"Group Buy" for Charity

[Trident Cards]

Hi all,

I hope that 2009 is off to a great start. We're finally catching up a little and wanted to know if you all are up for a special "group buy" this year. This one's for charity. Literally.

Here is the idea:

(a) HPT members work together to pick a charity.

(b) Once a charity has been chosen, HPT members make individual donations.

(c) We will match the total donation amount up to $250.00.

(d) The goal is to focus the donations in order to help maximize their impact.

How's that sound? A lot of folks are losing their homes right now. Kids are going hungry. We can harness the energy and wisdom of these boards for a good cause.

This doesn't have to be complicated, but someone or someones please take the lead in coordinating the community. You can use our forum for this, but:

(1) It must be OK with Nut'n and comply with his rules.
(2) It must be fun.

Please post your thoughts here and suggested next steps. Thank you.

Best,

Alex Ferrate
Casa Antigua LLC

[Midnight Rose]

I'm in.  Possibilities that come to mind:

-Donations to food banks
-Donations to homeless shelters, especially those targeting homeless children
-Donations to an wide-ranging organization (like Save The Children, United Way, etc)

Actually, another one just came to mind, and it was done over on CT: the Make A Wish foundation, where you can get Wish Chips made up, 3 for $10 (or something like that) and the proceeds go to Make A Wish.  I know they did it a couple years ago, and it was pretty popular.  I have one of my chips hanging from my rear view mirror in my truck.

[bubbajit]

I'm in too.

I think the cause should involve children.

[Wedge Rock]

Definitely in.

Two of my local favorites (but I agree it needs to have a more national/global appeal):

The Capuchin Soup Kitchen

Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan

I have one of my chips hanging from my rear view mirror in my truck.

You have a truck?!

[Midnight Rose]

Definitely in.

Two of my local favorites (but I agree it needs to have a more national/global appeal):

The Capuchin Soup Kitchen

Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan

We had to use a food bank once when we were poor students.  They definitely do good for the community.

I have one of my chips hanging from my rear view mirror in my truck.

You have a truck?!

Sure; why does that surprise you?  The bike has to have some way to get to Florida in the winter...

[Wedge Rock]

'Cause every time I've seen you, its either been on the bike, or in a *car*....

Just didn't realize you were a truck chick...

[/threadjack]

Gleaners has expanded to Indiana too...  Maybe something in Trident's area would be a good idea.

[Detroitdad]

I'm in as well. I think Soup Kitchens/homeless shelters are a good place to look at.

[austin5string]

Or donations to our vet bills..

Good idea, Alex..

[Midnight Rose]

It's too bad that the state of affairs with online gaming would prohibit a charity game sponsored by Trident.  That would fit under the "fun" concept (fun for someone, anyway).

[HarveyWallbanger]

It's too bad that the state of affairs with online gaming would prohibit a charity game sponsored by Trident.  That would fit under the "fun" concept (fun for someone, anyway).

that would rock.  thanks, bill frist...you TOOL! 

[Wedge Rock]

I can get a Mavens game up and running.  You hafta make a contribution to get a seat.  Winner gets some prize, all entry fees go to charity...

[Midnight Rose]

I can get a Mavens game up and running.  You hafta make a contribution to get a seat.  Winner gets some prize, all entry fees go to charity...

Oooh, that sounds like a possibility.  I'd be willing to donate some items toward this.

[Detroitdad]

I can get a Mavens game up and running.  You hafta make a contribution to get a seat.  Winner gets some prize, all entry fees go to charity...

Oooh, that sounds like a possibility.  I'd be willing to donate some items toward this.

Good Idea. I could probably come up with a setup of cards, sample chips, ect....

B

[Wedge Rock]

I was thinking that you hafta toss cash at a charity to get a seat, and then the prizes would be donated.  DD, do you have a deck of blue 1546's you could donate?

[Detroitdad]

I was thinking that you hafta toss cash at a charity to get a seat, and then the prizes would be donated.  DD, do you have a deck of blue 1546's you could donate?

Nope

[Midnight Rose]

I have a deck of Tribus poker size cards, can probably find other stuff too.

[Trident Cards]

It doesn't need to be a charity in our neck of the woods. Our little corner of paradise takes good care of itself.

I guess the tradeoffs in terms of the charity are simple:

1. National or global charity that may have a wider appeal vs. a local charity where the impact may be easier to see.

Also:

2. Fewer, larger donations that may reduce transaction costs vs. more, small donations may be more "meaningful" in a way.

We can have a poll for charity categories and then downselect (as we used to say in the outsourcing business). Any ideas for categories?

[bseant]

Habitat for Humanity 
Community Hospice
Make a Wish
Fisher House


As far as categories go I dunno maybe  Homeless, Poor Kids, Sick Kids, Ill or Disabled(regardless of age but must be human)

[TheGymKid]

My friend just took his 2 year old girl to a Hosptial here in New Jersey that speacilizes in childrens Cancer.  They had to have her tested, as they thought it was a possibility... luckly, the results came back last night all good and she doesn't have cancer.  My point though...he said walking through the hospital with his wife and child and seeing all the little kids who have cancer there, who are probably going to die, just caused them both to cry.  It was the sadest thing he ever saw and a very scary reality that could have effected him or anyone we know. 

