AFriendInNeed

May 30th 2008
Hello,
Instead of investing in a scam, how about investing one dollar (that’s right, just one dollar!) in something wonderful!

Have you read the scam “Make $30,000 in one month!”?
Have you seen the “100% guaranteed money maker!” one?

Heard those words before? Seen the ads? Well I have a different “slogan” for you today. How about the old saying, “A friend in need, is a friend indeed?” Well I am a friend in need. By helping me you can help others and you can help yourself!

About eight months ago, the housing market around here took a nose dive and my family and I found ourselves struggling to pay bills. My husband, a hard working man, just couldn’t make the type of money he was making previously in the housing field. After looking at countless options, I had almost given up. I thought, “Why, has this happened to us? Are we going to lose our home? Will our daughter be able to go to college? Will we have enough to eat?”

Formerly a stay at home mom, I had to go out and find a job. It was tough, but I did it. But the economy continued to deteriorate and my husband’s salary just continued going down and down. I spent countless hours on the internet trying to find ways to make extra money. I came across an article entitled “Make $50,000 in 30 days on the Internet. Proven on the Oprah show.” I thought, “Well jeez, it sounds way too good to be true, but it says OPRAH!!!! I loved watching OPRAH when I was home and the investment was only $10.00. What did I have to lose? Well turns out, a lot! Things like a clear conscience, the ability to sleep at night, the ability to look myself in the mirror!

The article, in a nutshell, instructed people to send $5.00 to the PayPal accounts of two people on a list (and then add YOUR OWN name and PayPal account to the list.) Basically, those two people would then send the list to other people and those people would send you $5.00, and on and on and on. Eventually, you would make a lot of money.

I thought and thought about it. It just seemed too good to be true and somehow it seemed wrong. I kept thinking “scam!” But the investment was so low and I was desperate. I was within seconds of posting the list when it finally hit me. “What am I doing?” “Am I really about to try this? To scam a bunch of people? To get their hopes up high and promise them more money than I make in a year, in just 30 days? Can I really do it? Thankfully, my conscience stepped in. “No way,” I said to my husband. “I just can’t. I can’t do something wrong just to make extra money. I’d rather come right out and ASK for the money! ASK for help! I’d rather ASK for a handout before taking someone’s hard earned income.” As they say, the rest is history! That’s how the “Friend in Need, Is a Friend Indeed” project started!

So, instead of making some phony claim about “$50,000 in 30 days” that I can’t prove, I’m going to give it to you straight. I am asking you to send me $1.00. That’s it. Just $1.00. For doing so, you will get back nothing tangible in return. You will basically have donated a one dollar bill to a total stranger. However, you will get the following:

1.) The assurance that you have helped a friend in need.
2.) The happiness that comes from doing something good today.
3.) A warm, fuzzy, feeling inside, knowing you’ve made it possible for my family to eat a decent meal; to sleep in a comfortable bed; to save for our daughter’s education. Basically, to pay our bills.

That’s it! You won’t get a dime in return! Although I would say that what you DO get, is priceless.

Now don’t get me wrong! I must do a few things too! I can’t just “take” and not “give back.” For every one dollar bill I get, I must donate half to another “friend in need” and that “friend in need” must agree to donate half of what she gets, to another “friend in need.” Get the picture? Pay It Forward! People Helping People!

My husband says I won’t get a dime. My mother in law thinks I’m nuts. My children just laugh. Will you help me prove them wrong? Will you help me prove that goodness still exists in human hearts? That kindness is the best quality anyone can possess. That helping each other is what humanity is all about? I can’t guarantee you’ll make $30,000 in one month. Nope. But I can guarantee that if you send me $1.00, it will be the best $1.00 you’ll ever spend.

Thank you and God Bless.
A Friend In Need, Is a Friend Indeed Project “FIN/FIP” Founder,
Nora Weber
You can send your $1.00 donation to A Friend In Need Project, c/o Nora Weber at:
P.O. Box 489
3434 W. Anthem Way # 118
Anthem, Arizona, 85086.
Or, you may send in your $1.00 donation through PayPal. Just go to www.paypal.com and enter email address afriendinneed@cox.net in the “send money to” prompt. You can supply your name or choose to remain anonymous.
My dream is to some day have an FIN/FIP office where people can “give AND receive” in person!

P.S. If you’d like to know how the project is coming along, please send me an email at afriendinneed@cox.net with the words “Progress Report?” in the subject line and I will send you an email with the latest (hopefully!) good news.