Steve found a mate

Now any-one that knows me, knows I help the homeless a lot, but every now and then I have the great pleasure of meeting others that do really great things for the homeless.

On my last post I asked for help for a guy named Steve because he was getting on his feet and needing shoes for a interview. Well a great guy Nathan Scholz answered and felt like he won a competition for being the first to call.

Nathan and I meet up with Steve, One of the first things that Nathan says is “Your going for an interview, Let's go get you some shoes so you look good for it, David Jones are good” I must say I nearly feel over there and then because I thought he would get a cheap pair like mine but no Nathan wanted to help in much bigger way by getting a really nice pair of dress shoes.

Now it's not hard to notice but really within the hour we were together I could see Steve feeling more proud as we went on. It wasn't just the fact that Steve was getting a new pair of shoes but the fact that someone cared so much to go shopping with him and get an expensive pair at a gentleman’s store. Throughout the hour I could see the confidence beaming from him and I even noticed his chest filling out like a proud man.

Now that's all great and all but then Nathan said the best thing which I think Steve loved the most. “Get the interview and I'll be your first customer, I know you'll do well” now let me say right there and then with everything going so great with smiles everywhere and Steve talking about how he's going to make it in life and get the interview, all I could feel is proud , not because I asked for help for Steve and Nathan answered but because I know them both as great guys.

There is pictures and if you see Steve wish him luck and if you see Nathan shake he's hand and tell him how much of a great guy he is for doing such a great deed for a person heading up in life. He's A's in my book.

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Assets in life are what we make them to be. I wanted to put across now that some people have more then others but not so much less important. When you have nothing then a simple jacket it can be just as important to that guy as a success guy would value and protect the 3 houses he owns. Everything you own is everything you own. Here's a picture of a guy protecting his most valuable thing he owns, his friend his mate. I could write a whole post about this but really the picture says a 1,000 words.

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Well the Mates helping Mates BBQ is coming up on the 26th of February from 10am to 2pm at Musgrave Park and of course we can use all the volunteers we can get. Please if you can come or help then please do because it really does help a lot of people. For more information please go to mateshelpingmates.blogspot.com

I'd like to thank you all for reading my blog and I hope you all have a great day.
Grant the Polite Guy
0412 190 011
grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

Christmas Day

Okay just above is a picture of Steve and Jeanette in the Big Issue vests and my mate Jason in the middle.

Now when I do my 'Pie & Coke' thing to be honest it's more of a walk around and start talking to homeless and asking them if I can buy them a meal and sit with them and enjoy there company. They feel important just because I'm asking to join them. Some a lot longer but most after a few times I'm chatting as friends and even mates. I do have a saying and it goes over well “Mate you know I'm doing this because when you get yourself together and be famous, your buying me lunch” I always say it with a laugh and then I look at them beam a smile. There's always a smile back.

Jason called me and we hadn't meet but he wanted to come and do my 'Pie & Coke' thing with me. Of course I agreed and arranged to meet up. We went around buying food and drinks for homeless when we meet up with Steve and Jeanette.

Now I'm always saying uplifting things but I never push it because maybe the person is not ready, trust me I know this more then anyone. But sometimes I get that one that wants to talk more about improving everything and getting on his/her feet again. I must say the feeling I get right at that moment is, well very hard to write but I could walk on air with excitement.

Steve started talking about not doing the Big Issue for ever and getting on his feet. I listened to his story and before leaving I had walked away and called the guy who gave me a chance with Buffed (shining shoes) I got Steve an interview and a really great chance at a job in January. I said I would help him and his partner (Jeanette) with anything and everything he needed as long as he wanted it.

Steve and Jeanette have a unit or room somewhere and just really hit hard times and from what I heard it's been a long time since either of them had a break and had work. I asked what they would like for Christmas and Steve beamed saying “having confidence in me was enough” but then said he'd need shoes for the interview to go with his suit which he had from the past “size 10 black shoes” umm anyone want to buy a nice pair of black shoes size 10 and come with me to hand them to him? 0412 190 011 is my number and I'll only want the one pair, so the first to call I will take if any.

I ran into Steve the next day and he was all excited about working and shining shoes that he told me he called his mum and told her he was getting back on his feet real soon. Oh he's ready to get back on his feet.

Needless to say Jason had a great time and felt he did something great that day. Because I was unable to make it he started without me and helped a lot of people doing the 'Pie and Coke' thing on his own on Christmas Day. Aces in my book. A really top guy and single. Ha ha

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Now I have a mate (Iain) who in a big way is successful in life and yet we have worked together on a number of times helping and doing great things for people in need. The guy is always surprising me with different ideas and ways to help more.

