A Hand Up Day

I wrote about Kerry’s family and Sarah in my last post. The good news is people stood tall and said “I have clothes and things” and Sarah went to her interview with beautiful clothes. She thought she looked like a million dollars, (well except for a zipper that would do up) ha ha I don’t think she believed she could look so smart. She didn’t get the job in the Army but Sarah and the 19 yr agree to let Mates helping Mates help them get a fulltime job. Meeting once a week for 8 hours. Also because I asked so nicely the whole family is doing counselling every Thursday afternoon with a counsellor at their home.

Giving food and clothes did help but with the extra services like looking for work and counselling is going to help long term as well.

Now I’m sure there’s going to be up’s and down’s here but I said as long as they don’t give up I won’t give up on them. They think I’m inspirational. Ha ha. I think I have a size 13 boot for their butts if they quit. Ha ha.

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The Van That Can

Lee and his lovely wife came to a Mates helping Mates meeting saying he has a van and can move anything for us. Now I do try to get people to drop off things themselves, but really this van has done hundreds of km’s over the last 2 weeks helping people for us and out of the goodness of his heart. So I say please if you need anything moved call him first because if I can give him business for help us then it’s worth it. The guy set a new record for being ACE’S in my book.

The Van That Can

0410 583 991

www.thevanethatcan.com.au

theman@thevanthatcan.com.au

On Facebook too.

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A Hand Up Day

I remember a large number of nights were it was bitterly cold and raining, you cover yourself up with everything you have just to protect yourself from the wind. But nothing works because it feels like the cold is in your bones. So you just shiver wishing or praying for the rain to stop, the wind to stop, but most of all for the sun to come out and warm everything up again. But as daybreak hits the rain hits harder and the wind gets stronger and the sun doesn’t come out.

Now that was a bit harsh, but really to think that it doesn’t happen is fooling yourself. This is one of thousands of reasons why I work so hard helping homeless people and really any people in great need.

Now I’m reminded about this because here in Brisbane it’s been bitterly cold and raining off and on for weeks now.

I get a lot of people saying to me “Grant people want to help more but don’t know what to do” or “Grant you’re an inspiration and I wish more people were like you”. I say I’m nothing special and anyone can do it. So let’s help people to help themselves.

If people are waiting to hear what they can do then I’ll say it now, because I have a plan. Ha ha

On the 17^th of this month should be a Sunday no matter which State or Country you’re in. So that gives you a 5 days if you read this quickly. I say, tell your friends and family to collect clothes, blankets, food and as a group or on your own take them to homeless or have a BBQ and put up posters to invite or something like that. I mean it, I want to hear from people everywhere about what they did and I’ll post it here.

People have clothes they never want to see again and really collecting them will be easy and handing them out will be one of the most fulfilling things you could do. (Helping someone in need) If anyone says why? You just say “Grant the Polite Guy says to ask”.

Do we want to call this a special day? I do this a lot but let’s call it “A Hand Up day”

I know you can do this. I’ll even make it easy and I’ll type a notice for people to copy and paste and all you have to do is change the details for your area and put everywhere. e.g. Office kitchens, Shops, walls or even to hand to your friends and family.

Copy and make changers and print. You will look like a hero I promise and you will be doing so much good.

I’m Grant the Polite Guy and this Sunday is A Hand Up Day.

It’s been getting cold out so let’s band together and help those in need most. I’m putting on a BBQ were all homeless and people in need will come and get food, clothes, toiletries and things for free to help during these tough times. I’m asking everyone to look for clothes they never want to see again and give to people who need it, plus food, drinks, toiletries and anything that will help. I’m also going to need helpers to cook and stack clothes. This BBQ is going to be at Bleeding Heart (166 Ann St) from 10am to 2pm this Sunday on the 17^th. I am collecting all clothes in the foyer of the BOQ building (259 Queen St City) before 9am on the 15^th.

To help please call 0412 190 011 or grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

Thank you all and have a good day. Grant the Polite Guy.

So that’s what I’m going to use. If people want to join me here in Brisbane please contact me. If you live elsewhere and if you’ve been waiting for someone to tell you how to help then there it is. I’m asking and telling you how and when to do it. I really would love to hear about how things went and maybe photo’s.

