The first time helping a kid out
I have played paintball for a long time and I always try to help people out and be friendly at the field. But last year I was playing rec play on a Saturday when I noticed a group of 3 kids playing all day. 2 of them had their own equipment and guns. The last kid was using a rental marker. Once I realized that, I offered the kid one of my spare Emeks to use for a few games. He really appreciated it and played with it until he left for the day with is friends.
A few weeks later I saw him again with the rental gun. I decided to help the kid out. I had a few Tippmann Cronus' from a field I helped start for foster kids. They weren't brand new or the best, but they did work. I went home that week and got the Tippmann together and ready to go. I went again the next week...and he wasn't there! I went a few more times always bringing the Cronus with me in case I ran into him again. It didn't take long and I saw him. He was there with a Ion. Wait what? Yeah his uncle had let him have his old Ion. I did remember him saying he was going to get some hand me down equipment but I hadn't seen it up until then.
That day I didn't say anything about the Cronus thinking I would find another kid that might need it. But as luck would have it, the Ion started having problems. I saw him struggling with it and decided it was time. I told him I had brought the Cronus for him if he wanted it. I gave it to him with no strings attached. It was fully his. If he wanted to trade up or sell it to get something better, it was up to him. I just really wanted him to enjoy playing. He came for several more months with the Cronus and he loved it. One week he showed up with a Mini. He had been able to sell and trade the Cronus and Ion for a mini. To this day he still plays and has that mini. So it's pretty easy to help a kid along if you are willing and patient.