Storm Damage.

Okay people I have an SOS.

A lot of people got effected by the bad storms/weather we have had in the last few days and I've been contacted by too many people for help, which is good because I get to help more people but bad because I'm only one guy.

But I'm writing this post about a lady hitting hard times that I have helped in the past and truly is still an inspiration to me and I'll tell you why.

This lady worked all her life as a nurse helping others and even spending huge amounts of unpaid hours with patients because she is that sort of person. One day she had a heart attack, soon after going to hospital for deep depression and losing her partner of about 14yrs meaning she was left with the house payments and two kids to look after.

The depression took a huge part of her life away and it wasn't long before she lost her valued job which was hard because it was one of the things that gave her joy.

Now I'm sad to say that the depression got worst with the fact of everything going down hill and her Centrelink payments didn't even cover her mortgage repayments let alone schooling and food etc.

Now don't get me wrong this lady and I have had many of sit-downs (Pie and Cokes) with and I very much understand why she has went without so much to juggle everything around to keep her home.

This lady called to say she was in trouble, the storms we had over the last few days has caused serious inside/outside water damage to her home, I hate to say this but something happening to a person already going through such hard times is like pushing them over the edge of even worst depression.

This is a good person, yes with a few problems, but a person.

I know after this she is going to sell the house for a lost I believe.

My SOS is for things to make her home a home. I have used all my money to help others already this weekend going through tough times already. But she is only asking for a few things.

Undercoat paint / waterproof $72.90

Two light fittings needing replaced $19.90 each

couple of trailer loads of soil or dirt because of storm damage

13 metres of guttering.

Cleaning products.

I'm hoping some of you might be able to do one of these, as I said this is a good person just going through very tough times and I'd like to show her that the community is standing by her to help because that's the Aussie way.

To help please call me on 0412 190 011.

Thank you very much for reading my blog and I hope you have a great day. If you like my writing and things I do please donate using the donation button.

Grant the Polite Guy

Grant Richards

0412 190 011

grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

Shoplifting with Heart

I normally write uplifting posts, but today something happened and even though I have seen this before I find myself fighting back the tears all morning and as I write this.

It’s hard to start writing this because everything happened so fast, but I’ll start as I walked into the shopping centre.

It was around 8:30am and raining so I wasn’t selling my Big Issue magazines, I decided to go to my local shopping centre for a packet of smokes, food and things.

As I walked through the centre I noticed a boy walking differently, his head right down as if trying to hide while walking fast past me and heading for the exit doors, I remembered him as he was a son of a family I helped about 3 years ago with food and a double bed (if I remember right).

As he reached the glass sliding doors two men ran past me yelling for the boy to stop and caught up to him very quickly. They opened his backpack, searched and then took hold of the boy each holding and arm and walking him past me and to the shop. (I don’t want to name the store because of what happens).

Now I’m not stupid, I knew right away from what I saw he had just been caught for shoplifting. I remembered thinking what a shame the kid was younger then my little girl who is 12 year old, but I knew he came from a poor family and felt sorry for him.

I was shopping in the store when I came across one of the guys that had caught the boy, I asked “Mate I know the family I helped them a few years ago, if you don’t mind me asking what was he stealing” this guy replied “exercise books, pens and  things like that”

I have to say my mind raced a thousand miles an hour and right away I thought school had just started and he was stealing school supplies because his parents didn’t.

There was a few more words said but in the end I asked to speak to the manager talking to him.

The manager told me they were not charging him because of his age but was barring him from the store for life. I asked the manager to keep whatever he took in a bag and I would buy all of it if it was for school. Next thing I know the boy and I are talking and I asked what he took and why? In a very nice manner,  I did this because if it wasn’t for school then I’d walk away. He pulled out all these stationery supplies and said these were from him for school, but not all the items in the bag, I asked what about the other things left? What he said next made me angry and feeling so sorry for him I wanted to cry, he said “My sister and I get teased at school so I got them for her” it wasn’t just what he said it was the way he said it, he was angry, sad and embarrassed about stealing.  I couldn’t count how many times he said “sorry”.

