Last week a local new station did a piece on a company that has been taking peoples insurance checks (ostensibly to replace their roof) doled out after the recent rash of storms and then disappearing with the money. Hundreds of people got scammed, a good portion of them elderly.
I met one such gentleman last week and this got me thinking: What can we do to help out? I now work for an installation company so I approached my boss and told him what I had in mind. He is a terrific guy with a great, big heart and he gave me the go ahead.
I called the news director for the channel that had done the piece and pitched it to him: Basically, we donate labor and materials and do one free roof a month for the next five months to victims of this scam. Those winners would be determined by a drawing or whatever is fair. The news directors response to me? "So, let me get this straight. All of these people, all these victims who have damaged roofs and no money to fix them and you want to do one a month? For, what, five months?"
I was speechless. "Um, yes sir. Each job averages about ten thousand dollars so you're looking at us giving away fifty grand. We just need a vehicle for the promotion of it and that's where you come in. I'll be happy to do a mock up, write the press release and all of that so you don't incur any cost except the ad spot."
"Meh. Shoot it over to me and I'll take a look at it but I'm not promising anything."
When did giving an inch become expecting a mile? JUST FIVE ROOFS, YOU CADS?! HOW DARE YOU GIVE ONLY FIVE ROOFS AWAY!
I need a hug and a time machine. I don't understand this world I'm in.
28 comments:
Well crap. I would have been impressed if you donated one roof. Sigh.
I worked at small newspapers for 10 years and that is often the best way to go. Call the managing editor directly -- they often love to talk to people in the community -- and tell him or her what you have in mind.
What an ass.
How 'bout the station matching your company's donation? Or offering advertisers the opportunity to donate a roof, get some add time? Or doing a fund-raiser and matching the fund, whatever's raised will pay for additional roofs?
Cheeze Whiz, some people have a funny idea of how to encourage kindness!
I hope y'all can make a go of it...five roofs is better than no roofs at all, which is what they have now...
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
I thought it was absolutely wonderful that you approached them with such generosity.
I lost thousands after a carpet place took my money, already knowing they were going to file bankruptcy. I was ecstatic when a local company offered to help me in anyway they could. It wasn't free in the least, but it made the loss much better knowing there was someone who cared.
People can be such assholes. Sorry that the doucher peed in your froot loops.
I just don't have the words to say how crappy it is that your companies offer was treated with such callousness.
I'm sure there has to be a way to get the roof fixed for some of the people who have been affected.
If you're still going to do this, try an organization like Catholic Social Services (they help ALL denominations or even those who aren't 'religious'). They can pick the five neediest. Then go to an alternate news source and tell them why you did it that way, because XYZ acted like assholes.
to quote Freddie Mercury,"I want it all, and I want it now!"
Just keep doing what you can.
What an ass. Find another station or newspaper or whatever if you think you need them to help out. What you're doing is great. You don't need them to do something wonderful.
I see your heart is still intact.
Right?! What a prigg! Gawd knows the world needs more feel-good stories of people helping people, even if it's only "one roof at a time". Good for you for trying to do what you could. What happend to the waitressing job? Seemed like good Blog-fodder :)
-Leslie S.
I don't understand either. I wind up shaking my head in disbelief all the time.
What an ass. I was impressed. Giving away 50 grand in this economy? Your boss is awesome!!!!!
What a colossal ass. Giving away 50 grand in this economy? Your boss is awesome!!!
Love it! Why wouldn't they want to do it. I love positive pieces of news.
And what had he done to help out. Good for you girl!
What eggplant43 said. You rock.
It's the entitlement mentality -- Uncle Sugar s'poseta come nagle it all mo'-betta!
You have ability, they have need, ergo....
What - you ain't runnin' a CHARITY?
God help us -and GOD SAVE OUR REPUBLIC!
Happy to see you back and still trying to help people. Sorry most people are such jerks. I hope you're able to get this done.
Soooo? Any update on this? It's such a generous idea!
-longtime reader
Wow... I don't understand some people sometimes and I can't believe how much of an ass that station manager is (excuse my language).
I think it's great that you were being so generous. :)
Obviously he's not looking at the big picture. Chances are other companies would join the effort once they saw what you were doing. It's sad when people forget the huge impact a gesture of kindness is.
What a complete moron. Go to someone else. I'm sure there are enough people with sense enough to realise what a wonderful offer you're making. Helping 5 people is better than everyone with no help at all. IDIOT. People like that guy make me fume.
I just found out you're back! YAY!
I work at a call center that takes catalog orders. A few years back during one of the forest fires in California, one of the companies we take calls for was evacuated. I got a call from a lady who needed to talk to customer service about a billing issue so I told her they weren't in but I'd take a message and they'd call her back ASAP. She went ballistic on me because it was noonish and they SHOULD be there. I told her they'd been evacuated because of the fires in CA. "WHAT fires?!?" she demanded. I told her the ones that were all over national news. "Well this is VERY inconvenient," she said, and hung up.
I was speechless. All I could think was, REALLY?
The news guy is a douchebag. People like this make me ill.
What the hell! He should be offering to find more people/companies to sponsor you guys to help even more!
"I need a hug and a time machine. I don't understand this world I'm in."
haha. You can run but you can never hide on the reality of life. Reality bites, eh.
Thanks for sharing,
Peny |
Nursing Uniforms Are Possible Sources of Potentially Dangerous Bacteria
Back in college, I worked for admin to help pay the bills. I noticed that after a banquet, we would throw away literally 20 big hefty bags of fresh-baked bread. Baked that morning, not even day old. I asked if we could give it to the food bank and homeless. I was contacted by the universities lawyer the next day with a resounding "NO!". The homeless might sue, etc.
That's the world. Help someone, and they may just sue you...and win.
Sucks.
Its sad and its so mean, how people can do this , was surprised after reading the article.
CTCA Tulsa
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