Message from Cal Ripken's Ironclad

[mr.miracle]

Re: Message from Cal Ripken's Ironclad

Hello Forum Readers:

I realize that this auction is not going to directly help a sick child so it is probably a waste of time either way. There is a link provided to a current ebay auction the benefits of which assist the Cal Ripken Sr. foundation. It runs for six days yet and is a 1 0f 1 Big League Chew signed piece by Cal Ripken Jr. Since it is not a game used bat or other game used item I am not sure why anyone would want to add this piece of crap to their collection however it is going for a worthy cause so may the end result be a great sale for the foundation.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cal-Ripken-Jr-Signed-Ltd-Ed-Big-League-Chew-Gum-Pack_W0QQitemZ320083552368QQihZ011QQcategoryZ53QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks

It is good to see that we still recongnize the value of doing what is right sometimes instead of always trying to line our own collections with a piece that we can spin around for a quick profit.

[camarokids]

Re: Message from Cal Ripken's Ironclad

My thoughts when I made the original post were simply this:
Oh great another auction for charity, why don't rich people just donate cash , instead of relying on the middle class to bid on their stuff.....and sometimes people who do bid ,get in over their heads ..and then when I saw what was being auctioned ......

I wasn't ripping ripken directly or picking on your hero , but if he can hawk his sig for $275 a pop , I figured, shouldn't we expect more from him and others??????

The idea of making the helmet and helping the kid and whomever bid on the item were noble ones , I am not disputing that fact.....I don't believe I was mocking charities or the giving to them..... even though a certian few deserve more than a mocking...

The helmet in my eyes looks like a piece of crap (my opinion ,don't like , too bad) . Real firemans helmets cost over/around $300 w/out the visor. Had they sold a p-72 of ripkens or if he did a small signing , they would've got thousands more for the kid . IF that was the REAL goal here? Thats the point I was making. I don't collect ripken stuff nor care to so it doesn't affect me .

Also I do believe I put a disclosure at the end saying " it's my take on it unless I'm missing out on some info here" . I didn't know if he wrote a check or not, that's why I put the disclosure.

I don't buy anything for a quick profit, or to sell . I bought three batting helmets from the devil rays rays foundation for $150 a pop . they are worth what $50 -$75 each , look at jake33 he spent thousands and is now trying to sell for a loss (look under items for sale) .

If you can afford to spend $900 for a oddball item ,kudos to you !

I am a stay at home dad and have to beg , plead and barter my services (lol) to get money from my wife to buy my game used stuff . Took some smooozing for a little while then she was ok with $450 for the helmets ...so a $900 purchase would be the highlight of my collection..

A former employer of mine (not in my wallet), sponsored an after school program for under-priviledged children . I spent several years on my days off serving lunches to poor kids at the West Tampa Boys and Girls Club . I would be scheduled for 1 day a week . But usually someone else would cancel and I would help fill the gap . I would also clean the dishes afterwards and take out the trash too (a lot of work) . A 45 minute drive one way. It was a very rewarding experience. Did face paintings , games and stuff . At Xmas all the kids would get a present , for most it would be the only one they would get that year . Your daddy is in jail or died of aids and mommy is on crack or heroin , was a common thing I would hear about their parents . I would like to think I made a positive impact on at least one child's life and then I would feel like I helped make a small difference in a cruel world . Just when you think you have it bad , think again , is what I have learned.

I gave Ms. Willie (the kids and everybody called her that)(who ran the program) over two dozen signed and framed 8 x 10's from my own collection to sell and get money for the program. I took my sports posters and hung them up in the cafeteria , planted trees ,etc....

So, yes I know what its like to volunteer my time and money too !!!

[camarokids]

Re: Game Used Universe Forum's Auction to benefit Devin!

I say why don't we have The 2007 Game Used Universe Forum Auction in the benefit of Devin ,this young kid needs our help . Someone volunteer to run it , maybe I could do it , we need an auction site(ebay), and all of has a bat or two or signed baseball to get rid of . Then donate the cash to help the kid . Actually we could do paypal payment and the money would go directly to their bank account. I would volunteer to do it . It would take a little work and time but I do have extra time most days . Would ebay and paypal lower or drop their fees for a charity auction ?

I assume people would ship items to me. Don't worry , I DO NOT need to steal , if I need money I just ask my wife . I can take pics and then leave them boxed and ready to ship to the buyer (that would save a lot of time, no boxing up and searching for boxes to do) ,list on ebay , winning bidder pays with paypal , send money to Devin's family email address , then they do a bank wire transfer.

This should be fairly easy to operate and set up . Just need a consignment deadline and contact info for Devin's family and where to send the money, to get started .Also Chris ,Eric or Rob your help would be needed to advertise on the site that we need donations.

Well what do you think , I can donate some Pirate bats and also have some signed 8 x 10's .... what about you??

dzscope@earthlink.net

we can use the power of this site (the great internet) with it's great members to do some real good stuff here and help a little kid .....

[camarokids]

Re: Message from Cal Ripken's Ironclad

I see on ebay u can designate a charity for you proceeds to go to . Anyone capable of selling on ebay could list your own items and send the money to the email address of this kid , if someone can get ahold of them and ask if they want us to do this.....