I think that ANYONE who gives to charity at ANYTIME of the year is doing a very good thing and it will surely be appreciated.

Having been orphaned at three years old, and then losing the people who adopted me when I was 15 as the result of a car accident on Christmas Eve, I do have more than a little experience with poverty and doing without.

It was because of charitable people very similar to Russell (and Chas, too) that I was able to get some much needed help and be allowed to do something with my life.

It's too bad that assumptions about a poster's intentions are so easily made, but the written word sometimes fails to convey meanings that would be much better understood if we were all speaking in person.

Peace to all.

Ian