I'm mailing out small ($100.00) checks next Wednesday to charities chosen by my very good friends Rory, Don M and Tony and Lydia.

Don has chosen the Boosier (should be BOOZER?? Mason lives there, you know) County Sheriffs Office. That check will go to Don Wednesday for delivery.

Tony and Lydia have choosen the Meeting Street School. That check will go to them for delivery on Wednesday.(Guys, check your email. Dumb old Russ lost your address AGAIN!).


Rory previously chose the JSonar group (last quarter) and also identified another excellent organization; both doing major good things to assist in accessibility to blind people. Rory delivered the first check to JSonar last quarter. I'm adding the 2nd organization and sending a check to them Wednesday. Then, I'm keeping both organizations on the list to get
two additional checks each next year...one in January and one in April.

That means I need two more suggestions for January, and others to be added to the on-going list.

Chas, if you'll get me your mailing address, I'll send you a check for the New Orleans Habitat project you suggested and support. You'll get that in January.

Much thanks for helping me with this small project. The dollars won't make all that much difference, but working with my friends here to do something for the less fortunate just seems appropriate.

To me, that's part of what friends are all about.

Please, folks, send me additional suggestions to fill up the calendar for next year. Right now, there are 6 slots open for 2009...maby more, if I decide to expand the program.

Best personal regards,


Russ

Russ your a "GOOD MAN"!!!!

I present St. Jude's childrens Hospital in Memphis, Tn. for your prayerful consideration.
this hospital accepts all children with or without pay and their success rate is phenomenal. It was started by Danny Thomas many years ago.
No I am not catholic and it doesn't make any difference. We have willed half of our estate to this hospital. It is truly a worth cause for you all to consider,
Thank you Russ for all that you do. You are appreciated.
Bebop

Bill-your fine group is on the list for a $100.00 check to be mailed on January 1. Good choice. The world needs more folks like you. My family foundation has been a supporter of the Danny Thomas hospital for over 20 years. I'll send the check to you, as I do all first checks. When it arrives, would you get it to the charity and tell the folks there that it is in honor of our assocaition as musicians and good personal friends? I'll need your home address to send the check, if you'll email it to me before the January 1 mailing date.

Donny, your school is in line for a 2nd bigger (possibly $10,000.00) donation from the family foundation I manage. At the very least, there will be a substantial donation to a national group that concentrates on treatment for autism. It's on the list for a meeting scheduled in February to finalize the list. I'll let you know...

Still have one slot open for January 1, if Chas does not take it. As it stands, the charities chosen by Bill, Rory and either Chas or the next member with input on a worthwhile group will get checks mailed January 1.

Let me know...doing this little project together just makes me feel GOOD! And doing things ,creating music together, for instance, is, for me at least, the great thing about being a musician.

Russ



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 09-25-2008).]

Thank you Russ, You are very kind and considerate, as I have found all Kentucky people to be since I married my Kentucky bride 34 years ago. I have spent a lot of time there and would love to live there and might yet one of these days. Someday we will be stopping by in the big Motorhome to shake your hand and give you a personal thank you. Hope you have a real large parking place
I have sent an email to your address you have on the synthzone assuming it is current and correct.
Best to you and yours,
Bebop & Jann

I feel honored to even browse the same web pages as you guys...

Keep up the good work.
Theodore

Thanks Russ, I will match your donation, and try to get a couple of other pickers here to do the same!
DonM

"Gentleman Don"...when I grow up, I want to be just like you!

Thanks, friend,


Russ

Russ, my bad. You'll be hearing from me in the next day or so. I too, will be matching your generous contribution. I plan to go there (NOL) this spring. Thanks again.

chas

Russ ... you are amazing, and I thank you for supporting Meeting Street school, an organization that Lydia and I have contributed to for a number of years ...
thnx agn,
t.

Old and fat?? I think you're on the way!!
DonM

For your consideration the SPCA or other animal shelter in your area. In my area we have a no kill shelter called the Humane Association that is really struggling and about to close.( I don't know if they are national), but because of recent foreclosures and the economy in general people have almost stopped adopting and are abandoning their pets in record numbers.
I have 3 dogs and 2 cats that my children left me with, my daughter has 2 dogs 3 cats a guinea pig and 2 quarter horses that she adopted, so I can't imagine the tough decision to have to give up a pet.

