to all the 17,456 Az'ers - just my thoughts?

Please read post #21 (page 2 of this thread) by kath13. Taxes are not the issue according to her call, directly with the IRS.

Let's get off the snide here and
1) choose a charity and
2) agree how/who to handle the dalmations.

Woof
 
Fatboy said:
its not hard to form a 501 c.3. which is a tax exempt charity, the proicess is faster than it was, when its legit and this is its triple easy. and can be done for nothing or close too it, we got to get kids playing!!!
Click to expand...

I agree with Fatboy, it is not hard to set up. However, there are a number of considerations that need to be accounted for, I won't go into all of them (business plan, board members, etc.) The most important being this not our forum so to speak. Any kind of business action would need to be approved and I would think need the participation of the legal owners of AZ.
With that being said, for the type of donations being considered for this thread, I don't think we need to set up for a non-for profit now. I do think it should be considered at some point for the future, as I've seen a number of posts come up in regards to a: needy AZ'er, a needy semi-pro to play in a tournament, TAR, you name it. It would be nice to have organization surrounding such events and be able to provide a private donation without a lot of hassle and additional posting.

Smokey: I'm in.
 
Az-ers list for discussion/agreement:

here is what i was able to come up with:

1.0 get permission from AzB to do this on site. [i did and we have permission.]

2.0 decide who should receive/hold the $ contributions.

2.1 i feel even though the cost is high for paypal [2.9% + 30 cents per contribution], i think it will be the easiest for most of us to use. for those of us who just hate paypal and refuse to use them, we should accept any normal form of payment to the designated person.

3.0 decide how to handle material contributions; such as cues, cases, chalk. etc. that some may give.

3.1 my thought is items like these, should be sent directly from the contributor; it will save on shipping costs.

4.0 we need suggestions and a consensus for where we should give. however, and to this point i want to share a point from Jerry Forsyth's PM giving us permission for this fund, basically adding:
"we should have No Trouble giving to a Charity like Boys & Girls Clubs "BUT" that some other gifting might get us in trouble with tax law. and imho, not having a lot of time, i hope we can start this year with only Boys/Girls Clubs.

we can get going as soon as the above is settled so let us know.

all the best,
smokey
 
Im in and I vote for the boys club. First place I ever shot pool. somewhere around the summer of 69.
 
smokey said:
here is what i was able to come up with:

1.0 get permission from AzB to do this on site. [i did and we have permission.]

2.0 decide who should receive/hold the $ contributions.

2.1 i feel even though the cost is high for paypal [2.9% + 30 cents per contribution], i think it will be the easiest for most of us to use. for those of us who just hate paypal and refuse to use them, we should accept any normal form of payment to the designated person.

3.0 decide how to handle material contributions; such as cues, cases, chalk. etc. that some may give.

3.1 my thought is items like these, should be sent directly from the contributor; it will save on shipping costs.

4.0 we need suggestions and a consensus for where we should give. however, and to this point i want to share a point from Jerry Forsyth's PM giving us permission for this fund, basically adding:
"we should have No Trouble giving to a Charity like Boys & Girls Clubs "BUT" that some other gifting might get us in trouble with tax law. and imho, not having a lot of time, i hope we can start this year with only Boys/Girls Clubs.

we can get going as soon as the above is settled so let us know.

all the best,
smokey
Click to expand...

I will make the following offer, I will make purchases of any items you decide upon, and can raise the money for, through my wholesale account with no mark-up, except for shipping costs. In addition, I will donate a couple of cues ( McDermott's) and cases to deserving individuals that you choose, however, you will have to determine who they are sent to, and supply me the address.

I do not know if this helps, but I hope it gives some extra alternatives to what you are planning. I know how important the holidays are for kids, and I will do whatever I can to help your idea have a positive out come.

Let me know, what you need Smokey!!!!
 
Last edited:
Awesome thread Smokey!
For the last two years when I've been available, I've maintained and repaired the equipment and donated cues and chalk and stuff to a center here in Elk Grove.
Once a month after giving lessons to the kids, I'd give a cue to the kid that progressed the best, and showed the most respect to the other kids and the tables/equipment.
I'm ashamed to say that I haven't been going down there much for the last couple of months....
You are inspiring, and I love to see how quickly the AZ community comes together for things like this, there are some really great people around here!
Count me in-
 
smokey said:
... 4.0 we need suggestions and a consensus for where we should give. ...smokey
Click to expand...

I've seen several mentions of the Boys/Girls Club ( http://www.bgca.org/ ) which is an extremely large organization. A question that come to mind is do you pick 1 club, several clubs, the national organization, etc?

I'd suggest you contact Make A Wish ( http://www.wish.org/ ) - they may have kids that have asked for something pool related.
 
