Blog on Social Issues

A Horrific School Shooting

5/15/2018

After a horrific shooting at a school, every person should learn lessons and make plans to curtail the problem. Down in southern Florida, 17 people were murdered (Feb 2018). It is heartbreaking and emotional. We need to make better policies.

First, let us understand that there are about 57 million K-12 students in about 132,800 schools. The mass shootings do not even approach 0.01% of the schools; however, it is still important. Shootings are not the only issue, and improved measures can have positive effects.

At the first report of gunfire, the calls to police are to bring guns to the schools, not to race guns away from the school. That might sound obvious. However, the calls for gun control can seem just as foolish as police racing away from the school. Yes, we want well trained armed people at the school as soon as possible to stop the perpetrator.

The goal should be to have a much greater police presence in the schools. I would have them mostly in plain clothes.
The proposal is to cross train teachers and police officers in both disciplines. We could have the entire substitute teacher budget go to the police department and have the police be the substitute teachers. We could have individual teachers go through the police academy.

We could have these teachers do real police work in the summer months and weekends to gain experience. We could have individual teachers and police swap roles every month. We could have a proactive police recruitment effort to be sports coaches. We could have police lead common clubs in the schools, such as computer, debate, RORC, chess, and robotics. We could have police in plain clothes supervising detentions.

Education schools in college could incorporate a certain amount of police training. When police must go on light duty, they could do their work in schools. Retired law enforcement personnel should be prioritized for any role in the schools. Specific law enforcement desk jobs could be stationed in schools. Military recruiters who are trained and armed could rent an office in the school.

All these are just ideas that the school systems should be able to try. Every principal would have a goal of having one fire-armed and scenario trained person per 100 students. We do not want schools to look like a police state so they will mostly wear regular teacher clothing. The essential factor is that they can take quick action because they will be on site.

A certain number of very secure weapon lock boxes should be stationed around the school; very seldom should weapons be carried by adults in schools because children’s and teen’s brains often act without proper thoughts about the consequences. These boxes will give well-trained personnel quick access to a weapon when it is warranted. Many protocols, alarms, cell phone alerts among others may be triggered by any lock-box openings.

We should have 100% of teachers go through three hours a month in crime scenario training. Individual teachers will specialize and do many more hours. Before an incident happens, we need to focus on detection and prevention. School personnel should have greater training and protocols for detecting mental illness. Although I do not write a lot on detecting and preventing, it is more critical because a thousand times more people could use mental health help than would follow through with a mass shooting.

In my, welfare to charity reforms, I propose using labor hours from people receiving government ‘welfare benefits’. Many of these hours will be in schools as mentors, tutors, resource personnel, coaches and others. Many of these people have law enforcement training in their past. They will be retested and retrained to ensure everyone is using the same protocols. All mentors will have some training to assist in mental health, while specific mentors will specialize in more difficult cases. All will be supervised in this effort by experts.

We have about 1.2 million law enforcement personnel and nearly 4 million teachers in America. Giving police real jobs in the school and training teachers with practical police skills means having trained staff at a school at the time an incident occurs. These staff members will know the layout of the school and the students much better, resulting in a better response.

In conclusion, having much more trained personnel at the schools and better proactive detection and prevention measures of better-trained teachers and mentors can solve issues before they become a major incident.

Transgender Locker-Rooms/Bathrooms: Where do we draw that line?

11/18/2017

There has been a lot of news on these issues of late (May 2016), and there is a lot to say. Re-posting on this site in November 2017. Things have significantly become unbalanced. The root of the problem is that one person’s rights stop when they start infringing on another’s rights. It is crazy that this issue is even debated because the issues are so common sense that to argue, you have to talk down to a kindergarten level.

Presumably, this new ‘policy’ of allowing transgender people to use the bathroom/locker room of their identified gender just requires that they say they identify with the other gender. The transgender bathroom issue is quite disturbing. This issue is being pushed hard by the LEFT, and the Right is just saying STOP.

The Right seems to always try to fight through legislation, in which it is hard to get the votes and get past a possible veto. The Left gets one federal district court ruling or a statement from a radical in the Justice Dept. and thinks that their way is now the ‘norm,’ and the Right needs to fight with an arduous constitutional amendment process to get back to the old ‘norm.’

