Thai For Good

New Angle to Charitable Activities

moneymatekate — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:41:28 +0000

Lately I’ve been coming across an awful lot of New Yorkers dealing with an inability to make ends meet. I will share a story from one of the families I helped in August (shame on me for not blogging for so long, I know).

Sal is married with a 7-year-old son, and his wife has temporary health problems that made her unable to work. He had been living paycheck-to-paycheck, and had major trouble feeding his family upon being laid off. For those of you lucky enough not to know this, the lag between applying for unemployment and getting your first check is at least 3 weeks, and with the system being overloaded in the current climate, it’s been more like 6 weeks. I put together a large “care package” for them, including full-size toiletries & personal care items, pantry staples & treats, and even some school supplies for their 2nd grader. I have a knack for shopping for nearly free (no, that’s not a euphemism for shoplifting!), so 6 shoppings bags packed full of necessities only cost $15 – a fraction of a single donation-fee for a ThaiForGood treatment.

P.S. Sal emailed me 2 weeks later to let me know that he’d found work.

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More $ for Thai Freedom House

moneymatekate — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:34:17 +0000

Last week, a donation was sent to Thai Freedom House to fund their Thai language and healthy snack programs for Cambodian refugees.

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Tooth care for Thai orphans

moneymatekate — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:15:19 +0000

A third-year Columbia dental student has put the call out for toothpaste and toothbrushes to bring to Thailand when she goes this summer to perform free check-ups and teach basic oral hygiene at several orphanages. $25 of money raised through ThaiForGood sessions in conjunction with my shopping savvy will fill a duffle bag with supplies for at least 75 children.

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10th Donation: Bottomless Closet

moneymatekate — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:34:54 +0000

Last week, I delivered $250 worth (but only an actual cost of $35) of new toiletries and cosmetics for distribution to women recovering from domestic abuse and entering the professional workforce. Bottomless Closet takes donations of career wear in great condition and gives each woman an interview suit, and then two more outfits once they land a job. They also conduct workshops on things like budgeting, interviewing, accessorizing, and conducting themselves professionally. Along with a basic start-up wardrobe, each woman is given a “goodie bag” of toiletries (brand-name shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, soap, razors) and cosmetics, which is where the ThaiForGood donation-in-kind went. I realize this seems like an odd choice, but these goods are very easy for someone with patience and a bit of initial capital (that would be your fee/donation) to get for little more than sales tax.

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8th & 9th Donations

moneymatekate — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:00:04 +0000

Last weekend, a friend and I bought and prepared dinner for 35 homeless teenagers on West 36th Street. We also stocked their shelves with 4 days’ worth of breakfast foods, and their new communal bathroom with deodorant, toothbrushes and shampoo. My (our!) 50% contribution came to $35.

Today I sent a check for $80 to support the ongoing work of Thai Freedom House.

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Free Starbucks Jan 21-25 for volunteers

moneymatekate — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:18:59 +0000

Starbucks is offering a free tall coffee to anyone who pledges to do 5 hours of volunteer work this year. So feel free to help me fulfill my pledge by arranging a session soon!

And if you think you might be interested in making a pledge of your own…

FREE STARBUCKS COFFEE for “Pledge 5″ Volunteers

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6th & 7th Donations

moneymatekate — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:42:45 +0000

The first week of the year, $35 was sent to The Baobab Home to support their comprehensive programs for orphans and impoverished schoolkids. Right now, their focus is the construction of children’s group homes on a 15-acre farm that was recently donated to them.

Last week, I received a “wish list” from a shelter for runaway teens on West 36th that I’ve dropped off supplies with before. Apparently, the NY Food Bank & City Harvest are so strapped for donations that they no longer supply milk, eggs, fruit, meat or cereal and they’re appealing for direct food donations. I stretched $15 to provide 60 substantial breakfasts (milk, oatmeal, cereal, bananas).

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5th Donation: Playing Santa

thaiforgood — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:35:31 +0000

Most of the money raised in December stayed local for a change. After hearing reports that Toys For Tots was suffering a donation shortage in the fallout from the current economic crisis, I “adopted” 3 families to provide a Christmas for. I know most people reading this found me through my craigslist advertising, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I found these families through craigslist – don’t worry, there were many indications that they were indeed in need, and it’s not like they were asking for iPods…most wrote that they’d be happy with used toys. Con artists don’t ask for used Legos, y’know?

So $110 went towards big boxes of craft supplies; classic board games like Clue, Monopoly, Twister; trucks and play tools; pyjamas; Hershey’s kisses; a stuffed animal; and new toothbrushes. Thanks for making it possible for 7 little kids in Queens and Staten Island to have a really nice Christmas!

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“Is this a one-time offer?”

thaiforgood — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:12:58 +0000

This offer is not a “first time only” deal, and you are welcome to come back at the $50 rate (during the specified hours, of course) on a monthly basis. While I would ideally like to introduce as many people as possible to the benefits of Thai bodywork, I also have an interest in fixing up those who need fixing – even those who can’t easily afford my reasonable standard rates.

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4th Donation: Thai Freedom House, $70

thaiforgood — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:57:00 +0000

Last week I forwarded $70 raised through ThaiForGood massages to Thai Freedom House. As always, they – and I! – thank you for your support:

Thank you so much for your efforts, whatever you can send us is always greatly appreciated. You are such a shining star!!! I know business must be very hard for you right now as you provide what a lot of people look at as a luxury service. You are a hero to us for continuing to do what you can. Good luck and have a great holiday season.
Love,
Lisa and the kids

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