Tis the season...

[heidi]

Fandom-centric Holiday Fundraising Thingies
Get a Clue, Give a Galleon, Get a Sticker with The Leaky Cauldron - sticky (for cars, etc.) and static (for windows) stickers are available and every dollar above cost will go to aid Book Aid International in their fight to bring literacy to underdeveloped nations. Harry Potter fans, through Leaky, Inc., are responsible for purchasing more than 13,000 books -$30,000 - in the last two years. Stay tuned to TLC for some interesting updates on the drive (and, er, sorry about the need to scroll)!

DanRadcliffe.com and DanRadcliffe.co.uk are co-presenting a fundraiser for Demelza House Children's Hospice in the UK at the request of Dan and his family. All fans that donate to this very worthy cause will have the opportunity to send Christmas thoughts and wishes to Dan along with their donations. All of the thoughts and wishes will be collected by both sites and then combined and printed in a professionally bound book for Dan this Christmas season, courtesy of Demelza House! ALL those wanting to have a Christmas message published and sent to Dan for the holidays needs to make their donation and send in their message no later than 17 December 2004. For details on how to submit your Christmas wish to Dan please see the Donations and Questions section here. (Don't post them in comments - I won't know the answers!)

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Things Beyond Fandom That Impact Fandomers:

If you're looking for the info I postes about the Action Figures Action toy-drive, in support of the toy drive at rubydebrazier's hospital, you can find it here.

Friends of sapphireisle's mom have set up a website to raise money to help her deal with expenses not covered by insurance that have accrued over hte past few years while she's been battling a rare form of cancer. You can chip in via the website, and check out some eBay auctions and other shopping things that will help her out as well.

I also know of at least two ongoing computer drives but I will not post the info here, because I am not friends-locking this post. If you want more information about either of them, email me - and I ask that nobody post info about them in the comments - we want the recipients to be surprised!

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Things Relating to the Toy Drive (see above) and the Computer Fund Whip-Around

I've been asked how much money was spent on flash drives or security devices for Cassie, Josh and Ruby's coputers - the answer is none. Someone did offer to send a flash drive; when it arrives I'll give it to the three of them to decide who's going to use it, but it's not something that any of the money is going to be spent on, per my post here where I asked if anyone was able to send the drives themselves.

I've also been asked why I spent money on security devices for the computers, and I assume that said question referred to my post here, as if I was somehow saying that I was going to use some of the whip-around funds to get three of those installations. No, I was asking as a general question, to see if anyone had something like that, or thought it was a good thing to have on a laptop in general. Again, no money from the whip-around has been spent on that, nor will it be.

Now, here's the plan as to sending the money raised to the toy drive - on the 15th, I'm going to send a check via fedex (which I am paying for myself) to Ruby of whatever was not used for the computer purchases themselves for her to use for the toy drive, from what has been given via PayPal, and send her the checks that arrive as well. Since anything that comes in after the 16th won't be used for this year, I'm probably going to wait until the 30th or so to see if any more checks come in, and then send all those to Ruby as a starter for the 2005 drive. I also plan to refuse/refund (however PayPal terms it) any PayPal contributions that come in after the 15th, because we can't use them for this toy drive, but any checks that come in after the 30th - well, I'll probably send anything that comes in after the 30th some time in January or February, if any arrive, but please don't put any in the mail after the 14th - it likely won't get here in time. And don't ask me yet if I'm going to organize another toy drive next year - it's too far away to contemplate.

Comments

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

I am thrilled that you made this post, because it gives me an excuse to use this icon.

You know . . . it truly troubles me that you have to bother making such elaborate clarifications. Don't get me wrong -- I understand why you're having to; however, it still . . . well, it's beyond wanky (*makes understatement of the year*) the way this has come down. In fact, it's probably one of the most pathetic, vicious examples of bullying I've seen in this fandom.

This is the time of year for giving and caring, and I cannot fathom why anyone in their right mind would begrudge a whip-around. People don't realize how much support goes on behind the scenes in this fandom -- for all kinds of causes.

Hmm. I wonder if there is a way to organize an annual toy drive that is fandom-based. I'm sure there is. Our fandom is very giving; it's not something to be hateful about.

