Santa in Bantayan 2014 - Page 5

Sea Six · 12-14-2014, 2:19pm

Trigger discipline!!!

86RAG · 12-14-2014, 2:21pm

I think he was ready to shoot!!!

island14 · 12-14-2014, 2:34pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86RAG

I think he was ready to shoot!!!

He was thirsty and just wanted a drink..

Shrike6 · 12-14-2014, 2:44pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dixievet

Abu sayef made me do it

Oh? Were you Tanduay boarded?

Sea Six · 12-14-2014, 2:56pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86RAG

I think he was ready to shoot!!!

Bravo! Right then.

Carry on. Cheerio and awl that sort of thing.

island14 · 12-15-2014, 10:16am

Over 700 toys but I lost track and will recount in the next few days.

A peek at the inventory to choose from.

When I saw toys I liked, I took out the whole shelf and cleaned them out of inventory.

Everything you see on the floor is ours in the following pics.

The tall guy in the white shirt is the owner of this store, he remembered me when I walked in the door and was happy to see me back..

He gave us a 10% discount this year, not sure but I thought he gave us 15% last year and tried to get it again.

I went outside for a smoke while they were counting and bouigh a few kids rides on this machine out front.

Chico and Aaliyah my kids where along for the shopping trip.

We had hired a Tricycle to haul stuff home and figured it would take a few trips at 300p each trip, but we talked the Chinese store owner into delivering all we could not haul home for no additional cost.

A few toys got swiped....

island14 · 12-15-2014, 10:23am

These kids were with their Mom & Dad shopping and grabbed some toys out of one of our boxes of shopping.

They had no idea the stuff was sold to us.. and their parents planned to pay for it.

The store employees explained to the parents that those toys were sold, and told them that they would have to put them back.

I saw a sad look on their faces, and knew that was what they wanted..

There was no more stock of these as I was a hog and bought them all..

So I told them to take them as presents from us, keep it in our count, and made sure that they were not double charged on the way out.

Our cost.. less than $2...

The smiles.. priceless..

DAB · 12-15-2014, 10:30am

It's not even Christmas Day and we already have our money's worth!!!

island14 · 12-15-2014, 10:46am

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAB

It's not even Christmas Day and we already have our money's worth!!!

Tell you what Doug,

I feel kinda sad that Rob can't be here this year for this.. but understand why.

He really wanted to be a part of the shopping and only got a small taste of it last year.

I'm tired.. completely wore out.. sweaty... and feel so good right now, I can not explain it.

Kinda like a high.. and I have a good natural buzz on..

Tell you what.. last year?

Last year when it was Christmas Eve day and we were getting ready to hand out the toys to all of the little ones..

Dixie was back at the house getting dressed out as Santa, I was going back to the Plaza to get things ready me being the director and all as my job..

The Disco sounds people were there all set up and playing Christmas songs over the loud speakers.

Hundreds of kids lines up in excitement.. over 500! and many more older kids and people there too..

Tell you what.. I got so choked up... I had to take a pause.

WOW!

I wish you all could be here in person to experience this.

After all it was all of you people that made it happen..

Thank You!

DAB · 12-15-2014, 10:54am

we don't have any children, so this is a chance to bring smiles to little rug rats we'll never meet via you and your family. as i posted long ago, my parents had the chance to visit the Philippines back in the mid 80s (dad was on a business trip, mom came along) for 2 weeks. the stories they told us on their return were just amazing.

dad was assigned a driver/guide for the duration of his trip, and after dad was at his morning meeting, the driver was able to take mom around town on errands and trips.

one story: mom found out that jam, like a jar of Smuckers we take for granted, was a rare treat for locals. so she found some, bought it, and gave it to the driver. boy was he happy, he was going to put it aside for special occasions.

so just hearing the stories of the relative poverty compared to the US was very moving.

another story: dad was walking around the hotel, and on the back steps at the loading dock, was a young man, employed by the hotel, having his dinner: a large plate of rice. just wolfing it down.

you're doing good Tim.

