Can you help just a little?

[Chop Smith]

Forgive me for being personal, but today has been a sobering day for me. I would like to share it with you.

Last night I gave Bo, my son, a few hundred dollars and he went north in search of gas and food. At 4AM this morning he woke me saying that he had found a little gas in Louisville, Ms and was able to get a pickup load of coolers full of ice. To make it short, he asked me permission to use the gas and deliver the ice further south to the folks whose lives have been ripped apart by Hurricane Katrina. I assumed that he was talking about the Gulf Coast, but his destination was the New Orleans Convention Center. He put his catastrophic team signs on his truck and hauled ass. He did not make it to the Convention Center but he did make it to the I-10 bridge. And he beat the national guard there. I looked to the sky and told my maker thanks for giving me to guidance to raise such a good human being.

BTW, somewhere along the way he was able to get gas so we still have our stash to run the generators here.

As I was opening my can of vienna sausage, I turned on the TV to see the native sons of this region doing "A Concert for Hurricane Relief". Singing with their hearts and souls Aaron Neville and Faith Hill brought tears to my eyes. Honestly, I think that the emotion in their voices carried me back to my spiritual roots. When the collection plate was passed, I gave.

Many of you will know that this is out of character for me. The folks down here are proud and it is extremely difficult for most to ask for help. But, I wish to request that the members of my Internet community to give what they can to the relief organization of their choice.

[quest]

Many of you will know that this is out of character for me. The folks down here are proud and it is extremely difficult for most to ask for help. But, I wish to request that the members of my Internet community to give what they can to the relief organization of their choice.

Done

And will give more as I believe this to go on for quite awhile...

Ben

[ponygirl]

The greatest gift we can get as parents is to know that our children end up as good people.

Congratulations on a fine job, Chop, you should be proud

Ponygirl

[Erick G]

Powerfull!
Your raised one hell of a boy!
congrats!
Wife and I have donated $$ last night and plan to donate weekly as checks roll in..

[T Pat]

Wow Chop now I feel like a real piece of shit, I did my best to avoid what your post just caused me to do and that was simply to sit here and contemplate this disaster and all the shattered lives. with the health issues I'm going through and recent tragedies at the marina where I live and my Internet home I just felt like burying me head in the sand and now it's dawned on me what a selfish bastard I've been my wife keeps trying to talk to me about it, my son has called needing to talk it over with me and I kept changing the subject, my old business partner has called me the last three nights in a row, when we normaly touch bases every couple of months.
Your Son sounds like a fine young man but I a'm not surprised because the apple never falls far from the tree.
I do want to give Chop I would prefer to send s little money to you that way I'll know for sure that it's going to help someone

[sue-fl]

That was a great story Chop!! It touched my heart thanks for posting that. Tell your son he did well. We in this household are helping. Posts like this make me realize we can do more!

[docholly]

Originally Posted by T Pat

I do want to give Chop I would prefer to send s little money to you that way I'll know for sure that it's going to help someone

Maybe we should have a "promote Chop's Cash" Marathon. I know Chop has some good content for making sites, has a nice little affiliate program.. and it could be recurring money for him as well a boosting for his sites.

This is not to diminish the Red Cross and other organizations but a little extra push for a site owner who contributes constantly to this board, writes scripts like HFSlinks and his 2257 management tool that makes it easier for us would be a way we could contribute directly to him.

And Adding a few HFS and or links/Banners to your pages couldn't hurt you now could it??

Keeping ones dignity in time of crisis is sometimes difficult. Adding a few extra links and banners could mean a world of difference.


|cool|

[amber438]

We donated a yesterday already and have plans to do more in the coming weeks.
Your post touched me, Chop, and your son is a super young man.

[Chop Smith]

Jim, read the newsletter this morning. I know you are proud of your kids and your contribution was generous.

TPat and Doc thanks but this post was not about me. I have been inconvenienced by Hurricane Katrina, but the folks who live further south of me on the Gulf Coast have had their lives ripped apart by the storm. They are the ones that need help and it looks like the Red Cross is the way to go if you want to contribute.

[RawAlex]

Day 1 the red cross got my call and my money. I know that they will use it wisely and with the most effect. I like to think that every little bit does help, and enough little bits make a big bit... and then my friends (and the friends I don't even know I have) living in the affected areas can get back on their feet a little faster.

Little by little, it will get better.