Hurricane Katrina: should CBR as a community do something to help?

[Buried Alien]

We've seen the misery that Hurricane Katrina has caused for the unfortunate people of the Gulf Coast states. I'm sure many of our members have already taken steps to help out in whatever way they can.

Does anyone have any ideas on things we can do collectively to help the victims of the storm?


Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[BlairH]

Is there any way to set up a paypal type donation system?

[Buried Alien]

There probably is, but I'm no expert there. Anybody have experience with that kind of arrangement?

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Tom]

I can't remember the details but wasn't there some sort of charity-based thingamabob here on the Comm Board a couple years back and the poster in charge absconded with the money? I seem to recall howy mentioning something about it.

I think it's best to just encourage individual posters to donate to the Red Cross and other organizations rather than try and set something up here.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Sounds like a good idea. Unfortunately, I already donated half my paycheck to the Red Cross this morning.

[Dreadstar]

I can't remember the details but wasn't there some sort of charity-based thingamabob here on the Comm Board a couple years back and the poster in charge absconded with the money? I seem to recall howy mentioning something about it.

I think it's best to just encourage individual posters to donate to the Red Cross and other organizations rather than try and set something up here.

I do believe that is correct.

[StoneGold]

http://www.redcross.org/

[Justin D.]

I know that many blogs are donating money to Red Cross in amounts of $100.01, $50.01, $20.01 and so on. Basically, the $.01 represents the blog community's part in donating.

Currently, we have 11,787 members. If we can get a third of them to donate $5 each, that's almost $20,000 dollars. I can probably help arrange it so that a payment goes through to a specific Coastal Red Cross center. However, Red Cross has a special Hurricane Katrina relief fund (https://secure2.convio.net/arc/site/Donation?ACTION=SHOW_DONATION_OPTIONS&CAMPAIGN_ID=1141) set up already for anyone who wants to donate it. A simple anonymous donation is just as good as a group effort sometimes. Putting this thread up as a sticky on all boards asking everyone to put up how much they donate so we can add it all up later might not also be a bad idea. The only other thing I can even think of is a direct deposit into someone's personal bank account through Paypal and then one mass donation in CBR's name.

[Buried Alien]

IPutting this thread up as a sticky on all boards asking everyone to put up how much they donate so we can add it all up later might not also be a bad idea.

I'm on it, Justin.

You take care out there. Best wishes to your family.



Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Dreadstar]

Putting this thread up as a sticky on all boards asking everyone to put up how much they donate so we can add it all up later might not also be a bad idea.

Justin, your heart's in a great place, and I know you're a lot closer to the situation than I can imagine, but no thanks.

How much or even *if* I donated is my business and mine alone.

The only other thing I can even think of is a direct deposit into someone's personal bank account through Paypal and then one mass donation in CBR's name.

I don't know who I'd trust, really.

[Tom]

I have to agree with Dread. Unless we can figure out a way to get a third party to collect the money, I really don't think this is a good idea and could in fact leave Jonah liable.

[Huh?]

We have pretty honest posters here, and we all seem to like games a lot. We could ask people to participate in some type of pledge game where for every question answered correctly, all those that have pledged give like .50 per question. Then, we pick one of the foundations and everyone makes a donation in the name of CBR for the amount that is owed based on the pledge. It could even be like 10 cents per question answered correctly.

So, basically, those participating will agree to contribute based on the number of questions answered over a set period of time.

It could be like trivia on New Orleans, Hurricanes, Missisipi etc. I don't know how easy it would be to organize, but it is an idea. It also doesn't have to happen immediately, as money will be needed more sorely in the coming weeks.

Just an Idea.

[ocelotrevs]

But like, ain't there other organisations that can collect money
The Red Cross has been mentioned, and I'm sure that a relief fund will be set up

I can't remember the details but wasn't there some sort of charity-based thingamabob here on the Comm Board a couple years back and the poster in charge absconded with the money? I seem to recall howy mentioning something about it.


And you know what they say, once bitten twice smitten

Another thing that could come about a oneupmanship, with it becoming a competition too see who can donate the most

(thought I posted it already)

[Justin D.]

Another thing that could come about a oneupmanship, with it becoming a competition too see who can donate the most

And that would be a bad thing how?

[ocelotrevs]

And that would be a bad thing how?
Not everyone has loads too give do they
And my personal opinion is that if you do donate, you don't go about shouting about it, like you're some hero

[Nate C.]

I'd like to offer a suggestion that splits the difference between Dread and Justin's ideas.

1. Keep the donations singular and direct to Red Cross, thus freeing up the money quicker, and leaving CBR directly not responsible (i.e. Tom's mention of liability.)

2. Do post the individual donations as posters on a thread stickied here because of the positive nature of competition and peer pressure. More people are likely to give if they think they'll be seen and/or because they are "in the running" with friends/enemies.

(there's a pragmatic reason the offering plate gets "passed" in full view in churches. :) )

So my suggestion- dig deep, dig individually, but boast publicly on a stickied thread on CBR (or keep it to yourself, and we won't assume you didn't give too.)

Nate.

[Buried Alien]

And my personal opinion is that if you do donate, you don't go about shouting about it, like you're some hero

Reasonable enough, but who is doing this? :confused:

And really, in light of what's going on in the Gulf states, most of us could care less why people are donating as long as they're donating. The bottom line is that people who need help get help. Nothing else is important now.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Emerald Ghost]

What if I am broke and can barely afford to take care of my family? I'm not a rich man. I feed badly about not being able to donate as much as others. Perhaps I will go over my bills and see if there is something I can put off to free up some cash.