Los Angeles --- November 28, 2010 ..... "What a wonderful time of the year. Giving for the holiday season while clearing your own conscience for not giving more," says respected real estate mortgage banking consultant and philanthropist Richard Maize.
"This time of the year has some many great components. Gathering with friends and family and reflecting on the year past and next year," says Maize.
Maize states that the many who are giving of themselves are the ones that shine at this time of year.
"From gathering clothes and goods that are not being utilized around the house and passing to the homeless or other needy organizations or help with your time and feed the homeless, the sick. The problem is that these needy groups are still around with the same need all year round."
Maize says: "Let's explore this: Our family is no different. Although we give during the year; but concentrated on this time. As our kids have been growing through the years, we have emphasized the fact that we need to give. We have been blessed with a secure home life and we need to be generous of our time and goods during the holiday season. So, we always brought our children to different locations during the Thanksgiving time to feed the homeless. Great idea and great response. But we have been missing the point as to the overall need of the less fortunate," says Maize. "What about the January 10th? Where is everyone? Last year, we were a bit better but we all can improve considerably."
"Last year, I located an area through our kids school that feed the homeless every day at 6:30 p.m. by a organization called Meals on Wheels that does just that all year round. So, our family went through our closets and found bags of clothing that we no longer used. I went downtown to an area that is known as "the alley" which sales clothing that are sometime close outs for a reasonable price. I bought a hundred Tee-shirts, white socks and poncho type cover ups for the winter months that are approaching along with two trash bags full of our clothing."
Maize continues: "The clothes that I purchased were received with open arms. People were also grateful of the clothing we no longer use. One great story about last year that I have told 20 times already to anyone who will hear it. As I was spreading out my own clothing, I found a large swade leather jacket that I remembered being a bit large on me, which I kept in the bag and wanted to give that jacket to who I felt was the "right person". I struck up a conversation with a tall well spoken African American homeless man. He was so clean and pleasant. I said to him, you just don't appear to be homeless. He said, just because I am homeless doesn't mean that I have to be unclean. I spend $2 everyday to bath at the YMCA and at the same time, I clean my clothing while bathing. I responded to him that I felt he had a great attitude and he looked great."
"I asked him if he wanted a nice swade jacket. He didn't just say "yes". He said, let me see it and try it on. I gave him the jacket and he tried it on and felt that he liked the color (yellow) and he thought it fit him just fine. He accepted it. I told him that he should feel proud when he wore it as it originally cost $500. I said that not to show off or look for a big thank you. I mentioned that to him so that he could take pride in his clothing. He had a smile on his face and then I saw him across the street showing some of people (I think they were homeless also) his new jacket. I put my thumb up and that was that; as I thought anyway."
"About two weeks later, as part of my New Years resolution (to come there more than just during the holidays), I brought with me (and by the way, I wasn't alone; I brought by friend Chuck with me as he also felt great by doing a nice thing for others) 10 dozen sneakers from, yes again "the alley". I saw my old buddy with the yellow jacket. He said to me how happy he was wearing that jacket (which he wasn't wearing it when I saw him that night) and wears it during special occasions only. He told me that he wore it at his Christmas dinner."
Maize adds: "I went home satisfied with my choice. Unfortunately, I didn't stick to my resolution as I thought I would and it was about 6 or 7 seven weeks before I revisited this area to bring more goods. This time almost as soon as I got out of my car, my buddy was waiting for me. He said he has been coming here almost everyday looking for me. I assumed he was coming here anyway to get food; but that was incorrect. Anyway, I apologized for not coming more often. He dismissed the apology and said, "I don't come here for food any longer. I have been coming here to look for you." I was curious about that. I simply said, why? He said that about 5 weeks prior to that night, he went for an interview for a job and got it. I was delighted. He said the best was not said yet. He continued to say that he wore the yellow jacket during the interview that ended in his job."
Richard Maize concludes: "I am embarrassed to say that I went there only two more times during the entire year for 2010. I am going tomorrow night and I am going to do better in 2011!"
The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports and contributes volunteer and financial resources to local and worldwide causes. By providing financial support to focus on art, culture, family services and healthcare, the Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation helps ensure that those in need and their families can live more fulfilling lives.
The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation generously supports foundations and causes such as the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, the American Cancer Society, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, Hurricane Katrina, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Board of Governors, search and rescue / field hospital rapid response efforts in earthquake devasated Haiti by the Israel Defense Forces and the Jewish Maccabiah games, one of the world's largest annual summer sporting competitions for Jewish youth.
"Team L.A.," supported by the Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation, celebrated silver and bronze medal wins at the 26th annual Maccabiah games held in Detroit in 2008. The week-long sporting event included teen athletes from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Mexico and Venezuela.
This year, the Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation is adding the USO to their list of non-profit organizations to donate to. The USO is nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities. The USO is not part of the U.S. government, but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the USO.
Supporting America’s troops was the first mission of the USO. In 1941, as it became clear that the nation was heading into World War II, several organizations mobilized to support the growing U.S. military: the Salvation Army, Young Men’s Christian Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created synergy among these agencies by forming the United Service Organizations, with the objective of providing the emotional support the troops needed.
Over time, the USO has evolved, developing new programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of the troops and their families, while holding fast to the original mission.
Today, the USO continues to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families, and will continue to be there for them until every one comes home.
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