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I thank you for reading my blog and I wish everyone a great and successful A Hand Up Day. If you think homeless can’t be helped just remember I was homeless and look at me know.

Grant the Polite Guy

0412 190 011

grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

Twitter @grantpoliteguy

SOS Helping those in need

This is a call out for any and all help,

Its well known Mates helping Mates does BBQ’S to help the many. But sometimes we come across people that need that little bit more help because things get tough.

I have two stories in one here, this is the first time I have done this with helping people, but I’m sure and hoping it works.

I got a call from a girl ( Sarah  about 25yr ) last night saying she’s about to become homeless again because things with a guy were going badly and things were really taking a turn for the worst in life. You see Sarah has been moving around a lot going from friend to friend doing what a lot call “Couch Surfing” Not a good lifestyle, you never know when you have to leave until it’s time to go and then look for another person’s house to go to.

 But then she started saying how this Friday she has a job interview for the Army Reserves and looking for a full time job to get on her feet which that could be a turning point for her. But she has no good clothes for the interviews and I know myself that when you move around a lot it’s easy to lose the little things you have.

I told Sarah that everything will be okay and I’m sure I’ll be able to help get accommodation and clothes as well. So I started putting out a plea for accommodation and things when I got another call from someone needing help.

Kerry called telling me about her story.

Kerry told me all about how she has 3 daughters (Ages 5, 9, 19 and baby on the way). But wait there’s more Kerry also looks after another girl aged 15 which gets no benefits, there was a lot of fights and arguments in her household. Kerry looks after her now.

Kerry called saying how things were getting tough and there was a real need for food and things and asked if there was a way they could get help.

Kerry does get money but hardship hits us all every now and then, it’s just it hits some more than others. Talking more I heard how tough things were getting and I started thinking how proud I was that she was asking for more things for her kids then herself. I wanted to race home and grab food from the cupboards and rush it to her. But she has dinner for tonight.

I started telling Kerry about the problems Sarah has and the fact that both were in great need and I was going to try and help both. Then I thought about it, then thought some more and then asked Kerry if she had room for one more person until she gets on her feet if I helped with extra food and things.

The great thing is Kerry didn’t even think about it. “YES if she’s as bad as us then giving her a room is the least I can do” Now this is ACE’S in mine and most people’s books. She called to get help and is ending up helping someone she has never seen. That’s an Aussie.

Here I can help both at the same time. So right now I’m asking for as much help as I can muster.

all female things needed

Clothes and toys for a 5 year old size 5

Clothes for 9 year old size 12

Clothes for 15, 19 and Sarah size 14. Remember Sarah and 19 are going to job interviews.

Clothes for Kerry size 18 and pregnant clothes too.

Clothes for new born

Food to fill the cupboards for 6 people to get on their feet.

Meat for freezer for healthy diet

Cleaning products.

2 Double beds much needed

Blankets (Getting cold) and pillows.

2 wardrobes    

A beer for Grant the Polite Guy, for doing a good job. Ha ha

Okay maybe not the last one, but the rest are much needed. So what we’re doing to asking everyone if they can help with any of this please do. We are collecting it all before tomorrow 2pm Weds the 6^th. To do this please call me on 0412 190 011 or email me on grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

Thank you for reading my blog and for this post please forward it and share to help get more help.
Thank you again and I hope you have a great day.
Grant the Polite Guy.

Twitter
@grantpoliteguy

New Idea's (Housing)

I went walking around to do my ‘Pie and Coke’ thing the other day when I came across a guy “Tim”. Now Tim was at first aggressive mostly because he didn’t know who I was and right away thought me as a threat. It didn’t take long to get to the talking stage and me asking him to have a ‘Pie and Coke’ with me. Mostly with me saying I understand. Tim had a black eye and did look rough and to be honest it didn’t take much to know he hadn’t showered for a few days. But who am I to judge because there was many of days I hadn’t either in the past too.

While eating and drinking he told me about being beaten up and getting the black eye because he decided to stay a night with other homeless, I told him how it’s always safer to leave as soon as alcohol or drugs comes out and that there’s a lot of help there to help him get on his feet.

