1. You can donate to First Book "in honor of" The Hatrack River Forum". Then forward me an e-mail of the receipt and I will add your values to the total.
2. You can send the money to me through paypal (bonniet at eng dot utah dot edu) and I will make one big donation on Dec. 31.
If you want to donate but can't make either of the those options work. Contact me with a proposal.[/qb] Donations of any size are welcome.
I know that there is already a thread on this subject but I'm starting a new one so that I can update the contributed amount.
I have already received $100 in contributions. The problem is, we haven't decided yet where to give the money this year so the first order of business is to select a charity. In the past, we have given to First Book and The Heifer Project. link
The first order of business is to select a charity.
I will accept additional nomination until Wednesday and then we'll vote.
Once we've selected an organization to give to, people can either send money to me through paypal (bonniet at eng dot utah dot edu) or donate directly and dedicate the gift to the Hatrack forum. I'll post more details once we've select a charity for this year.
(Edited to put donation instructions at the top where they are easy to find)
[ December 28, 2006, 07:58 PM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
yay!!!! I'm SO in!
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
I'm pretty excited about this. I like the look of all of the charities, though First Book is something that appeals to me personally. Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
I say First Book, since I didn't give to them last time.
-Bok
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
First Book.
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
I've been waiting for this. Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
I'll go with First Book.
Posted by Tinros (Member # 8328) on :
I vote First Book. It just seems... appropriate.
Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :
I vote First Book Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Kiva, the microloans.
It looks like I'm outnumbered, but still - I love the idea of small loans to help people start businesses.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I like the idea of Kiva, especially since if we do that we would get updates from the business and be able to see how our money is helping a specific person. My question is, what would we do when the loan is repaid? Reloan it to another busienss? Or donate the money to Kica to cover operating expenses?
The question is probably moot, regardlss. Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
I've heard some critics say that for every success via microloans, you get several more who default after taking out several, the latter to pay off the earlier loans. For what it's worth.
Not saying it isn't a worthy goal, or that it doesn't help many people, I'm just not sure I'm willing to support a project that may not have any immediate benefit to those using it.
-Bok
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
I vote for First Book.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
If I had the chance to either feed a family or give them books, there is no question-I'd give them something to eat.
I vote Heifer.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
I vote for Kiva!
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
My vote is for First Book.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
If we're interested in the news of how are contributions are helping, couldn't we sponsor a child (a group of children)? Personally I think there's something false and un-Christian (if that matters to you) about receiving photographs and letters of thanks from 'your child', but I suppose it's a way of showing that an individual contribution doesn't just get sucked up into an impersonal organisation like a molecule of water into a sponge.
That said, sponsoring a child is a monthly-payment process, and we're looking for a one off project...
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
quote:Originally posted by Valentine014: If I had the chance to either feed a family or give them books, there is no question-I'd give them something to eat.
I vote Heifer.
I vote Heifer too, mainly because I was thinking something similar to what Val posted. Besides, I think that it will also have a deeper impact on society since it helps entire communites. If you want to read something, chances are that there can be a library you can go to. I understand that First Book is more appropriate for the site, but I'm trying to make sure my money goes to whatever can use it the most.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
First Book.
Posted by Samarkand (Member # 8379) on :
I know I said it last year, and please don't go off on the "but meat is so tasty, barbecue sauce" schtick, but I really don't like the fact that many of the options in the Heifer Project promote the exploitation and eventual killing of other sentient beings. And quite possibly their mistreatment and abuse along the way. There are other sources of protein, unless we are giving to Inuit tribes or something. Cheaper sources too, it takes a lot of energy to produce a pound of animal protein vs. plant. I also really don't Believe encouraging a dependence on animal protein is sustainable for developing countries, besides the animal welfare half of it. Or the rest of us, given population growth. And living in close proximity to livestock is a great way to get all kinds of fascinating diseases. The Heifer Project is a nice idea, bit . . . wigs me out.
Now, there are also some gifts you can give through the Project that are things like bees (I suppose someone may feel that bees suffer from being kept, but it's always looked fairly mutualistic to me) and you can give trees, and of course sheep and some other critters can be used for wool, or hens for eggs, and maybe get offed in their old age and end up on the dinner plate.
I'm not trying to be overly PC or push my agenda on others. Please take a peek at the article above; I just think humanity has a moral responsibility to care for those weaker than ourselves.
I vote First Book. Who could argue with giving a child a brand new shiny book? Unless it's like Mein Kampf or something (kidding, I kid . . .).
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Samarkand's post nonwithstanding, I vote Heifer.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I vote first book as more people do Heifer and i'm already doing that this sea
Posted by Avadaru (Member # 3026) on :
I don't have any money to spare at this exact moment, but at some point this season I know I can give a little. And I vote First Book. Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I vote Heifer. Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
First Book.
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
Heifer.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I vote for the Kiva thing.
