When i was in the 82nd, we'd do an annual foreign Jump wings raffle. If you brought in an unopened toy you'd get a ticket for a raffle, and if your ticket was called you'd get to jump with a foreign jump master, German-Polish-Japanese-and a couple others i can't remember. I didn't get called, but we collected over three thousand toys in four hours. I felt really good about being a part of that and have donated a couple of toys every year since. Lol, greenramp (our loading zone) looked like santa's workshop lol Great thread, and great group of people on this board Edit: I was just thinking about it, and would like to remind everyone about the soldiers who are overseas right now during the holidays. It meant a lot to me and my friends when we recieved cards with peoples thoughts or best wishes, and I'm sure it would mean al lot to them. So if you get a chance, please send a card or something to a soldier. If you have any questions about how, check out the red crosses website. Thanks.
Well, it wasn't much, thanks to a lack of funding, but here's my post for the holiday challenge. We went by Target and there was a Toys for Tots set up in the parking lot with some Marines, local radio DJs and a couple of military vehicles. My boys got to sit in the vehicles and decided they wanted to give a toy. We went into Target and they decided they wanted to give a Brawl since he's a tank. They took great pride in presenting Brawl to a Marine and said they hope it will make some kid happy on Christmas. Had it not been for a lack of funding, I would have done more. Target had plenty of the deluxe models but none of the voyager. It's not much, but my kids were happy to give it.
My job is holding one for the employees. (Home Depot). I don't know if they would take things from people off the street though. We just drop off canned goods and or toys in a huge plastic trash can by the time clock. :} I donated a 08 Deluxe Bumblebee. If I see anymore and can afford to between now and then, I'll grab a few more and drop them off too. It's covered and I wrapped 'Bee up in a Target bag so no one could see what it was. (I don't trust many people, and I don't want someone stealing him)
PM me some details. I think I know what you are talking about, but would like to hear what you got to say just to make sure. Give me a place to start, and I'll look into it.
..:X I could say a few things. But it bordelines on religion and I don't want to upset/offend anyone or have this turn into a debate. In short. It makes this little 'cool heathen' (as my born again Christian buddy calls me), all giddy happy that nearly everyone regardless of their religious/spiritual backgrounds- can gather around and spend time together during this time of year.. and just feast and be happy. Again; I'm speaking from the Celtic background of this holiday. I know there may have been some crazy things going on with the Romans.. but.. my knowledge in that area is still growing. Anyone who would like to PM me with some information, feel free.
Unfortunately, I think it's hard to find decent books on many European countries' formative pagan midwinter festivals.
Does it matter what the origins are? These kids believe in Santa Claus dude. and the ones that don't could still use a little more joy. I understand that the Christmas Holiday has a much different origin than the traditions upheld today but so what? if you strip away all the commercial fanaticism and break down the basic principles behind today's concept of Christmas, you have this one simple idea: Everyone needs to know that someone is thinking about them, and cares for them. The holiday season might seem to be nothing more than a chance for businesses to peddle their wares and for consumers to consume, but the idea... the Charles Dickens idea.... the idea behind this "challenge"... that's what matters. sometimes we get caught up in our own selves so much that we NEED to be reminded that it can do us a lot of good to make our love for one another known. and i don't mean in the sappy-crappy valium-times-day sense. I imagine a child desperately in need of some sense of belonging, or acceptance. i think of him or her having to deal with other kids bragging about the gifts they've received and I remember that for most kids, it is the simplistic view of the world which dictates that the quality of gift is directly associated with how much they, themselves, are valued, both in their loved-ones' eyes and the eyes of their peers. I don't claim that giving a gift for a child who is a member of a less fortunate family (or orphaned or what have you) will make a monumental difference in their overal quality of life, but these kids know that people are watching out for them. They come to understand as they get older, that there are people in this world who give, for the sake of giving, and just maybe, if that child grows up to do something great, they'll remember what it was like when they were less fortunate, and be compelled through that feeling to give freely of themselves. It's not about your crusade to uncover the "truth" about Christmas. It's not about Santa Claus and eight tiny reindeer. It's not about Fruitcake and Wassail and Mistletoe. It's not even about getting that much loved G1 Swoop back in your arms after all that time apart (no personal reference there, I promise ) It's about the feeling you get when you've put forth the effort to remind someone how important they are, and most importantly, it's about the feeling they get when they realize it too. I'll look up the "REAL" origins, Noisemaze, and when i have it, i'll wrap it up in a big bow and spill my guts about what i've learned. i'll do that for you, Noisemaze, not because i agree with you or because, like you, i enjoy breeding negativity. I'll do it, because you seem genuinely disappointed that no one has ever done that for you, and i'd like for you to have something that makes you happy this Christmas season. It's my way of saying thank you for the small way in which you (like everyone i meet) have touched my life, and hopefully it will be my way of reminding you that there is never a bad reason to show someone you care. -A.S.
