2012 Most Demonstrative BOTL Act

[ChiefHava]

The Brotherhood of the Leaf has always meant a lot to me

http://havacigar.blogspot.com/2009/02/brotherhood-of-leaf.html?m=1

I'd be interested to hear from you guys about a specific act that demonstrated BotL this year for you.

I will share mine...

I've known this dude for years, but he didn't really know me. Out of nowhere I decided to start a business in direct competition with a business he has spent decades building. Instead of the typical competitive response this dude reached out to me like he was an old friend. He offered his knowledge, experience and advice expecting absolutely nothing in return. He has housed me, fed me and vouched for me when I was in a really tough spot. He even spent a full day with me and my snot rag even though he is so germphobic its clinical. I've seen this dude work himself to exhaustion giving himself to others.....for me, there is no better example of a BotL than Jon Drew and that is the fucking gospel.



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[AussieMitch]

No doubt. JD,Saka and the crew at Drew Estate are super generous. They're rather active on the forum too. Good call Skip.

 

[Craig Mac]

This right here: A Little Thank You

I was blown away by what so many people here did, many of which I had never had any interaction with. I still am taken back by the generosity that was shown. I wouldn't be where I am today after that experience if it weren't for the amazing people in my life and the selfless acts of many, many great BOTL's.

 

[Fox06WRX]

This right here: A Little Thank You

I was blown away by what so many people here did, many of which I had never had any interaction with. I still am taken back by the generosity that was shown. I wouldn't be where I am today after that experience if it weren't for the amazing people in my life and the selfless acts of many, many great BOTL's.

Wow, I joined here after that but, that really gives an idea of how supportive this group is. Simply reading through that thread made me tear up a little. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Alwayslit]

Nice stories

 

[pbibby]

To me it was recently when a brother was hurting financially and was looking for suggestions of cheap smokes. Well instead of getting names of cheap smokes, numerous brothers bombed the heck out of him with plenty of smokes to get him through the tough times.

That to me is what this place is all about!

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[BradMc]

In the 8 years I have been with this group, The BOTL have always come through. This is the most giving group I have ever seen.....
Thanks to All the Brother here..........:thumbsup:

 

[javajunkie]

skip, cool as hell the way JD looked out for you.

craig, THANK YOU for having a quiet new year, and glad to see you putting it all back together again!

for myself: i work 55hrs on a good week, an alchoholic managing a liquor store. masochistic, right? every time i get beat down, i pull something i have traded or been bombed, and the little band i made just reminds me of good people i have yet to meet looking out for me. nothing big, just a TON of thankfulness in little one our increments. and thanks to all y'all who let me smoke out of their stash and help keep me sane. ish. o)

 

[Jonathan Drew]

Skip,

Let me say thank you, Brother. What you wrote really means a lot to me. Spending time with you is always a pleasure, even when you are full of dripping, uzing snots - and got me sick for the first time in like three years. In all seriousness, you have been one of the "new" manufacturers that have impressed me the most since Pete and Dion, and I will tell you why ...

You speak truth. Even more than the HUGE respect I have for you as a cigar manufacturer, you speak the fuckin truth. You make your cigars in Esteli in your little boutique factory, and really use quality materials and don't lie about what material you use or how old it is an nonsense ... your word is bond and you would rather take a beating from Jessi than lie or steal or cheat anybody. You speak truth, Bro.

When I spoke to the Oliva Growing Family and told them that I guarantee your payments, I did that because I respect your grind. Yeah, its true that anybody who knows me understands my deep respect for Orlando Padron, EPC, Carlito, Pepin, etc - but I also respect dudes who bring it live and who make positive changes to the biz without looking to hurt any of the established guard. I'm going to tell you why I did that for you, Skip ... When I came to Nica and burned through my cash in pocket, I almost had to go home. Other than Kiki Berger helping me in huge ways, this old woman who owned a restaurant called EL CONFIANZA in Central on Main Street ... well, this old woman felt bad for me cause she saw me cutting back on my food and she knew that I was running out of money to continue. That old woman let me eat in Confianza for two years, bro. She didnt ask me for one nickle for two years. She helped me. She did it for no reason. I never asked. She just did it.

