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.

[Kirk G]

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!)

I've heard of rock stations playing Rain related songs like REO Speedwagon's Ridin the Storm Out, Elvis' In the Gheto, Here comes that Rainy Day Feeling again, Rainy Days and Monday by the Carpenters, My Love is Like a Hurricane, and suggesting that each time one of these songs airs, that Listeners donate a dollar....

But I was wondering if the classic Marvel Comic "Heroes Against Hunger" should be reprinted with funds raised donated to the Red Cross Dissaster Relief fund... Can we suggest or ask Marvel to consider it, or something similar? Didn't they put out some books on Heroes after 911 to help raise funds? I bought one.

[Kirk G]

My place of employment has raised over $75,000 for the American Red Cross in donations since 6am today, and our fund-raiser goal has been boosted up to $100,000 which we hope to get by 11pm tonight.

Volunteers with American Red Cross documentation (badges, buckets, jackets) will be passing through highschool football games tonight asking for donations and there is a good chance that the winners of the 50/50 drawings may turn around and issue a challenge to the football crowd to match doller for dollar their donations.... effectively doubling their winning to send 100% of the winnings to the Hurricane Relief efforts.

On a personal note, if you can write a good check to help the Disaster Relief Fund, please do. Take it or mail it to your local American Red Cross office in your town or county.

Thank you! :o

Edit: We finished the night with more than 106-thousand dollars raised so far!