I believe the Right can use a lot more effective tools to move their agenda and stop the Left. Some want to argue the issue of allowing ‘transgender’ people using restrooms with the mildest cases. They start with all people acting as professionally and politely as possible. The Left puts out a situation where stalls are very private, and the transgender looks like the opposite gender.

They further state that they just go in, do their business, and leave without anyone knowing the difference. While I hold objections to even this, it is crucial to realize situations much more disturbing. The purpose of restrooms and locker rooms is to give privacy to people when they could be exposing themselves. That is the reason for the walls in the first place.

People still do and should get arrested for exposing themselves in public or to the opposite gender. Bathrooms/locker rooms are a place of ‘privacy’ where it is acceptable to be exposed because it is single gender. In restrooms, sometimes people change clothes, showing underwear, or even being fully exposed.

In locker rooms, which is very much included in this debate, changing clothes is the purpose of the locker rooms. In locker rooms, it is very routine to see fully exposed bodies. There are many locker rooms with open showers with a dozen or more people showering fully exposed.

People do not always act in a very polite, responsible and professional manner. There are some people who are truly perverted, and many variations in between. This is the case in both the transgender and non-trans-gendered populations. With long-standing ‘norms’ and laws stating that a person has to use the restroom/locker room of their own gender, many negative issues can be mitigated.

This new transgender policy opens up a ‘defense’ of perverted or just hormone filled people to negative actions. This also allows bullies or someone who wants to harm another with a way to access a place where their ‘victim’ is more vulnerable due to their state of undress.

While the Left tries to make the argument with the trans-gendered that they have ‘transformed’ into really looking like the other gender, that is not the requirement in the least. One merely has to STATE that they identify with the other gender. Are we to ‘discriminate’ against those that want to look like a man, but identify as a woman or vice-versa? There is no requirement on what level of appearance change is needed.

There is no requirement that one holds a card from a psychiatrist stating that they ‘qualify’ as a transgender because they truly ‘believe’ they are the opposite gender. What if a 16-year-old girl states that she identifies as a boy and walks into the men’s locker room full of 16-18-year-old guys?

What if she goes in, strips completely, and walks into the open shower area where teenage boys are showering fully exposed? Switch this to a 16-year old boy doing the same in the girls’ locker room. These are people that are just learning how to deal with the testosterone flowing through their blood.

Many have not had the values training needed to train them to treat women respectfully when the testosterone is ‘demanding’ that they have sex with any female that exposes herself to him. The majority of wives are totally opposed to their husbands looking at fully exposed other women.

The majority of husbands are totally opposed to their wives being subjected to fully exposed other men. Most people do not want to be exposed to nakedness outside of their marriage. This is true for their spouse and children as well. These are social norms that have developed over centuries and have been codified into law so that people do not need to resort to violence to stop the violation of people’s right to privacy.

What if a vindictive ex-boyfriend who has stalking issues uses this new ‘policy’ to enter into the locker room where his ex-girlfriend is getting ready for swim class, just to harass her by staring at her as she changes clothes? What if a hormone filled teen without morals just wants to hang out in the girl’s locker room waiting to see naked girls? The many more ‘what ifs’ are numerous and quite disturbing.

Fathers of little girls often find it difficult to go out with the girls without the mother because of the bathroom issue. The girls are too young to go into the lady’s room alone and too old to use the men’s room with dad because of their very wondering eyes and running around.

Men do not want to make other men uncomfortable by having a little girl around when they are partly exposed. More single stall restrooms and family restrooms help but are not universal.

Trans-gendered people may have some of the same issues, and one can sympathize, however, one’s ‘right’ to not feel uncomfortable does not really exist; however, to the extent it does, it ends when it starts infringing on other’s rights of privacy and not being exposed to nakedness they do not desire, which causes that other person major uncomfortableness.

Are we going to come to the point in the near future where women can say they identify as a guy and now go around topless like other ‘guys’? Males with Testosterone flowing would say ‘great!’. However, men trained to have respect for women, Christian principles, and the knowledge that civilized people cover private parts would believe this to be a very unfortunate development.

