I have a bunch of stuff that I don’t want to deal with trying to sell on the web. I have decided it would make me happy to give it to a less fortunate kid that would like to start modeling. Anyone in the Minneapolis area know anyone? Any club members that see regular kids come by? I have everything to get a small starter layout running. I am not trying to be picky but if you have internet in your home, I don’t consider you unfortunate.
Jon
Well, not to equally as rude to you, but If you don’t consider anyone who has internet at home to be “unfortunate” {less fortunate}, then you are asking at the wrong place here!
Many schools now require the use of the 'net and many homes can be equipped under grants for the “poorer kids” like summer lunch programs, so that is almost a moot point. WiFi can be far reaching.
Some clubs may know, but I doubt it, as “poor kids” don’t usually go to them.
If you are really seeking to “enrich” some “poor” kid’s life with trains,then contact your local Social Services Department OR Salvation Army house. They should have records of kids who are “less fortunate” {and may not have internet at home} but who wanted a train set or trains last Christmas time on the charitable giving gift programs {hanging on a tree gift tag explaining what a child of an age is asking “Santa” for- you buy it and donate it with the gift tag so the kid gets it}. Who knows some kid may have asked for Thomas the Tank engine for christmas, yet is old enough to work with electric trains now.
Keep in mind, though, that less fortunate or not, those kids want NEW stuff, not really into someone’s “cast offs”. They already get enough hand-me-downs and pass-alongs in life.
[8-|]
Hi!
I applaud your efforts to donate stuff to the less fortunate. That being said, its not an easy thing to do - especially these days.
I suggest you ask your friends and neighbors if they know of a kid that would enjoy your stuff, and go from there.
If nothing else, send it to me. I’ll see it gets a good home and is put to good use.
Give it to Goodwill. They will sell it through their store and use the proceeds to provide for the less fortunate.
Rich
Jon, I am lucky that I have a friend that himself and his son’s are in the hobby. When Simon first started bring over his son’s I was just going to DCC and had engines I did not feel like converting. They loved it and use to craw around under the layout looking for stuff.
Now 4 years later, they come over with better stuff than I have? [:-^]
Jeffery could use the left overs as well. I swear he can fix anything! [(-D]
Cuda Ken
I suggested looking for a local children’s home. We built a 4 x 6 layout for Boysville here in San Antonio year before last and it was well received. They had a nice rec room and therefore some space for it. If you can donate a few kits that are not yet built, even better, as it provides some crafts projects.
-Bob T.
But if they don’t have electricity, they can’t run the trains.
Let’s get real here, any kids like you’re describing need food, clothes, a warm safe place to sleep, and other basics long before they need trains. Any “extra” can be used for school supplies, medical care, etc.
If what you have, has any value you can contract with an individual who sells stuff on consignment on the WEB. Donate your proceeds to a charity.
Otherwise donate to a local charity thrift store, Goodwill, etc. The volunteers usually get first pick, but at least it’ll generate some funds for the charity.
Paul
P.S. you can find the less fortunate in your area by volunteering at a food bank, soup kitchen, etc.
Ok. The Madison County Historical Society (Anderson IN) will be happy to take it and see to it that it is given to someone who can use it. I will not guarantee that it will go to someone who does not have Internet, but it will go to someone who will use it. We have a fairly large collection of train material and hold a train show every Christmas.
Contact me if you wish to make it happen.
Hello Jon,
I am a volunteer at a Railway Museum located in Georgia. The Museum sponsors a youth HO model railroading club that is geared towards younger kids who are mostly under 12 years old. They get to build their own modules and several times a year they link them together for a nice display. Much of what they use has been equipment donated by the families of dearly departed model railroaders. The Museum itself has a very restricted budget and relies mostly on these donations. While I do not know their income status, my belief is that the parents are much more inclined to get their young one involved for a nominal entry fee than the shelling out of a few hundred dollars for rr equipment. Perhaps there is such a club in your area?
As mentioned previously forum member Jeffrey Wimberly has put on a showcase over the years of how to rebuild and rework the tired, poor and huddled masses of unwanted and /or outdated railroad equipment. Your railroad equipment would surely live on in a good home if the stuff went his way.
Good Luck on your decision,
John R
You have been given some ideas. Here’s another REAL idea for you:
How about setting up at a local or state-wide train show {and you could sell stuff to someone if you agree on a price}, but, all the while you are looking for that “special someone” kid to donate to!
Granted, if they have money to pay for entrance to a model train show, they are probably not without internet…but you could select a kid by the 'gleam in his eye" who really wants your stuff and would be greatfull to have it. He/she may be of LIMITED means.
WIth the hobby costing even $35 for a Bachmann HO DC loco {$50 for DCC}, a lot of kids don’t get that kind of money for christmas, Birthdays, etc to be able to buy stuff for MMRING even when they are not destitute. ANd Santa may only bring limited stuff for MRRIng.
Don’t forget a table for a layout! Trains and track are no good without a good table…and include some books on wiring and such!
ANd destitute kids probably have little interest in MRRIng, they are more likely to be interested in electronic games “like johhny has” that they see everyday in other kid’s hands.
Just an idea.
[8-|]
Galaxy wrote: Some clubs may know, but I doubt it, as “poor kids” don’t usually go to them.
What makes you think poor kids can’t like trains or model trains? [(-D]
Actually I seen a lot of “poor” kids during the fair and they seem to enjoy the trains far more then some including adults.
I’ve seen working “poor” have some pretty nice stuff including a high end sound equipped locomotive-thanks to his tax return he was able to buy a long desired sound equipped Atlas locomotive.
Most kids nowdays wouldn’t have much interest in hand me down train stuff. Now if it was a Xbox or PS3 they would be all over it.
I NEVER said ANYHTING remotely like “poor kids can’t like trains” as you elude I said. I simply said poor kids are not hanging around waiting for a club to open its doors for free, and that is ASSUMING the poor kid’s area HAS a club that will open its doors to the public.
He wants to donate to POOR KIDS.
How many Poor KIDS have you seen with an INCOME TAX REFUND?
ANd how many “poor” PARENTS" who HAVE the income tax refund are going to spend it on TRAINS for the kids…rather than NEW CLOTHES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES and the like for the kids???
I am poor and right now broke as can be and owe lots of money due to repair bills on nearly everythign I own. I didn’t have much of a hobby budget last year, and NO BUDGET {Zero} this year…I need food and shelter {and the repairs that go along with it} right now MORE than trains.
I also suggested he GO to a trian show where he can hand pick a kid himself to give to…but chances are the kid won’t necessrily meet his “no internet” clause.
[8-|]
Galaxy, the problem with dealing with people that are down on their luck is they become very defensive when people try to help them. REMEMBER???
There are some good ideas here - certainly I would take advantage of one of those if I were in Jon’s shoes - but they may or may not fit Jon’s criteria. That’s for him to decide.
In any case, I applaud your planned philanthropy, Jon. Please let us know what you finally do with your surplus stuff.