2 years ago before moving in a new flat I gave away 200+ comics. I made ārandomā packs by 5 or 10 in plastic bags with a quick note to let people know it was not something left by mistake. I left them on benches in public parks and tramway/bus stops in my town but mostly in a campus, for students living generally without much money.
I gave away a birthday cake with all the candles and icing etc (which I made btw lol) to a young guy at work, I never thought he was appreciated enough by the management, he always worked so hard - my workmates couldnāt believe it when I walked in with the beast, and the young lad I made it for had a tear in his eye! He couldnāt believe someone would just do something like that for himā¦ā¦. Also gave him a little 1 AA light for looking in the arcade cabinets, which he uses every day.
Honestly, the thing I give more to others, freely, is my āfree timeā, attention and listening! Sometimes it worths more than 1000 gifts or material stuffā¦
But, other than that, I gave flashlights to my parents, brother, aunts, and girlfriend, so that they can light the darkness when Iām not around! And I intend to give some more after I ātestā the ones I am waiting for!
All also give them, for free, concerns about me Does it count? LOL
Whenever I travel (as this week), I bring some small souvenirs (chocolates) trying to compensate them for my absence! It will never be enough ācause distance cannot be compensated, but itās a small gesture saying that āI was thinking about you when I was awayā
Here on the forum, more than giving, I guess I received a lot (material stuff and knowledge, mainly), so Iām making my first GAW of FW3A flashlight here: A GIVEAWAY that may take a while ;) - *WINNER ANNOUNCED* [27th April 2019] .
Congrats on you 3000 posts GAW, CRX, and thanks for all the āfreeā inspiration youāve also been giving to the flashlight community
He beat me to it! A listening ear, a helping hand is more valuable[and rewarding] than any material possession can offer.A gesture from the heart of any kind is still a way to give back and get out of ourselves.
On the other hand I just gave my new female friend a flashlight. She was walking on the trail in the dark, ~ 200 yards from her home. Not a good idea. I do not think her little dog would have helped if some evil person was lurking around. That is how I met her, in a natural environment,time will tell if our relationship prospers!
Thanks for the give away. :+1:
Congratulations on 3k posts, your lights are absolutely magnificent! Whoever wins is going to be super happy with their piece or art you have made for them!
If iām Honest, I havenāt felt particularly charitable of lateā¦ I try only help those that canāt help themselves, so the odd cash donation to animal rescues in my area and some money to the disabled beggars I see canāt get a job if they try. Jobs to pension age ex employees from my families previous business. But no flashlight giveaway, other than my brother in law whoās thinking of getting a REAL flashlight for the first time in his life so I have āloanedā him my C8 and I donāt have the heart to ask for it back.
Congratulations on reaching 3000 posts! Wow! What a giveaway! A CRX scratch built light?
Iāve given away some stuff recently. Butā¦ Iām not going to join this time. Merry Christmas everyone! Iām giving you ALL a 1/n better chance of winning this GAW!
I would love a CRX light in my collection but Iāll leave it for someone else to win.
Congrats on the 3k posts mate
Congrats CRX!
Saw a reddit post from a farmer who needed a light for surveying his property but didnt have much of a budget because of some hard times. I sent him my Fenix UC40UE (2014) for nothing. Gotta pay it forward.
Iām in, thanks CRX!
Iāve done several GAWāS (9 lights total) just this year, you can see them both by following the link in my sig.
Thereās a guy at work, over 60, who doesnāt talk much but he likes to talk with me. He let it slip that he has been on a āforced dietā due to lack of money. I found a way to buy him breakfast and lunch that day, kinda casually. I spoke with his boss and she put the word out. Yesterday she presented him with over $300 so he could buy groceries for his family before the weekend. There are offers coming in for clothes and more items and I may give him my one year old iPad since I done really use it and he doesnāt seem to have good ways to communicate except talking on the phone. Are we the heroes? Nope, he is! See he is also a pastor and moved from Indiana where he still had a rental home. The rental income helped pay his bills however the renters moved out without paying for two months and leaving broken A/C, and it sat like that a while so now the carpet and walls are moldyā¦much rehab expense is needed and he just doesnāt have it. My coworker, weāll call him Andy, also had a heart attack earlier this year so getting around is difficult for him, and his car is old and beat up. Heās in a rough place, yet he never complains and he always has a smile.
Andy canāt travel or afford to fix the other home. He had reached out to another pastor that he knew back in Indiana, asking if they would like to buy the home to fix up and use as a parsonage. The pastor had been considering the offer this week. Two days ago, the same day I bought Andy breakfast and lunch, the pastor from Indiana called Andy back. There is a member of their congregation who is recently widowed, also has spinal meningitis, and just lost her place to live. Very sad news, except for Andyās offer. The church worked it out to provide a generous grant to fix up Andyās house so the widow can live there, and she would be able to pay the exact amount of rent that Andy needs to pay his own bills. It really was meant to be! Iām glad we all came together to help Andy through this rough patch.
Sometimes good things happen to good people! I just wanted to share this special story, especially this time of year sometimes we forget there is so much to be thankful for and we take things for granted.
Try doing something unselfish for someone else, anyone, and see what a positive thing it is for you as well. I canāt explain it any better than that, you just have to see for yourself.
Edit spelling.
A chance for one of your lights? Toss my name in the drum. As for freely giving, Iāve given a number of lights to family and close friends, handmade canes to a few people needing them, and time and effort mowing the lawn every year for a neighbor dealing with serious health problems.
edit: also gave 3 starter kits consisting of s2+ with pocket clip, 2x 30Q, xtar vc2 plus master, and liion wholesale wall plugs to cousins for christmas.
Congratulations on 3000 post ā- Your stuff is one of a kindā- As a Father of 3 Grandpa of 4 , being in Trade Profession my whole lifeāseems like Iām always giving ,doing something for someone ā- Wouldnāt have it any other way
Cool giveaway. I am gonna set this one out. But I will be watching to see what you come up with.
Looks pretty good. Who wouldnāt wanna win that
A CRX giveaway? Iām in.
The most recent thing was a Leatherman Skeletool. I bought it a few years back, and then purchased a Wave soon after, so it didnāt get a lot of use. Last week an acquaintance of mine mentioned that she was considering buying a Learherman, so that night I sharpened and cleaned my Skeletool and gave it to her.
The thing I give most often is my time. Helping people makes me happy. I volunteer at my church, Iām a volunteer camp counselor most summers, and my friends know to call me if they need a hand, or just an ear. In fact, even when it comes to flashlights, other people end up using my lights more often than I do, and Iām okay with that.
Best of luck to all of you!
A CRX custom would be very cool. I last gifted a OTR U18 to my eldest brother in visiting from Texas. Next will be to my sons for Christmas. Thanks for the GAW.
Congrats mate!
I give away my flashlights all the time. I get samples sent to me for review, and I usually gift them to muggles because I know they are safe.
I keep the hotrods to myself hahaha, after the D4 turned on in my jeans pocket on turbo and scorched my leg, I didnāt want that to happen to anyone else, ouch
Congratulations on your 3000 posts and thank you for giving away one of your lights.
I will surely follow this thread, but I wonāt be in the GAW (let the record show: ehā¦. reluctantly).
The reason: I already have won one of your amazing creations.
Congrats on the 3000 !
Iāve had the pleasure to see some of your beautiful creations . You sure can make impressive lights. Congratulations on the 3000.