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.
Speak for yourself Blowhard!
The fact that he returned $42000 is sufficient indication of his character, don’t know about yours.
It's coming from a single source. They are not giving him individual gifts.
Just how many of those donors do you think will be giving him $14,000?
Like I said, you need a better tax lawyer.
It is multiple gifts under the law.
That is the question the police would like to know. Most likely a drug dealer.
On the other topic. The local radio stations had fun with the fact that the city awarded him with a PLAQUE for a HOMELESS man. Where was he supposed to hang the plaque, on his shopping cart?
There is no income tax for the recipient of a gift....Wrong.
No tax for the recipient, but if the gift is large enough, the may be a tax for the giver.
That’s going to come as welcome news to everybody who’s ever had to pay the Gift Tax.
Oh, it’s you again, the ****** who thinks he’s better than all the other FReepers.
Go away.
They need to assess why he is homeless and what his potential to hold a job is.
They could take some of the funds collected and either prepay or set it up as an annuity that pays his expenses for x years.
In this economy with 23% unemployment (shadowstats.com), I wouldn’t assume anything other than he’s just down on his luck.
I’m just hoping another 25% doesn’t have to becom unemployed before they finally realize lowering the tariffs was a mistake and they need to turn the ship around.
They need to assess why he is homeless and what his potential to hold a job is.
They could take some of the funds collected and either prepay or set it up as an annuity that pays his expenses for x years.
In this economy with 23% unemployment (shadowstats.com), I wouldn’t assume anything other than he’s just down on his luck.
I’m just hoping another 25% doesn’t have to becom unemployed before they finally realize lowering the tariffs was a mistake and they need to turn the ship around.
Looks like he might be able to clean floors and windows at a Wal-Mart 29 hours a week to me.
Maybe
Do Wal-Marts have any windows?
That's about all any of us could do in this economy. There are probably some full time jobs off-shoring more American jobs to China.
I don't think Walmart has many windows anymore. Too many thieves were driving trucks through them and loading up on goods.
well, they have some display models in the home improvement section anyways.
lol
The “Gift Tax” is paid by the giver.
Read the 1040 instruction booklet, the whole thing is in there.
Hmmm. Well, I won’t be donating then.
You can give up to $250 in cash without tax or records.
Nah. Can’t risk it. They’ll have to do this one without me.
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