Kids tease these kids for being poor or having well let’s just say their parents couldn’t  because of income or have some addiction and didn’t get them the same items as other kids at their school.

This broke my heart. Okay now I am tearing up as I write this.

At the time trying not to tear up I took him straight to the cashier and placed everything he tried to steal on the counter and kept telling him I’m going to get everything you need but you have to do something for me and that’s you have to do your best to get A’s on you report card. He kept thanking me and trying to convince me he was a good kid.

I’m embarrassed to write this next bit but it’ll show you all why I help people and why it brings tears writing it.

The checkout lady scanned everything and it came to a total of $63 and change, when she said that I felt so bad because I have nothing in the bank and only $57and change on me. I turned to the boy and said I didn’t have enough and I’m sorry but he would have to put a few things back. He looked very sad, but started picking items to put back, the thing that got me was he never picked one item that was for his sister.

Now you see why this is effecting me so much. I’m sorry to write such a bad posting but really if you look at it like I do it’s inspirational, this boy is teased at school for being poor and when asked to put something back he still gets everything for his sister.  This kid is an inspiration to me.

P.S Today I quit smoking.

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you have a great day.

Grant Richards

Grant the Polite Guy

0412 190 011

grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

How to Help Homeless

I think some or a lot of people get things wrong when thinking of helping Homeless or People in Need. I have gotten so many times people saying “I want to help, but what do I say or how should I say it?”

Bernie the Polite Girl and I just helped a girl to get on her feet in a huge way, then on the way home I got a call asking that very question in a round about way. I must say I shake my head sometimes and think how wrong this is.

Firstly I’m going to say something I say often, “Homeless People” is just words for someone going through tough times and for some or a lot they have given up on themselves , but if you take the word “Homeless” you are left with the one word “People”. The same people you could be sit next to on a bus or even someone you work with. What I’m trying to say is a lot of Homeless I’ve meet and there’s been a lot have had regular lives but something happen and they ended up in a downward spiral to become homeless.

This may sound harsh but imagine a family member hitting hard times and not asking for help or NOT getting it and become Homeless, how would you like others to see or treat them? I guess I’m saying when asking how to talk to a person that’s Homeless think about how you would talk to your best friend that hit hard times. They are people.

Now I really hope that helped and some of you will start thinking of Homeless differently.

I’m going to write about a female I meet last week, I had walked past her and to me it seemed clear she was having a really bad day, I politely asked her if she was okay and quickly started a chat about how hot the weather is, within minutes I learnt how she moved from NSW last week to escape a horrible violent relationship and had left with a small bag. I talked about different services around for her but quickly felt trust was a problem. So I did what I do best offered to buy her a cup of coffee and gave her a card with my phone number and said to call anytime she needed a friend, because we are now “Best Friends” because I was the only person she knew in Brisbane, (with a smile and joking) but before I left I said I’d help her to get on her feet as long as she helped herself as well.

She called and I was so happy that she trusted me. I called Bernie the Polite Girl straight away because everyone knows females relate to females better, it’s a girlie thing haha.

This girl is staying in a Lodge but I’m proud to say she is starting her NEW job tomorrow, Bernie and I meet up with her today all excited, we sat eating lunch while talking about her new start in life and what was next. To our surprise she said she has 20hrs a week work BUT she asked for help getting weekend work so she may get on her feet faster. This girl could have easily hit harder times being Homeless but a few coffees and a helping hand from Bernie and I things are looking awesome.

Excited about her getting a new job Bernie and I put enough money on her Go-Card to get to work, food for work and lodge, much needed toiletries including female pads which we get asked a lot for because there needed so much when needed.

Both females got excited about going clothes shopping which I put my head down and tried to hide so I not invited haha

Before Bernie and I left she kept saying thank you and what could she do to repay what we were doing, Bernie said the same she always says “When you get on your feet, like really on your feet, do the same for someone else that really needs it” I have no doubt that she will help someone else in the future after she gets on her feet.

