A modest proposal

[Timebuilder]

Every year at this time, I take a few hundred dollars, and give it to a drive for local families to help some unfortuanate people during the holidays. In addition, my church has an assistance fund which is open to non-members in our community. You probably do something similar.

Over the past couple of years, the people on this board have become a community of sorts. Like a real neighborhood, we have fights, insults, advice, and support. However, our community has suffered some unique troubles. The 9-11 victims have a high media presence, and people like Bill O' Reilly have helped them to get the money that organization had collected on their behalf.

This leaves a great number of families that have no media presence who have suffered both because of 9-11 and due to personal tragedy, including furloughees and the families of those who have died on the job, such as the recent crashes of freight aircraft.

I'm hoping that there is a furloughee or retiree here on the board who has the time and expertise to organize a 501 C 3 (sp) for families that we know, and can use a hand here in our community during the holidays. It's something we could do here every year, and we might be able to get some support from outside the board, including the aviation community at large.

Is there someone here who can do this, who has the time to direct this in a professional manner?

Pilot Families Fund? Aviator's Assistance Fund? ??????

 

[avbug]

Last Christmas I was out of work, for almost two months. I had no money for bills, for rent, or for presents for the kids. I became very despondant; depressed.

Just before Christmas, we began finding presents on our doorstep, wrapped, ready for the children. One night, I found two hundred dollars in an envelope, with a note that said "have a nice life." (I'm fairly certain that one came from a pilot I know).

A local religious leader came to our home one night to say that our rent would be paid if I'd work it off at the local welfare farm.

Our needs were met. We weren't comfortable; it was a stressful time. But I can't imagine what I would have done or how I'd have coped without the anonymous and up-front assistance of people who owed me nothing. Now I owe them everything, and I don't even know who most of them are.

It was bittersweet, because as a kid, we were constantly broke (broke being a temporary condition, poor being a state of mind). I had nothing. Several times christmas arrived from anonymous donors who gave to our family knowing we wouldn't have one, otherwise. I was very frustrated to know that so many years later, with my own family, I still couldn't do better...but very humbled that people are still people. More humbled that so many people are caring, and willing to make the effort and sacrifices they did.

I don't know anything about tax and economics or 501 this or that, but I submit that anything you can do for someone you know, or know about, is a big plus.

"In as much as you have done it unto the least of these, my bretheren, you have done it unto me."

That thought is two thousand years old, but still rings true, and applies to all, equally. Don't walk by that bell ringer at the supermarket without dropping something in the jar. Don't walk by the food basket without dropping in a can. Don't forget the Marines in their toys for tots, or the local fire station passing the boot. It may be a small amount, but to someone, it's everything.

 

[bulldog]

Timebuilder,

I may not agree with your politics, but when it comes to helping others during times like these it's hardly relevant. It just goes to show that the most important thing is where your heart is.

I don't know how quick something like your proposal can be set up, but I am certainly willing to help in any way I can.

I'll throw this out as a suggestion. If there is anyone on this board who knows of any family, individuals, etc.. in or near the Denver Metro area who could use assistance, either financially, gifts for children, food or whatever, send me a pm. My family would be more than happy to help them in any way we can.

Bulldog

 

[redshirt]

setup of aviation charity

Timebuilder:

PM me on this if you get a chance. I have a friend who is involved with grant writing, charitable giving to religious and community organizations, etc. I will get some answers and help on how to set something like this up if I can come up with a list of intelligent questions. Thanks.

 

[Timebuilder]

Great.

We'd also need someone to run this. Someone with the time and ability.

We also need some names for this. The ones I mentioned are only suggestions.

Any name ideas, people?

 

[hyper]

I'm in.

 

[bobbysamd]

Me, too . . .

I just wish I had the knowhow, wherewithal and time to help further besides a contribution.

Maybe a fund can be organized through the board, such as last year? With people contributing via PayPal, etc.