I'm in!

Smokey, I don't even know ya, but I love where your heart is man. All kids should be given every opportunity to explore playing pool or whatever other sport or activity they dream of pursuing. Isn't that what being a kid was all about for all of us, DREAMING, without limits and believing no matter what the cost that those dreams could come true?

I love you targeting the Boys and Girls Clubs initially also. What a great organization!

Anyway, I'll be watching this post of course and as soon as you get the details ironed out you'll have my first contribution on it's way. Yeah, I said first because I don't see any reason to limit this to the Holiday Season at all. I think after an account has been established for donations that it should remain open from now on. Helping out your fellow man should never be limited by what time of year it is IMO. Wouldn't it be great if an AZer found a worthwhile target that needed a bit of help monetarily and could start a "request assistance" thread with the actual financial ability to achieve their target's goal? Just a thought ya know.

Maybe I'm reaching, but maybe...just maybe...you've re-awakened that child in all of us and allowed us to have a DREAM again. And even though it may seem so far out of reach in it's early stages, with just a little bit of effort, planning and management by whoever wants to do the work, it could actually come true!

Wow, didn't mean to write a book here, I just get riled up when I see someone trying to do some good within the pool world! Thanks in advance for your efforts Smokey!

:thumbup: :D :smile: :embarrassed2: :p

Wooooo Hooooo! Doin' my happy dance again! Feels good man!
 
more thoughts...

to keep the thread length to a minimum i will try to post my replies on 1 reply.

rackmsuckr: WOW - that is an unbelievable gesture. and i do not want to do anything to destroy such an amazing offer of kindness but i hope you will let me suggest an alternative to your unbelievable gift:

how about you donate this to 1 of our contributors but regardless of the amount they give? would that be acceptable you? the reason i say this is because to me it is not the size of the gift, but the size of the heart. for a rich man/woman $10 is a pittance and for one not rich/poor $10 dollars is hours of labor. Whose heart is greater? so? to me such a wonderful gift should go by lottery from all those who give - and not by the size of the gift. sorry if you do not agree, so please make "your" gift as you see best.

Purdman: i am worried about giving to a Senior Center [although it is a great place to give to] due to info i received from Jerry Forsyth. But we can if some of our pool related companies want to do it. so we can keep that idea [at least this year} for them "directly, only.

Dartman: how are we doing so far?

Manwon: i do not know how to thank you for you "just being you". if i have a vote on who should run this fund, i vote for you.

will8834: "Only" if you ask for "my opinion", we should try for the broadest appeal, and if you agree, you should sell your custom cue to one who will really appreciate it, and then devote that money to the fund. my reasoning is; the wider the audience we give to, the better for "our" community it will be in the long run. but that is just my opinion, and please so as you see best.

Cuephoric: no problem, and you are right. we the Az community are a Great Community. and some Really Great People!

Dartman: your additional request for "Make a Wish foundation" i thinks is Great! maybe one of our Pros can give an exhibition for them. what could be better?

Sam Waltz: i don't know you either. but no-matter. you are right, we can do this "all year round". but, pls note: it is not from me really; it comes from the "goodness" and "kindness" from all of us that we all find here on Az. it is a testament to "All" of us.

that's all for now and please everybody answer post 43 with "All" of your wishes.

and thank you "All" for your generosity and kindness,
smokey
 
please see post 43...

last but not least;

we need to decide the issues on post 43 in order to move forward...

all the best,
smokey
 
I am in too. I can't give much considering I can hardly support myself right now:( , but will do what I can.
 
I am in...also have some ideas

Now this is pool player class: thumbup:

I always gave out free lessons to the "kids" in college and the High School students who used our college campus. I also coordinated to have a pool cue donated to the winner of an on campus pool tournament.

I think those who are donating cues away might want to set up a local Boys and Girls club pool tournament. Give the cues out to the winner and runner up. If you have three to pass out raffle one off for free to those someone who participated but did not finish 1st or 2nd.

If you know of one in the Seattle Area I would volunteer to run a tournament on the weekend and pass out the pool cues to the winners. Just shoot me a PM if interested.

IDEA FOR THE DONATED MONIES

The monies donated could go to local Boys and Girls club qualifying tournaments in each county of each State. Of these qualifying winners a state Boys and Girls tournament would be held (an AZ'r would donate their time to run each tournament) where the state champion wins a case and cue bought and donated through our donations to this fund.

Each State Champion would compete against each other by racing the ghost. Each State Champion would race the ghost in either eight ball or nine ball (supervised and recorded by an AZ?r) where the results would be forwarded to Smoky. Smoky would then calculate and announce who won the Boys and Girls National Championship.

