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| (Image by Paul Whiting) |
Christmas 'Tis The
Season...For Giving!
(Or, "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year")
Please join me
this Holiday Season
in supporting organizations
that support those in need at
"The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year."
After all, Christmas 'tis the season...for giving!
-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Small All White in the Forest)
"I am no barrier to its sun; the light and I are as one!"
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My Writing About Supporting Organizations That Support Those In Need At 'The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year': Please join me this Holiday Season in supporting organizations that support those in need at "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year." After all, Christmas 'tis the season...for giving! –Paul Whiting (written December 23rd, 2013, revised April 25th, 2015, revised June 7th, 2015, revised October 26th, 2021, revised December 24th, 2022 and revised December 26th, 2022)
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My Poetic Notes:
The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: "Please join me this Holiday Season in supporting organizations that support those in need at 'The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.' After all, Christmas 'tis the season...for giving!"
Also, beginning in January 2013, I tried to create a post for virtually every holiday and special occasion of which I was aware, but I realized by September 2014 that I did not have enough time and energy to continue posting for every holiday and special occasion. And I decided to keep the poems in that series which were the most relevant to this blog, of which this is one.
And this poem was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."
This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.
-Paulee
https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com
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December 11th, 2022 Update: Christmas Day is fourteen days away from today, December 11th, 2022! And so, I decided to make one-time donations to charities who are helping the less fortunate, including a local nonprofit helping homeless folks [1] and a national hunger-relief organization helping hungry folks [2], as well as charities who are helping children in need [3][4][5][6] and—of course—that charity with the "bell ringers," who are well-known for collecting donations during the holiday season [7].
And I was inspired to make these donations by the following sources:
1. A "Christmas Donation" mailer that I recently received from Portland Rescue Mission, which is a local nonprofit here in Portland, Oregon that cares for "the people in greatest need in our community, providing nourishing food, shelter and warm clothing";
2. A "Christmas Donation" mailer that I recently received from Feeding America, which is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States who partners "with food banks, food pantries, and local food programs to bring food to people facing hunger";
3. A "Christmas Donation" mailer that I recently received from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which is a charitable hospital that treats children with life-threatening diseases—and the families of the children "never receive a bill...for treatment, travel, housing or food";
4. An advertisement that I saw on YouTube recently for Operation Smile, which is a charity that provides surgery for children with cleft conditions and also provides the children with "cleft care needs throughout their childhood and adolescence so that they can realize happier and healthier futures";
5. An email that I received yesterday, December 10th, 2022, from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & SW Washington, which is "a nonprofit family & children's charity dedicated to supporting families with sick children in their time of need" that is holding its annual holiday toy drive;
6. A well-known holiday toy drive organization, Marine Toys for Tots, which I was reminded of by the above-mentioned holiday toy drive email! And this particular charity began "as the brain child of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks [and] his wife, Diane, who was the real inspiration. She had a few handcrafted dolls and asked Bill to deliver them to an agency that supports children in need. When Bill reported back to his wife that he could not find such an organization, she instructed him to 'start one!'" And the rest, as they say, is (holiday toy drive) history;
7. And, finally, a charity that I have known about since my childhood in Salt Lake City, Utah, The Salvation Army, which is well-known for their annual holiday "bell ringing" (or, red kettle) campaign that truly symbolizes this charitable organization's mission of True Christian Salvation during the holiday season—and all year long!
–Paul Whiting (written December 11th, 2022, revised December 21st, 2022, revised April 12th, 2023, revised April 27th, 2023, revised August 14th, 2023 and revised December 10th, 2023)
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December 12th, 2022 Update: I received an email from the USO (United Service Organizations) today, December 12th, 2022, with the subject line, "Support our troops this holiday season", which stated the following:
Throughout the year, our troops sacrifice so much for us, Paul. And when the holiday season comes around, it's so important that they can experience the simple joys — like a phone call with a loved one — that many of us at home take for granted.
It's our duty to make sure brave service members know how much their service and sacrifices are appreciated — especially during the holiday season. But the USO relies on your support to provide essential care like comfort packages and phone calls home.
So as you're making your way down your family's own holiday wish list, Paul, will you also take a minute to send a gift to the USO to support our military heroes?
Our Troops'
Holiday Wish List:
$119 to help fund
a holiday
care package*
$225 to help fund
holiday meals
for 3 troops*
$450 to help fund video
and phone calls
home for 6 troops*
MAKE A HOLIDAY DONATION NOW***
Thank you so much for supporting our troops!
Team USO
*Your contribution will be joined with the contributions of others and used where it is needed most to strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country.
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
And so, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website in order to support the USO's statement, "The USO provides kits filled with critical supplies and connections to home for our service members as they spend the holiday season far from loved ones. And right now, supply-chain issues are impacting shipping and deliveries all over the world, which is why we need your support today. Donate before midnight to help the USO reach our $100,000 Holiday Giving Season Goal to make sure our troops get the support they need and deserve all year long."
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their
'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the
"USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (written December 12th, 2022, revised December 18th, 2022, revised December 29th, 2022, revised January 1st, 2023, revised April 11th, 2023, revised April 21st, 2023, revised April 27th, 2023, revised April 28th, 2023, revised May 17th, 2023, revised July 29th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'update,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'updates' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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December 14th, 2022 Update: I received an email from the USO (United Service Organizations) today, December 14th, 2022, with the subject line, "Happy Holidays! We’re so excited to share our latest newsletter with you", with regard to the USO's newsletter "YOUR USO AT WORK," Issue 109 for December 2022, which stated, in part, the following:
With the holiday season upon us, it's more important than ever to remember and honor our troops who may not be able to spend the holidays with their families.
If you're able, please consider sending support for our service members deployed far from home this holiday season. Your donation will help us deliver care packages, fund phone calls home, serve holiday meals and so much more.
We can't thank you enough for helping our service members stay comfortable and connected to home during this time. Check out the updates below to learn a little more about the work you've helped make possible in recent weeks...
And the following highlight from the USO's newsletter, which I selected to post, is regarding "5 Ways Americans Can Deliver a Piece of Home to Troops During the Holidays":
BY THE NUMBERS
"5"
This holiday season, check out 5 ways you can deliver a piece of home to troops. »
https://www.uso.org/stories/3459-5-ways-americans-can-deliver-a-piece-of-home-to-troops-during-the-holidays
...From all of us at the USO, thank you for being a dedicated and proud military supporter!