Challenge accepted. we should keep a tally of everyone who has donated, and what we've donated. I recommend that we stretch this challenge between TF websites! See which site can get the most donations!!! Transformers are the best toys to give.
Agreed. I remember my very first TF, G1 Jetfire and believe it or not I still have him in mint condition nonetheless. The box looks like it's been thru a blender but better that way then nice box, crappy toy...N E Wayz, back to the subject. I sponsored a child and bought a classics jetfire, concept bb and a movie ratchet and gave them to him last week. FREEKIN AWESOME FEELING!!!! Merry Christmas and thanks for idea!!!!
THANK YOU Autobot Spike. Hey- I for one, following a more 'neo' pagan religion.. I don't care/mind that the Christians celebrate the birth of Christ around one of our sacred holidays. We all, regardless of our backgrounds are pretty much putting out the same thing.. you know? Show someone else you care. Get that warm fuzzy feeling inside. Spread the love. Stuff I did/am going to do. I donated an 08 Bumblebee Gave 5 bucks to the SPCA And I'm donating blood on the 27th
Donated about $40 in toys with my little brojah at the Toys for Tots box in my local Walmart. Lego Bionicle Hahli, 15th Anniversary Red Ranger (SPD methinks), Real Gear Spyshot 6/Longview two pack and Deluxe Longarm. Upon such, the CBS/Radio station w/e combo attempted to interview us, to which we kindly declined. I had other business in the store, namingly beating my friend's high score on the guitar hero demo set up in electronics...they did take my picture though. . . DN
Thanks for the challenge! It spurred me to pick up some stuff to donate. Not much (and the pickings were slim in the pre-holiday frenzy... sadly, no movie deluxes), but I guess every bit helps. If we're keeping a tally, I donated A FAB Starscream, FAB Brawl, a few Target scouts (Armorhide, Hardtop, Elita-1), and two $10 Lego sets. So I guess about 50 bucks worth. Again, thanks... I had thought about doing this, but probably wouldn't have ultimately. Your challege gave me that extra, needed nudge.
Well ahead of the challenge. I donated some of my movie TFs for a couple kids wish lists at the school where my wife works. But good luck finding any TFs in stores during this holiday weekend to purchase and donate. Two Walmarts and a Target I shopped at in the last two days were completely--and I mean literally--completely sold out of Transformers toys. I talked to my brother today who lives in Memphis and he said it's the same way there at several stores he's been to.
i took the challenge to the kids in my leadership class...they did a toy drive for 3 weeks...collected 157 toys for toys for tots.....
As there isn't exactly a Toys for Tots in Finland, (the closest thing was the local Salvation Army's campaign rather) I decided after a while of thought donate something (along with giving money here and there), and... okay, this may not be that much, but I bought a Movie Line Longarm and a scarf and put them in a same bag and put them there. Also, donated 10 euro's at the same spot. I just thought that it'd be a good idea to put both something fun and something useful in there. Maybe I'll take this as a yearly tradition myself actually...
just got home from toys for tots....they reorganized this year, and took volunteer help...they had setup the toys by age in an empty building, and the families came in, gave us the list of children and ages, then we walked with them to help them pick out the toys the children would most enjoy and appreciate. before this year, the marines would basically just toss toys to people, 5 year old kids gets whatever random 5 year old toy is around....this year the kids and parents got more options, and it seemed like a great thing....some of the kids were a little overwhelmed, but the groups i went with all seemed very excited... every kids got one big toy, one small toy, one stocking stuffer (which had 5 toys in it) one stuffed animal, and each famliy also got one board game to help bring the families together....it was so cool to do that....im totally volunteering again next year...3 hours of my life and it meant more to these families than just about anything ive ever done before in my life....even more then buidling houses for habitat for humanity, cuz with this, i could actually see the impact it had on these kids....and their parents...they were so happy that someone was thinking of them, and helping them to get what they could for their kids.... i highly recommend everyone contacts your toys for tots rep next year and volunteers... even just a couple hours is well worth it....
Good to see this side of the fandom. I went to Big lots a week after thanksgiving and bought the KO sets of superion and defensor and was going to try my hand at kit bashing but I saw that toys for tots box while in line and in they went. Also I've got 3 nieces and two nephew's as well as my pal Ben's 2 boys. Birthdays, and Christmas I love spoiling those kids w/ transformers and littlest pet shop and things like that.
Last year I got a Robosapien for Toys for Tots, as well as some $10-$15 figures. So this year I'm taking a "I need to save money on all fronts" break. Also, Christmas is the Winter Solstice celebration before it's a Christian holiday. I celebrate it as that, and as the commercialized holiday.