But I haven’t told you the best part, this girl was so thankful that within the first hour of leaving I got 3 thank you texts. I have to say reading them and knowing we done good was worth all the time, money and effort helping her. I know I’ll be seeing her a lot over the next few weeks just to be there for her as a friends mostly, but I look forward to seeing her stand proud again.

Now I didn’t write this so people will think I’m awesome. I wrote this so people can see how easy it is to really make a difference to someone’s life. There is people everywhere needing help, other people’s family members.

If you want to know how to help the Homeless, here’s a great start, say “Hi”

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you have a great day. If you like my writing or what I do to help others please donate using the donation button.

Grant Richards

Grant the Polite Guy

0412 190 011

grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

Happy New Year!!!

It's New Year's Day today, the first day of a brand new year, as yet unwritten, so everything seems possible. For a big part we have the power to shape this year for ourselves the way we want it to be, and we can only go with the flow of those things outside of our control.

I have spent a lot of time thinking about what happened to me on Christmas Day. My mum had come over to spend Christmas with me. A lovely time! On Christmas Day we travelled to the City to go to Christmas Mass, and we bumped into one of our homeless friends. I introduced mum and him to each other and we had a chat. He had a few bags around him that held all his possessions. In one of the bags he had a few chocolates, and he insisted on giving me two; one for me, one for mum. At first I did not want to accept, because I felt that since he had so few chocolates he should keep them to himself, but who am I to tell a grown man what he can and cannot give to someone else... I knew this man and I knew that he would give the shirt off his back and have nothing and he would still say he had everything he needed. Money and possessions mean nothing to him. One time a long time ago I tried to make him keep his two sleeping bags instead of giving one of them to me to give away to someone in need, and he pointed at the bags around him and said "I have my clothes, I have my sleeping bag, I don't need anything else. I have everything right here". Anyway, I accepted the chocolates he gave to me, and showed my appreciation, which put a smile on his face. He shook my hand and wished me a Merry Christmas.

In our times of greed, of focus on possession, and of "I want", the words "I want to give" are not heard often enough. This man has so little and still wants to give. Unknowingly he puts those who are more fortunate to shame... If he can give of his few possessions, why can't others with more give more? There is such a need out there...

Mum and I walked on to church, but while walking and all during the Christmas Mass I felt pretty miserable because he had given me two of his few chocolates while I had nothing to give to him. I decided to get him something to eat and a bottle of Coke after Mass (he loves his Coke!) in a convenience store because all other shops were closed. But after Mass I couldn't find him...

It really was on my mind that I had not given him anything on Christmas Day, but then things started to dawn on me due to the sweet words of others... They said that for this man, too, it had meant a lot to be able to give on Christmas Day, to be given time for a chat and to be introduced to my mum. I started to be really glad that I took the chocolates and that he did have the opportunity to give. I also started to be glad I had nothing to give to him, because for him that would have decreased the meaning of his giving. For homeless people too, Christmas can be a meaningful time, and if it is, it is really important that they can give expression to that like anyone else. They may not all have family or friends to spend Christmas with, and so bumping into someone they know, have a chat with and give some chocolates to may mean the world.

And so I have started the new year with an important lesson learnt: that for everybody, however few possessions they may have, it can be important to be able to give, and that receiving in an appropriate manner can mean so much to the giver.

Only a super short blogpost here, but we will be back with more soon! I would like to end by wishing everyone a Very Happy New Year. If you have any New Year's resolutions, I wish you the tenacity to stick to them. If you see a homeless person, please be kind. Simple eye contact, a smile or a friendly "g'day" go a very long way in making someone's day. You never know how something you say can make a huge difference and establish change for someone, give someone just that little push that is needed to turn his or her life around, if not immediately then perhaps down the track when they are ready. You can plant a seed and when it is ready to come to fruition, it will. You may or may not know when this happens, but happen it will.

All the very, very best for 2015, and if you are still on holidays, please enjoy!