[mogliecat.livejournal.com]

This is the time of year for giving and caring, and I cannot fathom why anyone in their right mind would begrudge a whip-around.

I think it's more of an issue of the person the money was being raised for and the type of items being bought. A lot of people just tend to get angry when fundraisers are held for something that most people see as a luxury. (yes, I do realize that she is writing a novel)

I personally have no stake in this either way. I can see how things might have come off looking better, but none of that can be changed now. It probably would have been better to keep the computer stuff friends only and the toy drive for the general hp public, for example.

As for a HP fandom annual toy drive/charity, that would be a cool thing to do.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

2 brief comments -
1. The Get a Clue drive is an annual charity thing - this is the third year we've done it at tlc - and given US tax laws, it's more in line with various sites' purposes to focus on drives for books & in support of literacy than on toys per se - it's just a different way of helping kids, though, really. And book ownership by kids, studies show, has a positive impact on grades, staying in school, etc. Toys are great; books are important, too.

2. I originally did make the whip-around private, but copperbadge pointed out that his flist, and for that matter, Cassie's, Josh's and Ruby's, didn't overlap comprehensively with mine and as such, people who might want to see it couldn't do so.

And as I've said elsewhere, I didn't know about the toys being stolen until a few hours after the whip-around for the computer started, and by that point, it was clear we'd be able to make an impact on replacing each machine *and* still have enough to replace the toys, so I posted anew with the updated info for donations going-forward.

And re your first para - : holds head : - all these days on, I can't either.

[mogliecat.livejournal.com]

2. I originally did make the whip-around private, but copperbadge pointed out that his flist, and for that matter, Cassie's, Josh's and Ruby's, didn't overlap comprehensively with mine and as such, people who might want to see it couldn't do so.

I completely understand that, but unfortunately making the computer fundraiser public generated more wank than I think the fw's have ever seen. My comment was merely to point out a way wank could have been avoided, not really a way to get the word to all of Cassie's friends/fans/whatnot. Best thing to do now is to keep your head down and wait for the fw's to find fresh meat.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Is it just me, or were you trying to use the sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't LJ "quoting" button thingy?

I do agree that it would've caused fewer people to misread, misunderstant, misspeak, misinterprit and get hysterical/angry/upset/furious/gripey over nothing, it would've been wanked for another reason - it would've been deemed inner-circling, and I would've been accused of ignoring people who wanted to help because they felt bad about what had happened to the three of them. In retrospect, it was a no-win situation.

[mogliecat.livejournal.com]

Yep, the lovely quote button was being used, though, it did not seem to work quite as well as I had hoped.

I understand the no-win aspect of this, but it does boggle the mind that so many people have a love-hate thing going on with Cassie Claire.

(frozen) (no subject)

[vuurvasthouden.livejournal.com]

Wanted to see what the entry said, after reading about it here (http://www.journalfen.net/community/fandom_wank/572867.html?thread=48624835#t48722115).

I don't have any major investment in trying to be your friend or blow sunshine up your ass, nor do I have any investment in being nice to Heidi (or any "BNF" in the HP fandom). I'm just a guy who occasionally writes sick drabbles and moderates a couple of half-dead comms on LJ.

That said, I have to say that man, you're such a classless whore. As much negativity as I've spewed about Heidi being brainless in most of this Kissing d'Ass du Cassie Claire debacle, at least she's making an effort here to make true the claim that the HP fandom "reaches out/helps its own".

What the Hell are you doing except snarking on what has already happened, i.e. people actually wanting to know where their money's going? You think that's so unreasonable? You and your minions have taken great pains to comment to people that you (in particular) aren't receiving cash, you're receiving your brand spankin' new laptops from friends (all 300+/- of them).

So what would be the problem with people wanting to know the name of the hospital? Jesus.

--

Separately to Heidi, I think it's commendable for you to try and make good on the idea that the HP fandom reaches out to help its own other than those who're well-known in the fandom. While I'm not sorry about anything I said before because I still think that Laptopgate is still wrong on many levels, I do believe in giving credit where it is due.

-- JaCk

(frozen) (no subject)

[(Anonymous)]

beautifully said.

(frozen) (no subject)

[mogliecat.livejournal.com]

I'm not quite sure what you hope to accomplish by calling her names. I thought people stopped such things at around age 12.

