My $2 Pledge
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I’m the kind of person who wouldn’t think twice about wading through a dirty swamp. I even arm-wrestled with guys in my younger days. By all standards, I’m probably the most un-girly girl you can find. Being in the company of guy friends most of the time means that I’m used to witnessing all kinds of disgusting acts. Hell, I’m even guilty of some of these myself. I mean, I do know my manners, like not burping, and not talking with bits of food spurting out of my mouth. But I would eat food off the floor in an instant as long as it looks clean. Yet when I saw someone drinking from a half-empty cup right out of a random trash can, I had to look away. After having dinner with my Mom at Chinatown, we waited for our bus at the bus stop. A frail and skinny old man that looked about 80 caught our attention (and many others). He was collecting empty aluminum drink cans from a trash can. This is a common everyday sight, but it’s still extremely sad to witness. Everyone there who was waiting for their bus watched and scrutinised his every move. Every [...]
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Feb 4, 2007
1
Hi Veron,
I was so touched about your $2 pledge story. $2 it’s not much for us. But, for them it can be filled up their stomach for the day. I’d pledge to do the same as what you did now. Hope some of the day, there’s not more elderly peoples collecting cans anymore…
Feb 5, 2007
3470
:) I have noticed in recent days that there are less of them around. I don’t even know if that’s a good or a bad thing.
Feb 24, 2007
1
I myself feel sad whenever i see elderly people collecting cans and selling tissue paper on the streets.. So i try to “patronize” those selling tissue paper whenever i can.. I had never really thought up of actually giving cash to the elderly, for i was once rejected.. I really feel that your pledge is really meaningful especially to the singaporeans of nowadays.. So whenever i can, i try to help the elderly.. Most of us dun realise those cleaner who works at the neigbourhood hawker center do exist, often leaving behind messy plates for them to clean up.. The idea behind this.. Singaporean dun really care about anyone other then themselves.. So, i was really pleased to see this blog with this pledge.. Let’s hope that the idea catches on to the general public.. Meanwhile, i will be trying to do like so and also, be advertising your blog on my msn.. Wish us all the best
Apr 7, 2007
1
hello! I just happened to chance upon your site and saw this entry, and i think the idea of a $2 pledge is wonderful. I could totally empathize how you felt, because i experienced it before too but I gave a $10 note on impulse, without thinking if i could keep it up since I’m still a student and all. I too, shall adopt your $2 pledge and post your entry and link on my blog so that, hopefully more people would adopt the pledge too!
There’s too many of such poor old needy elderly around, not just the drink can collectors, but also those cardboard collectors, junk collectors and all… Anyway, keep up the good work! I’m sure there’s many others who want to help too but not sure how to, but this entry of yours is a good head start for many people and I’m sure it’ll make a difference to the needy elderly in one way or another! :)
Apr 19, 2007
1
This comment is god damn late, almost half a year ago. I found you a cooler girl than the one who did school project with us :p
Anyway that’s a really nice entry. Thumbs up for you ma’am.
BBB
May 15, 2007
1
nice design site, good intentions, hope more people will be able to be like you –
to open their eyes not only to see that there are many needy people around them, but also to know that there are many cheats / marketing companies around …. give money to help is good, but make sure its given to right person / right cause
as long as everyone / anyone who has been touched by your pledge goes on and (( do something about it )), i think our society will get a lot better
a $2 pledge by 1 person may not seem to be a big deal and can’t help many needy persons … but if we, the readers as a collective whole, also support this pledge by helping, as and when required, in ways and means possible, the effect will be wonderful …
perhaps, one day, you will chance upon others of this pledge and witness them in action
perhaps, that will be the day, your tears will be of great joy, rather than sadness
do write … when the day arrives =)
May 15, 2007
7
Yep, i agree with pp’s comments – i actually stumbled across Veron’s blog all these months ago from this $2 pledge article.
$2 by 1 person may not seem like a big deal – but its actually kick-starting something that has a positive effect on someone else. Its literally ‘pay it forward’ or ‘giving forward’ without expecting anything in return. An often used example is ‘one candle lighting another candle, with the original candle losing none of its flame’… or the boy throwing star-fishes back into the sea after they’ve been washed upon the beaches. When asked why he did it, the boy answered “it made a difference to that starfish”..
Veron, i’ll be contacting you really soon – would love to do a joint-venture with you based on raising awareness and funds to various charities in S’pore, and spreading the Social Enterprise message. Your blog and its readers would be a perfect platform :)