I even made him feel more comfortable by saying a few homeless jokes which we both laughed. (You had to be there, it was funny). My aim was to build a friendship quickly and then I made a huge mistake. I asked about his family and said I could help contact them. He stiffed up and very quickly got up and just started walking without really saying anything. I knew right away I made a mistake but to my defences some homeless go back home after they think it’s okay too and the family forgives them or accepts them. (Mostly because it’s sometimes a minor thing and the family are really worried)

I tried to talk and stop him, but without holding him down he was leaving no matter what I said. Talking about family went too far.  I have spoken to many of homeless and for some I’ve dialled the number on my phone and in some cases even started the call with talking to the family.

But no I started feeling bad in myself because a 14 maybe 15 year old was walking to sleep on the streets and if I tried to chase him he would only run. I don’t know what happened with his family and I can only think it wasn’t good at all. The city is not really that big and I know I will see Tim again, but I won’t make the same mistake again until he’s ready to tell me about it.

I know sometimes I make mistakes and really I wish I didn’t, but I have not done a counselling course and when I see others that have done a course and do what I do then I’ll stop. I might make mistakes sometimes but I still help so many. I would never show, but sometimes I wish I could show the thank you letters I get.

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Now that last sentence reminded me of something I’ve wanted to write about for a while. Sometimes I post pictures or talk about a person that has gotten on his/her feet and maybe mention to much where someone knows the person. So please listen to this carefully because I mean this to be nice and polite.

I have helped a lot of people get on their feet and trust me the LAST THING they ever want to hear is “How grateful are you for Grant the Polite Guy helping you to get on your feet” If you have said this you are a stupid, stupid person. When I talk or help someone, it’s not want I do that gets them on their feet; it’s already inside them to do it. I just help them to find it. There’s nothing worst then someone being proud of getting on their feet and getting confidence in themselves when someone comes along and says how grateful they should be to someone else for helping or doing it for them. So people please think.

I’m sorry about that, but really I’ve wanted to write that for a while now.

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For those that know me, sometimes I get an idea in my head and really it’s all I can think about, until I solve it or put it into action. This idea I can’t do alone. So I’ll write about it here and see if anyone wants to come on board and try and help work something out or have ideas to put it together.

This is hard because it’s so focused in my mind but writing it is so much harder. I’ll do it in point form to make it easier.

·         A place near the city.

·         Housing 10 homeless

·         They call after 9am to stay that night, which they turn up between 6pm and 7pm

·         Volunteers stay the night and cook dinner, show where clothes for free, showers and beds are.

·         Everyone leaves at 7:30am so volunteers can get to work.

·         Food, clothes and everything donated.

·         No-one may stay more than 3 days a week so able to help more homeless people.

·         The idea is to let homeless people clean up and sleep in a bed while looking for those that really want to get on their feet.

·         I know I can get a mountain on volunteers to help.

·         This is doing the ‘Pie and Coke’ thing but giving a bed as well. Talking as equals.

·         NO Drugs or Alcohol

·         2 volunteers at a time.

They turn up, have a meal and sit and just talk, shower and sleep in a bed. The next morning they take whatever clothes they can carry and a larger number of people are helped.

Now here’s the great thing. I believe I can put this together. I just have to work out how. Any and all ideas needed.

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Working the foyer of 259 Queen St, doing my shoe shine thing I couldn’t help but notice a lady always smiling at me as she walked past which made me feel more welcome but the thing that got me was the fact she didn’t know me or anything about ‘Grant the Polite Guy’. Well as time went on I started getting to know Fiona. She plans and puts together events for charities and things like that, Title “Communications and Events Consultant”

She’s a person that helps others too but she helps the helpers. (Charities that help people) She is awesome.

But more to the point she’s one of those people you just know is nice just seeing or meeting her. Now that’s a great reason for me to write about her, but there’s more (I always wanted to write that. Ha ha) she’s a fantastic cook and she has her own blog where she gives you the recipe’s so you can cook it too. I’ll even say I don’t know which is stronger, her love for helping people or cooking because I think her heart is big enough for both.

So please follow me and check out her blog.

http://theself-raisingkitchen.blogspot.com.au/

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Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you all have a great day. Please don’t forget I need idea’s about the house thing and if you can please share for others.

