(no subject)

[heidi]

Dear Cassie, Josh and Ruby,

Your friends in fandom have chipped in about two thousand dollars towards your computer replacements. We're not all the way there yet, but we're pretty close, and with what people have said they're sending via snail mail, we're close to 2250.00.

Cassie, you told me this morning that among the other things stolen were Star Wars toys in their original packaging, which Ruby had gathered for the kids section of the hospital where she's a resident. As of the now, any excess donations above and beyond what's needed for the computers will go to replacing the stolen toys, so those kids in hospital can have some diversionary fun.

How's that sound?

Love,
Heidi, on behalf of some 300 people, whose email addys will be in a spreadsheet for y'all tomorrow.

Comments

[longtimegone]

Such a fantastic idea!

It's nice to see people chip in to help friends in need. <3<3

[zhonnika.livejournal.com]

I wish I was able to donate right now. This kind of stuff just chokes me up :((

[longtimegone]

I know dude. I was just telling Heidi, "Three laptops PLUS stealing toys from kids in a hospital at Christmas? I'd hate to see what karma has in store for the thieving bastards" o_O

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

And I repeat: HOLY CRAP.

Dude, if fandom mobilised properly, I'm pretty sure we could conquer a couple of small nations.

We'll just tell everyone that "that's where the badficcers live!"

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

Dude, if fandom mobilised properly, I'm pretty sure we could conquer a couple of small nations.

Don't suggest it. We've finally managed to use our powers for good, not evil - no need to backslide. ;)

[longtimegone]

hahaha! Our power when motivated is rather terrifying isn't it? (in a good way of course)

[airemay.livejournal.com]

It is times like this when fandom makes me smile, a lot.

[nightfalltwen.livejournal.com]

Me too

*wipes tear*

[(Anonymous)]

I just sent a bit for the cause. I would like to suggest that if there is any left over on this fund drive, it be put towards that freaking ipod Cassie has wanted since forever. Ohhhh, or better just start an ipod fund. A little something to distract from the pain of losing her work.
Later, theFrey

[dreamstigmata.livejournal.com]

i think cassie got an ipod for her birthday or maybe even last christmas. hmmm...

[dreamstigmata.livejournal.com]

if i paypal monies on friday, is that too late? :( my bank account has $3.16 in it right now, heh.

[meggitymeg.livejournal.com]

I believe the donation deadline is December 19, so you should be fine. :))

[kokopoko.livejournal.com]

Could you not send the final list of contributors just yet? I am waiting for my commission check to show up in two weeks. Then I can donate.

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

Is there a way to pitch in specifically for the toys? I'm not knocking the fandom's generosity, but I'm not so keen on helping buy someone a new computer when I keep getting shutoff notices for the electricity, but I'd like to pitch in a few bucks toward toys for sick kids. :)

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

There will be tomorrow or tues. I'm waiting on rubydebrazier to share the address info...

[prettyveela.livejournal.com]

I'm choked up right now. This is beautiful man. *wipes tear*

As for the Star Wars stuff it's lucky that I have a contact who deals in that so I'll contact him tomorrow.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Wow, that would be amazing.

I guess I shouldn't use my George Lucas Is Stupid - Throw Rocks At Him icon this week?

[whalewars.livejournal.com]

Toys? TOYS?!

People are horrible. I'm glad to hear that so much money has been raised (and I'm sure more will be in the next few days as people continue to check Cassie's LJ) and am about to move some stuff around so that I have enough money in my account to donate via PayPal.

If I may be so forward as to ask: at which hospital is Heidi a resident at? You see, I'm planning on being in the NY/NJ area 3.5 weeks starting next Friday, and I already planned on bringing tons of stuff (winter coats, toys, books) to donate to some drives in which my sister (who lives in the city) participates in. If the toys don't need to be anything specific, I'd be willing to bring plenty more with me - plus, I live in Michigan where everything seems to be cheaper than NY.

[amoeba-j.livejournal.com]

I just am catching up on my flist and saw the original post too -- it's amazing to see fandom's powers used "for good"...especially since I've seen other fandoms jerked around in similar situations.

You are amazing for doing this, Heidi!!! If I had even $0.05 left after my utilities this month, I'd send it, but I am already $$$ short this month and next.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

That's the wiggy thing about this month as a time for something like this. On one level, it's good because of holiday discounts, and on another, everyone is pretty stretched thin because of preexisting life-and-hols commitments. I know the good wishes are all appreciated.

[quasarsglow.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful idea.
After my next paycheck comes I'll see if I can't chip in a bit more, I dropped about $70 earlier, and that may seem like a lot, considering I'm a grad student and working two jobs, but it's coming out of overtime and I am getting hours out the wazoo because of coworkers taking off hours because of finals work and christmas break looming.
Besides, I've done my Christmassing already and I'd like to help others rather than pay for my living-on-takeout lifestyle.