Anyway, I can see why the people donating would have a right to know the name of the hospital, but I see no reason for this to be broadcast to all of fandom. Let's face it, we all know what would happen if the name were to be released to the fandom at large, the people extremely agitated by this whip-around would be swarming around that hospital (or in the very least emailing)

I agree that Cassie (and everyone else on this planet) should do their part for charitable causes. This does not mean she must plug everything that people ask her to. This does not mean that she has to do such work online (though I do think she would have the most impact online at this time and hope she will use her popularity for a few just causes).

What specifically bothers you about Cassie's friends/fans helping her get another computer? Is it that you wish the money were being spent on another cause? Is it that you just don't like Cassie's fic? Is it that you just assume without knowing a person that they are horrible and don't deserve the kindness of those that like them? Is it that you feel she is taking advantage of her fans by accepting their generosity?

I'll admit that I was neither for or against the laptop fundraiser. I chose to not contribute. I felt horrible that a few people sent their last few bucks, but that was their choice, however misguided I feel it was. I was worried that some of those contributing their last few bucks were only doing so that they might become friends with someone very popular in the fandom.

Anyway, try to not call people names, and don't assume that people are not doing their part for the betterment of the human condition just because you haven't witnessed it.

(frozen) (no subject)

[thegraybook.livejournal.com]

Thank you. (This is all reminding me that when I decide to go offline, I should stay offline. And that means not reading my friends' posts either.) *goes*

(frozen) (no subject)

[vuurvasthouden.livejournal.com]

I'm not quite sure what you hope to accomplish by calling her names. I thought people stopped such things at around age 12.

Well then you're sorely disillusioned, because people call other people names every day. If someone pisses me off by cutting me off on the highway, I'm positive I wouldn't just say, "Awww, gosh darn it!" Hell, if someone pisses off my mother by cutting her off on the highway, you can be sure that it's not going to be "Gosh darn it!"

So, if you want to believe the lie that calling others names is juvenile (and perhaps sometimes it is), be our guest, but in the meantime, please get off the high horse.

Anyway, I can see why the people donating would have a right to know the name of the hospital, but I see no reason for this to be broadcast to all of fandom. Let's face it, we all know what would happen if the name were to be released to the fandom at large, the people extremely agitated by this whip-around would be swarming around that hospital (or in the very least emailing)

What a load of crap (not that I should be surprised, seeing that I've tread through many loads of crap in this whole wank).

You see, the people "extremely agitated" by this whip around aren't pissed off at sick kids, or hospitals, or even Ruby. They're pissed off at the lack of class shown by The Great Cassandra Claire, and by Heidi's ineptness in pushing for donations for three laptops before she pushed for the lost toys (and it sure as Hell seems from just reading the journals (with the timeframes/stamps et al) that Heidi sure knew before the laptop cash drive was over that there were stolen toys as well).

What specifically bothers you about Cassie's friends/fans helping her get another computer? Is it that you wish the money were being spent on another cause? Is it that you just don't like Cassie's fic? Is it that you just assume without knowing a person that they are horrible and don't deserve the kindness of those that like them? Is it that you feel she is taking advantage of her fans by accepting their generosity?

Wow, a ton of questions in one paragraph. So let's see:

--See above, as well, from the sound of Ms. Claire's own post, it seemed like it was more of an inconvenience/annoyance that she'd been robbed of her own laptop, rather than severely in need of one immediately (and the cash drive was organized and executed not 48 hours after the crime--talk about knee-jerking). Also? Cass & Friends have been defensively screaming up and down that the money was raised by "friends" that they all knew, except that in many comment it's quite clear that more than one lowly fangirl donated her last bit of change to the cause (even after a couple of Cass's friends outright bitched about said same fangirls asking about/worrying about DV; those friends acted rather distastefully). They made a big deal about how it's "just Cass's friends" donating to this, when in fact it's around 300 or so people, and this plea for donations was placed on more than one LJ AND a Yahoo! Group of thousands (for Heidi or anyone organizing this to say that they didn't think that there would be such an outpouring by doing this is lying).
--Yes, I can think of better causes to blow over two grand on.
--I don't see where my like or dislike of her fiction has to do with this argument.
--I comment on what I can assess of a character from what a person's done.
--And yes, she's taking advantage of her fans. One could say "Who wouldn't?" if you could get a laptop (or an iPod, or anything your little heart desired) out of it? However, I know many people who wouldn't, and a lot of them are on my friends list.