Merry Christmas to you and your family and all your neighbors.

CertInsaneC5 · 12-15-2014, 11:35am

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAB

It's not even Christmas Day and we already have our money's worth!!!

Great pics. Thanks so much for doing this Tim.

Now I have to go and get something out of my eye.

GentleBen · 12-15-2014, 11:37am

Tim, can you give us a quick "guesstimate" on where we are on funding?

We still have time to PP some additional funding and for you to make another raid on the toy store if it is needed.

wicked_c6 · 12-15-2014, 11:39am

I sponsor a few local families each year that have fallen on hard times. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing a kid who otherwise wouldn't get anything get a present. It's also nice helping out a Mom and in 2 cases Dad's that struggle to take care of their kids. This year I paid the rent for 2 of the families I sponsored... It wasn't much, but to them it meant the world.

Can't wait to see the pics of your Christmas in Bantayan this year!

DAB · 12-15-2014, 11:43am

Quote:

Originally Posted by island14

Update on how we are doing on this.

We now have more than enough I think, so no need to send anymore.

$1780

People who sent funds in for the Kids Christmas Toys this year.

GentleBen
datawiz
Chris Fowler
GRN ENVY
American Made
JRD77VET
DAB
The_Dude
Dixie
Vite1
86rag
CertInsanec5
syf350
simpleman68
Kerrmudgeon
wicked_c6
datawiz (again)
Vatorman
Jaxgator

Also since we have extra money.. there is a small area over by the next village over in Sillion where we stayed during the Typhoon last week, I am planning to find out how many kids are living there but I am guessing somewhere around 150 to 200 and going to try to get toys for them all also.

I am going to go start shopping tomorrow or the next day and will get photos from the store.

Thank You Very Much Everyone!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentleBen

Tim, can you give us a quick "guesstimate" on where we are on funding?

We still have time to PP some additional funding and for you to make another raid on the toy store if it is needed.

last update above.

Rob · 12-15-2014, 12:12pm

It does break my heart that I will not be there this year but family comes first and I know the important part is that the children are getting a little something.

DAB · 12-15-2014, 1:25pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by island14

Tell you what Doug,

I feel kinda sad that Rob can't be here this year for this.. but understand why.

He really wanted to be a part of the shopping and only got a small taste of it last year.

I'm tired.. completely wore out.. sweaty... and feel so good right now, I can not explain it.

Kinda like a high.. and I have a good natural buzz on..

Tell you what.. last year?

Last year when it was Christmas Eve day and we were getting ready to hand out the toys to all of the little ones..

Dixie was back at the house getting dressed out as Santa, I was going back to the Plaza to get things ready me being the director and all as my job..

The Disco sounds people were there all set up and playing Christmas songs over the loud speakers.

Hundreds of kids lines up in excitement.. over 500! and many more older kids and people there too..

Tell you what.. I got so choked up... I had to take a pause.

WOW!

I wish you all could be here in person to experience this.

After all it was all of you people that made it happen..

Thank You!

well then, you got a present out of this too. not one you can hold in your hand or put on your wall or shelf, but one you can keep in your heart and share with others in the future. that makes a pretty good day.

me? eh, i have everything i need. wants? of course i have wants. and i'll address them as time and money permit.

Merry Christmas.

make sure you have some spare batteries for that camera.

island14 · 12-15-2014, 1:48pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentleBen

Tim, can you give us a quick "guesstimate" on where we are on funding?

We still have time to PP some additional funding and for you to make another raid on the toy store if it is needed.

Hey Ben,

We have more than enough now for this years plan, and do not want to ask for anything more.. Serious..

Thank you very much for your good thoughts and hopes to do more.

I am planning to also do one more small village (Islamic Village) with our budget, and still might even have a bit left over.

Will let everyone know the totals when we are done...

Possibly next year... if you guys and gals are up to it???

We will take care of two villages... maybe even more.