wenmale64

Drought, As a client you can still talk with the staff and administration and give them your thoughts. View this as research and pay it forward. With the approval of the appropriate people, you could write out the proposal and let them read, sign and forward to the company. Grants are very often overlooked because people feel they either don't have the time or don't know how to do exactly what you have inquired about. You now have a bit of insight. Step forward my friend .

Drought, I have never been involved with the grant process directly, but what Carlos said is point on. I was involved with grants being reviewed and authorized for public safety improvement, fire departments specificly. One of my best friends was on the review board that met in DC twice a year to grant millions of (don't kill the messenger) federal dollars to small fire departments around the nation. What he told me was that the applicants that included a short simple description of the needs went much farther than the formal application. Now this was federal money so the formal paperwork had to be there and match the specific requirements for that grant session, IE: safety equipment, communications equipment, public education etc... But the short personal. well writen adders made the choices much easier for him. He wanted to help people, not government. What I am saying is to contact the company and see what, if any, requirements they have. Be honest and friendly and do your best to comply with any specifics they have. Write a short, but specific request with a detailed description of how the money will be spent. Ask how and/or offer to recognise the generosity of the company. Like Carlos said, name part of the facility, newsletters, web pages, simple posters saying THANKS COMPANY XXX for their aid, etc... A small amount of honest action can carry you many miles. Good Luck, and let us know the outcome .

I agree with Gary 100%. I am 8 years younger than him and I remember the way others talked about gay people. My community was exceptionally bad for it and still is. I never had a chance, nor the guts to try. It is painful to watch the actions of the police and others of that time and know that they were encouraged to be that hateful toward another human being.... Very sad. As was said by George Santayana "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." is so very true......

Awesome, uplifting, heartfelt and wonderful story! Geron, you have an ability to simply ease the pains, fears and sadness with your words... You give hope. We live in a diferent time to the one you and I grew up in. Yours was much more friendly than mine and I applaud you for sharing your feelings and allowing those of us who had a sadder time the availability of your hopes and dreams in these stories to smile at the world. Your stories are always welcome in my home as they bring a hopeful light into the world. Please keep putting words to paper (or text to the internet) so we can find solace in your kind and peaceful worlds. Thank You my friend............. Rob

I agree also. Thank you Droughtquake. I started watching the first segment this morning and then got called away. I think I will just let it record and catch it on the weekend.

Wonderful story with a happy feline ending. Makes one wonder if the animals are smarter than the people.....

Val, I'm a little late to the Penguin stories, but this is heartwarming and so special. Kittens are like kids, so innocent, they must be helped when needed. Danny and Sean just followed Pens lead .

Set up the recorder and set it to the highest priority.

Hi G, Reading for the fourth time and it still brings a spark of light and hope to the world . God Speed Geron, and on to morning.............

WOW, let me say that backward WOW. Well my team Brettjust lost in overtime. Fot Brett to use his relationship with Billy as a wepon is simply evil and unacceptable. Dustins actions the same and psyco scarry. Billy needs a break from both and to take a good look into everything. I think I will take a break and consider this also.....

Wonderful story with a fitting ending. The Judge showed great thought and insight for the betterment of the boys, and no way should ice cream ever be used as a punishment... now brocoli is open to debate . While there were times that I wanted to cross the Pacific Ocean and simpley ring your neck over issues with the homophobic grandparents, I really loved your story and want you to know how much I appreciate a story filled with emotion, feeling and turmoil when the ending is happy. Life has way to much hurt in it to allow a story to end that way. GREAT JOB and I hope you will consider the requests of all and think about a sequil and/or spinoff in the future. I had a wonderful time loving and hating the story and look forward to more of your works. Rob

I am sorry, but I have to agree with Roy. It is your story and your demons. I do not think Jamie had to die to complete the story. Your technical skill at telling a story is very good. I hope you the best in your future projects, however, I will not be following your work. I just cannot find any enjoyment in a work of such darkness when it is not required. Sorry.......

Heartfelt, gripping, insightful and wonderful. You put into words what a lot of us feel and are not able to put forth. A candle has been lit and will burn for eternity........................

I agree with Droughtquake, the time is very near for Robbie to be honest with all. It will be very hard to realize that at his age and also to bare the negative things that are sure to come with it (mostly Dons reaction). I really think that Daniel and even Nicola willbe ok with it after the inital shock blows over. I also think this would be a perfect opportunity to invite Rory to the performance and open up to a friend and test the waters. They might be very warm...The other friends will either adjust or show their true colors and then he will know who the friends are. Hiding such a big part of yourself and trying to keep the house of cards standing is very denoralizing over the years---I know. Great chapter and a great continuing story of a part of your life. Please tell us more and let us dream .