One thing is for sure about pilots. They may always be ready to bludgeon each other over such issues as Gulfstream, P-F-T and scope, but they pull together in these situations.

 

[Timebuilder]

Right now our "member" count is 6,709 members.

I'm hoping that there is one member who knows the mechanics of making this work.

 

[Timebuilder]

Back up top. We're looking for help.

 

[Timebuilder]

With thousands of furloughees and retirees, someone must be out there who can help make this happen.

Can you make a difference?

 

[Timebuilder]

Another kick up top.

 

[Ty Webb]

Well, I it isn't really too complicated. I have filed a number of corporations in FL, including one non-profit corporation. It is fairly easy to set up the corp., it costs less than $100.to do, and I would be willing to produce the forms necessary to file it. Hecdk, I might be willing to file the paperwork and even pay the filing fee as my contribution, if some others are willing to run with it from that point.

You have to have a few directors named, with names and adresses, and at the end of the year, you would have to file a tax return, both a federal and one with the state of FL, or wherever it is filed.

Eventually, you will have to file a 501(c)3 or whatever, but it's not a great big hairy deal. Contributions would not be tax-deductible until the IRS approves the non-profit as such, but I doubt that anyone here really cares too much about that.

Feel free to PM me if you like.

 

[Superfueler]

I'm sorry I can't help in the setting up of this, but I would be more than glad to donate to it.

One charity that I donated to this year is called operation uplink. It buys calling cards for GI's that are deployed away from their families during the holiday season. Here is a link:

http://www.operationuplink.org/

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

That's the spirit!

Finally, something positive and uplifting from this board. It is nice to see people focusing the time and energy to bring about something of worth and good instead of trying to flame someone or ruin their career before it even gets started, etc.

If we could carry this attitude throughout the entire year and not just around the holidays, maybe we could accomplish more as a group.

Cheers,

Jeff

 

[Timebuilder]

I like the uplink idea. It's difficult to keeps families intact during a deployment.

How can we find if there is a preferred state in which to incorporate? Is Florida as good as Delaware?

 

[TXCAP4228]

Good idea, Timebuilder.

I'm in too.

Some thoughts... If you incorporate then you (or someone) will really will be taking on some responsibilities to keep the corporation current. There would be some additional cost and effort involved.

Alternatively, could an informal group of pilots agree to something on a cyber handshake?

I guess the question is, should this be formal or informal?

 

[Timebuilder]

I think if we make it a more formal structure, we can attract corporate and high profile individuals, and therefore have a greater ability to help more families.

There are many accidents that we never hear about on a nationwide basis. Do an NTSB search for fatals for Novemeber, for example.

You're right, it would be more work. That's why I'm hoping that some appropriate people who have the time and intererst will step forward from our group here.

 

[Timebuilder]

Several days have gone by on this, with a very small response.

I know from other threads that we have a lot of members who talk about caring for the poor, and believe in a growing federal government and the redistribution of wealth. I have not seen their names in this thread.

This is a golden opportunity for you to exercise your caring, right here in our own community of avaition.

 

[TXCAP4228]

I hate to open this can of worms but are there any attorneys on this board who could help us in forming a non-profit corporation and help with getting us 501.C.3 status?

If somebody could do that then the donations would come in.

Timebuilder, somebody would have to sort of run the thing or at least be the president (since all corporations must have officers)? Would you do it?

 

[Timebuilder]

Absolutely.

I could tap some of the shoulders I still know, like Phil Boyer of AOPA, or Mel Karmazin at Viacom. I don't know how far I can get with them, but this is a good time of year for it, and then the givers get to issue a press release. They get press, we help people with needed funds. Sounds like a plan. If we can't get it off the ground this month, it doesn't mean that we have to give up.

The legwork necessary keeps me from laying the foundation for this. I'll be getting up at about two this morning, a little less than eight hours from now, so I can be wheels up at 5:45 am.

I have this gut feeling that someone among us is capable of this, and just hasn't seen the thread yet.