The question in the title is “Where do we draw that line?” Over the centuries, the lines were drawn, and norms became known. Men use men’s rooms, and women use women’s rooms. Indeed, we could discuss many more norms that became socially known, most without even being stated.

While another person in the locker room (of the same gender) is in a state of undress, you do not stare, gawk, comment or otherwise react. The person undressing does not flaunt, or stay that way unnecessarily long. Most of this is learned early on by shunning or shows of disapproval of out-of-line actions.

Most of what happens in the locker room are not conducive to law unless it becomes abusive. Are we going to get to the point where a 16-year-old girl is thrown in jail because she refuses to entirely strip in front of a boy who identifies as a girl? So much of these cases involve a transgender person’s feelings, yet many disregard other people’s feelings.

The courts and justice department repeatedly state that these people feel that they are not included. There is a big issue in college about not making people feel like an ‘other.’ If a girl is willing to disrobe in front of other girls, yet not in front of a male who identifies as a female, should she be forced by law to also disrobe in front of the transgender?

We need to go back to first principals and not get caught up with people’s feelings as having legal protection. Will guys who do not make the guys team in high school be able to try out for the girl’s team if he just states he identifies as a girl?

The reason for separate teams is because most girls would not be able to compete with the guys. If this twisted logic continues, we could have issues in so many walks of life. This could unravel the fabric of society. Many on the left desire the unraveling of the social fabric.

The claim is not that transgender people are not numerous enough to have a significant impact, the claim is that a non-trans-gendered person that just state that they are will be able to use this new policy to cause havoc.

The Kim Davis/ gay marriage story is missing the main point

9/13/2015

The Kim Davis story about a clerk not issuing any marriage licenses because of her religious beliefs has really taken the central questions about the Obergefell decision in the wrong direction.

While there have been very strong legal opinions covering whether or not the Supreme Court made the right call on the constitutionality of marriage laws, I believe their needs to be a significant discussion and legislative pushback on the action to resolve what the court called unconstitutional laws. They have the ability to void a law, not write words into the law to make it 'constitutional.'

The correct solution from the judicial branch to any law that is unconstitutional is to void the law and let the legislative branch rewrite the law. Lawmakers need to know when to and how to write severability clauses to make their legislation very clear to the people and the judges.

It is interesting to note that she, Kim Davis, stopped issuing marriage licenses to all people, straight or same sex. After listening and reading, I have not heard why she stopped all. She claimed that she could not issue because of her religious beliefs. Given that marriage licenses are a minor portion of her job and same-sex licenses even a much smaller part of her job, it would be reasonable to make simple accommodations.

Simply, you could have another assistant clerk working there under ‘joint assistance’ of two or more elected clerks. Once this accommodation becomes a high percentage of the job and too burdensome or costly, the voters need to consider that when voting for the clerk.

The Haley2024 Solution to family law

While considerable push back needs to be on the court’s reasoning of finding marriage laws unconstitutional, an entirely different type of pushback is required on the courts ‘solution’. It is very well known through many situations, that if one branch takes the power of another branch and it goes unchallenged, it is often forever lost. Whether or not it was a good idea to allow the judicial branch to have the last and often sole word on the constitutionality of legislation, which now has been lost. It would be a great danger to also allow the judicial branch to ‘fix’ laws to make them constitutional.

The ‘Black Lives Matter’ Movement Is Creating Oppression Within the Black Population.

8/20/2015

Many people are assuming that the group, Black Lives Matter, is just wanting to draw attention to black people being killed. While certainly, a percentage of people take it only that far, it has to be understood that this movement is stereotyping whites and the police as oppressors. Black people rightfully fought against negative Black stereotyping and need to open their eyes on their own stereotyping.

Blog on much more on this subject.

December 2014, I wrote a blog regarding much of the same issues. I show great distress at the negative inculcation black youth and children are getting by their community. A few days after this blog, 2 police officers just sitting in their patrol car and in very cold blood were shot and killed. This was in New York City where the black protesters were the most active and days after chants of ‘what do we want, Dead cops’ were chanted by hundreds in a march.

The results of the inner-city black community clearly show oppression. However, the cause of that oppression needs to be identified. Many just assume that if black people are incarcerated at higher rates, earn less, and achieve fewer degrees, that the cause is that they are discriminated against at high levels by whites, police, businesses, and government.

