Charity Work for the Next 6 Months (HappyRiver fund)

Since a few years ago in Taipei I started pledging 10% of my income to helping others, and as I travel to Taipei again today it seems fitting to renew my pledge. The past couple of years was rough, my investments many down the drain, for a while there was no stable income, poker income was erratic at best and every now and again I would get another unpleasant surprise. However I did my best to continue this pledge but somehow I have a great feeling about 2023. 

Post Odette destruction

10% of my income is a drop in the ocean. I know I can't even make a dent in the world's problems. But my philosophy has been to inspire others with what I do. If I can get others to do the same, then my impact would be compounded. In December 2021, typhoon Rai a.k.a. typhoon Odette hit the Philippines and brought destruction along it's way. Over 400 people perished during the ordeal, countless homes and buildings destroyed. Amongst the destruction was the Word of Faith Christian Church on Siargao Island. My good friend Pedro whom I've worked with in Cambodia reached out and I started getting involved in the rebuilding process even though just tiny donations here and there. But I felt this was a great project, as I hope it would inspire the entire church to pay it forward to people around them. 

Imagine if this happened to your home

I've always said this, giving money is the easy way out. Watching them rebuild the church brick by brick, women and children helping out by serving food to the builders, everyone coming together as a community, offering their time and care, that's the essence of giving. I'm blessed to be in the poker industry, flexible hours, no nagging bosses or whiny customers, lots of time with loved ones. To give back a little to people in less fortunate positions than I seems a fair exchange to me. When I was in Morocco, even giving as little as €0.50 meant the difference of a few meals or starving in the cold. Whilst we are trying to save for a new phone, car, house, there are people just fighting to live another day. 

Give to one, you change a life. Inspire one, you change many lives

You might say, why rebuild a church when the money can be used to feed the hungry, rebuild homes, build a school, etc. There are so many needs, but only this much money. My hope is that every Sunday as the church gathers, they will be reminded to bless others in their paths. I can't be fighting every fire, saving every life. But if I can get one more person inspired, then I would have done the work of two. 

For the upcoming 6 months, I will pledge a minimum of $3000 for this church. In past fundraising efforts, my friend Jonathan and his poker buddies joined in as well. If you are inspired and would like to join in, please contact me at happyriverpoker@gmail.com otherwise, do something that you're passionate about. Offer your time, care, kind words, smiles, hugs, energy, effort or money to help someone less fortunate. Put yourself in their shoes, and think of how you would wish for someone's help. And to tell you my secret, the more you give, the more you get - to give.