And so, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website in order to show my support "for our service members deployed far from home this holiday season" and to show my support for the USO's newsletter, as well as to show my support for the USO in supporting our men and women in uniform, as described in the highlight "VOICE OF THE USO," from the aforementioned newsletter:
VOICE OF THE USO
“The staff at USO Powidz was amazing. During an uncomfortable situation, they tried to make it as comfortable as possible. They supported us to no end.”
—A U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. after sudden deployment to Poland amidst the war in Ukraine.
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their
'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the
"USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (written December 14th, 2022, revised December 17th, 2022, revised January 1st, 2023, revised January 30th, 2023, revised March 27th, 2023, revised April 21st, 2023, revised April 27th, 2023, revised April 28th, 2023, revised May 17th, 2023, revised June 17th, 2023, revised July 29th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'update,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'updates' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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December 20th, 2022 Update: Christmas Day is five days away from today, December 20th, 2022! So, I decided to make one-time donations to various organizations for their holiday, or year-end, or annual, or matching-funds, or other types of fundraising campaigns.
And those various organizations included the following:
▪ A Democratic fundraising and coordinating political organization [1];
▪ A nonpartisan law and policy institute [2];
▪ A Holocaust memorial museum [3];
▪ Some nonprofit organizations addressing issues with regard to the environment, including global warming, issues with regard to society, as well as issues with regard to wildlife [4][5][6];
▪ An organization combating the abuses of factory farming and encouraging a new awareness and understanding of farm animals and the benefits of cruelty-free, plant-based living [7];
▪ A U.S. Veterans support and advocacy organization dedicated to connecting, uniting, and empowering post-9/11 veterans [8];
▪ A United Nations (UN) organization that helps to save, protect and rebuild the lives of millions of refugees [9];
▪ A United Nations (UN) organization that has been on the frontlines of the world's worst hunger crises [10];
▪ A nonprofit organization that provides sexual health care in the United States and globally [11];
▪ A leading advocate in the movement for sexual and reproductive freedom for all Oregonians [12];
▪ Some nonprofits who are helping hungry folks, including a national hunger-relief organization and a local food bank [13][14]; and
▪ A nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and preserving the individual rights and liberties of every person in the United States of America [15].
And I was inspired to make these donations by the following sources:
1. A "Happy Holiday Season" mailer that I recently received from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) that is advocating for "the ongoing support from [my] monthly gift in 2023 to continue to organize, strengthen our Party, recruit and train the strongest candidates to run for office, and maintain our data and technology structure for 2023 and 2024."
2. A "Fight To Protect Our Democracy" mailer that I recently received from the Brennan Center for Justice, which is a nonpartisan law and policy institute, that is asking for my support because: "The values we hold dear as Americans are under escalating assault. Our democracy is under siege. We must make sure it lives up to it's promise for every American."
3. A "2023 Annual Fund" mailer that I recently received from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which is asking for my support so that they "can expand [their] work to remember Holocaust victims and survivors, rescue the evidence, and share the stories that inspire people to confront hatred and promote human dignity."
4. A "2022 Year-End Giving Campaign" mailer that I recently received from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), which is a nonprofit organization addressing issues with regard to the environment and society, that is asking for my support so that "as [they] look to [their] work in 2023, [my] support will continue to be vital for driving science-based solutions to some of our planets most pressing problems."
5. A "Membership Renewal Reminder with a Free Calendar Enclosed" mailer that I recently received from Sierra Club, which is a nonprofit organization addressing issues with regard to the environment and wildlife, that is asking for my renewed support as my "commitment to the environment [that] helps protect our public land, our water our air — and our health — from threats to our planet." Plus, they also enclosed their Wildlife & Wildlands Calendar as a free gift with its beautiful photographs to "serve as a daily reminder of the critical importance of [my] continued membership." And thus, I am planning to utilize this calendar for the year 2023.
6. A "Time-Sensitive Matching Gift" mailer that I recently received from Greenpeace, which is a nonprofit organization addressing issues with regard to the environment and wildlife, that is asking for my support for a special Matching Gift offer that will "help fund all of [their] actions and advocacy in [their] campaigns for Earth's climate, oceans, forests, and all of nature."
7. A "Sign Our Petition" mailer that I recently received from Farmsanctuary, which is an organization combating the abuses of factory farming and encouraging a new awareness and understanding of farm animals and the benefits of cruelty-free, plant-based living. And they requested that I sign a "petition to [the] U.S. Secretary of Agriculture...demanding that the agency use it's authority to stop the hideous abuses in poultry slaughterhouses—starting by extending critical protections to chickens, turkeys, and other birds under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and Poultry Productions Act." And they also asked for my support for "all of [their] lifesaving rescue, shelter, education, and advocacy work on behalf of farm animals." And so, I made an online donation yesterday (December 20th) and then I signed the aforementioned petition, which I mailed today (December 21st).
8. An email that I received from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) on December 15th, 2022, with the subject line, "Help Save Our Afghan Allies," which stated, in part, the following: "With your support, we can continue advocating for the Afghan Adjustment Act, a vital piece of legislation that will provide a pathway to secure residency for those Afghans needing protection. By helping us reach our end-of-year goal of $200,000, you will help us to continue advocating for reasonable solutions that will help keep our promise to our Afghan allies."
9. An email that I received from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (USA for UNHCR) on December 15th, 2022, with the subject line, "Do you want to build a snowman?", which stated, in part, the following: "Children are the same everywhere, no matter what they've been through. They want to build a snowman when it snows and will find any reason to laugh. ... Paul, you can do something amazing — something real and concrete — to protect refugee and displaced families and give children a safe, warm place to rest with a full belly. Your generous gift will be matched when you give today. Your gift will provide DOUBLE the lifesaving aid, including warm shelter, cash assistance, blankets and clothing."
10. An email that I received from the United Nations World Food Program USA (WFPUSA) on December 20th, 2022, with the subject line, "MATCH ALERT: Provide 2x the food to families," which stated, in part, the following: "When conflict erupts or extreme weather events strike, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is there to provide food for people in emergencies. Until December 31, a group of generous donors will MATCH donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $582,500."
11. An email that I received from Planned Parenthood Federation of America on December 18th, 2022, with the subject line, "The most meaningful gift for your loved ones," which stated, in part, the following: "With the holidays just around the corner, there's no better time to make a gift to Planned Parenthood on behalf of someone you love. And when you do, you have the option of letting them know you're thinking of them by sending an e‑card acknowledgment!"