Written by Bernie the Polite Girl for the Polite Team
berniethepolitegirl@gmail.com

 

2014 Christmas BBQ Done

WOOHOO it’s done and over and yes I’m tired and hurting, but it was worth every bit of it.

The 2014 Christmas Homeless BBQ is done and a lot of people were helped. I always say these events are not one person it’s the community coming together to help those who are hitting hard times when they need it most and this event was no exception.

Hundreds of Homeless and People in Need came and got free awesome food (5star), clothes, blankets, kids toys, toiletries, awesome knitted wears and of course all the kids and even a few BIG kids got a wrapped Christmas present from Santa.

Now I would like to mention some of the awesome people that helped make this Christmas Homeless BBQ the event it was .

A call was put out there for people to come and help with loading trucks and things on the Saturday for Sunday’s big event, Dave Hurst not only throw his hand up but coming from the Gold Coast brought a truck to load and carry it back home and then brought to the event in Brisbane. Now that’s awesome and a big help, but this guy busted his butt all day helping and stuck around when most helpers left and loaded that same truck to return again. Dave it’s people like you that keep these events going. Proud to know you mate.

 

Believe it or not hundreds of Homeless or People in Need come to these events come and eat a lot of food, while some even take away “Doggie Bags”. Jerome Dalton from Dalton’s Hospitality turned up and sponsored all the food and drinks for this event which they have done for many other events. Jerome your amazing mate and I’m proud to just know you because of your awesome heart.

 

Now there’s a groups that come every event and in my book they never get enough credit for the AWESOME GREAT things they do. Karen and the “Knitting for Brisbane’s Needy” have about 1,000 members and they are always knitting blankets, beanies and things just to come to events like this with 1,000’s of items and give for free to Homeless and People in Need. Lots of love there.

 

I had the chance to meet a new organization yesterday and that’s Orange Sky. These guys are awesome, they have a van and inside is clothes washing machines and driers so Homeless can come and hand them clothes and wait while it’s being washed, dried and returned nice fresh and clean, but the best thing is it’s free for them. Awesome guys and my pleasure to meet you.

 

Now the next person is amazing, Belinda Adams great heart even brought tears of joy to “Bernie the Polite Girl”, Belinda done one of the most unselfish things I’ve seen in a long time, she contacted family and friends and asked them not to buy her a Christmas present, but instead buy a present to be given to homeless kids and kids that may not be getting anything at all from Santa (parents). Family and friends thought it was a awesome idea and started asking the same of others.

 

Turning up with this huge awesome looking bus there was wrapped presents stacked far and wide inside. We asked Santa (Rod Hyatt) to join them and hand out presents and let me tell you it was golden and I’m sure made the day for many of smiling kids to have a special day that they will remember for a very long time.

 

Now I have mentioned some really awesome people and without being mean left the best to last, Benedikte Palings “Bernie the Polite Girl”. Now Bernie has worked so hard putting this event together organizing everything with me over the last 8 weeks and like me not asking for one coin doing it, in fact paying out of her own pocket when needed. I will say because my health is not great this event may not have happened at all if it wasn’t for “Bernie the Polite Girl” doing what she does and that’s live life with heart.

 

I want to add here that hundreds helped with this event to make it awesome and I wish I could write everyone’s short story but it would be too long, I will say Thank you to you and know without you it wouldn’t be the community coming together.

Here’s a few pic’s of our awesome event.

Now everyone going to say how awesome it is to help Homeless and People in Need. But I say these events are awesome but I want to open a Thrift shop that gives free clothes and things to homeless 7 days a week. If you think it’s a good idea please donate and help with the link below.

http://www.gofundme.com/h3gx24

 

Thank you very much for reading my blog and I hope you have a great day. If you like my writing please donate in the donation button on the top left of screen.

Grant Richards

Grant the Polite Guy

0412 190 011

grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

Christmas Homeless BBQ

Yesterday I was selling my Big Issue magazines at the corner of Adelaide and Creek St when someone came up to me saying “I thought you got on your feet! What happened?” I replied “Gave it a go but failed, but the best thing is that I had a go and will get back on my feet again” with a smile, you see I think someone failing at something is not as bad as not trying at all. In fact I always say to homeless or people in need “if you don’t try you will never know”.

