Jobless gather for ‘Unemployment Olympics’

You know what you are supposed to do when life hands you lemons… these guys made some fun lemonade.

Who hasn’t secretly wished he could pin the blame on his boss? Or slam office equipment against the pavement? Dozens of unemployed people got the chance to do exactly that during the tongue-in-cheek Unemployment Olympics.

In a twist on the classic game Pin the Tail on the Donkey, participants pulled a hat over their eyes and spun around before using a pushpin to attempt to Pin the Blame on the Boss.

The Manhattan event, organized by a laid-off computer programmer, was decidedly low-tech, with most games arranged with the help of cardboard, children’s paint and chalk.

Competitors also played a game of Office-Phone Skee-Ball, hurling a black phone toward chalk goal marks on the pavement. A group of schoolchildren from nearby cheered them on.

Prizes were offered by merchants from the surrounding Lower East Side neighborhood.

Nick McGlynn was among those who lined up at Tompkins Square Park in front of a cardboard hutch labeled with bright green paint as the Unemployment Office, where participants were required to show proof they had lost their jobs. The 26-year-old, who worked with video for Gawker Media until he was let go in November, said he was thrilled to have something to do besides searching the Internet and updating his blog.

The gaiety of the event was enough to make Maria Tapia smile, a welcome relief from the anxiety that accompanied her layoff in January from a job as a finance executive’s personal assistant.

“I never knew that I wanted a job this bad until I didn’t have a job,” Tapia said.

But at least at these simple games, “people are trying to look at it in a positive way,” she said.

Read more: Jobless gather for ‘Unemployment Olympics’ in NYC

Unemployed truck driver wins lottery [Video]

Maryland Lottery officials say an unemployed truck driver from who has been laid off twice since November has won $1.2 million.

47-year-old Bryan Boushell was on his way to recycle aluminum cans to raise gas money when he stopped by a convenience store and spent $3 on what proved to be a fateful investment.

“There was a customer and I was telling him I was the one who sold the ticket,” said Syed Wahid, a convenience store clerk. “And he said, ‘That’s me!’ And I said, ‘Are you serious?’”

Boushell says the first call he made was to his wife, Donna. She says when she realized how much they had won, she began to cry.

“Went out to my truck and got the ticket and checked it and like one of those people you see on game shows — bouncing off the walls,” said Boushell.

Still, Boushell says he’s eager to get back to work. “I want to get back in a truck. I’m more happy in a truck,” he said.

They plan to take the $750,000 cash option and will end up with about $500,000 after taxes.

Read more and watch this story: Local Unemployed Truck Driver Elated After Jackpot Win

“Free Garage Sale” [Video]

Thanks to a reader for bringing this story to my attention. It may be something you can do in your community.

Before this week, Wilma Jenkins never heard of a free garage sale.

“Well that’s an oxymoron, you’ve got free and sale in the same sentence,“ Jenkins said.

Saturday, Jenkins will be part of one. The Bethel Christian Church member has spent the last couple of days collecting furniture, clothes, and even appliances for Saturday’s event.

“We have a dishwasher, a stove, a washing machine,“ Jenkins said.

“So many people are out of work and they’re needing things and a lot of us, we can’t give money, but we can give our time and help in other ways,“ Jenkins said.

The church may not be asking for money, but members are asking vendors and people looking for good deals to skip their garage sale. They say it is only for people in need.

Watch that story: Leave Your Money At Home:  Jonesborough Church To Hold “Free Garage Sale” Saturday

Jeweler gives bracelets to unemployed [Video]

I am a little late on this one, but it was just brought to my attention. This business owner deserves a pat on the back for giving a little peace of mind to people in his community.

Prisha Muzyka said she’s a victim of the recession. She said she has lost her job and her house.

“I lost it in October and have not found work since,” Muzyka said.

Stan Shelley owns Shelley’s Jewelry in Hendersonville.

 

He said he decided to give away Sterling silver heart bracelets to the first 50 people who came in who have lost their job or their home.

 

“I figured if they lost their job, they’re not going to have a Valentine’s gift,” Shelley said. “If they’re a man, they’re not going to buy one. If they’re a lady, they’re not going to get one. So we’re providing a Valentine’s gift for those people.”

One little boy was 9 years old,” Shelley said. “He had his grandmother bring him in so he could get the bracelet for his mother who’s out of work.”

Read more and see that story: Local Jeweler Gives Bracelets To Unemployed

Photo: Flickr user  karaku*