I’m pretty sure that every retail operation has been asked to contribute to this cause or that one. Whether it be Wounded Warriors and other veteran organizations or community groups like the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, our local communities depend on support from us.
Bad Billy has been participating in charity work even before we were open for business! The San Antonio Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team Patrick Castro contacted us last summer about helping out. We proudly put together one of our Professional Sets in the form of a gift basket for their live auction event held in September of 2015. Although we never received a thank you from them, nor how much our contribution raised, we are still happy that we did it.
This past fall we heard from our bearded buddies at the North Texas Beard Alliance. They were running a beard contest to support the Tarrant Area Food Bank and Wise Hope Shelter & Crisis Center. Even though we are located way down in South Texas, we were proud to help out with a Professional Set of Bad Billy Beard products. And yes, they DID say thanks!
We’ve been thinking about what we wish to do in the future. How can we support causes that are important? We are a very small, home-based, mom & pop company so we don’t have a lot of ready cash to throw around.
We’ve reached the conclusion that with the thousands and thousands of charities and groups looking for assistance we are going to support only those that we have a personal connection with. As a strong Second Amendment supporter, I believe one of our selections should be the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action. This is the arm of the NRA actively involved in a local, state and national lobbying effort to protect and secure our rights as outlined in the constitution. They truly are the sharp point of the spear.
Another organization that is worthy of our consideration is the American Tinnitus Association. Not many know that the #1 injury suffered by our troops is tinnitus. This can be minor or debilitating. More than 20% of the population suffers from this condition. Of the 20%, nearly all are men. Tinnitus has been my “companion” for over 25 years. The ringing in my ears never stops and there is no cure…yet. That is what the ATA is all about. Trying to find a cure and we want to support them as best we can.
We also want to support the National Movember Foundation. This organization is dedicated to finding cures for prostate and testicular cancer as well as other diseases unique to men. Although their fundraising efforts culminated every November with men across the world growing mustaches and raising funds, their efforts are continuous and ongoing.
Other organizations may get our attention if the effort is reciprocal. We’ll give gift baskets, etc. only if we receive recognition. After all we ARE a business and charity must begin at home. If we can see a benefit coming back to Bad Billy Beard Company then we’re aboard!
There you have, this is how we roll at Bad Billy…LET BAD BILLY GET YOUR GOAT!!