AAPK Let's give this kid a lift !

[philco]

I just recieved a PM from one our members, Joe Dirt, regarding a young neighbor of his who has a debilitating disease. Joe explains the situation far better than I can so I'm sharing his PM with you below.

I want to encourage any and all of you who will to pick a knife out of your roll and send it to this kid. Sounds to me like he's a prime candidate for a little AAPK love.

Who's in ?


Phil






My next door neighbor, 15 yr old Devin Foster, suffers from one of the most devastating diseases ever. He has sickle cell
anemia - diagnosed at birth. I have watched this young man grow from a toddler to a teenager over the past 12 years. I have
shared the smiles and shed the tears along side 2 siblings and his parents; Terra & James Foster. I am told this is a VERY
painful disease and there are 5 levels of it. Devin is at level 4.
The medications and side affects have taken there toll - he has no apatite and can not participate in many sports. This is VERY rough on a young man "coming of age."

O.K., now for the story of how this relates to our shared passion of the sharp pointy stuff.

A friend of mine, Mike Jackson - aka "Chick", was helping me finish my basement for "the man cave." Before we even had the Sheetrock
hung, he asked me if I would consider renting it out to him. I said "sure, why not." He finished the entire basement for me in exchange
for free rent.
After living here for a couple years, he had become good friends with our neighbor and Devin's dad, James. Mike eventually moved
out but my man cave remains as an apartment.
Not too long ago, Mike and James ran into one another at the local pub. James had mentioned to Mike about Devin's interest in pocket
knives! Mike, in return, mentioned that he (James) had a very close neighbor that was a collector and also customized knives too!!
I had made a Case sod for another friend of Mike's that just happened to be in the bar that night and had the knife in his pocket!
(small world, huh!)

Recently, James came over to borrow a tool. He noticed my coffee table knife display and got quite excited! I had no clue of his
and Mikes previous conversation... I didn't know why he was so tickled??? He preceded to tell me about Devin's interest and what
Mike had told him, but not knowing the full depth of what I actually had! James asked me if I would mentor Devin into the hobby -
get him started off on the right foot. And of course I was eagerly willing.
A few days later I saw Devin outside and asked him to come in for a minute. Man Oh Man, wish you could have seen that kids eyes
light-up as I took out briefcase after briefcase - roll after roll! I think he nearly crapped his pants!!!
(James had once told me "any day you see that boy smiling is a GOOD day...")
A 4 letter word slipped from his mouth... "Case." I'm not on THAT band wagon, but did have several examples to show him.

I am now in the process of making him a custom Sod Jr.

Sooooo Phil, I have NO organizational skills as how to go about starting something like I would like to do for this young man. And I
mean NULL!!

I have witnessed MANY a kind gesture here at AAPK, and have also been on both ends of them. Some of THE BEST folks ever encountered.

What do ya think, Phil? Not looking for monetary donations - more along the lines of knives and books for a beginner - and advice...
mentoring from some of the best in the world!

I talked to James today and he was humbled at the notion of this. Devin has his dad's permission, since he is still a minor, to start
collecting. I have given him a handful of stuff with descriptions and dates already to give him start.
Still, I think it best to address anything to James Foster, in care of Devin Foster... example:

James Foster
c/o Devin Foster
12 Laurel Rd.
Arden, NC 28704

Sure appreciate any help you could possibly give me in starting something like this, Phil! And by all means, PLEASE forward this to
ANYONE with ability to help set-up this type of thing.

May God Bless Devin and his family. There forever in my prayers.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and may God Bless you too.

Your friend,
.... Joe

_________________
I've got a camouflage knife, but I can't find it.......







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[Paladin]

Sign me up! I'll get something out in the mail tomorrow.

Ray

[johnny twoshoes]

I'm in like Flynn!!!
Sounds like a great cause and I love seeing someone get a knife.

[cbnutt]

I think ill go to the case knife store after work tomorow and see what i can find for this .

[MrBlister]

I was JUST seeking something to DO with some of my
knife books, knife sleeves, cheap knives, and "stuff"...
Well,, and uuh,,, AND a couple of CHRISTian CD;s... **wink


Will make these thangs leave TEXAS tommorrow..
May GOD bless this child.. ...................


hey !! he JUST DID !!

[zp4ja]

Honored to take part . I'd do it even if the little man didn't utter my favorite four letter word, Case.
Jerry

[Phin Spencer]

Just looking and I have a 6235 1/2 10 dot, been sharpened and buffed,
scales no problem and snap great.
Where do I send it!
Phin

[Joe Dirt]

WoW folks!! What a fast response!

Y'all are the BEST!!!!

Thank each and everyone of ya!
Here's Dev's address:

James Foster
c/o Devin Foster
12 Laurel Rd.
Arden, NC 28704


..... Joe

[big monk]

I'll get a package headed to North Carolina,this morning______________Monk

[tank]

Wonderful cause. I'll fix him up with a couple. Kudos Joe.

[tjmurphy]

Do you have to be a "collector" or can an "accumulator" play to? Will get something in the mail today. Sounds like a good reason to get out of the house today. I really enjoy "paying forward". Joe/Phil thanks for the opportunity.

[whit107]

I absolutly insist that this boy have a BOKER in that collection. Got jus the one for him. Will mail it out tomorrow.

[TripleF]

I will send something.
So, so, so, sad to hear about this young man's health...

[glennbad]

This is a cause I can get behind! But what to do???

Great idea Joe!

Glenn

[rigwelder]

This is a great thing to do.
I will put him something in the mail this morning.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Count me in.
Charlie Noyes

[WelderBob]

Count Missouri in on this one.

Bob

[DRM60]

I like this idea a lot!!! Will find something out of my collection to send to Devon.

Did you give him the web address for AAPK? He wouldn't be able to find a better place to learn about his hobby than here!!!

[MrBlister]

MEDIUM SIZE flat rate box left TX this morn...
God Bless devin

[cbnutt]

Picked up a little Case 059L SS Buckhorn lockback, feather lite and nice to carry, ill get it mailed out.

[Willy]

He will be getting a couple for his collection from Arizona..

[poqiuo]

Ralph and Barb on our boat

We'd like to donate a knife to the young man with anemia. Please go to ditwtexas.org and send me the information
to make sure he gets it. I have a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities. We try to improve their quality of life
by hosting free adapted sports programs. This will be the first time we've every sent a knife...but there's a first time
for everything. We look forward to hearing from you.

[blademaker]

Joe....Phil..and all.....dis da best place in the world...smiles are in the mail...!



Craig

[bonehead]

Oh yeah,

I'm game will send out something nice in the morning BH

[Joe Dirt]

UNBELIEVABLE!
What a great community of folks here at AAPK!

So many thanks to each and every one of ya!

Looks like I will be building another display case or two for Devin - just for
all the contributions from YOU!

Poqiou, what a wonderful site you have - a VERY WORTHY CAUSE indeed!
I sent you Devin's contact info. through your site. Thank you and welcome aboard
the "Friendliest Site On The Web."

Now now now TJ, you ARE a collector an you know it. Don't try an deny it...
An accumulation is that dog hair over in that corner.
See it? ... now go clean it up before the misses gets home!


Devin is going to be in for a shock of his life due to you guys!
Definitely gonna get him to check-out AAPK and hopefully join us.
May God Bless you guys!

..... Joe