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NewsChairman John’s Christmas Pledge
Chairman John’s Christmas Pledge

Chairman John’s Christmas Pledge

Tags: Consumer Action Sticking Up for FiftyUps
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UnknownHello Fellow FiftyUp Club Members,

It’s hard to believe but Christmas is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me you haven’t done all of the shopping yet.  Embarrassing admission, I haven’t done any of the shopping yet!

But I have made one Christmas pledge already I’d like to share with you.

Each year, like most of you, I spend the day with my family and extended family. And this year is no exception. But this year I have pledged to do something else.

Most of you will have heard of Rev. Bill Crews.*  He runs the Exodus Foundation in Sydney to combat disadvantage. He helps provide food, educational, and social health and wellbeing services without discrimination for those who need it most.

Since 1989 he started the Loaves and Fishes Free Restaurant on Christmas Day, which now operates in Sydney and Melbourne.

This year he needed a new Master of Ceremonies so I put my hand up. I will make time in my Christmas Day for those who don’t enjoy the luxury a family can bring. For the needy, and the lonely. How could I say no?

“We are all one another’s brothers and sisters so why not share some of the Christmas spirit with others,” he said.

“You’d be surprised how good you’ll feel to reach out beyond yourself and to help others.”

There are organizations like this in every capital city.  If you are like me, one of the fortunate ones who won’t go lonely or hungry on Christmas Day, I urge you to find an hour or two. More information is available here.

Rev. Bill nailed it when he said: “Shine a little bit of light on what’s been a very dark year, what with Ebola and the Middle East just to name a bit.”

Here at FiftyUp Club we pride ourselves on finding you the best deals when it comes to things like power and insurance. But it’s not all just about money.

Of course we can all save a bit here and there, but if you are one of the more fortunate ones like me, how about giving beyond your usual sphere.

I’m doing it this year, I wish I’d it done it sooner.

Warmest Regards,
John and the FiftyUp Team.

*For more than 40 years the Rev. Bill Crews has been striving to help the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized in society. He is a Uniting Church Minister. He runs the Exodus Foundation and the Bill Crews Charitable Trust. He also founded the Big Picture Film Festival and he has a radio program every Sunday night on 2GB-873AM in Sydney.

Originally posted on .

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margaret
margaret from NSW commented:

John, This topic does not seem popular and I am surprised that such an intelligent man is not more in touch with his audience. At least you are not being told "If you care so much why don't you give up your internet and donate the money to the cause." This what I was told earlier in the year when I suggested we should all show a little interest in the Drought Appeal and donate what ever little we could afford. My I suggest a few topics that will be better received, and get wide response 1 What I want, want, want from Santa. 2 What I should, and absolutely deserve to get, get, get from Santa. 3 What should my country be doing for me, me, me(J.F.K ) and will it fit in Santas sleigh John,I do think better targeting your audience would bring you more little pen pals...if these are the people with whom you wish to associate. 

brenda
brenda from VIC commented:

Bless you John. It is so like you. I am really not surprised. Happy Xmas and god bless. brenda. 

margaret
margaret from NSW commented:

Good one. I also contribute to these people. Now John, please do try to get in and out of the shops just a little before the 23rd of Dec.The season which gives many so much joy is an absolute nightmare for those working in retail. Feet and legs that scream with pain, little time to spend with family and friends and little reason to celebrate. If one is so poor one is waiting for a day before Christmas bonus to buy a special present there is an excuse for late shopping. If this is not your situation then shop earlier. You will also feel less frantic and be more likely to make a good choice rather than just an expensive choice. 

John
John from NSW replied to margaret:

Thanks Margaret, such good advice, but will I take it? I will try. (I say that every year) I hope you have a great festive season, my two young boys will hopefully learn the gift of giving when they come with me to the Exodus Foundation this year. 

Karen
Karen from NSW commented:

Well intentioned but seriously, volunteer places would have been long filled by this time this close to Christmas. I have tried for years to give up my time, yet after 20 years have never been 'accepted'. I have no family in Australia and have no wish to be the token lame-dog to ease someone else's guilt for not bothering with me the rest of the year to make them feel better at Christmas. Yet it seems there are too many people volunteering at this time of year. Either put your name down now for Christmas 2015 or don't bother. Why not make an effort all year not just a hour or so over Christmas to make yourself feel better. 

John
John from NSW replied to Karen:

Karen, please click on the link in my story, cheers, John 

margaret
margaret from NSW replied to Karen:

Karen around 11 20pm Bill Crewes on 2GB asked for volunteers so you could apply this year. I can not understand how you could miss out year after year for twenty years. It is possible to leave your volunteering until too late once or twice but to miss out for twenty years does seem unusually unfortunate. Good Luck this year. Some years ago I spoke to a lady who told me It just does not seem much like Christmas these days and she no longer enjoyed it, I said, didn't seem Christmassy when she had put up the tree and decorations? Oh she said I don't do that. And so I went through the things we do that makes Christmas a special time The sending of cards, inviting even one or two friends in for a glass or two of wine and a few nibbles, the wrapping of presents no matter how inexpensive, buying a little special food so Christmas lunch is something to look forward to, attending a church service etc. etc. Oh no, she did not do any of those things. Waiting for someone else to make Christmas, Christmas, unless one is extremely poor (I mean poor in a financial sense as there are other forms of poverty that do not involve money) is simply looking for Christmas in all the wrong places. Christmas is within the heart of the individual and no one can take it from you. 

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