I have to say I’m happy and content in a huge way because I found the one thing I’m very good at and that’s helping people. I’m proud to say that I know some of the most amazing people there is and we come together to put these Homeless BBQ’s on and they really do make a huge difference in people’s lives, which we do every 8 weeks.

 I’ve been invited to many weddings from people that I have got on their feet and meet someone special to live happy ever after, well most do haha.

This Sunday the 30^th of Nov we are holding another Homeless and People in Need BBQ at Musgrave Park from 10am to 2pm. But this time it’s going to be a Christmas Homeless BBQ which means Santa will be giving kids that may not get anything from their parents will get something special from Santa and I’m sure for most will bring a huge smile and I’d like to think maybe, just maybe bring that safe and magical feeling of everything is okay to be a kid to at least one and forget hard times and feel that life is good.

But here’s what I do know, 400 – 1,000 Homeless or People in Need will come and get free Food, Clothes, Blankets, Toiletries and much more including a present from Santa and helping people to not just have clothes and things but respect as well. One of the things that make our events so successful is the fact that homeless and people in need come and not one thing is for sale. We have a saying and that’s “Not one coin is exchanged at our events, because homeless don’t have money so why ask for any” even our volunteers don’t pay for their food which I might add is mostly done by Dalton’s Hospitality

 For a person that has nothing and in some cases looked down a pond this means a lot if not everything and maybe the start of a new start in life.

Bernie the Polite Girl and I do hundreds of hours for every Homeless BBQ  doing preparations for these events, and I have to say we do so much work for not getting paid that I almost every event say “It’s too much to do we have to ask others to help”  Then we smile and get back to doing everything we are doing.

So if you need help or want to help please come down and say hi this Sunday the 30^th and say “Hi” or you can contact me directly from details below.

I’d like to thank you all for reading my post and I hope you have a great day.

Grant Richards

Grant the Polite Guy

0412 190 011

grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

Wynnum the start of a Legacy

WooHoo I have done it.

This is 100% done, agreement made. I am opening a NEW shop in Wynnum that has two sides to it. One side being a Thrift shop that gives clothes to Homeless and People in Need free 7 days a week (10 items) and the second side being a Having a Go Coffee which only employs homeless and people in need after they have got on their feet and of course doing suspended coffee . WOOHOO.

This is a passion of mine, I have always wanted to be able to help homeless with clothes, toiletries, blankets and much needed things 7 days a week and be there for them when they need it most.

Homeless and people in need will be able to come and get free clothes and things while having a free coffee and something to eat. You all know of the Homeless BBQ’s well this is the next step.

I am proud and going to celebrate the fact it’s coming into action.

I know my health is bad with all that’s going wrong, but the way I see it, if I start it then someone can continue it in the future and that means a lot of people are going to get huge help and really that’s what it’s all about.

I can’t do this on my own, I am asking if the community can come together to help me to help make this huge start to something great. I need everything for the Thrift side e.g racks and things, and everything for the coffee side counters, fridges, plumbers and an electrician. Plus needing signs. This won’t fail because it’s going to be my legacy I leave for others to take over.

Can I add that this location is going to need a lot of volunteers to help give homeless free clothes and service.

I plan to open on the 1^st of December, the day after our next huge Homeless BBQ event at Musgrave Park so we can help more people just before Christmas. Hey will event be able to make a change of direction for some and help them to start the New Year in a more positive way.

I have to say I’m sooo excited about this WOOHOO

If you would like to join me please contact me or donate to putting this together.

St. George Bank

Grant Richards

BSB: 112879  ACC: 026900710 or I have a donation button on this blog.

Thank you for reading my blogspot and I hope you all have a great day.

Grant Richards

Grant the Polite Guy

0412 190 011

grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

P.S WOOHOO this is going to help a lot of people.