That woman, and many others have taught this once young brother, me, to respect and help people who are doing the right things and who are passionate about their given talent. I like your style, HomeGrizzle, and want to see you break the boundaries like Dion, Pete, Myslelf, Carlito, and EPC and some others. I believe in you and believe that your talent is outweighed by your empathy and kindness and truth meter.

So, without being all mushy and shit, bro. Keep pushing and never look back, except when you are looking in the mirror. When you look in that mirror, and say damn, bro, "Ima push today even harder than I pushed yesterday", take a look back and take a step back and check yourself, Hommie.

"KEEP IT REAL" - ODB

Best,
Dizzle

 

[mwlabel]

Very cool story about JD :thumbsup:

The overwhelming support is something I constantly admire about this place.

 

[Treinenwj]

Wow, Mr. Drew. I had respect for you before, but it's SO much greater after reading your post. Class-act, sir!

 

[MoJo]

The comradery amongst cigar smokers is just as good, if not better than the cigars themselves and it's a wonderful thing when the business end of the cigar industry understands that. Thanks for sharing the stories guys.

 

[tylernim]

So many feels in this thread. I bet there will be plenty more to come too.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Great thread and damn good post JD. That is why I will always support DE is because of the passion you have in your life and that you are just a genuine good dude. I wish I could support DE more with my money, but unfortunately my taste preferences have just moved towards cc's lately (although I still buy DE, just not as much, sorry bro.) I still do enjoy a good Liga and in fact, purposely took out a T52 Flying Pig to smoke as my only New Years Eve cigar last night partly because I wanted to enjoy a Liga, but also to show a little respect to you JD. When you came to Seattle a few months back, you showed why it's easy for people to support people and companies like DE. The same goes to Pete and Dion as you say because the passion comes through, and conversely the lack of passion and business bullshit comes through from the manufacturers that don't give a f*@k.

Being a BOTL to me means that you enjoy sitting down and talking story to someone you normally would have absolutely nothing in common with and enjoy the time spent talking and learning a different perspective in life. Have an open mind and allow the common bond of cigars open your mind and just enjoy someone's company or banter online. A random act of giving when someone is in need, not "bombing" someone secretly expecting a return "bomb."

Aloha and Happy New Year everyone!

 

[ATL]

There is no way to narrow this down to one thing. Shortly after I joined, I entered a raffle to help a brother, had know idea what was going on or what had happened until after it all was done. The generosity was awesome.

Look at how newbs are not just "tolerated" here, or made to feel less than, everyone is respected and given the benefit of the doubt. This truly is a welcoming place where all are respected.

 

[Craig Mac]

That is good shit right there JD!

 

[L8A]

Best and most inspiring thread I have ever read on BOTL. The kindness and selflessness of this group never ceases to amaze me but stories like this and Mac's deal last year make me glad to be here.

 

[W.B.]

I've known this dude for years, but he didn't really know me. Out of nowhere I decided to start a business in direct competition with a business he has spent decades building. Instead of the typical competitive response this dude reached out to me like he was an old friend. He offered his knowledge, experience and advice expecting absolutely nothing in return. He has housed me, fed me and vouched for me when I was in a really tough spot. He even spent a full day with me and my snot rag even though he is so germphobic its clinical. I've seen this dude work himself to exhaustion giving himself to others.....for me, there is no better example of a BotL than Jon Drew and that is the fucking gospel.

This right here: A Little Thank You

I was blown away by what so many people here did, many of which I had never had any interaction with. I still am taken back by the generosity that was shown. I wouldn't be where I am today after that experience if it weren't for the amazing people in my life and the selfless acts of many, many great BOTL's.

