Same here. A person I met here and know in real life asked for a loan. I loaned her some money, knowing she intended to repay me, which she has.
Another person I met here (and also know in real life) has sent me several (non-cash) gifts. Nothing substantial, but they came when I needed emotional support and her thoughtfulness meant a great deal to me.
I’ve paid for someone’s subscription, and would donate money to someone I had some experience with. If a random person I didn’t know needed money, I’d sit back and see how other’s ‘vetted’ the request. There is a lot of history of the Dope before I joined, and I’d be willing to help someone who others think is deserving.
I’m lucky enough to have some disposable income…and also lucky enough to know people who have nothing. It helps keep things in perspective. If I’m willing to drop $20 on beer and dinner, I can certainly spend that much to make a little difference in someone else’s life.
-D/a
I have a few times, and each time it made me feel incredibly grateful and happy to be in the position of having it to give and not in the position of needing it. No one I’ve sent money to has stopped posting here, or been ridden out in scandal or anything that ever made me wonder if I’d been scammed in any way.
So they got a wee bit of help when needed, and I got to feel good about my life. Win-win.
Not here, but on one of my professional lists a few years ago, a person was telling of her hard times. Many of us knew each other fairly well, and so a drive began to help her out via PayPal. It was right before Christmas too. I happened to get a big check a few weeks early and was feeling generous, so I sent her $50, not a small sum for me but I could afford to give it just then. I knew her only as an active list member.
Never heard a peep out of her. That was the end of my giving to online people whom I do not know VERY well (via past extensive private correspondence about nonfinancial matters).
No, not on the Dope, but on another forum & Live Journal I have.
About 7 years ago, I was in a tight spot and I asked for help on this other forum and was over whelmed buy peoples generosity.
So I have been on both sides of the question, and I would help again if I could, but my situation isn’t likely to get any better soon.
Now isn’t a good time to ask for Doper’s help in getting a new computer is it? 
Just once, 20 bucks to someone here who was going through a rough time.
I don’t regret it. I’m glad I did it. Not sure if I would do it again in the future.
mmm
I would. I haven’t seen reason to as yet although I have sent presents to dopers.
I have, several times. But I’m a hard-nosed, mean conservative, and thus was unmoved by fluffy bunny discomfort.
I was once hit up privately by a local Doper who no longer posts here (although I think he’s posting on the Giraffe boards) who needed a $200 loan to take his cat to the vet. The cat didn’t make it and neither did my repayment.
But I generally make donations, not loans, and if people say they really want to repay me, I’ll ask that they pay it forward.
StG
I have and I would do it again.
The latest adventures of Lute don’t scare me off. He made the wrong assumption, he made a mistake. Not everyone’s brains work the same way.
I’m glad we found out the real story before it went too far. That’s far less worrisome than the idea that we’ve been told stories that were believable from beginning to end but 100% untrue and no one ever found out.
I do love the idea of the community here. I might be a little more invested since I work from home so I consider this my “water cooler.” So if I’m opening up my wallet for someone here it’s just like others putting money into a hat for co-workers.
I absolutely would if I believed it was a genuine emergency and I had the money. The recent Lutisode hasn’t put me off at all.
Yes, I have done so, and I’ll do it again. When I get some money, that is…
The boards serve as that for me, too. My work is very solitary. Earlier in the week my son wanted to use the TV when I was watching a show. He argued correctly “but it’s recorded. You can watch it tomorrow.” True, but I wanted to be caught up so I could participate in the thread.
I’ve given money on two occasions. I’m pretty sure that both times the threads were organized by Mods or others on the boards, as in Rick’s example. I’m not well off, and often am not even comfortable. I have, however been the recipient of unimaginable kindness from surprising sources. Whenever it’s possible I like to try and do some good.
There have been a few times when a reason worthy of donation has come up that I was simply not able to spare anything. That always makes me feel bad, but it seems like the Doper Community has stepped up in each case.
Recent events haven’t put me off donating.
By the way, if it means anything I have offered once or twice privately without solicitation and been politely and gratefully turned down.
Have done, small board 100 or so members, one of whom was a gal who was having a baby, the admin passed the hat around and raised around 200 (I think it was £sterling), and ordered something for the mum, not the baby, online. Only the company went tits up, no gift and no refund of money. The Admin took 200 quid out of her bank account and sent it to the mum’n’baby.
No, I wouldn’t money to another Doper. I would never give money to any anonymous stranger on the internet. Unless it’s someone I personally know, or a registered charity, no one gets cash from me.
I have sent Dopers items (that have little inherent value) if I had them to give, did not need them myself, and they could be useful to that person.
And I’m sure you only did it after confirming that the person in need swore allegiance to your God and the GOP forever and ever amen.
I have and I likely will again. I’ve donated for spay/neutering and some other animal health issues.
I don’t know anyone on here well enough to feel comfortable with donating money yet. I have done it once, though, on another forum. I don’t regret it. And I would do it again if I wanted to.
:rolleyes: As a recipient of Bricker’s bounty, I can assure you that your assumption is not true.