter clothes for her children (the oldest of which was 13) let alone presents we new that that simply would not do.

the three of us got together and discussed the matter and decided that we would have to do something, even being the broke college students that we were. even though we didn't have a lot of cash to throw around we pulled together and between the three of us, and the incredibly generous donations of some of the people at one of our churches, we managed to pull together enough presents and clothes to fill the entire trunk and back seat of the '96 lincoln towncar that i drove at the time. these even included a few gifts for our manager herself.

a little past midnight on Christmas morning we showed up at our manager's apartment and with her help snuck in load after load of christmas presents. in the end all four kids ended up with new winter coats, new sweaters, assorted other clothes (many brand new) and several toys each.

it was great to know that even though the economy sucks and times were hard for all of us that we managed to pull together and make sure that our friends children would have a good christmas.

[elsmooth]

Great stories, all! As much as I love the bantering with respect to our hobbies, (this thread, and those like it), is the true reason I love this site and find myself returning every day (multiple times).

I married my long-time girlfriend on November 19th. Instead of putting together a gift registry for those guests who wanted to give a gift, we put together a charity registry (Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, American Cancer Society and The National Military Family Association, Inc.). She and I are both extremely blessed in so many of the ways that many of us take for granted nowadays (both come from a relatively stable/loving home with 2 parents, both have decent jobs with low risk of loss, both in fine physical health, bought our house in 2009 instead of 2005/2006, etc.), that using our wedding as a chance to give back just seemed like a good thing to do. Many of our guests gave to the charities, and expressed a real appreciation to us for doing this. To her and I, this added a little something extra to our special day.

Thanks for letting me share, and have a wonderful holiday season.

P.S. As the year comes to a close, don't rush your shaves (if possible), gentlemen. Take the few extra minutes to enjoy them a little more...it will be a great way to start or end your day. Cheers!

[daverasi]

Thanks again Captain!

You have a great product. Not only is the scent a great spicy Bay Rum it also leaves my face smoooooth. It convinced me to post another AS I have on BST.