When stereotyping whites, police, businesses, and government as oppressors, this group inculcates their children with the mentality of victimhood and ‘not having a chance.’ THAT OPPRESSED INCULCATION IS THE TRUE OPPRESSION. A small child holds a sign saying ‘Don’t Shoot’ and sees their parents and neighbors holding others signs about police hunting them down to shoot them. Over the years they are entirely convinced that cops are the enemy that WANTS to gun them down, so when they do something foolish as all kids do and encounter the police, they decide to fight for their lives. They will often end up dead or in prison for a minor mistake.

I am not a statistician, and even if I were, the complexity of trying to determine how groups of different races are treated by police is overwhelmingly difficult because the factors are so numerous and reporting so incomplete as to render the studies very suspect. Not totally worthless, however, one has to be very careful to understand how the data was collected and data that was omitted.

Confirmation bias is when you have a set theory and accept data that confirms your theory and dismisses all data that challenges your assumptions. The earlier in your life you start learning your world view, the harder it is to overcome ‘confirmation biases.’ It is very concerning to many that so many young inner-city black toddlers are instilled with a foundation of ‘being oppressed’ that will significantly limit their chances and opportunities in their lives.

‘Black lives matter,’ and the ‘hands up, don’t shoot’ movements are continuations of a long list of other movements that have kept the black populations in an ‘oppressed mentality.' Government programs such as welfare, affirmative action, anti-voter-ID, minimum wage, among many other ‘Protecting People’ programs and policies have added to the inculcation that black people are inferior to whites.

Good and honest, as possible, studies have seen that black populations that are multi-generationally intact (mother, father, and children), living moral and honorable lives and inculcated with positive messages have similar statistics on income, incarceration, education, and quality of life as whites of similar backgrounds. While a mentality of oppression is the focus of this article, undoubtedly other factors such as fatherhood, education, ambition, envy, and good morals are incredibly important.

Property tax exemption for certain veterans and surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action.

11/22/2014

It takes a politician with boldness or someone very unwise to oppose a state constitutional amendment that was approved 87% to 13% by the voters; however, I oppose. This was about allowing spouses of soldiers killed in action to be exempt from property taxes. ‘Tug on the heart strings’ legislation usually leads to bad results.

My opposition is not that we should not give a benefit, my objection is that we should give the benefit in a better way. This amendment is structured poorly.

Linked

First, no one has more sympathy for military families that lose a loved one than I do. However, there are significant problems in the structure of the proposed help.

If it is warranted, and I believe it is, that we, through government, pay for life insurance for those in the military to an appropriate level, then that is the proper way to benefit the spouse of those killed in action. Having extra life insurance for those killed while on duty is very appropriate.

The problem with the structure

First, this puts the burden mostly on city revenue because that is where the property tax is collected. Second, this is only for certain veterans, why not all? Is a spouse of a soldier killed in training any less deserving? It is almost always problematic for politicians to segregate who deserves the right to benefits.

Third, this complicates the tax code which is already overwhelmingly complicated. Forth, to receive a benefit, the spouse must own a home, thus discriminating against those that wish to rent. Some spouses that are financially struggling, need the help the most and cannot afford or it is unwise to own a home. This also gives more significant benefits to wealthier widows because on average, they own more expensive homes.

Fifth, exemptions must, to collect the same tax revenue, increase the tax rate. Sixth, this gives a much more significant benefit to those already wealthier, because more expensive homes have more substantial property taxes to be exempted.

Seventh and the most serious, the structure creates a major remarriage penalty. The last four words are ‘and has not remarried.’ Plainly, if someone has a $4,000 a year property tax that is exempted, the act of remarriage reinstates that tax. Marriage is a great institution, a bedrock of society, and the government should never disincentive it.

21 Years 9 Months

10/19/2014

21 Years 9 Months

Happy Birthday Emily Grace

As my family and I celebrate what would be my first-born’s 21st birthday, I remember back.

After a few years of marriage, Ruth and I decided to expand our family. In late February 1993, we were overjoyed with the knowledge that we were parents via a pregnancy test (Realization of fatherhood step 1). Because of family history, the OB doctor suggested an amniocentesis that had the risk of miscarriage, just to determine if we should abort due to a genetic disease.