12. An email that I received from Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon on December 19th, 2022, with the subject line, "It’s no coincidence that Oregon is the most protective state for abortion access," which stated, in part, the following: "It’s no coincidence that Oregon is the most protective state for abortion access in the country; it’s because we fight to keep it that way. ... Our strong but mighty team can’t be everywhere at once, but when you put your money where their values are and support us by donating to our PAC, we can achieve basically the impossible."
13. An email that I received from Feeding America on December 19th, 2022, with the subject line, "We have the power [MATCH]," which stated, in part, the following: "Your $10.00 donation to the Feeding America Holiday Drive today can help food banks across the country serve families during the holiday season and beyond—and right now you can make double the impact, up to $334,000 thanks to a challenge match from Marson Foods."
14. And because I donated to Feeding America, which is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States, I also donated locally to the Oregon Food Bank, whose mission includes the following statement: "...We distribute food equitably across the region and work on policies and programs to address the root causes of hunger."
15. An email that I received from the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) on December 20th, 2022, with the subject line, "We have a plan for 2023, Paul," which stated, in part, the following: "...2022 saw our civil rights challenged in unprecedented ways – from the overturn of Roe to mounting efforts to suppress the vote to scores of hateful attacks on trans youth, and more. But ACLU is no stranger to the fight for our rights. With your support this year, we showed up to protect civil liberties at every level. We have the receipts to prove it. But with the New Year fast approaching, we know this collective power is going to be even more critical in the fight ahead. And make no mistake, we have long game plans to ensure that meaningful change is made – we'll just need you with us."
–Paul Whiting (written from December 20th, 2022 to December 21st, 2022, revised December 22nd, 2022, revised December 26th, 2022, revised January 1st, 2023, revised January 2nd, 2023, revised April 11th, 2023, revised April 27th, 2023, revised May 9th, 2023, revised July 29th, 2023, revised November 30th, 2023, revised December 13th, 2023 and revised December 18th, 2023)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'update,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'updates' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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December 22nd, 2022 Update: I received an email from the USO (United Service Organizations) today, December 22nd, 2022, with the subject line, "Sign the card for troops like my dad."
And this USO email is from "Kate + Vincent," who are a military mom and son. And it includes an image of a handwritten letter by Vincent to his dad, who is a Captain in the Army, which states the following:
Merry Christmas, Daddy!
i hope you come home soon.
Love,
Me + Mommy
And the rest of this USO email continues as follows:
As troops spend the holiday season stationed far away from their loved ones, we are asking patriotic Americans like you to let them know their sacrifices haven’t been forgotten.
SIGN THE HOLIDAY CARD NOW***
Paul,
Our family is just one of hundreds of thousands who have spent holidays apart. My husband (Vincent’s father) is a Captain in the Army, and unfortunately, this is the reality for military families like ours.
We’re incredibly proud of our solider, but we still miss him so much when he leaves. And we can tell you from our family’s experience — this is the toughest time of year for service members around the world.***
That’s why we are asking you to help fill the USO’s holiday card for our troops with at least 100,000 signatures to make sure our heroes don’t feel forgotten: Please, will you take just a few seconds out of your day to make sure our troops feel appreciated this holiday season?
ADD MY NAME***
Trimming the tree, baking cookies, opening presents on Christmas morning … all these moments won’t feel the same this year for many military families. That’s why it is so important to make sure service members have access to calls home, holiday meals and care packages that makes them feel special. We would really appreciate it if you could also send your best holiday wishes to service members like Vincent’s dad who are spending the holidays deployed far from home.
Signing a card may not seem like much but knowing Americans across the country are thinking of him during this special time of year means the world. With just a moment of your time, you have a chance to deliver holiday joy to so many heroes — but we don’t have much time left before Christmas:
So please, it only takes a moment and will be so meaningful to our heroes in uniform: Add your name now to spread holiday warmth and cheer to troops around the world!***
Thank you for standing with military families like ours — and happy holidays!
Kate and Vincent
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
So, I signed the card, because "during the holiday season, it's more important than ever to show our troops how much their service means to us." Plus, after I signed the card, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website to say to our troops, "Happy holidays to all our heroic troops! We are so grateful for everything you do to protect our country. We know it's not easy, and we truly appreciate the sacrifices you make each and every day to keep us safe and free."
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their
'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the
"USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (written December 22nd, 2022, December 25th, 2022, revised December 29th, 2022, revised January 1st, 2023, revised April 21st, 2023, revised April 27th, 2023, revised April 28th, 2023, revised May 17th, 2023, revised July 29th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'update,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'updates' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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December 25th, 2022 Update: Merry Christmas, everyone! I signed a Christmas Day card "for our brave service members" from the USO (United Service Organizations) today, December 25th, 2022, that I received via email today with the subject line, "Warmest wishes this holiday season", which stated the following:
Paul,
On behalf of our entire team here at the USO, I wanted to share our warmest holiday wishes to you and your loved ones.
This holiday season comes on the heels of another incredibly challenging year for our brave service members. They’ve courageously and selflessly faced no-notice deployments to defend our allies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They’ve responded to countless natural disasters — risking their own safety to protect others. Now many of them are spending the holidays away from their families, sacrificing precious time with loved ones so that we can spend time with ours.
But no matter what they’re facing, they can always count on the USO to support them through it all — and that’s because of this dedicated community, made up of military supporters like you.
The USO is working around the clock to deliver essential supplies, care packages filled with comforting reminders of home and phone calls to loved ones. And Paul, none of that would be possible without you.
It’s hard to find the proper words to express the extent of my gratitude for all you do. Thank you for your generosity during the holidays and all year long. I know it means the world to our troops and their families.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
[Name redacted] [Title redacted], USO
If you haven’t had the chance to sign our holiday card for our troops yet, I hope you’ll take a moment now to add your name and thank our heroes:
SIGN THE CARD***
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
Just to let you know, this is actually the second time I have signed this card, with the first time being on December 22nd, 2022; however, I decided to sign it twice, because it's Christmas! Plus, after I signed the card, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website to say to our troops, "Happy holidays to all our heroic troops! We are so grateful for everything you do to protect our country. We know it's not easy, and we truly appreciate the sacrifices you make each and every day to keep us safe and free."