That's pretty much all I've got to say to you, unless you're one to need the last word.

(frozen) (no subject)

[(Anonymous)]

*fangirls madly*

(frozen) (no subject)

[thegraybook.livejournal.com]

There's nothing wrong with people wanting to know where their money is going. I think it's fine for Heidi to say that the rest of the money is going to the hospital. I just know she can't reveal the name of the hospital, and the reason that Heidi can't reveal the name of the hospital is not because of me, it's because Ruby, who works there, doesn't want the name of the place she works revealed on the internet. Given that people in our fandom have been fired from their work before when fandom members who didn't like them sent letters to their bosses, I can understand her fear. I also know that by not revealing the name of the hospital, Heidi is going to leave herself and me and Ruby open to accusations of fabricating the existence of said hospital.

I had suggested to Heidi before that the money be donated to Child's Play, which is an internet organization that sends toys to kids in hospitals all over the country, and that only the toys that people want to send be given to Ruby. I thought that seemed like a better idea because it would be easier to be clearer to people about where their money was going, not harder. But in the end I do feel like it's none of my business. Heidi is much better at these things than I am.

(frozen) Answering this inside out, kind of.

[vuurvasthouden.livejournal.com]

I also know that by not revealing the name of the hospital, Heidi is going to leave herself and me and Ruby open to accusations of fabricating the existence of said hospital.

Yup. That's called the potential for fraud, and all you have to do is keep on denying these people who contributed to any of it (be it the laptop or the toy drive/donations for the hospital thing) the information that they request about where their money is going, and you'll piss someone off hard enough for them to start implicating fraud/charity fraud.

As for the rest:

I just know she can't reveal the name of the hospital...it's because Ruby doesn't want the name of the place she works revealed...Given that people in our fandom have been fired from their work before...I can understand her fear.

If you make up your mind to act decidedly, you've got take the consequences.¹ Before you did this (i.e. casually accepting the "gift of friends" laptops then cynically snarked in this thread as there was a secondary call for donations for the toys), did you ask yourself, "Will this bring me more shit? Will the result of my actions be a blessing or a heavy burden?"² You and your friends solicited donations to a cause. It is within each donor's right to know exactly where their money is going, and it is not the donors' problem that the employee of the hospital that is being represented in this charity drive (for toys and/or money) has "issues" with the fear of being fired for X reason because it's happened before within her circle of friends (doubtful, considering that your roommate isn't quite in the same position as msscribe was). Instead of saying that you're the victim of circumstance, it would be closer to say that you're the architect of circumstance (i.e., something about making beds and lying in them)³, so you solicit donations? You be prepared to give people the information they want about where their donations go. This isn't a damned storefront where you can sell a product and then hide. What is Ruby afraid of? There are people who stand outside Britney's hotel all day, hoping to get a glimpse of her, and there are people who have never heard of Dom Monaghan. Somewhere in the middle are the average people who can admire "celebrities" without causing trouble⁴, and because they trusted your friends with their money, you and your friends are going to have to trust them to not just want to do y'all in (in whatever paranoid scenarios your minds can conjure).

I thought that seemed like a better idea because it would be easier to be clearer to people about where their money was going...

Probably.

But in the end I do feel like it's none of my business.

It's very much your business because you're the lightning rod to which the fangirls' money zapped (the "just close friends/people I knew" blather doesn't wash anymore, since the plea for donations was plastered all over friends lists and a huge Yahoo! Group). Instead of showing some humility as a very popular fanfiction writer and saying "Thanks, but no thanks, Heidi, stop", you readily accepted whatever it was anyone was willing to toss at you (in this case, lifting your "financial burden" of replacing your own laptop) and then tried to talk your way out of your part of the responsibility in this mess (ever hear that the price of greatness is responsibility?⁵ No? Color me not surprised.). I guess that no snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible⁶, but then again, you're not quite a unique snowflake⁷.

Really. We're all sorry you got robbed, as it sucks to get robbed. But damn, I've never communicated with anyone who has less shame than you, and perhaps that's why people give you as much hate as others give you love.