This was totally unacceptable to us, and we found another doctor (Realization of fatherhood step 2). Over the months I felt movements, hiccups, and other signs my child was alive and kicking (Realization of fatherhood step 3). On Father’s Day, a “Focus on the Family” show featured people calling in and thanking their father. This touched me and showed me how important my job as father was going to be (Realization of fatherhood step 4).

On October 19th, 1993 after many hours of labor, my first child was born (Realization of fatherhood step 5). At first, she seemed very healthy, and she was doing great. Two weeks later the phone call came in from the doctor’s office informing Ruth and I that our daughter had the same disease that claimed the lives of two of my sisters, one just a few years before (Realization of fatherhood step 6).

That same night, I gave a very life-changing commitment to Jesus because I know I could not handle this on my own and yes he has changed my life or at least God gave me the direction and courage to change my life through Him (Realization of fatherhood step 7). Cystic Fibrosis, a lung and digestion disease, put Emily Grace in the hospital for the first time at six months of age and averaged four hospitalizations a year after that (Realization of fatherhood step 8).

I enjoyed having her lay against my chest, feeding her, holding her hands to begin to walk, teaching her words, but most importantly teaching her morality and God’s love. I truly believe God gave Ruth and me the responsibility to raise our daughter and we take that responsibility very seriously (Realization of fatherhood step 9). Over the years, there were mostly great years and some challenging times with Emily’s health.

In 2004 our life changed dramatically with the doctor’s report that Emily needed to be assessed for a double lung transplant. After a visit to Saint Louis, the report came in that she was a few years away and that we need to raise $500,000 for the transplant (Realization of fatherhood step 10). Both sides of that news was devastating; however, God had different plans that would change not just our lives but hundreds of others.

Two of my sisters stepped up big time and put in overwhelming hours in a fundraising effort that Emily named “Emily’s Breath of Hope.” Many other family members, friends, coworkers, church members and among dozens of just acquaintances stepped up and made great sacrifices for this fundraiser. For seven incredible months, lives were changed while thousands opened their wallets and gave of their time.

Many stopped looking at their own troubles and gained perspective in helping another. God truly knows how to work through others in changing people’s lives. Over $500,000 in seven months but more importantly, hundreds of lives changed, moving more towards Jesus’s characteristics (Realization of fatherhood step 11).

For the next several years, Emily’s health was up and down, however not reaching the level for her lung transplant. Still averaging 4 hospitalizations a year and on oxygen at night, Emily had a high quality of life with school, friends, and family. She loved to read and dress in Williamsburg type dresses. She Danced and love to praise the Lord at church.

Becoming a teenager, she began wanting to venture out on her own and had an incredible week with the youth group from church in the outer banks of North Carolina. Yes, with oxygen and medications; she did a great job without her parents (Realization of fatherhood step 12).

March 31st, 2008, Emily went to the hospital with what looked to be a normal stay with IV meds. A day later she was struggling more than normal and by the morning of the third day I knew things were on the down turn as Emily struggled for every breath.

Her lungs were not able to transfer the oxygen to her blood and things were getting serious. Fear entered Emily’s eyes as if she was drowning. They moved her to the ICU and put her on more oxygen and at higher pressures which helped a lot; however, still not out of the woods.

The mucus in the lungs was not clearing with treatments (Realization of fatherhood step 13). About 14 hours later, Emily crashed, and they quickly put her on a ventilator. For Emily, this meant she was not conscious while on the ventilator. This was devastating to me because she never fell this far, and it happened very quickly.

Now the doctors were talking odds of her coming out of this alive. Three painstaking days later, talk about bringing Emily to Saint Louis for the transplant brought hope into the picture. Without an hour of sleep for 4 days, on April 5th, the day before my 40th birthday most of my hope was taken with a call stating that she was too sick for the transplant and she would have to get better first (Realization of fatherhood step 14).

For 8 more days of prayer and waiting, Emily was losing ground, and not being able to be conscious for about ten days. Odds of Emily surviving much longer was decreasing daily. Finally about midnight April 14th, 2008, I had to call Ruth to the hospital to say her last goodbyes and pray. After praying for a few hours and clearly and undeniably knowing that Emily was in the arms of Jesus in heaven; we knew our prayers were answered. She was alive in heaven and fully healed.