A few weeks ago he called and asked if I was doing something for Christmas? I said I'd be doing my 'Pie and Coke thing' after Christmas morning and Jasmine opened her presents. A few days later he calls and says all the fruit and veg are taken care of.

Jerome and Louis from
Sourced Grocer at
11 Florence St Teneriffe
offered to donate food for the homeless and people in need on Christmas Day.

I got a call saying they were going to drop the food off at my house on Christmas Eve. A van came up the driveway and I meet the guy and was very impressed as he opened the back door of the van. “here you go mate you can help the homeless more now” Boxes and boxes of fruit and veg just waiting for me to pick up. Right away I'm thinking what a jackpot and it's going to help so many on Christmas. Like there were very type of fruit you could think of and all of it was grade 1 stuff. Fresh as fresh gets.

Just then two more vans came up the driveway. I must say my excitement dropped a little as the thought of where was all this going to go in our little unit. 60-80 big boxes at least, I wasn't going to not take it because I know the need out there. Let me say there was boxes stacked in the lounge room, kitchen and then out the front just inside the gate with just leaving enough room for a walkway to get through.

The guys left and I looked at my wife and I think we were thinking the same thing. It was Christmas Eve and the unit looked like a bomb hit it. With boxes everywhere even in front of our Christmas tree for Jasmine and it was about 7pm by then.

Now I have helped a lot of people over time, I just don't write about them here. So we came up with a plan. I'll call homeless services/lodges/homeless soup kitchens and those I have helped and get them to come over and get fruit and veg. Now a lot didn't answer there phone mostly because it was Christmas Eve. But within an hour there would have been 40 people at least here and 3 cars running food to those that didn't have a car but still wanted help.

Ha ha everyone had a job to do. My parents and Cheryl were bagging food and handing it out while Jasmine my 8 year old was wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and every once in a while rushing to her room to get a small toy for kids that came. What a great kid.

By 11pm half the food was handed out or in 3 cars full of food heading out for people and my family was tired from rushing everything. But the one thing I was proud of, was each of us were beaming with pride in just knowing we had done something good on Christmas Eve.

At 5:05am Jasmine came running through saying “Santa Santa came” yep it was time to open the presents.

About 8am we all started loading up the 3 cars again and was heading out to give more fruit and veg out. We went to a lot of people and lodges reminding people that fruit goes off so please only take what they'll eat within 3-4 days. I think it was about 2pm when the last lot was leaving our unit. My parents had helped all night and all day. I must say I was tired and really didn't care where the last few boxes went because we had helped so many people already. My parents asked if they could take what's left to hand out on the way home.

My mum called and was beaming with joy, they went to a old retirement village and was handing food to people that had nothing and most with no family. The old people there were grateful for the food but also grateful they were visited by someone on Christmas day.

All that help couldn't have happened if it won't for
Sourced Grocer
11 Florence St, Teneriffe

So please if your ever in the are drop buy and thank them.

Now Vanessa has done so much good helping people and even coming to our BBQ event and helping out. But the best part is I think of her as a mate because of the friendship we have and her attitude towards life. Never give up and if you are knocked down then get up and fight back.

Vanessa came see me through the week and beaming with a smile as she told me she had nominated me for Australian of the Year Awards 2012. Wow what an honour!

I didn't win or even become a finalist but the joy was Vanessa thought enough of me to nominate me and that makes me a winner anyway.

But the fact is there's so many great people out there helping others and you never hear about them mostly because there like me, not doing it for the awards but doing it because it's right. In saying that it's a great feeling when people notice the good your doing.

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26th of February at Musgrave Park near the city we are having another one of our BBQ'S for the homeless. Mates helping Mates BBQ. These BBQ events help so many people and we need all the help we can get. Needed for this event is:
Bread
Meat
Marquee's
Chairs
Tables
People to help cook and things
Toiletries
Any and all clothes you never what to see again.

If you can help with any of these please contact myself or Alicia
Me
0412 190 011
grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com
Alicia
mateshelpingmates.blogspot.com

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Happy New Year and to all my readers I hope you have a great year ahead of you.
Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you have a great day.
Grant the Polite Guy.

P.S I'm doing my shoe shine with Buffed at 259 Queens St City and here some pictures. Come check it out I do a great job with shoes.

On Top Of The World

In a small sense I feel on top of the world. Now I know I have a lot more new readers and some really don't know my story, well not all of it anyway, so I should say please go back to the first postings I wrote and have a read.

I woke up early again today about 2:30am because of my back hurting, I started getting depressed because I'm sick of putting up with it, but then I did what I like to do and that's sit and write down things that matter and things I have done. Now this is not me boosting but wow I have accomplished a lot.