Mike, here in Lexington we have an organization called B.A.W.L. Bluegrass Animal Wefare League. It is a free spay neuter program for low income pet owners that also does a humane education for schools...sort of like a weekly reader program with environmental and animal issues discussed. The program is provided free for over 800 kids in Fayette County Kentucky schools. My office manager is treasurer of the group. I am one of the primary sponsors. I supplied cameras and printers for their pictures with Santa (or Easter Bunny, or whatever), regular cash donations, and play jobs where the client writes a check to B.A.W.L. That way, it is tax deductible as a donation.


But, my focus here is doing things with my friends in their area. That's why, if you send me the exact name of the organization, and your address, I'll mail you a check to deliver to your chosen group in your area. It will either be January 1 or April 1, at the latest, depending on several other pending responses.

Chas, I'll be glad to send you the check for our musician buddies and the New Orleans Habitat project that is involved. That will be January 1.

So glad that you and I can do a little thing like this together. And, it's really generous that you are making a contribution.

Thanks, folks. I need one more group to complete my little program through April 1, 2009. I'll let you know when we need additional suggestions for this small but important (to me, for sure) program. I'm thinking seriously of increasing the program to include donations of $300.00 a month, vs the current $300 per quarter, which I have already increased slightly when ideal groups popped up.


Isn't it great that people who have never met in person are making a small difference in the lives of people who really need assistance all over the country (world, really-counting our Monk friend suggested by Taike)? And, best of all, we're doing it together. For me, that's really what friendship is all about.

In appreciation,

Russ Lay



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 09-26-2008).]

Humane Association-Central Ny
4915 1/2 W Taft Rd
Liverpool, NY 13088

I wish we had a free spay-neuter program in this area, I think it would help make responsible owners out of a lot people that just don't have the means. We have one but it is not easily accessible only one vet accepts the certificates and he's not located conveniently to the people that need it.

I know animals are not on the top of a lot of the list of everybody but should you decide I will of course match your donation.
I will email you my info.

[This message has been edited by mikeathome1 (edited 09-26-2008).]

Mike, it's already decided. Either Wednesday or no later than January 1 (depending on some pending submissions), the "Check is In The Mail". After all, us "animal folks" have to stick together.

Just send your mailing address via email and the exact name of the organization. Please include a note when you deliver or mail the check saying that the donation is in honor of our association as musicians, animal lovers and friends. If it's OK with you, I have been mailing the first checks directly to my friends here for delivery, with a note described above.

It's a really good thing you're doing, bud!

Best personal regards,


Russ


[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 09-26-2008).]

Russ ..

This is a total "wow" thread. You have a kind heart...

I have been raising money for the NFL sponored "Ed Block Courage Award Foundation" . One player from each NFL team is nominated by their team to receive the Ed Block Award for over coming injury or illness.

This organization raises money to open courage houses with in NFL cities to help provide shelter for abused children. http://www.edblock.org/


When I had my music store, I donated guitars and had them signed by the NFL players and auctioned. I am proud to say I have raised over $12,000.00 for this worthy cause.

I sincerely submit this organization for consideration.

Regards ... Dan O'

Dan, I'm not a sports fan at all, but this sounds like an excellent cause identified by one of the people I admire and respect here. Just send me the official name of the charity and your mailing address. I think we're committed until April 1, 2009, but this group will be in the April disbursements. If I expand the program to $300.00 a month vs. $300 a quarter, the check for your group will come sooner. I've already exceeded to $300.00 the first two quarters.

It's great to see the various commitments we have, and I'm honored to participate in doing good things together. As I've said before, to me, doing good things, whether it's playing music or helping others, is what friendship is all about.

Thanks, so much, Dan.

I think that we now have enough suggestions for the moment. I'll ask for additional causes as we proceed.

Russ

Ed Block Courage Award Foundation
8808 Orchard Tree Lane
Towson MD 21286

Phone: 410.821.6252
Fax: 410.821.6240

Sam Lamantia Jr. CEO/Chairman of the Board
sam@edblock.org

Thanks, folks. That fills the schedule thru April 2009, unless I formally expand the program. I've already added 3 organizations to the original plan.

I'll let you know as things progress. I'll be asking for additional suggestions early next year.

Thanks to all for the great suggestions. Your involvement means a lot to me.

The Oct. 1 checks will arrive late next week or early the following week, depending on the post office. Otherwss will follow in January and April.

R.

Russ ... Got the check and it is on its way to the charity ...
Thank you and may God Bless you and yours ...
t.