This chapter was GREAT. I really loved the conversation Billy was able to have with his father and the honest feelings and sorrow BOTH were able to voice. Brett let loose a lot of very thoughtful insight about the things in the boys world. Bretts thoughts about Dustin really lead me to wonder what is rolling down the road toward us. I, unfortunately, do think there is a big fight headed our way between Billy and Brett. If nothing else about Bretts drug use.... Brett and Dustin having a rumble is simply a given. The only thing about that is what will set it off and who will get hurt... Bretts statements about who knows what about whom is dead on, I think. The parents and close friends are to close not to see the closeness for what it is. Billys mother is the only real wild card in the mix. Is she just so bible bound that she refuses to see the truth or what. Time will also tell this tale. Great work Jeff and keep 'em comming .

Yea, Tye and Ryder seem to be hitting it off very well and with mutual respect for each other. I agree with Droughtquake, ewe, puke breath. Give the kid a toothbrush and mouthwash, followed by some aspirin, a banana and LOTS of water for the hangover . This friendship is looking good. What is the thing with Coach and Mrs. K? I guess we will find out at breakfast in the next chapter... Keep up the great writing KD.

Very wise Drew... She will let you live to see another birthday... Your own .

Happy Birthday Hunter from the Pacific Northwest

Great chapter with a lot of feelings bared. Tyler is a great guy with a very sad past. He seems to be the careing type, but is he a little overloaded considering his own past? We will see. It is actually good to see Ryder rebeling a bit against Coaches demands. It appeard that Coach really does love Ryder, but his way of demanding perfection from his football star, is very entrapping to Ryder. I hope Ryders rebelion and now drinking will be tempered by Tylers grounded friendship. Tyler showed a wonderful careing side by stopping the sexual encounter when he did and recognising that the boose was a driving factor. It is very interesting that a horny teen could actually put the brakes on a situation like that. It really makes me like and respect Tyler. I hope things move forward for both of them and that Ryder and Coach can see each others issues and work togeather as father and son, not coach and player, to mend fences and let the father son relationship grow into one of love and respect. There are bumps in the future roads, I am sure, but I really want to take that trip. Please keep up the good work and tell us more......

Great chapter and some insight into a newer character. I like Tyler so far. He seems to have taken an honest interest in Ryder. He has also opened the door to his past a little so Ryder can see in. The fact that he lives with Dr. D and has been helping Jackson speaks well of him. I do agree with Graeme that the sudden openness Ryder is showing may be leading to a stumble and fall time. I hope not but only time will tell. I am holding hope for Tyler as he seems very truthful and open even agreeing to a meal at coaches house so coach and Mrs. K. can meet him and grill him like a burger . Looking for the next chapter and more great story action....

Sorry guys, I'm still team Brett with reservations... Brett and Dustin both have very simular problems. Both are posessive of Billy. Both are basicly alone and wanting a friend, Billy. Both think the other is the spawn of Satan and out to do Billy harm. Hopefully somewhere along the line everyone will show their true colors, fears and needs and help each other heal the wounds that have been laid open. Time will tell all and maby Joey will find out that three allies beat two religious, spiteful a$$holes . Jeff another great and emotional chapter. Keep them headed our way...

Upset is an understatement!!! However, the end of the chapter made up for it Great story and wonderful character development. Keep it going and we will keep reading.

Alan needs to grow a pair. If he is to meek to stand up and do the right thing, then the boys MIGHT be better off with the bitch. It is beyond time to bring Lisa into the fight. If she won't fight, I bet Alan and Lisas mother will.

My first review of your story and it is GREAT! I have been tearing up a bit/lot in almost every chapter. I think it is wonderful that the guys have figured out their true feelings for each other. It was sad for Liam to loose his dad so suddenly, but to have Wills love and support for him was heart warming. The parents love and support is such a wonderful thing to see. Oliver and Kathrine being suportive is also a great starting place for schoolmates. The coaches and biology teacher also. There will always be a Michael and a Babbett in every crowd... some will activly help, some will activly hate and some will just go with the flow, that is the world we live in. Liams mom is a mama bear on a rampage. Her cubs are her world and Wills dad will be right there to help shread the carcass of the principal. If the school board does not replace him I hope they have VERY deep pockets...... The boys will have interesting times ahead and I look forward to reading about their trials and tribulations as they move forward in their lives. I am a hopless romantic so I do hope they continue to be true to each other and live the good and weather the bad as life moves on.......

Another great chapter Jeff. It seems Billy is slooooowly begining to see forward, very slowly. His Q&A with Bretts mom surely got the wheels turning a bit. It is obvious that Brett will be a huge part of the forgivness and healing process that Billy faces. The unfortunate part is that Dustin and Bretts hatred for each other has yet to really surface in this arena. Both will want to help Billy without the others 'interfearance'. It will be very interesting to see the journey unfold. Keep up the great writing. Looking forward to the next chapter and all it will bring.