I went from having nothing and living on the streets to-

I got married and have a family.

I started and put together a BBQ idea that helps hundreds of homeless. Now it's a non-profit charity that does great work for the homeless.

I have a very large number of people I call mates and they think of me as a mate.

I have sat and talked and helped countless of homeless and working people while doing my pie and coke thing.

My Amway business is really starting to be successful because I help others to make money too. So if you want to join me please let me know.

I got my dog back. Ha ha It's important to a guy.

I have started a 'Buffed' franchise business at the BOQ Building 259 Queen St Brisbane City doing Shoe Shines for people. It's early and I'm not sure I have mentioned much about this so I'll do some self advertising. I do shoe shines for people as they come and sit in my chair. I charge $5 for shoe shine and $8 for the premium shine which I use leather conditioner as well. But wait there's more... ha ha you can drop shoes off and come back and pick them up later but I have to charge $2 because it's harder to do without the foot in them.

So come down with your shoes, boots and really anything leather and I'll shine them up. I made a joke before saying “If your feeling down or just want a chat come on over and I'll shine you right up” ha ha I know it's not that funny but hey “Come over and I'll give you a shiny start to the day”

Now Buffed is new and starting up so there trying to get the word out by doing different things, so I thought I'd let people know about it too. Hey I do have a franchise. Ha ha. There's a competition https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=254163624643538&set=pu.182235595169675&type=1 It's easy all you have to do is fill in the captions and if you win I'll do the free shoe shine. So please check it out and share with others. There has to be better out there then what I wrote. Ha ha

I sort of went off track there. I was writing about successful things I've done. Sorry about that.

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Not That Great

Now I have just written a lot of stuff about how great I am. Now I'm going to write about one thing I feel very guilty about. Hey that got your attention, ha ha.

I once sat in a park and talked to a lady with her 3 year old son. I bought them a pizza and drinks while hearing and bad story about her husband beating her and started hitting the boy when she left. I was homeless at the time and asked them to stay with me at the side of a building where I knew it was safe. They did and we talk most of the night while the boy slept. (no I didn't sleep with her or touch her in any way)

This was when I was newly homeless and really giving up on myself being in pain all the time. I just wanted them to be safe because I'd already seen how bad things could get on the streets.

The next morning I left before they woke up because I wanted to be alone and not wanting to feel responsible for them. I know it was bad but at that time I had my own demons to care about. I couldn't look after or care about myself at that time.

I have seen that lady and son once again shortly after that walking through the mall with a guy yelling abuse at her and I just knew he was the husband. She had gone back to him.

If I had myself more together at that time I could have helped and shown her a true friend and show that she had self worth.

I know I'll never forget that lady or her son and now that I'm getting stronger I'd really love to meet that husband and show him what a real man is like.

To be honest I'm writing this because I get a lot of people thinking I am so great, but no a great man would have protected them and tried his best to help.

No matter how many people I help it won't be enough because there's people that need more then money or things but a friend at the right time.

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I know I'm finishing this on a bad note and I'm sorry about that. But if you ever get a chance to help someone that really needs it then please do, not because you may feel bad later that you didn't but because it's the right thing to do.

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you all have a great day.
Grant the Polite Guy
grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com
0412 190 011

100th Post Yeah

Now I know I haven't done a post for a while. But to be honest I've been run off my feet with everything. Married life and playing with daughter and dog. (which is important in life) I have a lot to make up for.

I started my new franchise doing 'shoe shines' in the foyer of BOQ building on Queen st. Hey I'm really good at it and it's really starting to rub off on me that I'm running my own small business.

I've come along way which I have many of people to thank for that. Don't worry I won't forget it.

Because I've done so well it really makes me think how I need to help that many more. You see I too was homeless and had nothing, now I'm a family man and starting a new business. If I can do it then I can help others that are homeless to as well. It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of bluffing confidence, but it's worth it.

Above are some pictures of the last BBQ for the homeless. Homeless came and ate free and took whatever clothes and things they could carry. The best thing I remember was volunteers carrying things away for some of the older people and in the top left picture there's two kids (I was told there names but I don't have the names list with me) drawing Christmas Cards to hand out to the homeless.

Now there were a huge response with help for this event and to be honest I don't have the names list to write them here. I will after I get the list. But I will say a huge thank you to our biggest sponsors which with them I couldn't have put the BBQ on in the first place.
NAB Bank
Samies Girl Seafood Market
Rosies Food Van
A & S Dingo Services Turf and Landscaping
Knitting for the Needy
A reader here and mate brought his mum as a Doctor for the homeless
Ipswich Council
Alicia which helps and does most of putting these BBQ together and the is President of Mates helping Mates

Now the volunteers that came were amazing and I really wish I had that list of names. But I say Thank you for everything as I'm sure homeless were helped that day because you all came together as a community and said “Hi Mate”

I have a lot to write about and people I have come across that are really just golden, but I have to go to work now and I promise to do next post on Saturday.

