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Clyde S. Dale

Feeling the Heat
Dec 17, 2010
413
SE PA
For those of you that live in and around Philly there is an opportunity to help out a disabled war veteran for the holidays. While browsing for free firewood on Craigslist, I came across his request for free wood. Since I am 2-3 years ahead, I figured it would be a great opportunity to help someone in need while also teaching my kids about giving and sharing. I decided to call this gentleman and get a better feel for the situation. After talking to him I agreed to take him a load of seasoned firewood and did this on the 23rd. We made it a family event and the wife and kids and I loaded up the truck, did the hour drive one way and then we all unloaded it from the truck when we got there. My kids are 4 & 6 and they had a blast helping out. Even at that age they both know how hard their Daddy works on firewood so it really made an impression on them by us giving it away for free.

When we arrived, we were able to pull right in front of their house and unload. His wife and son helped out and they were very grateful. They even had gifts for my children which was not at all expected. Anyway, I am writing this today to let anyone in the area that can help know. I gave him probably about a face cord of mostly sassafras but also some maple and cherry. Of course it was all c/s/s for 1 yr+ so it will burn well for him. If anyone else can help him out, he did ask for more and truly is unable to scrounge or buy his own wood due to his situation. He is located in the Wissinoming neighborhood and is very close to exit 26 on 95. What I gave him will get him through the holidays, but due to the distance I won't be able to take him anymore, at least not this winter.

Feel free to PM me with any questions. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday/new year.

Clyde (William will know me by my real name Dave)

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/wan/3442808909.html
 
Very honorable for you, I know how hard we all work on our firewood and that is a great gift. I agree with you that I would rather give some away to someone that needs it then sell it. Great example for your kids!
 
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That was very nice of you; you helped someone out, you taught your kids a lesson at the same time. Great job-it will come back to you many times over!!
 
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Pay it forward! Great work! I always think we do NOT do enough for our vetterans! Especially those injured.... Whenever I hire folks, I always try to hire vetts first if possible...
 
If he wasn't so darned far away I'd also take him some wood. Thank you for helping him.
 
great Christmas story...you did good...
 
City of Brotherly Love (and my alma mater).....

The earliest "help from the hearth" program was also there, put together by our own Hogwilz and Cory (now an engineer at Harman). In fact, we can probably find it in the million+ posts here.....
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/didnt-know-hearth-com-craig-did-this.66446/

Oh, Hearth.com (that's me) will be glad to pay some gas and food money if anyone wants to take him some more! Just PM me....
 
Just one of the many reasons I hang around here . . .
folks here truly care about each other.
 
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Did you get particulars on wood length from him?
 
Very thoughtful. Especially around the holidays. Bless your heart!
 
Great job Clyde!
Some fire wood is amazing, some more amazing than other , that wood warmed your heart some too :)
 
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Gotta say you guys are awesome! This is more than a website it's a family :)

Ray
 
Nice story.

I remember my dad buying some randome guy a tank of gas once when we stopped to fill up when I was a kid. The guy asked for my dad's business card so he could repay him. I asked my dad if he thought the guy would and his reply was no, but that it didn't matter because it was the holiday season and he wanted to help the guy out. That's always stuck with me and every year I make a donation to an orphanage/home for wayward children up here. You may have done a great thing for this family once, but your children will amplify that generosity and caring 50fold over their lifetime. Nice to see we there are still role models out there.
 
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I did not but nothing I gave him was over 18" if that helps.
Dale- You mentioned kids at the house. Can you tell me how many, ages and boy/girls? Thanks
 
Dale- You mentioned kids at the house. Can you tell me how many, ages and boy/girls? Thanks

The small children were mine. His son was there and I would say he was in his mid twenties. I'm not sure if they have any other children.

Keep the questions coming. It will keep the thread going and hopefully a Philly area member will see it. Thank you all for the kind words. It truly was a rewarding experience.
 
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