To me it was recently when a brother was hurting financially and was looking for suggestions of cheap smokes. Well instead of getting names of cheap smokes, numerous brothers bombed the heck out of him with plenty of smokes to get him through the tough times.

Let me say thank you, Brother. What you wrote really means a lot to me. Spending time with you is always a pleasure, even when you are full of dripping, uzing snots - and got me sick for the first time in like three years. In all seriousness, you have been one of the "new" manufacturers that have impressed me the most since Pete and Dion, and I will tell you why ...

You speak truth. Even more than the HUGE respect I have for you as a cigar manufacturer, you speak the fuckin truth. You make your cigars in Esteli in your little boutique factory, and really use quality materials and don't lie about what material you use or how old it is an nonsense ... your word is bond and you would rather take a beating from Jessi than lie or steal or cheat anybody. You speak truth, Bro.

When I spoke to the Oliva Growing Family and told them that I guarantee your payments, I did that because I respect your grind. Yeah, its true that anybody who knows me understands my deep respect for Orlando Padron, EPC, Carlito, Pepin, etc - but I also respect dudes who bring it live and who make positive changes to the biz without looking to hurt any of the established guard. I'm going to tell you why I did that for you, Skip ... When I came to Nica and burned through my cash in pocket, I almost had to go home. Other than Kiki Berger helping me in huge ways, this old woman who owned a restaurant called EL CONFIANZA in Central on Main Street ... well, this old woman felt bad for me cause she saw me cutting back on my food and she knew that I was running out of money to continue. That old woman let me eat in Confianza for two years, bro. She didnt ask me for one nickle for two years. She helped me. She did it for no reason. I never asked. She just did it.

That woman, and many others have taught this once young brother, me, to respect and help people who are doing the right things and who are passionate about their given talent. I like your style, HomeGrizzle, and want to see you break the boundaries like Dion, Pete, Myslelf, Carlito, and EPC and some others. I believe in you and believe that your talent is outweighed by your empathy and kindness and truth meter.

So, without being all mushy and shit, bro. Keep pushing and never look back, except when you are looking in the mirror. When you look in that mirror, and say damn, bro, "Ima push today even harder than I pushed yesterday", take a look back and take a step back and check yourself, Hommie.

There is no way to narrow this down to one thing. Shortly after I joined, I entered a raffle to help a brother, had know idea what was going on or what had happened until after it all was done. The generosity was awesome.

Look at how newbs are not just "tolerated" here, or made to feel less than, everyone is respected and given the benefit of the doubt. This truly is a welcoming place where all are respected.

These are some prime examples of why BOTL is home to me and consider myself lucky to me a member and call so many here both brothers and friend.

Here's one shown to me personally, I still have so much gratitude towards my brothers and friends for this; and of course many fond memories!

 

[Slidzero]

I haven't been extremely active in this forum until recently and some of that was due to what I had heard through the grapevine about Cigar Forums in general, not anyone in particular. But I can tell you in the less than a month that I have been active I am more than happy with my decision to find out for myself what this forum is all about.

This industry is full of class acts and this forum is no different. I am happy to call myself a member and a donor. I apologize for ever having doubted the genuineness of this forum.

I look forward to being a part of this great community from here on out.


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[Jonathan Drew]

W.B. - what you wrote makes me so proud of Pedro, Jessi and all the DE brothers who been putting in so many years with me. Pedro been with me for 7 years and Jessi like 12. Thankfully, the lawyer got Pedros work visa done and he will be coming to work here in the US for DE so he can take his game one step further. He is a real asset and Im so appreciatiove that you mentioned him and appreciated his good and caring nature.

Aloha - you my brother. I like your style, Hommie. Thank you for your kind words. One thing I got from you during our day together is you a straight up dude, so it means a lot to me ... even if you like smoking those tight ass cuban cigars. hahahahahahaha

Best,
JD