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their
'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the
"USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (written December 25th, 2022, revised December 29th, 2022, revised December 30th, 2022, revised January 1st, 2023, revised April 11th, 2023, revised April 21st, 2023, revised April 27th, 2023, revised April 28th, 2023, revised May 17th, 2023, revised July 29th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'update,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'updates' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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October 24th, 2023 Update No. 7 [My Writing About How I Have Changed The Way That I Label My Blog Posts 'Updates' For Any Additional 'Updates' That I Write, After The First 'Update,' By Using A Simple Numbering System, Which Starts With The First 'Update' (Originally From My Blog Post Titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," Which Is On My "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" Blog)]:
I have changed the way I label the blog post 'updates' that I write because I oftentimes write more than one 'update' per day!
And in the past, I have labeled the second, third, fourth and fifth 'update' with the following extensions—on the days that I write more than 'update'—to differentiate any additional 'updates' from the first one, as follows:
[1st] Month Day, Year Update
[2nd] Month Day, Year Update—Continued
[3rd] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further
[4th] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further Some More
[5th] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further Some More Than Before
However today, October 24th, 2023, I actually had more than five 'updates' to write, so I decided to change how I differentiate any additional 'updates,' from the first 'update,' by using a simple numbering system, which actually starts with the first 'update' that I write, as follows:
Month Day, Year Update No. 1
Month Day, Year Update No. 2
Month Day, Year Update No. 3
Month Day, Year Update No. 4
Month Day, Year Update No. 5
Month Day, Year Update No. 6
Month Day, Year Update No. 7
Therefore, that is why this 'update' is the seventh one for today! –Paul Whiting (written October 24th, 2023 and revised October 28th, 2023)
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December 11th, 2023 Update No. 1: Christmas Day is fourteen days away from today, December 11th, 2023! And so, I decided to make one-time donations to charities who are helping the less fortunate, including a national hunger-relief organization and a local food bank who are helping hungry folks [1][2], your favorite holiday Red Kettle "bell ringers" and mine, who are well-known for collecting donations during the holiday season [3], as well as charities who are helping children in need during "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" [4][5][6], in addition to the "2023 Portland Area Christmas Secret Santa Project for America's Catastrophically Disabled War on Terror Veterans and their Children." [7]
And I was inspired to make these donations by the following sources:
1. A "Christmas Donation" mailer that I received on November 24th, 2023, from Feeding America, which is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States who partners "with food banks, food pantries, and local food programs to bring food to people facing hunger."
2. And because I donated to Feeding America, which is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States, I also donated locally to the Oregon Food Bank, whose mission includes the following statement: "...We distribute food equitably across the region and work on policies and programs to address the root causes of hunger."
3. A "Christmas Donation" mailer that I received on December 1st, 2023, from The Salvation Army regarding their Annual Red Kettle Campaign (the "bell ringers" whom you can see collecting donations outside of some retail stores at Christmas) which truly symbolizes this charitable organization's mission of True Christian Salvation during the holiday season—and all year long!
4. A donation that I also made last year (2022) based upon an advertisement that I saw last year on YouTube for Operation Smile, which is a charity that provides surgery for children with cleft conditions and also provides the children with "cleft care needs throughout their childhood and adolescence so that they can realize happier and healthier futures."
5. An email that I received last year on December 10th, 2022, from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & SW Washington, which is "a nonprofit family & children's charity dedicated to supporting families with sick children in their time of need" regarding its annual holiday toy drive.
6. A well-known holiday toy drive organization, Marine Toys for Tots, which I was reminded of by a round token that I received from Toys for Tots a few years ago, which states, in part, 'Every Child Deserves A Little Christmas.' And this particular charity began "as the brain child of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks [and] his wife, Diane, who was the real inspiration. She had a few handcrafted dolls and asked Bill to deliver them to an agency that supports children in need. When Bill reported back to his wife that he could not find such an organization, she instructed him to 'start one!'" And the rest is (holiday toy drive) history.
7. A "Christmas Donation" mailer that I received today, December 11th, 2023, from the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH) regarding their '2023 Christmas Secret Santa Project,' the goal of which is to "Give each of our nation's disabled War on Terror veterans on our list a surprise $500 Secret Santa check so they can provide their children with Christmas presents and have enough money left over to pay past due bills."
–Paul Whiting (written December 11th, 2023, revised December 12th, 2023 and revised December 15th, 2023)
P.S.: Please see my detailed descriptions—immediately after this 'update'—of the following donations that I made fourteen days before Christmas for which I received the above-mentioned communications!
Feeding America: 'December 11th, 2023 Update No. 2, Written On December 12th, 2023,' which can be found below.
The Salvation Army: 'December 11th, 2023 Update No. 3, Written On December 12th, 2023,' which can be found below.
Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH): 'December 11th, 2023 Update No. 4, Written On December 12th, 2023,' which can be found below.
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December 11th, 2023 Update No. 2, Written On December 12th, 2023: I received a mailer from Feeding America eighteen days ago on November 24th, 2023, with a 'front teaser message' on the envelope that read, "21st Annual Biggest HOLIDAY Food Campaign EVER", which stated the following:
[I used to hand-type the text of the documents from these types of mailers on my smartphone; however, it takes a lot of time and energy in order to hand-type these kinds of documents: so, instead, I scanned and copied the documents using Google Lens! Then, I edited the copy of said documents to include all of the italicizing, bolding and/or underscoring where applicable.]
FEEDING AMERICA
Paul Whiting, will you give $20 this holiday season to help families facing hunger?
Paul Whiting
[Street Address and Apt. No. redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
November 3, 2023
Dear Paul Whiting,
The holidays can be a difficult time for families at risk of hunger. This year, household budgets have been hit hard by the high cost of groceries and everyday necessities—and this holiday season will be especially challenging. Everyone, including people like [name redacted], deserve to come together with loved ones and share a special meal.
[Name redacted] has always been a hard worker. Right now, he's working 60 hours every week at a restaurant in his lowa hometown. [Name redacted] picks up any shift he can get nights and weekends included. He's also engaged and hoping to save up for a wedding. But money continues to be tight for [name redacted], especially this time of year.
Even though [name redacted] wants to celebrate the holidays, affording the food for a special meal isn't easy. "I'm living paycheck to paycheck right now," he says.
