I am a legal assistant for an attorney in Georgia.
I know of a client who is in dire financial straits. He is in bad health. He just had a terrible seizure, and bit through his tongue. He has diabetes, back problems, etc. He can't work.
He told me over the phone that the other night, his little boys went to bed hungry. They are about 7 and 8 years old.
This poor man is disabled. He was literally crying on the phone with me, because he is so worried for his kids. He believes that he will not live much longer. Maybe a year.
His wife doesn't earn much money, either.
I want to help him and his family. What can I do?
I thought about sending him money- but if I sent it anonymously, it would have to be cash, right? What if it gets stolen before he can get it in the mail?
What about this idea: what about sending him a Wal-Mart gift card?
Any ideas on what I can do for him?
If my boss found out, would I get in trouble? Possible conflict of interest?
Thanks.
2007-10-22 06:57:35 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Note: this gentleman is a S.S. client. He has a claim for S.S. benefits- but it may very well take 2.5 years for this man to see a judge. He needs help desperately right now.
I am sending him a listing of local food pantries and the address for the Salvation Army- but I want to do more.
2007-10-22 06:59:01 · update #1
Im a legal assistant too and I hear alot of sad stories like this one. It sucks. Some of them are bogus sob stories but you really get to feeling sorry for the ones you don't think are. If I were you I would point him in the direction of local churches. Sometimes they're willing to help....
2007-10-22 11:32:22 · answer #1 · answered by lillllbit 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Send the gift card anonymously. Sending cash in the mail is a bad idea. There, they can get food and clothes, pretty much anything they need.
It warms my heart to read this. I'm so happy some people still care about others.
2007-10-22 07:02:01 · answer #2 · answered by Eraserhead 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just be there to listen if he needs to talk. Maybe you could appeal to your church if you have one to adopt this family for the holidays or maybe have a food drive at work for them (with your bosses permission)
The family wouldn't qualify for food stamps if the fathers disability is to the point that he has contacted an attorney. That means he's been denied SS and is awaiting a court date for his appeal. In the eyes of Welfare, he is able bodied and should be working even if he is disabled.
2007-10-22 07:02:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wish there were more people like you in this world! I think sending a gift card would be the best thing to do because it can be anonymous. If you want to make sure it gets to them, you could send it certified or even in a box by UPS or something so you could track it.
2007-10-22 07:02:56 · answer #4 · answered by WT 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can "adopt" his family for the holidays. my mom's company does that and every thanksgiving they send a family a turkey and other non perishable food. and for xmas they get the sizes of the kids and buy them winter jackets and other clothes and get each of the kids a new toy.
you should ask your boss first tho just to be safe. but i dont think it should be that big of a deal. maybe you can also try to find some jobs that the mom might be able to apply for so that she can earn a little more.
2007-10-22 07:02:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find all the services that could apply to this person and send him the information. In fact you can make contact...on your time ...for him by letting these social services know his need. Its usually referred to as making a referal (in most social services.) That way you can get the local food shelf and such to go check on him and tell him all of the services that are available.
2007-10-22 07:10:29 · answer #6 · answered by Kimberly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess you have to be concerned with breach of confidentiality. If you will have further contact with him, you could ask him for permission to nominate his family for assistance through local charities (such as faith-based organizations, churches, etc.) Some of these groups have special projects coming up for Thanksgiving/Christmas season. I suppose if you either find out this info and give it to him or ask him for permission to nominate him, you wouldn't be breaching confidentiality, but I don't know for sure how that works in your state, or how your employer would feel about it.
2007-10-22 07:05:15 · answer #7 · answered by arklatexrat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Food Stamps, AFDC, WIC these would all help him and his family. The Salvation Army and Goodwill may be able to help also.
Putting your law degree to work helping him get his disability would do much more for him than any money you sent to him right now. Encourage him to get help thru agencies and help him with your knowledge.
2007-10-22 08:06:00 · answer #8 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contact the local Salvation Army and talk to the county welfare office for him. go to the local news media and ask them if they can set up a "Help Drive" for his family. Talk to community leaders and see if they would set up a "Donation Charity" event for them. If not, dig into your pockets and your friends, and see what you can do. I wish I could help but I am out of college and looking for a cop job .
2007-10-22 07:09:15 · answer #9 · answered by schneider2294@sbcglobal.net 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You wrote: "...If my boss found out, would I get in trouble? Possible conflict of interest?..."
Absolutely.
Do not do anything to your company's client that might alter his status and possibly jeopardize your company's case.
You MUST discuss this with your boss. You're risking your job.
2007-10-22 07:02:30 · answer #10 · answered by Stuart 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