A family in need.

[gophergunner]

Guys, I need some help.  I go on another Mn. hunting sight on Facebook and I've made the acquaintance of a family on there that's going through some tough times. They just bought a used car, which pretty much wiped them out financially, and it all ready died on them. They are facing some tough hurdles, and Christmas isn't looking very merry right now.  I'm trying to put together a care package to help them out.  They have two kids-a thirteen year old son, and an 18 year old daughter.  The boy is interested in hunting, and the daughter is interested in drawing.  From talking to the father, all the son currently has is an orange vest.  I'd like to put together some gear to give him.  I have some basic stuff I'll be sending off his way.  As for the daughter, I don't know what to get her, maybe some art suppllies, and a CD or something.  I'll take care of that, but if you guys have any stuff you'd like to contribute for the son's hunting interest, I'd be happy to package it up and forward it to the family before the holidays.  I can pick up anywhere in the Twin Cities area, and will be headed north this weekend to pick up my deer from the butcher up in Emily.  The son wears size large shirts and coats.  Here's what I have to give him:  hunting knife, drag rope, swiss army style knife, stainless  steel vaccuum bottle, compass, some gun cleaning supplies, and whatever else I can find around here.  What would be nice if anyone has this stuff would be:  a orange or camo daysack, a sz. lrg. hooded sweatshirt in orange or camo, gutting gloves, light hunting gloves (work gloves would be fine) winter hunting gloves, sz. lrg. long johns, sweat socks, hunting socks, etc. This doesn't have to be new stuff-used is fine.  If anyone wants to help out, his wife is in need of a winter coat, in camo or pink camo, sz. XL.  I have tried asking the father what his needs are, but he refuses any attempts I have made to find out what he needs.  If you have duplicates on any of this gear that you can part with, we might be able to make this family's Christmas a little brighter.  I sent them a small ($25.00) Wal-Mart gift card today.  Thanks for taking the time to read this, and if you are interested in helping them out, contact me here.  Thanks folks. 

[LPS]

You are a good man gopher..  We just wrote out a nice check to the local Christmas thing to help a family.  Feels good and hopefully makes someones holidays better.

[Boar]

i have a slightly used lansky knife sharpensystem that i think or one of the older gents said to donate to a cause, would be interested in that?

[gophergunner]

Absolutely!  Thank you so much.  Let me know how we can make arrangements to pick it up.  I also found out that the 13 yr. old son's pants size is 32/30 and his shoe size is 8 1/2.  A little background on what makes me want to do this:  I was one of three kids, and the son of a carpenter in North East Ohio.  Dad's work wasn't always good, especially once the snow started flying.  I remember many lean Christmas holidays.  I also well remember the importance of my brother and I providing meat for the family.  We ate a lot of squirrel, rabbit, and pheasant.  On the years Dad didn't get a deer, it was always a little tougher, but we managed.  I hate to see other's having a tough time around the holidays.  If I can do anything to help these folks out, I try.  Anything you might have to donate would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks guys!

[Rebel SS]

Nice goin', Gophergunner! Be danged glad to.  I also hear ya.
I have a couple brand new thermos's and cold/hot drink containers I received for ice fishing a couple years ago. Never used. Still in box. I also have a brand new folding lock-blade skinning or fishing knife, 13" when open, with a walnut handle in sheath. If someone is down this way, be very happy to contribute them. I'd gladly mail them to wherever, but things are kinda tight here right now.

[mike89]

hey Gophergunner I will send a check for $25.00 to ya so ya can get a gift card.  PM me your address....

[gophergunner]

Where are you located Rebel?   Otherwise, maybe I could send you down a box and postage to get the box up here.  Thanks for your generosity.

[Rebel SS]

Down in Rochester...just a kwik trip for Glenn when he's out and about....

[gophergunner]

hey Gophergunner I will send a check for $25.00 to ya so ya can get a gift card.  PM me your address....

MIke-thanks so much, man.  Do you think we should do that to the father him self, or to me and i'll post what I buy for them?  Also-how do I private message on here guys?

[mike89]

click on my name and you will get a menu and one of them is send a PM.   you can get some thing for the father or anything you see fit.  you see the situation, I don't.  We trust ya man!!

[mike89]

I PMed you so just reply to that!!

[dew2]

 Seein the 18 yr old girl isnt gettin anything I see? I do have multiple art supplies,caligraphy pens,Many brushes no paint it dried up once I found I am no artist.Let me rummage throu my stuff and I can send or whatever.
 woman jackets,coats nonhunting needed?