The prize could be a free expenses trip to Derby City or the US Open (with one parent included).

Could you imagine in the 2nd year all those kids playing and practicing to become a Boys and Girls club national champion?

Yes we could!

Jay P
 
smokey said:
to keep the thread length to a minimum i will try to post my replies on 1 reply.

rackmsuckr: WOW - that is an unbelievable gesture. and i do not want to do anything to destroy such an amazing offer of kindness but i hope you will let me suggest an alternative to your unbelievable gift:

how about you donate this to 1 of our contributors but regardless of the amount they give? would that be acceptable you? the reason i say this is because to me it is not the size of the gift, but the size of the heart. for a rich man/woman $10 is a pittance and for one not rich/poor $10 dollars is hours of labor. Whose heart is greater? so? to me such a wonderful gift should go by lottery from all those who give - and not by the size of the gift. sorry if you do not agree, so please make "your" gift as you see best.

Purdman: i am worried about giving to a Senior Center [although it is a great place to give to] due to info i received from Jerry Forsyth. But we can if some of our pool related companies want to do it. so we can keep that idea [at least this year} for them "directly, only.

Dartman: how are we doing so far?

Manwon: i do not know how to thank you for you "just being you". if i have a vote on who should run this fund, i vote for you.

will8834: "Only" if you ask for "my opinion", we should try for the broadest appeal, and if you agree, you should sell your custom cue to one who will really appreciate it, and then devote that money to the fund. my reasoning is; the wider the audience we give to, the better for "our" community it will be in the long run. but that is just my opinion, and please so as you see best.

Cuephoric: no problem, and you are right. we the Az community are a Great Community. and some Really Great People!

Dartman: your additional request for "Make a Wish foundation" i thinks is Great! maybe one of our Pros can give an exhibition for them. what could be better?

Sam Waltz: i don't know you either. but no-matter. you are right, we can do this "all year round". but, pls note: it is not from me really; it comes from the "goodness" and "kindness" from all of us that we all find here on Az. it is a testament to "All" of us.

that's all for now and please everybody answer post 43 with "All" of your wishes.

and thank you "All" for your generosity and kindness,
smokey
Click to expand...


Manwon: i do not know how to thank you for you "just being you". if i have a vote on who should run this fund, i vote for you.

Thanks for the vote of confidants, however, I have limited time to give to this act of kindness. Like I said I can order items, and ship those items, or have them drop shipped directly where they need to go, and I will donate the two cues and cases, and ship those wherever, you decide they need to be sent. But, with all that is currently on my plate over the next few months, time is the one thing I can't donate.

Take Care
 
Someone asked how broadly we should spread the money--one club, a group of clubs, national. I think it highly depends on just how much money is raised. The more money, the wider the group we try to reach.

If an amount is raised that can be helpful at the "group" or "city" level, then the boys and girls clubs of las vegas (soon to be boys and girls clubs of southern nevada) would be a great destination.

I volunteer with the Boys and Girls club here in Smokey's home of Las Vegas. There's a dozen or so clubs around town, and they already have inter-club competitions on a regular basis. Smokey himself was very generous and donated money to have the tables in my club completely refinished with new cloth and rubber. Other members also have donated cues and balls.

Having been to the other clubs, I can say they aren't all as lucky. While there are plenty of pool players and the tables are always in action, the conditions are somewhat poor: low quality cloth that is either ripped or torn or unevenly worn, or can be lifted from the table; rails that "thunk"; sticks that I wouldn't use for firewood.

I would be more than willing to make the rounds to the Las Vegas clubs and to see what exactly needs to be done and to try to fit that into any money received. There's a billiards store in town that does table and cue work for us already at a nice discount, so any money we receive would go even farther than expected.

Additionally, as someone who knows pool, I could make sure the money is spent wisely (with, I'm sure, Smokey's help). The money would not be sent in randomly to some administrator who could do who knows what with it, even with good intentions (buy more sticks when the club has fine sticks but needs new felt, or vice versa).

Also, I also like smokey's idea of having Will sell the cue and use the money, rather than just donating the cue. I'm not sure how much the cue would be but a few hundred dollars can buy a lot of decent cues that a lot of kids can use, rather than be concentrated in one nice cue that one kid might or might not even fully appreciate. It is certainly a mindblowingly generous offer. Will is a good guy.
 
Rocket354 said:
I would be more than willing to make the rounds to the Las Vegas clubs and to see what exactly needs to be done and to try to fit that into any money received. There's a billiards store in town that does table and cue work for us already at a nice discount, so any money we receive would go even farther than expected.