Paul Whiting, I'm writing to ask for your help today so we can get more meals to neighbors like [name redacted] during the holidays. Too many people in Oregon and across America are finding themselves in a similar situation right now. Feeding America has just kicked off our 21st Annual Biggest Holiday Food Campaign Ever, and the need this year is huge.
Normally, every $1 you give helps provide at least 10 meals for people at risk of hunger. But now, your gift can have DOUBLE the impact for people like [name redacted], thanks to an exciting challenge match of up to $250,000 from [business redacted]. That means every $1 you give today can help provide at least 20 meals for neighbors facing hunger through the Feeding America network.
Simply use one of the three enclosed holiday food vouchers and you can have TWICE the impact:
[✓] Your contribution of $15 can help provide at least 300 meals.
[✓] Your donation of $20 can help provide at least 400 meals.
[✓] And your extra-special gift of $25 can help provide at least 500 meals.
With your contribution to Feeding America, you'll help neighbors like [name redacted] get the nutritious food they need.
When [name redacted] needed a little extra help to get the essentials for a special meal, he visited a local holiday food distribution center where he received a ham and traditional sides.
[Name redacted] was able to get together with friends and family to enjoy a nourishing meal. "We're going to be celebrating this food," he explains. "It means we get to eat. It's a time to feel all together, for everyone to be treated the same."
Paul Whiting, will you please give a generous donation today to help people like [name redacted]?
Remember, your contribution can have DOUBLE the impact with the [business redacted] challenge match. That means your gift can help even more neighbors get the food they need for the holidays!
Please use one of the enclosed holiday food vouchers to send your donation today, while it can have TWICE the impact for families at risk of hunger. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Sincerely,
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted], Feeding America
P.S. Thanks to the challenge match from [business redacted], your gift today can have DOUBLE the impact to help people facing hunger this time of year. To put your contribution to work faster, give online at www.SupportFeedingAmerica.org/Match
---------------------------------------------
CHALLENGE MATCH HOLIDAY FOOD VOUCHER
Please use my gift to help provide TWICE as many meals through the Feeding America network this holiday season. My enclosed donation of:
[ ] $15 can help provide at least 300 meals.
[✓] $7.00 can help provide as many meals as possible.
[ ] I'm giving by credit card. (Please see section on back)
[ ] I want to make an even bigger impact by giving monthly! (Please see section on back)
Give online: www.SupportFeedingAmerica.org/Match
Paul Whiting
[Street Address and Apt. No. redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
21st Annual Biggest HOLIDAY Food Campaign –EVER–
[Business redacted] | FEEDING AMERICA
And so, I made a one-time donation to Feeding America yesterday, December 11th, 2023, in order to support their "CHALLENGE MATCH HOLIDAY FOOD VOUCHER," because "$7.00 can help provide as many meals as possible." –Paul Whiting (December 12th, 2023)
P.S.: Just so you know, "I have changed the way that I make donations to political, progressive and charitable organizations each month ... due to the fact that I have been spending a considerable percentage of my monthly income on all of these donations." (The reader should know that I am HIV-positive with full-blown AIDS. And I am on Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, so my income is quite limited.) Therefore, "I am reducing how much I donate for the regular mail requests that I receive (to which I choose to respond) to take action." Thus, I will still be responding to some of the regular mail requests that I receive (to which I choose to respond), which are requesting me to take action, but I am reducing the amount that I donate to organizations from which I receive mailers. Please see my 'August 19th, 2023 Update' from my blog post titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," which can be found on my "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" blog:
https://poetartistandphilosopher.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-am-no-longer-being-activist.html
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December 11th, 2023 Update No. 3, Written On December 12th, 2023: I received a mailer from The Salvation Army Portland Metro seventeen days ago on December 1st, 2023, with a 'front teaser message' on the envelope that read, "ANNUAL RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN: Your Gift Can DOUBLE! $1 = $2!", which stated the following:
[I used to hand-type the text of the documents from these types of mailers on my smartphone; however, it takes a lot of time and energy in order to hand-type these kinds of documents: so, instead, I scanned and copied the documents using Google Lens! Then, I edited the copy of said documents to include all of the italicizing, bolding and/or underscoring where applicable.]
The Salvation Army
DOING THE MOST GOOD
ANNUAL RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN
Matching Gift Can DOUBLE Your Impact!
Every $1 = $2!
But only until December 31, 2023!
Dear Mr. Whiting,
As someone with great compassion for others, you'll be happy to hear this wonderful news!
A group of generous supporters has just stepped forward with a matching gift that can double every dollar given — up to $11,215 — to help people who are struggling in the Portland Metro area!
That means your gift today to our Annual Red Kettle Campaign can go TWICE as far. Please make your gift by December 31, 2023, to be eligible for any applicable tax deductions and so that every dollar you give can be DOUBLED.
→This is so important. Here's why:
The Salvation Army's resources are being stretched while requests for help from families here in the Portland Metro area continue to pour in. This year, many of our neighbors are counting on our help as they struggle to afford the basics and keep their families going in these difficult times. Your gift today can go TWICE as far to help struggling families make ends meet this season.
Will you please send your Red Kettle gift to be doubled, Mr. Whiting? The enclosed Matching Gift Checks make it easy:
1. Simply choose the check that's right for you.
2. Return the check, along with your gift of the same amount, and that gift can be DOUBLED:
✓ Your gift of $10, sent today, can be worth $20.
✓ Your donation of $20 can do the work of $40.
✓ And your extra-generous gift of $30 can be matched for a total of $60!
✓ Your gift in any amount can double, up to the total amount of the matching gift!
Mr. Whiting, whatever you donate today can be DOUBLED - but only until the December 31 deadline.
You'll offer twice the help for our sick and elderly neighbors who may be forced to choose between filling a prescription and paying their rent.
You'll provide twice the food and other assistance to moms and dads who find themselves out of work and can't feed their families.
And you'll bring twice the compassion to less fortunate children in the Portland Metro area who rely on The Salvation Army's programs for a safe place to go after school.
You'll make sure that families across the Portland Metro area receive the critical services they need. You'll show neighbors who are hurting love beyond the crises they are facing right now.
That's why I'm reaching out to you, Mr. Whiting, and asking for your help today.
Please hurry. Don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of this matching gift during our Red Kettle Campaign. Make the greatest gift you can right now by filling in and returning one of the enclosed Matching Gift Checks.
Be sure to choose the amount of your donation so it can be DOUBLED right away.
