And another example is the Surgeon General of the U.S. who is also black and was raised by a poor family.

I agree with you and think this could be a great help to those in need however it would require a lot of people to carry it out as you would need people to do all the legwork and research who needs the money the most then , then some would have to decide what portion of the money goes to each recipient, then you would need people to do all the legal work then people to do all the government and state tax work... The list of helpers needed would just go on and on. If you could find maybe 10 or 15 helpers who have experience in all these areas it would be fantastic but otherwise it would probably just be better to collect the money and then send it to some local agencies who already have the expertise in dispersing funds. I applaud you 4 thinking about this and if you get it going with enough helpers I think you could help so many people in need. Good luck and thanks for caring about those around us who are in desperate need for so many things. Meanwhile the food banks need food donations they also need cat and dog food donations and the GoFundMe fund needs money to continue to provide food for the school kids who aren't getting their meals at school anymore. The list of those needing financial help to pay their bills just goes on and on. I hope all villagers read this and if they are financially able please donate food or money or whatever you can to any organization or fund that can help so many who are suffering right in our area. Happy holidays to those who are celebrating at this time of year and remember it's always better to give than receive.

Wow, the compassion expressed here by so many is heartwarming. I understand the OP’s intent, even if not thought out in every detail, and I would support it. Maybe this forum is not the place to try to get something like this going.

I plan to do exactly what the money was intended for.....SPEND IT.

Thank you for your most thoughtful reply.

Thank you for your response and yes, I do understand that there are many who continuously provide support through a variety of charities. However, there are just as many, probably more who do not. There are Villagers who think it’s fine to provide tiny tips. There are villagers who don’t fully appreciate the struggles that the service industry goes through on a daily basis. I wish everyone in our community was as generous as you.

You can place people on your "ignore List".

I am all for paying it forward. I think a lot of people might prefer being able to control where their money is going. My stimulus check, when it arrives, is already earmarked for charities and working people I know who have been laid off or out of work due to the pandemic; my hairdresser, housekeepers, extra big tips for servers/delivery people, local animal rescue groups, food pantries, etc. The last bit (maybe 10%) I am SPENDING on legal MJ because I can. I love the irony of being given money by the Federal government to buy something the Federal government doesn't approve of. It's the principle of the thing. LOL

Gary was right for some, not for all.

I see the OP is not trying to re-invent the wheel, but rather create a new wheel "made by the Villages." Yes there are other community foundations. Are there other Villages-specific community foundations? I know of one Villages-specific organization that helps people living in the Forest. I wonder how much flack they received when they were first trying to find interest for the creation of their organization.

I think a Villages-specific community foundation is a great idea, if one doesn't already exist. If it does perhaps someone could tell us who they are, how to get in touch with them, and what is their website. Because it sounds to me like none of you have ever heard of one - since if you had, surely it would've been named in this thread by now.

I would not be in a position to donate significantly - perhaps just $10-25, since we are here too early for Social Security, we have a very modest pension, and I still have to work in order to qualify for affordable health insurance.

But I do support the idea and thank the OP for suggesting it and offering to get it started.

Also as an FYI - you can't tip Publix employees. They're not allowed to accept them and can be fired if they are caught.

Changes my plan but I’ll figure it out. Thank you.

You are not paraphrasing Christ. He never said such a cruel thing. Others did including Lenin and the often-used quote from Paul, who had other problems. All of Christ's message was about love and caring for the poor. Not blaming them for their own poverty.

Put a nice note in your trunk with a Benjamin attached. When the person at Walmart or Publix see's the note and the money they will give you the thumbs up, a signal that they got the gratuity because that was in the note. They palm the bill and pocket it and nobody has been fired yet. They have a choice, take the money or leave it. They deserve it and more. Lots more. Screw the rules. Get your Alligator arms in your pocket swallow hard cause it ain't gonna be easy for the water drinkers (you know what I mean) and hook these beautiful people up.

I don't like the idea of giving my money to anyone so they can decide who gets it. I am the deciderererer in the money department and nobody else. Like it or lump it. That's That!