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
First Book. I think it's appropriate given the nature of the forum.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
First Book. Sure, libraries are out there, but kids from low income families aren't the types that can say "Hey Mom, let's go to the library!" and then hop in their minivan and go like my kids can. Most of the nice, shiny libraries are in wealthy suburbs anyway. And there's a big difference to me, in borrowing a book and having one you can call your own.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
That is why I like giving to them,Belle. My kids are so blessed- books ALL OVER the house, plus weekly library trips. Sometimes I tear up when I think of kids not owning their own books.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Right now, FIrst Book is in the clear lead but I'll give people until tomorrow morning to place their votes before I make it final.
Current vote: First Book -- 15, Kiva -- 4, Heifer Project -- 5
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
First Book
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Final Vote Tally: First Book 16, Kiva 4, Heifer Project 5
So its a landslide victory for First Book this year.
There are two ways to participate:
1. You can donate to First Book "in honor of" The Hatrack River Forum". Then forward me an e-mail of the receipt and I will add your values to the total.
2. You can send the money to me through paypal (bonniet at eng dot utah dot edu) and I will make one big donation on Dec. 31.
If you want to donate but can't make either of the those options work. Contact me with a proposal.
Donations of any size are welcome. In past years we have individuals donate over $300 and under a dollar. Please give as much or as little as you feel comfortable giving. This isn't supposed to be about how much anyone person gives. Its about being part of something bigger as a community.
I know that people at hatrack come from all kinds of economic circumstances from starving student to well to do adult and welcome the "widow's mite" along with the larger donations. I honestly don't remember how much any individual has given in the past.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
To add to the ante, I'm matching every donation dollar-for-dollar for the first $300. So even if you can only spare $5, that'll become $10!
It'd be really cool to see if we can break $1000 this year.
-Bok
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Woohoo Bokonon!!
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Donation made from Xavier and I. Receipt forwarded.
And that is so awesome, Bokonon. It's people like you that make me proud to be a part of this community.
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
Indeed, good show Bokonon.
[ December 02, 2006, 04:28 AM: Message edited by: Sterling ]
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
I just donated.
Posted by Jeni (Member # 1454) on :
Donation Paypal-ed.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Thank you, Bok. I always wish I could give more so I really apprecciate the doubling.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
Thanks guys Every little bit always counts. I'm just glad there are so many generous people at Hatrack!
Hey Rabbit, I'm having issues emailing you, my last email is queued up, and was a response to your email. Basically, keep the amount raised to that which you have gotten confirmation of. When/if we reach $300, I'll send you my donation receipt.
-Bok
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: 1. You can donate to First Book "in honor of" The Hatrack River Forum".
I am having a bit of trouble with this. It wants an address, email, phone number, etc -- for Hatrack, as well as for me.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
I think Rabbit just means you donate personally, and forward the receipt e-mail.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
No, it has an option of donating in honor of someone.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
Oops.
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
I didn't see one. I'll second Euripides' "oops".
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
When I typed in the "in honor of" portion, it didn't ask me for their address or email. It gave me an option of sending them an email but I didn't have to.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Val, did it give you something else?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
rivka, I suggest you simply enter your own address as the "Hatrack Address". The address is used to send a card to whomever you dedicated the donation to. It doesn't matter where that card gets sent.
[ December 04, 2006, 11:59 AM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Ok. Thanks! Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I put The Hatrack River Forum on every line except the state and zip code, and that worked.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*laugh* Ok. Thanks for the tip, Katie.
Posted by Iain (Member # 9899) on :
First Book.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
How much did we donate last year? Just curious.
We donated to the Heifer Project last year, didn't we?
I prefer First Book because of where we all met. Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Kwea, I just did a search for last years thread. It says we gave a total of $695. I have some vague memory that there was one donation after I stopped updating the thread but that number should be very close to correct if not dead on.
We are already up to $370 this year which doesn't include Bokonon's match. I'm waiting for word from him before I add that in. His match will bring the total to $670 so we should be able to easily surpass last years total.
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
Did you receive my forward, Rabbit? I got some kind of "server busy, will retry" back from my e-mail.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Not yet Sterling.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Sterling, I got your forward.
We have now exceed last years total and December has only just begun.
You guys are incredible!!
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
Let's go for $1000! Even $5 is enough to give a book to a kid, so no donation is too small.
-Bok
EDIT: BTW, I was so psyched to see us hit $300 so quickly! Way to go everyone!
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Yeah, if we could reach $1000 we'd make great history. I'll be sending in my donation soon.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
I donated, but I might not get a receipt, since I didn't notice till after I hit "submit" that I'd screwed up my email address. I tried to fix it, but I might be out of luck.
If I get one, I'll forward it immediately, but are there any suggestions what to do, if I don't?
(Geez, I'm really getting sucked into the Hatrack-Community-Christmas this year. Could this be the end of my comfortable illusion of lurkerdom?)
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
You'll just have to donate again, and even more!
-Bok
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Originally posted by Eaquae Legit: I donated, but I might not get a receipt, since I didn't notice till after I hit "submit" that I'd screwed up my email address. I tried to fix it, but I might be out of luck.