Grant the Polite Guy.

P.S This week I have more readers in the U.S then here in Australia. Woo Hoo Thank you U.S

A Celebrated weekend.

I celebrated over the weekend and no I didn’t get all drunk and things. You see all of last week I worked everyday each for 8 hours. Now most people do this but for me it was the first week I had done it since my accident and I was so proud. You see I have worked all this time but until last week couldn’t do a whole week at 8 hours each day because of injuries.

But wait it gets better, On the Saturday we filmed the DVD I’ve been trying to put together for about 2 years now. A great achievement. I’m not going to say much about the DVD because I want to do a big launch in about 3-6 weeks.

So after all that, I did the one thing that makes me happiest most for a reward for myself. I took my wife and daughter to the video shop and hired movies and bought pop-corn and spent the day as a family. I do have a passion for helping the homeless, but sometimes I have to remind my family there the most important thing to me. (Yes my wife now reads my blog. Ha ha)

I know a lovely lady (Michelle Rhodes) who put together a book called "You Are Not Alone"- A Carer's Journey,
Michelle would be one of the nicest person I have ever meet. Good heart and to be honest one person that does far more then me to help people mostly because it's in her nature but also she has a son 8 year old with Cerebral Palsy and I've never seen her do nothing but smile. She out fitted her van and unit to care for her son easier with husband Peter.

Michelle thought there wasn't enough information out there for other parents with kids with a disability so with the help of Tanya Dennis and others did a like a info book. It has everything about goverment departments to where's good for disability play groups.

All Michelle wants to do is spread the word to help other families so please check out this site and share with others.

Contact - everyaustraliancounts.com.au

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I was going to write alot more here but I have to pick my little girl up from school.

I hope you all have a great day and thank you for reading.
Grant the Polite Guy.

21 * 2 Birthday Day Finished

Okay I'm sitting here in my Buffed chair with no shoes to shine so I started thinking of what I can do to be productive. Yep write my blog.

Where to start? I've been checking out other sites and some are really good and helpful but I have them written down on paper at home. "Home" I love that word and I can tell you it's great to be able to use it. I was homeless way to long. But in the end I did it and got on my feet with which I'm proud to help others do the same.

Sometimes I have this powerful drive in me to be successful and start new things but I always only think of things that help people at the same time. I am putting together an educational DVD which will help a lot of people and I'm making it into a business were it makes profit as well. Filming in 3 weeks I'm still putting everything together even writing the script and finding the money for it all. I'm not sure how it will all come together but I am sure it'll work and be successful. The way I see it I have given out such good karma with everything I do, time for me to have some too.

Now I have mentioned putting together this DVD before but never did it, mostly because I didn't have the money and really it wasn't the right time for me then. Why now? Tomorrow is my birthday and I turn 42 which if you think about it positively it's turning 21 twice. I like to think positively. ha ha.

So having a birthday tomorrow I was thinking it's time to stop thinking about ideas and start putting them together. I'm not getting younger. Tomorrow I want to see what I can achieve in the next 12 months before my next birthday.

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I want to write now about a top guy and yet a homeless guy. Bruce hangs around the Post Office in the city. Bruce is one of the nicest guy I've very meet. Yes some days he yells and abuses people but really it's because he has a mental illness (I believe only)

Bruce gets Centrelink money but instead of buying drugs or beer he wants to buy a few bottles of coke and gives the rest to a church. Now please don't let me start with why the church would accept it, but this guy lives with nothing but the clothes on his back and a small bag of clothes.

I have bought Bruce many of meals (Pie and Coke days) and always he says he gave his money to a church. One day I asked why he did it? His answer almost brought a tear to my eyes. "They help people" To be honest it wasn't so much what he said, even though that's great great in itself, but the way he said it. I got the feel he had done something bad and punishing himself and helping a church was a way to make things right.

Now it took me 4 months and 3 meals to get to know his name so I'm not pushing it but, this is really the kind of people I like helping. The ones that have given up on life and for a lot can't escape because they believe there's no choice.

Before I get alot of emails and comments saying about accomadion and doctors please let me say, I have offered to pay myself for accomadion many of times and really tried to push without pushing to hard. With Bruce I feel he needs to work out the problems of the past and forgive himself.