Certainly your choice. BTW, Publix employees are not furloughed likeanother businesses. And, having shopped at Publix for 50 years, most employees appreciate their job and benefits, including stock ownership, not available unless an employee. I would hate to tempt one to break the rules and risk giving up everything. Just my opinion.

Sweat long hours and good moves retired me and put me here, I donate time money and more to what And who I feel needs it. My stimulus check will go into paying whatever needs to get paid. I’m sure most will use the checks the same way!

How nice of you. They are adults who are risking their lives for you and I. Bending the rules, nope maybe just fracturing the rules because of the circumstances. If they don’t want the cheese 🧀 they are under no obligation to take it. Let’s let them decide.

Remember that Stimulus check will be affecting your 2020 taxes
Tax Changes and Key Amounts for 2020

If that’s the case, I wish they’d asked if I wanted it.

Again, the sentiment is greatly appreciated. But you're asking people to knowingly risk being fired just so they can get $20, from one person, once.

Publix employees get paid remarkably well, compared to most other supermarkets (Aldi's notwithstanding). Those who work an average of 20 hours per week also get stock GIVEN to them...and those who work 1000 hours in a year can also get matching 401k contributions. They also offer really inexpensive dental and vision plans to part or full timers, discount programs for prescriptions and purchases from their own pharmacy, a profit-sharing bonus, decent raises, and a pretty amazing management culture. Their open door policy really IS open door. The only time the manager's door is closed, is if an employee asks to speak with him privately about something. Otherwise, it's open for anyone to walk in and sit down and ask questions, ask advice, vent a frustration, compliment another employee, etc. etc.

I've honestly never experienced this kind of environment in retail before - and I've been in retail for 40 years.

We're treated well, all things considered. Anyone who would be dumb enough to risk their job over a $20 bill, is someone who most of us wouldn't want to work with.

I’ve always suspected they were a good place to work. This confirms it.

Did you bother reading the article? It specifically says it is unlikely to affect any tax liability as it is a tax credit. Take another look.

Publix being such a great and understanding company and I am personally aware of the other end of the spectrum. I worked at Shop-Rite years ago. I'll bet you they would have no problem with a fantastic, devoted customer showing their appreciation to a person who keeps me from having to go in the store. I'll never "win" this discussion and truly am sorry I ever brought it up. Lesson learned again. The only reason I did was to illustrate that I would rather hand out any money instead of joining another company to do so in my behalf. I surrender. A Benjamin isn't $20.

If you read your site it’s clear this will not be taxable income.

It won’t be taxable, but what if it were? The tax on an additional $1200 for most people is approximately $150 so your net benefit is over $1000.

Pretty sure the instacart folks accept tips. If you are getting delivery service, by all means tip the delivery person!

Just don't try and slip a store employee a bill of any kind in the store or parking lot. They watch, and they see, and people DO get fired for it.

Edited to add: I worked for Stop & Shop years ago too so I totally get the other end of the spectrum. A bunch of corporate ogres with a barbaric union that sucked the money from its members for very little benefit in return. After dues, I earned LESS than minimum wage. But, Stop & Shop didn't have any kind of no-tipping policy. Publix does and their ******* (the word is b.a.g.g.e.r.s. for crying out loud) even have pins they wear on their vests that instruct customers to NOT tip them.

2 Thes. 3:10 which says if a man will not work he shall not eat. The intent is to discourage laziness among the able bodied, as verses 11-12 which follow demonstrate.
We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

Does anyone know what order the CARES checks for $1,200 are being mailed out?
 

[QUOTE=72lions;1744438]Here’s an idea. Let The Villages lead the way in supporting those in need. Here’s how:

As for me, I have no idea when to receive a payment, even though I meet the requirements and had my tax refund directly deposited for 2 years. I wonder what order the checks are being deposited - alphabetically, by state, by social security number?

[QUOTE=ficoguy;1745525]When the government couldn’t answer this question, how could a poster on TOTV?
“The the check is in the mail.”

[QUOTE=Bogie Shooter;1745578]If it's by Social Security Number there are several people I know who should have received the check already cause the three of them have the Social Security numbers that are #1, #2 & #3. :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: Boy 'O Boy are they Old! :1rotfl: And Lots of Fun!