That day, God sent hundreds of people to put their arms around Ruth, Emily’s sisters, and myself. On the saddest day of my life, God wrapped his arms around me. Although we desperately wanted more time with our daughter here on earth, Ruth and I know we will spend eternity with her without grief or despair. I know without doubt that God enjoys Emily dancing for him with leaps Emily could not accomplish here on earth (Realization of fatherhood step 15: this step was huge).

God blessed Emily with three younger sisters, so my journey of realization of fatherhood continues with 3 teenagers, dating, and a wedding coming January 2015. Today, October 19th, 2014 would have been Emily’s 21st birthday.

Emily, your mother and I, along with your sisters, extended family and many friends are so glad God allowed you in our lives. You were an inspiration and changed more lives than you could imagine, although somehow, I think God is showing you, and you have every right to smile with what God did through you.

Emily you made the world a better place and you are missed down here on earth. Emily, while God has a lot left for me to do down here, I am never scared for my own life because I know I will be with God and with you for eternity.

For my sister Beth who passed away before my birth, I cannot wait to meet you. For my older sister Mary, who passed away in 1987 when I was 19, I miss you so much. You taught me a lot, and I am looking forward to seeing you again.

EMILY’S BREATH OF HOPE
(COTA for Emily Haley)

FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Date Event  Amount Raised
3-Jul-04   :  Car Wash held at Gene Walters Marketplace on 21st street and Colley Avenue in Norfolk     $777.87
6-Jul-04   :  Vacation Bible School at Deep Creek Baptist Church $716.92
11-Jul-04   :  Craft Show at the Pavilion $413.44
24-Jul-04   :  Softball Tournament at Franklin Fields $4,323.00
24-Jul-04   :  Will & Christine Gilbert Raffles at their Wedding Reception $1,400.00
6-Aug-04   :  Vacation Bible School at Haygood United Methodist Church $5,401.27
7-Aug-04   :  Car Wash at 7-11 on Volvo and Kempsville $956.35
8-Aug-04   :  50-50 Raffle at the Grady White Fishing Tournament $2,587.75
14-Aug-04   :  Car Wash held at Gene Walters Marketplace on 21st street and Colley Avenue in Norfolk  Rained Out
18-Aug-04   :  Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream at Town Point Center.($400.72 from Coldstone, $7158.21 from other donations) Check out the pictures. $7,558.93
20-Aug-04   :  Benefit Concert featuring Jet Noise, SFN, and Summerfield Drive at the WAREHOUSE $665.95
27-Aug-04   :  SouthTrust Bank Bake Sale and Donation Collection $10,159.00
28-Aug-04   :  Car Wash at 7-11 on Volvo and Kempsville $1,293.39
28-Aug-04   :  CO-ED Softball Tournament at Greenbrier Park Fields on Greenbrier Pkwy in Chesapeake $3,987.89
28-Aug-04   :  Stampin' UP! Raffle $600.00
28-Aug-04   :  New Life Men's Group Golf Tournament $1,500.00
4-Sep-04   :  Car Wash held at Gene Walters Marketplace on 21st street and Colley Avenue in Norfolk $1,312.30
5-Sep-04   :  American Music Fest $1,650.71
September 10-12, 2004   :  Cycle Mania at Chesapeake City park $878.29
11-Sep-04   :  Benefit Garage Sale / Silent Auction (Garage Sale - $2102.92, Auction - $2443.00, Other - $3887.73) $8,433.65
September 11, 12, 2004   :  IHOP on Battlefield Blvd $2,158.66
18-Sep-04   :  Dart Tournament at Just one More Bar and Grill. $1,310.00