Now I'm not a Doc or a socal worker but because 'I have been there and then that' I sort of relate and can understand where he's coming from. I wish doctors or social workers would help and to think of it I'm sure some have and tried, but I don't see any around now.

After I buy him a meal and we chat (Pie and Coke Days) I do have a saying which now he finish for me "Pay me back by buying me a meal when you get on your feet" To me it's a saying that in the end he will get on his feet and buy me a meal back and that one meal will be one of the nicest meals I'll ever get. I don't care if I have to buy him a 100 meals it'll still be worth getting that one back when he gets on his feet.

To be honest I've only gotten 5 meals paid back by people I have helped in a huge way and yes it's the best feeling in the world.

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I hope you all have a great day and I thank you for reading my new blog. Please help me to spread the word about the new address by clicking the little 't' or 'F' (twitter or Facebook) at the bottom of this post.
Grant the Polite Guy
@grantpoliteguy (Twitter)
Grant Richards (Facebook)



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The Young Ones

This just happened. Ha ha

My wife came to see me and asked how my writing was going? “I'm stuck because I keep thinking about writing that script” You see I'm putting together a educational DVD and the person that was going to write it didn't and I film in 3 weeks. So I'm writing it and I have never written a script before.

Anyway my wife asks “would I like a toasted sandwich?” Which I say “Yes please” and she very quickly returns and hands me a piece of paper. “We will need bread, cheese, tomato and things so I wrote a shopping list” Big smile on her face. Nothing wrong with her being able to write. Ha ha

So here I am enjoying a nice toasted sandwich and my wife feels clever for getting me to go to the shops.

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Young ones.

More times then I can count I've spoken to young ones (12-15 year olds). Some I want to boot them in the ass and send them home, because they say it's cool to sleep on the streets. There idiots.

But about 2 in 5 (that I have noticed) have been abused at home and it's safer on the streets and this is well just sad. That's when I feel like booting the parents in the ass.

Ha ha I've mention booting in the ass twice now, please know it's a saying only.

The problem is trust with a lot of them. They don't know you so don't trust you, and the only ones they get to know is other homeless which in most cases are not a good roll model so it doesn’t take long to turn to crime and worst. Before long they start thinking it's a lifestyle of being homeless. Now there is great services out there that do great work but it's not enough because there's still homeless young ones.

I could write about some stories I know about, but it would be to hard to read. I will say I was talking to a guy (14 maybe) a few weeks ago and I tried to help him but he said it's cool to be on the streets, just a few days ago I saw him with a black eye and he look like he had been beaten up. I was on a bus so I didn't talk to him but I know I will see him again. The fact is I hope I don't because maybe just maybe he goes back home.

I have a plea. Please if you see a young one or any age really, please offer to buy a meal if you have the spare coins in your pocket. I always remember I was in there position and for some even worst, look how I turned out. A great guy that helps many. Please pass it forward. Helping a person then they may help others.

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I was going to write another piece but my little 9 year old (Jasmine) wants to spend time with her dad. I'm writing this as she's pulling on my arm. Ha ha.

I hope you all have a great day and thank you for reading my blog.

Grant the Polite Guy.

My Saturday

I woke this morning all excited because I was going to see my mates. You see we were putting a meeting on to plan the next 'Mates helping Mates' BBQ which is going to be on the 1^st July. Don't know the venue yet but in the city or maybe Musgrave Park again.

I was beaming shaking hands and chatting about everyone helping more and more homeless people. A lot of great idea's came and really the goal is to make these BBQ'S bigger and better which helps even more people. One great one was we are going to make posters to put up at lodges and food vans around the city. I can't believe I didn't think of it, but that's why we are have meetings like today, to get fresh idea's.

This is going to seem like a few stories in one but it's the only way I think I can write it.

Now I always say I don't write everything about things I do to help homeless, but this is one of them times were I'm not saying what good I did, but others too.

