50 for my 50th - Help house someone in need today!

The Short Version:

I'm hoping to raise enough funds on my Bday to cover the costs incurred by Food on Foot to get a person off the street, into an apartment, employed and back into society, all while restoring their dignity. Over 500 success stories and an 85% rate! Please consider supporting this great organization.

The site has been having some PayPal issues so if you experience them feel free to donate straight to the org at www.foodonfoot.org .

The Longer Version:
Today, I will turn 30 (give or take 20 years) and as most of you who know me recognize, I tend to try to do things that are large in scope. So, cutting right to the chase, I'm asking you to help me by donating some shekels in order to get a person in need off the street, into their own apartment, working at a new job, and most importantly, with new found dignity and hope for a better tomorrow.  50 cents, 50 nickels, 50 dimes, 50 quarters, Sacagaweahs, Lincolns, Benjamins - whatever works for you. 

The organization I am raising funds for is called Food On Foot . They have been dispensing meals in Hollywood every Sunday for the past 1204 weeks. One man, Jay Goldinger, started this organization himself and with a few rare exceptions, he has been there every Sunday since day one. To say that he is an inspiration would be an understatement.

Food on Foot not only feeds people in need but helps them pick themselves back up. Through a detailed program, they help people regain their dignity by asking them to come back Sunday after Sunday to clean streets in Hollywood and attend counseling sessions and goal oriented presentations. Then, when they are ready, the staff helps find that individual a job, an apartment (that's completely paid for along with food, bus card, clothing and whatever else they may need), and they stick with them until they have earned $5000. At that time they help them open a bank account and work with them to create a budget they will follow. 

 As a result of their efforts, over 500 people have graduated off the streets and back into their lives, and that number continues to grow. They have an 85% success rate and all of this is done without a cent of government funding as they rely completely on donations and volunteers. There is no hard sell of any kind, no religious component and no catch, just a lot of good people caring and showing those in need that they are valued.

$15,000 is a large amount of money for sure, but that's about the amount it takes to put someone through the program. I personally think it's a small price to restore a life. I've spent time with some of these folks, in their own apartments, and listened in wonder to them explain how incredible it is to have a key, a bed, a bathroom. It's truly astounding to listen to their stories and realize that, with different circumstances, they could be me. 

I've lived a charmed life. Not because I think I'm so hot to trot, but simply because I have never had to worry about having enough to eat, about where I will sleep, or about where I will use a bathroom or whether someone will let me do so. And so, as I mark my 50th revolution around the sun, I can't think of a better way to celebrate than to  help give someone their life back. After all, if we are not here to help, what's the point of being here at all? So please, give whatever you feel comfortable with, and feel free to come on out to serve meals with me sometime and meet some of these amazing people. Or do both. I'd be happy to bring you by.

Thanks for taking the time to read and for helping me help someone in need.

Best,

Dave

*All donations go directly to Food on Foot a 501(c).