23-Sep-04   :  Benefit Golf Tournament. Hell's Point Golf Club. $12,917.00
25-Sep-04   :  Williamsburg Scottish Festival  $329.14
25-Sep-04   :  Va Beach Sportsplex $390.00
25-Sep-04   :  SuperCuts $916.14
30-Sep-04   :  Hair Kingdom $777.00
2-Oct-04   :  Benefit Concert featuring Blended $3,264.05
9-Oct-04   :  Auction/Silent Auction - Church of the Holy Family. 1279 N. Great Neck Road in Virginia Beach $29,991.81
10-Oct-04   :  Charity and Poker Run ($2,617.00 from Ride, $980.00 Boneshaker) $3,597.00
16-Oct-04   :  Road Rally $20,133.56
17-Oct-04   :  Air Assault Riders Car Wash $2,131.27
18-Oct-04   :  Elizabeth River Baptist Day Care & Kindergarten $370.00
23-Oct-04   :  Golf Tournament at Chesapeake Golf Club $12,000.00
23-Oct-04   :  B.e.a.c.h. Soccer League $7,228.01
23-Oct-04   :  Garage Sale $676.97
26-Oct-04   :  Chick-fil-A $9,545.77
29-Oct-04   :  Kristin Gerlach Bake Sale $668.16
5-Nov-04   :  Youth of Community United Methodist Church $533.54
6-Nov-04   :  Golf Tournament at Sleepy Hole $2,349.00
November 6 & 7, 2004   :  Santa Stocking Craft show  $755.58
13-Nov-04   :  Sage Harvest Celebration  Rained Out
15-Nov-04   :  Fuddruckers $220.00
18-Nov-04   :  Chesapeake Sheriffs Department $1,840.00
19-Nov-04   :  RN Class at Sentra Health Professions $1,160.00
20-Nov-04   :  Bowling Tournament $5,387.95
20-Nov-04   :  Stamp-a-Stack of Cards $2,121.00
23-Nov-04   :  Beach Bums Auction $986.35
27-Nov-04   :  Kaboom Kollectibles Card Tournament $321.00
November 29 - December 3, 2004   :  Craft/Vendor Show at Mother's Day Out Preschool $1,533.31
30-Nov-04   :  Scrapbooking $1,060.00
4-Dec-04   :  Sandbridge Tour of Homes $11,108.00
December 6 - 10, 2004   :  Royal Printing $400.30
10-Dec-04   :  Chili Cook Off $13,842.90
11-Dec-04   :  Kick for a Cause at the Martial Arts Education Center $10,994.20
11-Dec-04   :  Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Show $626.35
11-Dec-04   :  Movie Gallery - S. Battlefield Blvd $534.58
December 11 & 12, 2004   :  Christmas Cookie Bake Sale $1,498.25
13-Dec-04   :  Face Painter and Balloon Artists $303.05
16-Dec-04   :  Home Choice Partners Christmas Party Donations $3,855.00
16-Dec-04   :  Tropical Smoothie $10,126.68
18-Dec-04   :  Benefit Concert, featuring Coax Oddity and Shadows of Yesterday $463.25
18-Dec-04   :  Kick-A-Thon" at the Hybrid Academy of Martial Arts $349.00
28-Jan-05   :  Rock-A-Thon $1,032.00
6-Feb-05   :  Nat's Surf Sports Bar $1,200.00
15-May-05   :  COTA 10% (up to $10,000.00) $10,000.00
Ongoing    :  PGB Volunteer Grant $1,500.00
Ongoing    :  Kim's Hair Cuts $103.12
Ongoing    :  Scarves $970.16
Ongoing    :  OT and Mop Top Designs Flip Flops $740.16
Ongoing    :  Gold Canyon Candles $1,000.00
Ongoing    :  United Way (Projected for 2005) $5,222.00
Ongoing    :  Zeros Subs $1,084.50
Ongoing    :  Red Hatters by the Sea chapter of the international Red Hat Society craft show $1,108.75
Ongoing    :  E.L. Sargent Tree & Landscaping -Firewood Sales $5,880.00
Ongoing    :  94.9 The Point- The Miracle 500 $3,000.00
Ongoing    :  Campaign T-Shirts $1,148.30
Ongoing    :  Cook-Book Sales $12,768.84
Ongoing    :  Mary Bivins' Crafts $760.00
Ongoing    :  Va Beach OB/Gyn Crafts $1,692.50
Ongoing    :  Computer Bob Preschools $8,275.25
Total for all Events$292,876.12
Other Donation (Online, coin canisters, etc)$222,278.40
Campaign Total$515,154.52