While at the meeting Alicia and Steve (great people) rolled up with her wheelchair and had 6 sleeping bags and 6 back-packs for me to hand out to homeless after the meeting. Telling me that and great person named Colleen had bought them to be handed out to homeless before the winter hits. (on twitter @dinkumdusty )

Now I want to say how great is Colleen. I'm not sure if I have meet her but if I haven't I'd like too. This person spent a lot of money buying sleeping bags and back-packs for people she will most likely never meet. Just the fact that they needed help she is there. Now if anyone was A's in my book that really is up there with the best in my book. So please if you do the twitter thing, please contact her and say how great she is because I just heard she's going through a tough time now.

The meeting was ending when a couple (Denise and Dave) said they would help carry and hand out the sleeping bags and back-packs with my wife and I. Let me say I was so happy at first because I didn't want to carry them all on my own. Now I have known Denise and Dave for a year now, I wrote about them when we both did the 'Be Brave and Shave'. We both collected $2,000 each and got the shave at the same time. In fact that's when we meet. (Getting head shaved on stage. Ha ha)

Walking walking, we went to King George Square and meet our first homeless person. As it turned out he turned up at our last 'Mates helping Mates' BBQ and knew who I was. He sleeps on the streets and told me he had clothes and things in a locker at the 139 club. ( They let homeless keep things there in lockers so they don't lose clothes and things)

I talked to him for a few minutes and then handed him a sleeping bag and back-pack and left saying “have a good day” knowing I still had 5 more sleeping bags and back-packs to hand out.

Walking through the mall I didn't see any homeless at all. I really couldn't believe it. So the 4 of us headed towards The Botanical Gardens at the end of Albert St. Just before reaching the park we came across “Rain” yes that's his name or at least the name he gave me. Rain told me he was only 16 years old and from what I understood he's being homeless for a while now. He said he moves around and just spent 3 months in the valley.

Now sometimes in this type of thing I'm rolling a magazine up and hitting them on the head for being dumb and saying it's not fun being homeless with your mates, but this guy wasn't saying how fun it was being homeless and didn't put across anything like that at all. If anything, he had the look of giving up. I had to go but I can assure everyone I will be meeting him again to spend a lot more time with him and get the whole story and maybe help if I can. I mean he's only a 16 years old kid and should be having the time of his life and everything in life great, not sleeping on the streets not knowing where his next meal is coming from.

Then the 4 of us walked through The Botanical Gardens looking for homeless people and then through the Queen St Mall. That's a long walk. Ha ha. But no homeless anywhere that I noticed. I even said “ I do such a good job that there's none left” It didn't last long because as we got to the end of the Mall and I noticed a guy I had bough heaps of meals for in the past. My 'Pie and Coke days'.

I walked over and just started talking and asking if I can give him a sleeping bag and back-pack and would he use it. Now this guy is well know by a lot of people in the city because he is always going through bins and getting food and drinks people throw away. Not only did he take the sleeping bag and back-pack but for the first time ever, even after I've bought him lunch at least 50 times he handed out his hand to shake and told me his name “David” I'm not going to say it brought a tear to my eyes but I will say it came close. In my eyes he was starting to trust me and let me say that's a great start.

Leaving David the 4 of us walked to the next corner and just waited and to be honest just had a rest when I notice David opening the sleeping bag and checking it out and repacking it. He done that 2-3 times (not really sure) but the whole time he had a huge smile and to be honest the best words I can think of is “he thought it was Christmas” the 4 of us beaming with pride from a distance but with 3 sleeping bags and back-packs still to hand out.

Now the reason we headed for King George Square in the first place is because through the week I had seen 5young guys sleeping on the chairs in the underground bus way through the week and thought I could help them too. So we went back there and as it was they were there. Well 3 guys and a girl. I asked “if they were the guys that slept on the chairs in the bus-way” I knew the answer but I needed a way to talk to them. They said they were and I asked if I could give them sleeping bags and back-packs because it's getting colder.

All I remember is lot's of “WOO HOO'S” and smiles all around.

Minutes later I was saying goodbye to Dave and Denise and to be honest at that every moment I couldn't have been more prouder. I spent time with great friends and my wife helping people and it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Colleen in the first place helping.

That's what I did today. I'm not special you could too. Maybe that will encourage others to help people down on there luck.

Thank you for reading my blog and please share with others as I'm sure sometimes it may help others to think about others too.

I hope you have a great day.

Grant the Polite Guy.