Oh look. I pulled a you.

Heh, not quite:

(frozen) Re: Answering this inside out, kind of.

[selinakyle47.livejournal.com]

You know what could be great? If all this moral outrage could be channeled against a worthier problem like the AIDS crisis in Africa or more locally, the number of children living in poverty.

Because this? So. Not. Worth. It.

And that is my last word on the subject.

(frozen) Re: Answering this inside out, kind of.

[(Anonymous)]

Um, shithead? She didn't deny anyone information. And if you're worried that this is fraud, you should be going to the police, not wanking around on Heidi's journal in a desperate, pathetic bid for attention.

(frozen) Re: Answering this inside out, kind of.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, and just popped on over to your LJ. Found this comment interesting: There were only a few LJers/Internetsers who cared enough about me to send me anything when I was starving and could barely pay the bills after Daniela left (http://www.livejournal.com/users/vuurvasthouden/468685.html).

I think we can all see what this is about, can't we? Of course, perhaps - and this is merely a suggestion - nobody gave you any money because you are a gigantic, hypocritical asshole. There's someone in this conversation who ought to be feeling ashamed of themselves, and it ain't Cassie.

[thegraybook.livejournal.com]

But I would appreciate, as I'm sure would at least a few people who also gave money to help you out, a little bit of respect. I still fail to see why providing basic information such as a breakdown of where the money is going is so difficult. And I fail to see why belittling the people who gave money to you and asked for a breakdown of the costs is a good idea.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with providing basic information such as a breakdown of where the money is going. I have no problem with that. I am sorry if it sounded like I did. My only problem is that I know that Heidi cannot reveal the name of the hospital Ruby works at. She can't. My roommmate is panicked that she will get fired, that people will send nasty letters to her boss, and so forth. And my point to Heidi was only that since she can't reveal the name of the hospital, people will think she made it up. She's certainly been accused of worse.

I actually didn't realize that she was providing the breakdown to people who gave money. It seemed to me that she was providing the breakdown to appease the people who had called her an extortionist.

[thegraybook.livejournal.com]

No, you didn't ask for the name of the hospital but other people have. *points to previous comments to post* Anyway, Heidi has agreed now to ask the people who donated if they'd rather the money went to Child's Play so they know the name of the place the money's going. That was all I was trying to say to her in the first place. As for the rest, your advice is good.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Well, not *all* the money. The money they individually contributed, minus PayPal's cut, if any.

[thegraybook.livejournal.com]

See, this is why I should not comment: I am way too exhausted to express myself with any exactness. I trust you, Heidi, to do the right thing with the money in the right way. Otherwise, my suggestion of Child's Play was only given to make sure that a breakdown of funds could be provided with more exactness and not less. Only do that if you think it would be a possible and good thing to do. And now I am going because if I get online again within the next week I am pretty sure Josh and Holly will break my fingers.

[thegraybook.livejournal.com]

Also, as someone who donated, is there some way in which you feel that I have disrespected you or failed to show that I am grateful? I certainly do not want anyone to feel that way. If there is something you think I should do, please tell me.

[thegraybook.livejournal.com]

Having been given an explanation, it was clearly just a misunderstanding.

I am glad. I was totally horrified that my comment was taken to mean that I didn't think Heidi should provide a breakdown of funds, or that people thought it was directed at those who donated and not at those who have called Heidi a liar and a cunt and so forth. All I was trying to say was that since the name of Ruby's hospital can't be made public and available, maybe the money should go to an organization that can be so that people can be more closely connected to where their donations went.

It seems clear that there will absolutely be a breakdown available for those who requested it. I understand your other concerns too and I will be thinking about what can be done about them. I am glad we cleared this misunderstanding up between us.

[selinakyle47.livejournal.com]

I hope the wank will blow over soon, for your sake as well as Cassie's.

Still don't understand all the anger. Oh well.

[narcissam.livejournal.com]

Keep up the good work, Heidi.

NM

[ari-o.livejournal.com]

*crawls in from offline*

ACK!

*hugs you and runs back to work*

[lattesaremylife.livejournal.com]

just wanted to say that i think this whole thing was a great way to support one of your friends, and that you found a terrific way to use the leftover money. sorry for all the crap your getting, hope it all goes away soon! :)