*looks at expanding belly*

Yes. No more takeout for this one. *grin*

[lhbone0.livejournal.com]

you know you are a very good person, more people shouuld be like you

[nc-kat2002.livejournal.com]

No $$ right now but will send some next payday. :)

[aome.livejournal.com]

Does this mean it's too late to contribute? I didn't realise we only had 24 hours.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

No, it's totally not too late. We're still not quite there, and anything over will go to the toy drive anyway - it's all the same karma-pool.

[lyras.livejournal.com]

Came over here because of copperbadge's post and drabbling talents. I just wanted to say I think all three of you are fantastic for organising this! And it is lovely to see how much people are willing to give to help out others in need.

[jessamyne.livejournal.com]

I just got done donating what I could. It's not much but it's all I could do.
Thanks again Heidi for organizing all this. It is bringing out the best in a lot of us.

Hmmm..... I just wonder why?

[nore-fortuna.livejournal.com]

Everyone has organized this fundraiser so quickly and the talk has gone both
ways, those that think this is great and those who wonder why?



I posted to my LJ about real emergencies like my Mum has a very
rare cancer, her medical bills have bankrupted us and are still mounting (over
$200,000) and to top it off my Dad may be out of work in a week or two due to
outsourcing for the second time in four years. Then my Mum will have no
insurance and no medical care to be sure she survives this cancer. This is a
real emergency not someone wanting a second iPod after already being given
one free in the first place.



This is a legitimate cause and you can get proof on her ailing fundraising site (http://www.4christina.org)
set up by friends who have checked out the validity of her needs.



Yet, no one has offered to help my Mum! I tried to get my Mum a USED set
of HP books on audio so my Mum (who has to spend a great deal of time in bed for
health problems) could enjoy the books with me by emailing the Leaky Cauldron
and asking for help. None given, not even a reply back!



She loves to write but is stranded in bed due to chronic pain. She wanted a
laptop for Christmas last year, but because her medical care is so high, after 5
surgeries in one year.
(insurance premiums, co-pays, deductibles, things insurance doesn't cover like 8
trips to Mayo Clinic this past year, hotels, gas, etc) we can't afford one. Not
this year either! And yet thru this site 3 people are getting one. I'm happy
that people are kind and caring enough to help others but what about people like
my Mum?



She is a great writer, and debater but without a laptop she is not able to
communicate with those who might get a great deal of enjoyment from her talents.



I guess I don't understand why some, whether it be CC or others get things given
to them and people like my Mum who has been trying for a year gets very little
help? Oh, a just a little side note... forget Oprah, she won't help. We tried.



I guess I'm just not a BNF.

Re: Hmmm..... I just wonder why?

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Until I read your last line - and your listing of the places you've written to - I was trying to think of ways to help. And I know this is going to sound rude but you've contacted Oprah and the NY Times - I looked over on your LJ - but you haven't contacted local newspapers or tv stations who have Wish Books for local residents in need this time of year? The Times helps people who live in NY - the Post is the same. Have you contacted your state representative about the insanity of the health care system which doesn't provide real and necessary help for those who've paid into it, when they're in need? Have you contacted your congresspeople for your area? Reps and senators tend to help their own constituents more readily than people from other areas. The health care system in this country is in crisis - it's terrible, and through the summer and fall I worked hard to get Kerry elected in hopes of improving it - and it's a tragedy for people like your mum that he lost, because at least he would've tried to change things.

And I'm on staff at the leaky cauldron, and I don't remember seeing your email at all. But I know that JKR doesn't make donations to individuals - she gives to institutions like that school, and tries to do things locally - ie in the UK - like the Scotland MS organization. She's allowed to decide where she spends her money. But have you tried a local library for the audio books? They generally do have them, even if there is a waiting list. If they don't, let me know - I have a set of the cassettes for the first three books to lend to you, although I can't help with the last two - I don't have a cassette player in my car anymore, so I never got them.

I'm also a little surprised to say that nobody has helped your mom - I looked over the site her friends put together - they're wonderful for helping! Why not suggest to them that they put a 10 dollar contribution thing up there - if 55 people gave that, your mom would be able to get her laptop - people tend to feel daunted when they see numbers like $200,000 - they think "Oh, I can't do anything that would make a dent in that!" and almost all the time, they can't. But when people see a "give five bucks" or "give ten", they're oftentimes more likely to be able to say "Hey! I can make a difference - I can do that!" It's just a suggestion, but it might help in that area.

I don't know what else to suggest. Yes, a lot of it has to do with the size of one's friends-list. But you haven't even friended back all the people who've friended you, which is a good way to work on building your online community of friends. Please don't think I'm being critical-without-being-constructive - I'm trying to make suggestions here. And I can certainly see why you feel your mom's situation is more dire than Cassie, Josh and Ruby's - because it is and she needs and deserves help. Talk it up locally - a bake sale at your house of worship? a whip-around at places your mum's volunteered? Dozens of RL friends of Cassie, Ruby and Josh chipped in on the project - it's among people in your offline life that you'll often find some additional support.

And good luck - and do let me know about the tapes? But if you want them, don't post your addy here - email it to me via my User Info page.