Please check out mateshelpingmates.blogspot.com as that's were a lot of the information for the BBQ'S and things are as it is a non-profit charity.

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

SOS Please Help and share this

SOS OH am I in trouble. I made a huge mistake and it will be bad for the homeless because it won't be good enough.

A great friend Stacey set up for us to have tables and chairs for our BBQ event. Well I had to send off a competed form and never done it in time. There's no tables and chairs coming. OHNO

Please help if you can. If you have outdoor tables and chairs PLEASE bring them. The tables for putting food on and clothes for showing the homeless.

This was my mistake and I'm very sorry, but this can be fixed if some people can bring there's.

If so please be there around 9am as we need to set things up early before homeless turn up.
Browns Park, Ipswich
9am to 2pm
Sunday 27th of November.

If you can help please call or email.
Thank you again and I'll see you tomorrow.
Grant.
0412 190 011
grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

2 Days to go

Now this is hard for me because I like to write about things that happen and because of this BBQ we are putting together there's never any time for anything, even myself. ha ha

I wanted people to know the full details about the BBQ so here it is.
Browns Park, Ipswich
Sunday the 27th of November
10am to 2pm.

All are working including homeless/people in need to working people.
Remember why we do these BBQ'S. It's never been to just hand out food and clothes it's so homeless can come and feel the community is coming together to help as mates.

Now alot of people have praised me for doing these BBQ'S for the homeless and things I do. But please let me say, alot of people give there time and donate many things so these BBQ'S go ahead. Not just me.

My next post is all about those people who have worked with me and some even harder then me, to make Mates helping Mates possible.

I will have the post done by tomorrow.

I know this ones short but thank you for reading my blog and I hope you all have a good day.
Grant the Polite Guy
0412 190 011
grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com

I left it too late. Need a hand

This post is about facts.
Sometimes it's hard to write what I mean with different things and I can only hope what I'm trying to say comes across in words right.

When I started doing the BBQ'S for the homeless (which the last one got about 450-500 people total) the idea was that the community was coming together to help and show they care. Very uplifting for everyone really. But to say it as it is and that's, my last post got 3,045 hits and 3 people came forward and said I'll help. I now have 1 1/2 weeks left and a lot to do and in one word to describe it would be “Scared”

Scared not because I fear of failing, but when the homeless come I want everything there so they feel that the community has come together to hold there hand out and say “G'Day mate” and so they feel value. I know some were help from the last BBQ we had and I know we can help many more.

I get people all the time saying how great I am for doing such great things for the homeless and if I ever need help just ask and yet when I ask there's nothing there. I'd like to say I can but the fact is I can't do this on my own and I really need help putting this together and collect the food and things so that these BBQ'S can help those in need the most.

What I'm trying to say is, this next BBQ will help many and I have left it too late to do it all. Can I please ask people to help and show that not just a few people are doing it but a community has come together to show we care.

If you can do any of these as well as come then please call or email me.

Marques about 20. Now people may own one and could bring it.
6-7 House BBQ'S to cook with.
BBQ food. Really if 40 people bought $25 worth of meat there would be heaps.
250 cans of drinks plus I have some to donate. I buy when there cheap.
One freezer or cold room truck to keep things cold
50 tables
60 chairs
A big van or vans to move things.
A few boxes of sauce (Tomato and BBQ)
Clothes, toiletries, ladies personal products, kids toys and things like that are very much needed.
It would be great if anyone has room to store things at there house that way when people email or call and say they want to donate then I can send them to drop off things with you for the BBQ event.

Please if you go through your cupboards there's clothes you never use any more. I know there's going to be a person that needs it at the BBQ. All unused clothes and things not taken will be handed to homeless centres.

The biggest gift will be for people to come and enjoy a BBQ and hold out there hand to homeless and say “G'Day mate” Oh and cooks and helpers much needed. When I really started this it was to show Mates helping Mates.

One thing I always think of is that homeless people are Mothers, Fathers, Brothers, Sisters of someone else and what would i want people to do if it was mine.

I'd like to thank you all for reading my blog and I really hope you all can come and enjoy a BBQ with us at Browns Park at Ipswich on the 27th of November.

If anyone would like to call or email me please do.
0412 190 011 or grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com
Thank you again
Grant the polite guy

http://vimeo.com/31201234
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/10/24/3346510.htm