[Rebel SS]

HEY GUYS.....

How about if we make this "our holiday project"? Why the heck not? Everyone here can sure chip in something....money, gift cards, needed new items, etc. Let's just do it! 


I just made glenn an offer he can't refuse to get the ball rolling.....  

[mike89]

why not!!!  sounds good to me!!

[deadeye]

I have some of the stuff you are looking for.  Orange camo hunting snow suite, binoculars, camo Back pack, hunting gloves, and some other stuff.  I live in Big Lake.  I assume going to Emily you would pass through here.  Let me know.

[Boar]

good job dew, i have a slightly use lansky knife sharpening system for the guys.i see what i can come up with for tha gal.

[gophergunner]

click on my name and you will get a menu and one of them is send a PM.   you can get some thing for the father or anything you see fit.  you see the situation, I don't.  We trust ya man!!

I clicked on your name and it said I'm not allowed in that section?  Did I get voted off the island and I didn't even know it?

[gophergunner]

Seein the 18 yr old girl isnt gettin anything I see? I do have multiple art supplies,caligraphy pens,Many brushes no paint it dried up once I found I am no artist.Let me rummage throu my stuff and I can send or whatever.
 woman jackets,coats nonhunting needed?

GREAT on the art supplies.  As for the wife's coat, XL in a winter coat or pink or camo ladies hunting coat.

[gophergunner]

HEY GUYS.....

How about if we make this "our holiday project"? Why the heck not? Everyone here can sure chip in something....money, gift cards, needed new items, etc. Let's just do it! 


I just made glenn an offer he can't refuse to get the ball rolling.....  

This is so nice of everyone.  The family lives up in Sandstone, and I'd be happy to run this stuff up to them. If anyone wants to go along when I take it, we could have a mini meet and greet, spread some cheer, and promote our group here.  These folks can certainly use this help guys.  I really appreciate everyone replying here.

[gophergunner]

I've got some spare time tomorrow, so I'll get on here and contact eveyone I can that's replied and set up pickup/or coordinate how we're going to do this.  I don't seem to able to generate a private message here, unless someone PM's me and I reply.  So anyone that's expressed interest in donating to this, please PM me so I can get in touch with you personally.  Thanks again guys.  Your sincere efforts and thoughts are greatly appreciated. 

[mike89]

gopher,  you can not chase every thing down  let us send to ya I got your message!!  happy hour was here too!!

[Rebel SS]

gopher,  you can not chase every thing down  let us send to ya I got your message!!  happy hour was here too!!

About time ya did somethin' besides sit and swill beer!!   

[glenn57]

gopher,  you can not chase every thing down  let us send to ya I got your message!!  happy hour was here too!!

About time ya did somethin' besides sit and swill beer!!   

[Boar]

Id like to challenge everyone to match me 20 bucks for the girl. the boy is getting pretty cool stuff but the gal needs some love too! come on guys match my 20!!

[gophergunner]

This is really taking off guys, and I can see I've got some work to do here.  I'm on my first cup of coffee here, and will be diving into this to respond to everyone who's posted here.  I figured out the private messaging, and will be getting ahold of everyone today.  It looks like we'll have all the donations sent here, and I'll forward everything to the family in time for Christmas.  Please bear with me as I wade through these responses, but if I miss you, contact me to remind me to get ahold of you.  I can't thank everyone enough.  This is so cool that we can help these folks out a bit around the holidays. I'll be in touch soon with everyone who's replied.  Thanks again guys.

[mike89]

my check is in the mail today!!!  just wrote it out!!

use it as you see fit for any of the folks!!!

[gophergunner]

Id like to challenge everyone to match me 20 bucks for the girl. the boy is getting pretty cool stuff but the gal needs some love too! come on guys match my 20!!

Boar-I sent them a $25.00 Wal Mart gift card on Thursday of last week, and they got it yesterday.  I will match your $20.00 donation and challenge others to do the same.   Thanks for all the great gifts here guys.

[LPS]

Morning Gopher.  Ok to get in the program here my wife and I will donate $20 and an orange Lindell Ice Rig hat.  Let me know how to proceed. 

[Gunner55]

Challenge accepted. Just get me your info & I'll get it in the mail.  

[deadeye]

This is what I have ready to go. I will check some more places.

Orange camo snow suit. Binoculars, Orange handle gut hook knife, two cap lights, two hats, camo backpack, survival whistle, gloves.