And please act soon! Remember, this matching gift offer will only last until December 31!
Mr. Whiting, thank you for caring, and may God bless you for your compassion!
Most gratefully yours,
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted]
P.S. Right now, you can turn every $1 you give into $2 of help for people in need here in the Portland Metro area! This is so important, especially with so many of our neighbors overwhelmed by inflation and other hardships. Send back one of the enclosed Matching Gift Checks so your gift during our Annual Red Kettle Campaign can be DOUBLED. Don't miss out — please respond by December 31, 2023. Thank you!
GIVE ONLINE! IT'S SECURE AND EASY. GO TO: SalArmy-Cascade.org
[Blogger's Note: For The Salvation Army USA website, at which there's a local donation page for you to make a donation to The Salvation Army in your area, please visit https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn where you will see the "Donate Local" button at the top right-hand corner of their website! And thank you for considering making a donation to The Salvation Army this holiday season!]
---------------------------------------------
The Salvation Army
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
MATCHING GIFT CHECK
Your gift CAN DOUBLE!
Pay To The Order Of: The Salvation Army of the Portland Metro area
Fill in the amount you want to double DOLLARS →$7.00
Your gift will be used locally.
From: Mr. Paul Whiting
[Street Address and Apt. No. redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
To: The Salvation Army
Portland Metro Donation Processing Center
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
And so, I made a one-time donation to The Salvation Army Cascade Division yesterday, December 11th, 2023, in order to support The Salvation Army's ANNUAL RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN for 2023, because my "Matching Gift Can
DOUBLE [My] Impact!" –Paul Whiting (December 12th, 2023)
P.S.: Just so you know, "I have changed the way that I make donations to political, progressive and charitable organizations each month ... due to the fact that I have been spending a considerable percentage of my monthly income on all of these donations." (The reader should know that I am HIV-positive with full-blown AIDS. And I am on Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, so my income is quite limited.) Therefore, "I am reducing how much I donate for the regular mail requests that I receive (to which I choose to respond) to take action." Thus, I will still be responding to some of the regular mail requests that I receive (to which I choose to respond), which are requesting me to take action, but I am reducing the amount that I donate to organizations from which I receive mailers. Please see my 'August 19th, 2023 Update' from my blog post titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," which can be found on my "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" blog:
https://poetartistandphilosopher.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-am-no-longer-being-activist.html
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December 11th, 2023 Update No. 4, Written On December 12th, 2023: I received a mailer from the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH) yesterday, December 11th, 2023, with a 'front teaser message' on the envelope that read, "CHECK ENCLOSED - DO NOT TAMPER", which stated the following:
[I used to hand-type the text of the documents from these types of mailers on my smartphone; however, it takes a lot of time and energy in order to hand-type these kinds of documents: so, instead, I scanned and copied the documents using Google Lens! Then, I edited the copy of said documents to include all of the italicizing, bolding and/or underscoring where applicable.]
From the Desk of Staff Sgt. [Name redacted], U.S. Army (Ret.) . . .
2023 Portland Area Christmas Secret Santa Project
For America's Catastrophically Disabled War on Terror Veterans and their Children
Dear Mr. Whiting,
I'm retired Army Staff Sgt. [name redacted]. I have taken the unusual step of sending you a $2.19 check because I wanted to make sure you would not miss my letter.
The global War on Terror has resulted in many of my fellow servicemen and women returning home burned, blinded, brain-damaged, having lost limbs, or suffering from other severe wounds.
While this Christmas you and I will enjoy getting together with family and friends, many post 9/11 severely disabled veterans in Oregon and across the country will be struggling just to put food on the table for their families and will certainly not be able to buy presents for their children.
Before I explain why this is, Mr. Whiting, you may be wondering about the amount of the attached check. You see, the numbers 2 1 9 mean a lot to me. I am a severely disabled veteran from the War on Terror. I was seriously injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq on 2/19 (February 19, 2007). You will find enclosed a photo of me before and after that bomb exploded.
You can cash the check below if you want, but I hope you won't. We need every dollar we can raise to provide emergency aid and other support services for our catastrophically wounded heroes — who are unable to even afford to buy groceries. I am taking a leap of faith you'll make a Christmas donation to help my fellow disabled veterans.
The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes has launched its 2023 Christmas Secret Santa Project. The goal: Give each of our nation's disabled War on Terror veterans on our list a surprise $500 Secret Santa check so they can provide their children with Christmas presents and have enough money left over to pay past due bills.
Mr. Whiting, I have also included a Christmas THANK YOU and GET WELL card that I hope you will sign and return, along with a check of your own. Your signed card will be delivered to a severely disabled or hospitalized veteran. Many (probably most) of these wounded warriors believe America has forgotten them, and your card can help show America's support and appreciation for their sacrifices, and maybe even help in their healing.
Unfortunately, the global War on Terror isn't over. Today, we have over 165,000 troops around the globe. And the fact is tens of thousands of our brave servicemen and women will be in harm's way for the foreseeable future, and some will return home with severe injuries.
It will shock you to know that it takes several months on average, and often over a year, for a wounded hero to receive his or her first government disability check. Plus, government bureaucrats try to minimize the injuries our wounded heroes have sustained to shortchange them out of their disability pay that they have more than earned.
In addition, many of my fellow combat-wounded veterans require a fulltime caregiver. Often the caregiver is the spouse of the veteran, who must quit their job or work part time hours.
As a result, the family income plummets. And with the skyrocketing cost of groceries, gas, and everyday essentials, many are now in need of help to feed their families, keep a roof over their head, and avoid financial disaster.
That's why we have created the Christmas Secret Santa Project. Over the past handful of years, through the generosity of patriotic Americans like you the Coalition has distributed thousands of surprise $500 Secret Santa checks to help our nation's severely disabled War on Terror veterans provide their children with presents on Christmas.
I am sure you agree, America's disabled veterans have sacrificed so much, and they should not have to choose between feeding their families, paying their utility bills, paying their rent or mortgage, or buying Christmas presents for their children.
Your generous tax-deductible gift of $8, $15, $25, $50 or more will be combined with donations from other patriotic supporters and allow us to send a surprise $500 Secret Santa check to every disabled veteran on our list.
Please do what you can to help. Thank you, God Bless you, and Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Staff Sgt. [Name redacted], U.S. Army (Ret.)