My suggested is towards any type of children who are ill, research for them like a cancer research... or maybe to the cancer hosptial... anything in that direction.

This is just my suggestion.

[Motojunkie]

I'm in.  Let me know where to send some money.

[Detroitdad]

My friend just took his 2 year old girl to a Hosptial here in New Jersey that speacilizes in childrens Cancer.  They had to have her tested, as they thought it was a possibility... luckly, the results came back last night all good and she doesn't have cancer.  My point though...he said walking through the hospital with his wife and child and seeing all the little kids who have cancer there, who are probably going to die, just caused them both to cry.  It was the sadest thing he ever saw and a very scary reality that could have effected him or anyone we know. 

My suggested is towards any type of children who are ill, research for them like a cancer research... or maybe to the cancer hosptial... anything in that direction.

This is just my suggestion.

I'm frequently in our local Cancer Center. Your right, it can be heart breaking.

About 10 years ago I saw something that I think will always stay with me.

I was walking down one of the corridors of the children hospital when I saw a girl in a wheel chair. She was prolly about 5. She had the bluest eyes, and the blondest hair I have ever seen. What stood out the most though was her big, beautiful, and infectious smile. That is when I noticed that she didn't have any legs, and was obviously ill with something.

sorry for the TJ.

[Rudycub23]

Oh wow, I just saw this thread now.

I'm going to have to put my $.02 in and suggest a charity for children who are ill.  We have recently been the recipients of great kindness during our son's recent hospital stay, and like DD and Gym have mentioned, we had the opportunity to witness children much worse off, some with no hope at all; it tears at you like a knife.  But we were also witness to what a little bit of charity means to them, it brings so much happiness to the pain that they are going through.

I'm also going to suggest something for the homeless.  With the state of the economy right now, I think there are plenty of people who could use a helping hand.

Whatever we can do, we'll be here to help for sure.

[Trident Cards]

There seems to be interest in focusing on children. If you're a parent, it's easier to understand. How do the following next steps sound to move things along?

1. We conduct a poll to select a category of children's charities (e.g., illness, homeless, education).

2. After we narrow down to a category, we will select the actual charity. Perhaps let folks here make a case for some local or other charities with which they are personally involved vs. a couple of international ones?

3. Fundraising ideas like a tourney seem to be off to a good start. It won't take much to double to the "pot" - just 10 folks at $25 each.

Thanks!

[Wedge Rock]

Alex, I don't want to step on your toes, but I'll just throw this out there.

If you want, I will run a private tourney on Mavens.  I'll pw protect it.  Anyone that makes a donation to your charity thing gets the pw.

Of course, the tourney would be for no money...  all the donations go to the charity, not the prize pool.

If people want to donate things to the prize pool as well, we can use that as prizes.

I don't have the mavens software up and running yet, but I have a backup plan...

[Illini_Ken]

I'm interested in this.  Need to check with the wife, but I don't think supporting something like this will be any problem at all.

Ken

[Midnight Rose]

A call I just got (but couldn't quite make out) reminded me to ask: where are we at with this one?

[sharkyspoker]

I'm gonna put this out there since it seems like such a coincidence. In Oct my wife will be running in the Marine Corp Marathon as a member of Team Fisher House. We are seeking/asking people to help sponser her. This will be my wife's first marathon although she has run a couple of half marathons. It will also be done 2 weeks shy of her 40th birthday.

I am also volunteering to help the weekend of the marathon for Team Fisher House.

For those that don't know, Fisher House is an organization that helps the families of our wounded heros by providing them with a place to stay near a military medical facility while the service members receives treatment and begins to recover.

I know there are many charities out there that could use our help and I couldn't even begin to put one above another. They all do great work for the betterment of people. If you are willing to help with this cause send me a PM and I can send you the info where you can make a donation.

Thanks,
Mr. and LCDR Sharky

[Midnight Rose]

I'm gonna put this out there since it seems like such a coincidence. In Oct my wife will be running in the Marine Corp Marathon as a member of Team Fisher House. We are seeking/asking people to help sponser her. This will be my wife's first marathon although she has run a couple of half marathons. It will also be done 2 weeks shy of her 40th birthday.

I am also volunteering to help the weekend of the marathon for Team Fisher House.

For those that don't know, Fisher House is an organization that helps the families of our wounded heros by providing them with a place to stay near a military medical facility while the service members receives treatment and begins to recover.

I know there are many charities out there that could use our help and I couldn't even begin to put one above another. They all do great work for the betterment of people. If you are willing to help with this cause send me a PM and I can send you the info where you can make a donation.

Thanks,
Mr. and LCDR Sharky

I'm in.  I'll wait until after Wedge gets back from the AARP convention, then we'll talk.