If I get one, I'll forward it immediately, but are there any suggestions what to do, if I don't?
EL, If you don't get the receipt, just send me an e-mail explaining. I'll trust you this time and add your contribution to the total.
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
Wow, that number really went up in less than a day! That is so good! Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Alt, A big fraction of the jump was due to Bokonon's match for the first $300 donated. Still, even without his match we reached the $400 level in the first week.
Jatraqueroes Rock!!
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
Thanks for the confirmation, Rabbit.
And to those who contributed, and those who researched the causes. Sometimes the best holiday gift is a little restoration of faith in human nature.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
I've become a fan of kiva on my own, since I couldn't talk hatrackers into playing. You should just check it out, anyway. I read in USA Today that the world's income gap just keeps getting wider and wider. This is a fantastic way we can strike a blow toward narrowing it again. If we aren't one, we aren't his. Check out the ever-changing lineup of hardworking, hopeful business owners, and see if you can find $25 to help one of them out. I'm planning to add one per paycheck from now on. It just keeps on growing, too! They pay back the loans, and you can loan the same money again and again (or else withdraw the funds if you so choose.)
Paypal is donating their services to Kiva for free. It's getting a lot of press from places like the Wall Street Journal and Frontline. This is how we can use the internet to lift the third world out of poverty. This is such a cool concept! I'm very excited about it. Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
So we've been stuck a few days here... I know some of us are getting Holiday bonuses, so share the bounty, even a little, with a noble cause! Let's try and get to the $1000 mark!
-Bok
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
So I got contacted by First Book today (some of you may have been emailed as well). They were confused about where to send 'in honor of' letters for the Hatrack River Forum, as well as curious as to who we are. I let her know the difficulties of defining a physical address for us and explained a little about our drive (as well as providing a link).
She followed up with the following which may be useful in the future, should we choose First Book again:
quote:What a fantastic initiative! Thank you for telling me more about it.
Hatrack sounds like an excellent candidate for a First Book Virtual Bookdrive. You would get your own landing page and would then have someplace to send your friends and family for a simple donation process. It is obviously too close to the holidays to launch an effort like that now, but I'd be glad to send you more info should you consider it in the future.
Thanks to you and all your fellow Hatrack members for your generous donations!
Best, Stephanie
She was very grateful for our efforts. So everyone who gave, thank you! For those who haven't yet, why haven't you?
-Bok
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Bok, That's so cool. I will definitely look into this for next year.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
That is very cool, Bok. Thanks for letting us know. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I'm guessing that there will be another jump this Friday or next Monday, when people get paid. Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
Hatrack rocks!
We are close to $1000! That is awesome!
-Bok
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Wow, very close! Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
So, who are we going to squeeze that last $100 out of?
Perhaps a change in the thread title might bring it some more attention? Something regarding abortion or religion is sure to get some clicks!
Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :
I don't know how I manage to do this, but I always pass by the topics marked as important without noticing them.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I'm broke, but:
If it gets to $980, I'll chip in the last $20.
Sorry I can't do more than that, I can't really even afford that, but I want to help achieve our community goal.
Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :
Rabbit, did you receive my email? (I think I forwarded the wrong one.)
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
I'll be willing to put in another $30 if we can get it up to $950 and Lyrhawn or someone else throws in that other $20.
I know it's arbitrary, but I'd like to see it get to $1000. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I haven't donated yet, and I intend to. . . I let my paypall account go inactive and I haven't gotten around to reactivating it yet. But I can do $50. I won't be home 'til late tonight, but I'll try to remember to do it then. Someone who knows my e-mail pester me if I haven't posted saying I donated by morning?
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
i had exactly 25 in my paypal, so now first book has it!
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
I forwarded my e-mail to you as well.
We have to be getting close now.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Done. Posted by Fusiachi (Member # 7376) on :
Sent an email to bonniet at eng dot utah dot edu ... Gotta be getting closer to quadruple digits.
Edit: Sorry for the lack of consideration re: email address format.
[ December 24, 2006, 11:06 PM: Message edited by: Fusiachi ]
Posted by MidnightBlue (Member # 6146) on :
Please edit her email address to the way she wrote it in the first post. The way it is now is going to pick up a lot of spam for her.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I'm pretty sure we're over. But it is Christmas Eve, so we'll probably have to wait a bit for an update. Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
so what was the final total?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I'm sure we'll find out when Rabbit makes it back around here. She's probably busy with family stuff, neh?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Wow! We really smashed the $1000 mark.
Sorry about the delay in updating the totals. I just got back from Maui today.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Awesome. Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
That's great!
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Holy doodle impressive donation totals, Batman!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Awesome.
How was the trip, Rabbit? Everything work out with the bikes?
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
Awesome everyone!
-Bok
Posted by Papa Janitor (Member # 7795) on :
I'll be taking this down soon, but was wondering if the total was final. Rabbit?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
The current total is final Papa. I haven't received any new donations for a week so I think its safe to take this down until next year.
Once again, this has been an awesome experience. Hatrack is truly an amaising community.
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