Additionally, as someone who knows pool, I could make sure the money is spent wisely (with, I'm sure, Smokey's help). The money would not be sent in randomly to some administrator who could do who knows what with it, even with good intentions (buy more sticks when the club has fine sticks but needs new felt, or vice versa).
Click to expand...

I very much agree with this post. Even before we get money flowing we could reach out to the clubs in our home area and see if we can do anything. Like Rocket said most of us know people in our own area that might donate their time, even if it's leveling or fixing up a table. We also have access to decent equipment at a better price than the clubs.

I truly think our knowlege and time is the most valuable thing we can bring to them. Even letting these clubs know they have someone to call for anything billiard related.

Saying this I still want to donate my money to this fund %100 but that will not keep me from checking up and seeing what I can do for the local clubs here in Ontario Canada.

We may even be able to call on eachother and work together if we share an area with someone else, be a great way to meet a fellow AZer!

Great thing you started here Smokey!
 
time to get moving...

we need to pull the trigger?

hi Az'ers, we need to move forward, and we did not receive many answers/consensus of post 43 [see below]:
2.0 decide who should receive/hold the $ contributions.

2.1 i feel even though the cost is high for paypal [2.9% + 30 cents per contribution], i think it will be the easiest for most of us to use. for those of us who just hate paypal and refuse to use them, we should accept any normal form of payment to the designated person.

3.0 decide how to handle material contributions; such as cues, cases, chalk. etc. that some may give.

3.1 my thought is items like these, should be sent directly from the contributor; it will save on shipping costs.

4.0 we need suggestions and a consensus for where we should give. however, and to this point i want to share a point from Jerry Forsyth's PM giving us permission for this fund, basically adding:
"we should have No Trouble giving to a Charity like Boys & Girls Clubs "BUT" that some other gifting might get us in trouble with tax law. and imho, not having a lot of time, i hope we can start this year with only Boys/Girls Clubs.

we can get going as soon as the above is settled so let us know.

so please let me decide for this our first year; so see my points referring to the above below:

2.0 i will handle the money. you can use my paypal account; it is: smokeyblack@cox.net since many here do not know me and might feel more secure to contribute with a guarantee i would be happy to send some high dollar cues to marcus, michael_hoang manwon, asiadad, hangemhigh, mike h and/or jerry f, masonh, laurie franklin or to wherever or a personal guarantee would make you fell safe.

2.1: lets use paypal for those that don't mind. if you do not want to use paypal you can send any form of payment to my home:
Miles Lamstein
10527 Patrington Ct.
Las Vegas, NV 89183
cell phone 702.376.2724

3.0 material contributions: these will be sent directly to the receiving party.

4.0 for whom to give, i think Rocket can help us to decide best [he volunteers his time for a Boy/Girls Club in Vegas]. but, i do not think it would be fair for las vegas to benefit from this. i and others have already contributed to las vegas Boys/Girls Club [with more to come; so? don't be made at me Rocket] but he can help us with Boys/Girls Clubs across the country. So? for this, please suggest where and hopefully Rocket 354 will guide us for this.

next post I will post who said "I'm In". it this fund is successful it is because of YOU, If it is not, it will also be because of you.

it is up to YOU.

best,
smokey
 
who confirmed "I'm In"

here's the list:

The King
srs314
Jerry Forsyth
Mike Howerton
Black-Balled
rayjay
Purdman
poolhustler
koop
AnitoKid [and me together]
iba7467
drawman623
rackmsuckr
Dartman
KoolKat9Lives
kath13
Klink
manwon
will8834
Cuephoric
Sam Waltz
rossaroni
ratnip
srs314
smokey

there are a few more but they rather remain anonymous

if i missed anybody, please chime in.

best,
smokey
 
Awesome deal Smokey! I just sent ya my first contribution to the fund. It isn't much but it's a start. Thanks in advance for the work I know you'll be putting in on this endeavor man.
 
smokey said:
4.0 for whom to give, i think Rocket can help us to decide best [he volunteers his time for a Boy/Girls Club in Vegas]. but, i do not think it would be fair for las vegas to benefit from this. i and others have already contributed to las vegas Boys/Girls Club [with more to come; so? don't be made at me Rocket] but he can help us with Boys/Girls Clubs across the country. So? for this, please suggest where and hopefully Rocket 354 will guide us for this.
best,
smokey
Click to expand...

The $64 question - who to give to.
If you settle on the B/G Clubs maybe you can have AZ members nominate clubs in their area that have a
billiards related need and kind of spread the wealth (contributions & donations) around.

We'll commit 3 cuts of pool table cloth to the pot. Just need to know size, color and where to ship.

As an aside, it would be nice at some point to see some pics posted or at least a post describing what
was done with whatever is donated.
 
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