[Title redacted] for the Coalition
"QR code message": Scan to learn more and to donate right away!
https://saluteheroes.org
P.S. I am only sending these $2.19 checks to Americans (like you) who care deeply about our nation's catastrophically wounded heroes, so I trust you won't cash this check. Instead, I hope you'll make a generous tax-deductible gift to the Coalition's 2023 Christmas Secret Santa Project, today.
America's disabled heroes are suffering, and most have nowhere else to turn to for help. So please do your part to help them with a tax-deductible donation to the Coalition. And please return your signed Christmas "THANK YOU and GET WELL" card for a wounded warrior.
If you would like to know more about my injury, please scan the QR code shown above with your smart phone and it will take you to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes secure website. There you can also learn more about our mission to provide emergency aid and other support services to America's post 9/11 combat- wounded veterans from the global War on Terror.
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2023 Christmas Secret Santa Project
Important Donation Reply to Staff Sgt. [Name redacted]
Dear [Name redacted],
I will void the $2.19 check you sent me to make sure I would not overlook your important letter, and I'm enclosing my signed "Thank You" card for you to deliver to a catastrophically wounded hero.
To help provide a $500 Christmas Secret Santa check or other emergency aid to a severely disabled War on Terror Veteran, here is my gift of:
[ ] $8
[ ] $15
If everyone just sends this average amount [of $15], we can provide $500 checks and other and to thousands of wounded heroes this Christmas!
[ ] $25
[ ] $50
[✓] My best gift of $7.00
Mr. Paul Whiting
[Street Address and Apt. No. redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
Donation Requested By: 7 Days From Receipt
[✓] I have enclosed my signed THANK YOU and GET WELL card for a wounded hero (or other military veteran) who needs to know their sacrifice has not been forgotten.
And so, I made a one-time donation to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes yesterday, December 11th, 2023, in order to support their 2023 Christmas Secret Santa Project! Plus, "I [voided] the $2.19 check [the Coalition] sent me to make sure I would not overlook [their] important letter," in addition to mailing back "my signed 'Thank You' card for [the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes] to deliver to a catastrophically wounded hero." –Paul Whiting (December 12th, 2023)
P.S.: Just so you know, "I have changed the way that I make donations to political, progressive and charitable organizations each month ... due to the fact that I have been spending a considerable percentage of my monthly income on all of these donations." (The reader should know that I am HIV-positive with full-blown AIDS. And I am on Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, so my income is quite limited.) Therefore, "I am reducing how much I donate for the regular mail requests that I receive (to which I choose to respond) to take action." Thus, I will still be responding to some of the regular mail requests that I receive (to which I choose to respond), which are requesting me to take action, but I am reducing the amount that I donate to organizations from which I receive mailers. Please see my 'August 19th, 2023 Update' from my blog post titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," which can be found on my "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" blog:
https://poetartistandphilosopher.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-am-no-longer-being-activist.html
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December 18th, 2023 Update No. 1: Christmas Day is seven days away from today, December 18th, 2023! And so, I decided to make one-time donations to charities who are helping the less fortunate, which includes local nonprofits who are helping homeless folks (Blanchet House of Hospitality, Portland Rescue Mission, Sisters of the Road and Union Gospel Mission), a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world (No Kid Hungry), as well as a nonprofit that supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme to alleviate global hunger (United Nations World Food Program USA). –Paul Whiting (December 18th, 2023)
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December 21st, 2023 Update No. 1: Christmas Day is four days away from today, December 21st, 2023! So, I decided to make one-time donations to various organizations for their year-end or matching-donations fundraising campaigns, including "a living memorial to the Holocaust, [which] inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity" (the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum), "a global organization dedicated to saving lives and protecting the rights of refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people" [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (USA for UNHCR)], "the lead United Nations sexual and reproductive health and rights agency" [USA for UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)], and "a national family-run nonprofit charity dedicated to raising awareness about 'fentapills' — fake pills made of fentanyl" (Song for Charlie).
And I was inspired to make these donations by the following sources:
1. An email that I received from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum today, December 21st, 2023, which is asking me to "please make [my] year-end, tax-deductible donation to the Museum today."
2. An email that I received from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (USA for UNHCR) today, December 21st, 2023, which is letting me know that "for the next three days, [my] gift will go TWICE as far to help displaced families this winter."
3. A text message that I received today, December 21st, 2023, from USA for UNFPA (formerly known as the 'United Nations Fund for Population Activities' that is now called the 'United Nations Population Fund'), which is asking me to "please rush a donation before [their] Year-End deadline on December 31st."
4. An email that I received from Song for Charlie today, December 21st, 2023, which, in part, is letting me know that "Song for Charlie’s Board of Directors is matching dollar-for-dollar all donations made between now and December 31."
–Paul Whiting (December 21st, 2023)
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December 22nd, 2023 Update No. 1: Christmas Day is three days away from today, December 22nd, 2023! And I received an email from the USO (United Service Organizations) today, December 22nd, 2023, with the subject line, "Help our troops feel a touch of warmth this holiday season."
SIGN THE CARD
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Help our troops feel a touch of
warmth this holiday season
Show your support today!
Your Name Here:
https://action.uso.org/2312_Holiday_STC_B
SIGN THE CARD NOW
Paul: Right now, as we’re all preparing to embrace the warmth of the holiday season with our families, thousands of troops deployed around the world are facing another day away from their homes and loved ones.
We know that you don’t want them to feel forgotten this holiday season — so we hope you’ll also take the time to share some warmth with our service members by thanking them for the selfless sacrifices they make for us.
Please, Paul: Will you sign our holiday card for our troops now? We need you to add your name before midnight on Sunday to reach our goal of obtaining 100,000 signatures through emails and text messages to thank our troops for serving in some of the world’s harshest, most dangerous places this winter.
SIGN THE CARD
https://action.uso.org/2312_Holiday_STC_B
Thank you for standing with our troops this holiday season.
Team USO
And, after I read the email above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, the relevant text of which can be found below:
Sign the holiday card for our troops!
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year, which also makes it a particularly difficult time of year for service members far away from their loved ones. That’s why it’s so important right now to show our troops how much their service means to us.
Your signature will bring so much holiday joy to a service member missing home and loved ones right now. Will you join thousands of other military supporters and add your name to encourage our troops now?
Happy holidays! We are so grateful for your heroic service to keep us and our families safe during the holidays and all year round. Sending our best wishes this holiday season.
