When The Rich Do Good

When I peruse the local newspaper I often cringe at the "high society" do-gooders.  Many of the Orange County rich attend charity balls and events.  To an outsider, such as myself, it often seems the primary purpose of these events is not to help others, but for the rich to pat themselves on the back.  The goal is often just to "be seen" at big charity events. 

Having their picture displayed in the newspaper as a do-gooder becomes a competitive thing among the rich.  It makes me a little nauseous to see the women in their $3,000 gowns attending a "ball" for the poor.  I realize a portion of the money raised does eventually find its way to charitable causes.  

A portion.  Eventually.

I was brought up by "salt of the earth" parents.  To me, helping others is something you do without fanfare or public recognition.  In fact, I pretty much have the attitude if anyone knows you are doing it, it doesn't count.  There's a line in the sand about caring about others for their sake, or doing it to pat yourself on the back.  It's my own personal hang-up, I guess.  It's an area of my life I'm very private about.

The Orange County Register had an article last Monday, however, about a Money Town family helping others.  I was very touched by what these people are doing with their wealth and I want to share their story with you.  Although the newspaper did write an article about it, I honestly believe these people are being wonderful human beings without concern about "getting credit" for it.

Gary and Julie Crisp (Money Town residents) hosted about 175 Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton for a Super Bowl party last weekend.  Some of these Marines are about to be deployed to Afghanistan.  According to the Register, the party included live music, specialty cigars with a Marine logo, and massages for the Marines.  

First of all, can you imagine having a home big enough to comfortably host 175 Marines? The Register quoted Lance Cpl. Mike Kirkland saying he was overwhelmed.  "I'm from a little town in Utah, and you don't see a house this big there," he said.  

This is the third year that The Crisps have hosted this bash.  They said they've been very blessed and wanted to give the Marines a party they would remember while at war.  I think they were successful. 

The Super Bowl was broadcast for the Marines on eight (8!) flat screen televisions.  The Marines went through 1,800 beers, 150 massages, 14,000 cokes, 1,000 pounds of ice, 200 hot dogs, hamburgers and steaks, and 500 specialty cigars.

In addition, NFL and USC football players were present to sign autographs.  The Crisps also gave away five electric guitars and five basses.  Each Marine will also receive a photo album and DVD with pictures from the ten hour party.

Ten hours with 175 Marines in their house.  Think about that folks.  The party began at 10:30 a.m.

One Marine was quoted (while in the Crisp's jacuzzi) saying, "If we weren't here we would just be sitting in some guy's room with the biggest television."

Cpl. Anna Owens said, "It is really special.  We volunteer our time and our family for the war, and we feel like we are appreciated."

Mr. and Mrs. Crisp ... you did good!

All information regarding the Crisp party was taken from the Annie Burris article in the February 2nd edition of the Orange County Register.

Comments

[sometimessophia]

Money well spent. What a fabulous show of support and goodwill. It must be great to be able to do such a thing. Good for them.

[sherendipity]

I should probably write something here about charity and good will and human thoughtfulness, but all I can think of is .. 175 Marines, all in one place, in a jacuzzi even...yu-mmy!

[Hallie]

Are you suggesting that you think I'm funny without alcohol and are wondering if I get better when I do have a drink?

If so, the answer is YES!!!

Hallie :)

[Jan]

Very nice! That's a helluva party for a really worthy cause.

Now I challenge them to have an 18th birthday party for a teenage girl in a tiny, 3 bedroom duplex, inviting about 30 other 18-year-olds, all with a $30 budget and a broken vacuum cleaner.

I'd like to see just how creative the can REALLY get.

[Linda]

Awesome! We should all do something when we see our people in uniform, shake their hand and say thank you. It's the very least we can do.
Kudos to the Crisps!

[Lori]

That is really awesome!

[Pseudo]

That's a great story. And Serendipidy is funny.

[Di]

A ball to raise money for the poor. hmmmm, Why not just NOT buy the $3,000 dress and go pay some needy families mortgage payment with it. Or better yet, fill some kitchen pantries with food. Just something really wrong with that whole 'being seen' scene.

And yes, the party for the marines is a good thing.. their service to this country is greatly appreciated. BUT would be much nicer to have a few homeless families over with their children and throw a barbecue for them in the backyard.

I don't want to minimize what our servicemen do for us, my heart just simply goes out to those that are hungry.... truly hungry.

Guess we all have a bleeding heart for a cause, don't we.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

[EricaB]

Great story! I agree with your statement...if you are out to be recognized for something you did out of the kindness of your heart than it wasn't really kindness you did it for.

[Gina]

what a nice couple!

thanks for a wednesday morning happy :)

[Kelly]

These people are DYING for us. Leaving their families for a year (or more) at a time. How wonderful they got a day of pure FUN before being deployed. It's nice to hear of someone appreciating them.

[missy]

I loved this story too. It does demonstrate that not all of us in Money Town are as shallow as the Real Housewives! And I agree with Di - take the 3 grand and feed people.

[MLS]

I think it would have been nicer to have hosted it at a neutral location, like a hotel or something. A lot of those guys and their families probably barely make it on their salary and a show of money (the huge home) like that would leave some of them more resentful than grateful. The thought is great, but I'm not applauding the delivery. sorry.

[Julia]

Wow, that does sound like something they wouldn't forget for a while! Pretty awesome!

[Heather]

What a fun day for them! I disagree with Midlife Slices. Those people opened their home and poured their money into a fun day for the Marines. Resent it? No way - I bet they loved every second of the people's generosity. What a fun send off prior going to war.

[Lo]

phew! damn girl my eyes are tearing up and i'm blinking them back trying my hardest not to cry!!! my father was a marine for 30 years. every christmas, thanksgiving... any holiday, we would invite as many of the marines that were away from their familes our house could accomodate. we didn't have a lot but helping can be cheap. you have no idea the memories and friendships i have just bc of that. this touched my heart.

[Lo]

p.s. if my comment got lost tell me- i'll just email it to you or something- my dad was stationed at camp pendleton for 9 years. :)

[Sarah]

Thats awesome! I wouldnt mind having some marines over to my house : )

[Kristan]

I was tearing up reading about their kindness.

(And maybe some think it's not an important cause, but then that's why everyone is free to support their own cause.)

[Christine]

Damn that's a lot of beer and coke. Is there an extra zero on the number of cokes? Did the marines get to bring guests? Better question: Did the Crisps rent porta-potties, because that's a lot of drink.

[Krystal]

you got me hooked when you wrote "marines"

[thistle]

Interesting party idea...

but i think i the comments about not buying a $3000 party dress and filling a few cupboards were really spot on...

just sayin'

[Smart Mouth Broad]

This was a heart-warming story. I guess all money-town people aren't the same.