Bobby shared his latest Giving Tuesday efforts, explaining that he spends Tuesdays going through direct messages from listeners looking for help. Things all began as a way to change his relationship with social media. Instead of focusing on negative comments and messages, he wanted to find opportunities to help people.
He has developed a few personal rules for the process, including avoiding requests involving several thousand dollars because those situations leave him more vulnerable to scams. He also prefers requests that clearly explain the need and include an easy way to send money. This week, he helped listeners with a variety of situations. One came from a retired listener recovering from emergency quadruple bypass surgery who was struggling with hospital expenses, so he contributed toward the medical bill. Another message came from a family whose Chiweenie had been attacked by a stray dog. The family had already paid the emergency veterinary bill but could no longer afford their upcoming electric bill, so Bobby paid the electricity bill for them to catch up financially.
Bobby also helped cover the cost of a pickleball camp for a 10-year-old girl, which Lunchbox questioned whether camp should qualify for assistance, calling it a luxury expense. Amy disagreed and pointed out that camps provide opportunities, training and experiences that some families cannot otherwise afford. Bobby shared that he attended church camp only because others sponsored him as a child, which influenced his decision to help. Another recipient was a 35-year-old listener who needed help paying for a dental procedure after reaching the limits of dental insurance coverage. Bobby sent money to help cover the remaining balance. Lunchbox didn't understand insurance limitations, while Amy and Eddie explained that dental insurance often works differently than standard health insurance. Bobby also bought a pair of shoes for a 12-year-old boy. Lunchbox again questioned the purchase, calling the shoes a luxury item, while Bobby said he simply responded to the family's request.
Not every act of giving involved money. Bobby received a message from a DJ who had been hired to work an event for real estate agents and wanted help coming up with a few realtor-friendly jokes. Bobby wrote several jokes for him, including jokes about realtors making small homes sound impressive, highlighting a house's "natural light" even if it was on fire, and describing a damaged house as perfect for someone's budget.
Lunchbox shared that listeners had begun sending him requests for financial help as well. He requested that people should stop messaging him because he was not participating in Giving Tuesday. Eddie added that he had received similar messages, including some that appeared to be copied and pasted from requests originally intended for Bobby. Bobby noted that the project has brought some negativity. Some people become upset when they do not receive help after reaching out. Despite that, he plans to continue Giving Tuesday for at least another week and encouraged listeners to send requests through his personal social media direct messages.