Sincerely,
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Whiting
Email: [redacted]
Cell Phone (optional): [redacted]
SIGN THE CARD
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Our troops endure harsh conditions to keep folks like us safe. How important is it to you to support our service members deployed far from home?
[✓] Extremely important
[ ] Very important
[ ] Somewhat important
[ ] Not at all important
The USO gives our service members the support they need to keep their spirits up, from phone calls home to A-list entertainment. Do you think it's important to keep troops' morale high by letting them know patriotic Americans back home stand with them?
[✓] Yes
[ ] No
Hundreds of thousands of service members are currently deployed overseas, putting themselves in harm's way in dangerous combat zones around the world. Have you or a family member or friend ever served in the military?
[✓] Yes
[ ] No
Our service members make incredible sacrifices to keep us safe, missing special moments like the first day of school or a baby's first steps while deployed far from home. How important do you think it is to help our troops stay connected to family back home during deployment?
[✓] Extremely important
[ ] Very important
[ ] Somewhat important
[ ] Not at all important
A Navy lieutenant commander told us that USO Care Packages are a "constant reminder to those of us out 'in the sandbox' that we are not forgotten and folks back home actually care."
Now, as we work to deliver our brave service members a touch of home, we need to ask for your support.
It takes a lot of time, coordination and money to get our care packages and other services to more than 200,000 service members who are away from their families, sacrificing so much defending our freedoms. The USO is not a government agency - we are a nonprofit, and we rely on the generosity and patriotism of citizens like you.
That's why this opportunity is so exciting: A generous family is matching all gifts to the USO up to a total of $35,000 through December 25, 2023, to help keep our vital troop support efforts going. But this offer won't last long, and here's what we found when we pulled your supporter record:
EMAIL: [redacted]
MATCHED DONATION: PENDING
SUGGESTED DONATION: $150 (BECOMES $300)
Will you please rush a MATCHED donation to send a little bit of home to our service members and show them how thankful you are?
[✓] Yes, I'll donate $75 (becomes $150!)
[ ] Yes, I'll donate $150 (becomes $300!)
[ ] Yes, I'll donate $250 (becomes $500!)
[ ] No, I don't want to donate to support our service members today.
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DOUBLE your support for our active-duty heroes this Christmas, holiday season and into the new year.
As patriotic Americans, it is our duty to make sure that our service members feel a touch of warmth this holiday season as they serve our country far away from their homes and loved ones. Your tax-deductible donation today can help ensure they can call their families, receive holiday-themed USO Care Packages, and enjoy a warm meal and other connections to home. And for just a short time, a generous family is MATCHING ALL GIFTS up to a total of $35,000. This family has said, "The burden of the safety and security of fortunate millions is borne by only a few-the men and women of our military."
Please, will you donate now to help our active-duty troops feel some of the warmth they're missing as they serve us and our families this holiday season and into the new year?
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
Amount
[ ] $100
[ ] $500
[ ] $1,000
[ ] $5,000
[ ] $10,000
[✓] $75
You're donating $75
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Whiting
Address: [redacted]
City: [redacted]
State: [redacted]
Zip: [redacted]
Email: [redacted]
Cell Phone (optional): [redacted]
So, I signed the card in order to "take the time to share some warmth with our service members by thanking them for the selfless sacrifices they make for us." Plus, after I signed the card, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website to say to our troops, "Happy holidays! We are so grateful for your heroic service to keep us and our families safe during the holidays and all year round. Sending our best wishes this holiday season."
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their
'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the
"USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (written December 22nd, 2023 and revised December 25th, 2023)
P.S.: I included the hyperlink to the USO holiday card for 2023 to our troops for you, my readers, to consider signing too! And "thank you for standing with our troops this holiday season."
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December 25th, 2023 Update No. 1: Merry Christmas, everyone! I got all of my holiday donating done early this year, including fourteen days before Christmas Day (please see my 'December 11th, 2023 Update No. 1,' which can be found above), seven days before Christmas Day (please see my 'December 18th, 2023 Update No. 1,' which can be found above), four days before Christmas Day (please see my 'December 21st, 2023 Update No. 1,' which can be found above), and three days before Christmas Day (please see my 'December 22nd, 2023 Update No. 1,' which can be found above). A summarization of these donations can be found below:
Fourteen days before Christmas: On December 11th, 2023, I made one-time donations to charities who are helping the less fortunate, including a national hunger-relief organization (Feeding America) and a local food bank (Oregon Food Bank) who are helping hungry folks, your favorite holiday Red Kettle "bell ringers" and mine, who are well-known for collecting donations during the holiday season (The Salvation Army), as well as charities who are helping children in need during "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" (Operation Smile, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & SW Washington, as well as Marine Toys for Tots), in addition to the "2023 Portland Area Christmas Secret Santa Project for America's Catastrophically Disabled War on Terror Veterans and their Children" (the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes).
Seven days before Christmas: On December 18th, 2023, I made one-time donations to charities who are helping the less fortunate, which includes local nonprofits who are helping homeless folks (Blanchet House of Hospitality, Portland Rescue Mission, Sisters of the Road and Union Gospel Mission), a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world (No Kid Hungry), as well as a nonprofit that supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme to alleviate global hunger (United Nations World Food Program USA).
Four days before Christmas: On December 21st, 2023, I made one-time donations to various organizations for their year-end or matching-donations fundraising campaigns, including "a living memorial to the Holocaust, [which] inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity" (the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum), "a global organization dedicated to saving lives and protecting the rights of refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people" [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (USA for UNHCR)], "the lead United Nations sexual and reproductive health and rights agency" [USA for UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)], and "a national family-run nonprofit charity dedicated to raising awareness about 'fentapills' — fake pills made of fentanyl" (Song for Charlie).
Three days before Christmas: On December 22nd, 2023, I received an email from the USO (United Service Organizations) with the subject line, "Help our troops feel a touch of warmth this holiday season." So, I signed the USO holiday 2023 card in order to "take the time to share some warmth with our service members by thanking them for the selfless sacrifices they make for us." Plus, after I signed the card, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website to say to our troops, "Happy holidays! We are so grateful for your heroic service to keep us and our families safe during the holidays and all year round. Sending our best wishes this holiday season."
–Paul Whiting (December 25th, 2023)
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This "Small All White in the Forest" Post No. 169 was edited on April 15th, 2024.
"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]
