Homeless Boston man, Glen James (r) is honored by Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis (l) for his honesty in returning a backpack filled with more than ,000 that he found.
Posted on 09/19/2013 9:04:30 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
After shattering a $50,000 goal in donations to reward homeless Boston man Glen James for returning a lost backpack with more than $42,000 in it, a gofundme.com campaign has extended its goal to $250,000 to get the honest man a house.
"Good morning everyone! Great coverage on the story so far! Thank you all so much. YOU are the reason this is happening. Now, let's get this man a house!!" wrote Ethan Whittington, organizer of the gofundme campaign seeking to get James a house.
Some 2,451 people donated $63,724 in the first 24 hours since the campaign was launched by Whittington on Monday.
Since then, donations have continued to pour in for James from people all across America inspired by his heartwarming honesty.
"Even if I were desperate for money, I would not have kept even a ... penny of the money I found. I am extremely religious — God has always very well looked after me," James wrote in a statement noted in an earlier report about his honesty which he said made him feel "very, very good."
"I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone — every pedestrian stranger — who has given me spare change. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" he added.
As news spread about his honest deed, however, it is Americans who have been thanking the shy and stuttering James by donating money, and leaving behind warm words about his story and how it affected them on the campaign page.
"This is the right attitude of Americans, even if he is a homeless, who returns the found money! We are proud of his honesty, understanding, openness, character and right principles of life. Wish him all the best and [hope he] lands in a good job soon," wrote Ram Ramachandran.
"Glen James gave all of us an opportunity to see how great the world can be. He inspired all of us by his honesty in the face of extreme adversity. He also gave all of us an opportunity to show how great, we as a community can be. Kudos to all of us for being a part of this fundraising effort - to reward a hero - and to show that sometimes, what goes around comes around," wrote Sha Khan.
Who’s going to pay his real estate taxes on that free house? Who’s going to pay the income tax on that free house?
Just asking.
>> “Who’s going to pay his real estate taxes on that free house? Who’s going to pay the income tax on that free house?” <<
.
Breaking Wind again, huh?
There is no income tax for the recipient of a gift.
In MA the Gift Tax Exclusion is called at $14,000.
RE: There is no income tax for the recipient of a gift.
Yes, but with property, comes additional problems — Property Taxes, Maintenance, electricity and water bills...
What this man needs is a JOB. This one time gift is going to cause him all sorts of additional problems if he does not have income.
Not to mention utilities.
Why so much for a house? $25 will get him a house and land in Detroit.
RE: $25 will get him a house and land in Detroit.
I think the man still values his life...
Those problems beat the heck out of the problem of being homeless. I'd be willing to trade up for a better set of problems.
/johnny
Let’s all remember the old adage:
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
This is the equivalent of giving him fish. What he really needs is to LEARN TO FISH.
Why is he homeless ...he looks somewhat intelligent.
Not saying he doesn't need a job, but having an address relieves a lot of stress and is a better problem to have.
All of life is filled with problems, the homeless have theirs, the multi-billionaires have theirs.
I know which problems I'd rather have.
/johnny
Still no explanation about the multiple identity documents and cash in the bag.
/johnny
Read the tax code. Gift level for feds is $11,000, I believe. I'm sure the state will take a bite.
what kind of house can he get in Boston with that?
If he were in Texas or something maybe
what I want to know is who puts $42K in a backpack, and why
He’s homeless, not insane.
I hate to say this, but he isn’t buying any house. There is a reason he is homeless. This is going to turn into $60K for booze.
How many donors do you think will be giving $11,000 or more?
Each gift stands alone!
You need a better tax lawyer.
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