I know this may cause some reactions but I have to say a word about this silly fund raiser.

It was reported just yesterday that contributions to this Tsunami has topped 30 Billion dollars from personal donations. Why do we feel the need to continue to contribute to a fund that has more than enough money to help all the people there and then some for decades to come. Not to mention that fact that much of the money that is donated will never make it to the people anyways. So why do we continue? Is it because of all the heart breaking stories we are hearing from the media? How about all the millions that are dying worldwide from other tragedies the media won't cover. I am sure the stories are worse than anything you can imagine. Like little girls getting rapped by soliders and sold then killed and left on the families doorsteps to see, by African Guerilla troops in the Congo.

The Indonesia Goverment rejected 620 tons of food and grain from Isreal and rejected aid from 50 field medics only because they were Jewish, and they are Muslim. There is something wrong with that.

So my point is, why don't we collect money for a better cause taht is not the media darling right now. As an example, 20 million have been killed on Congo from mass human genocide, they could use our help more than anyone. Even better yet, why not collect money to help a  local charity that is helping people in our own community?

This excuse to collect money for the Tsunami victims is crap. Just say you all want to have a party...that is good enough. So I propose we find a more worthy cause and donate to that. I would be happy to make some suggestions. Otherwise, have your party, collect your thousand dollars and send it off across the planet and never know what happened to it.

You dont have to donate a thing if you dont believe in it. Bring a money order made out to whoever or whatever cause and supply me an address and i'll be happy to send it off, or just mail it off yourself. This Tsunami fund raiser is important to many people so why bash it? there are organazations out there that make sure 98% of funds go to the people that truly need it and later this week i'll supply links so everyone can make their own choices. Pick one yourself, i'll be glad to contribute something. Give me an alternative Phil, i'll explore your choice but were running out of time so hurry.

I am always open to suggestions for any charity that goes to a good cause. I have considered your opinion, the Tsunami is not the only charity I have been involved with. I can only suggest that we start somewhere. This is not the first tragedy or the last one that we will see, that greatly saddens me. I never believed in the philosphy that you could GIVE TO MUCH. If it is true that this has topped 30 BILLION in personal donations than all I can say is HOW WONDERFUL IS THAT? I will stand by what I am personally passionate about.  Tsunami is not my last stop at giving. I will do my best to make a difference as long as I exist.  ANY CAUSE THAT YOU BELIEVE IN, IS A WORTHY CAUSE. I would love for you to attend Jimmy.

I can appreciate that everyone has something to be passionate about and I respect that. Angela...you donate to anything you'd like. I guess in the spirit of giving, anything is better than nothing.

I am not bashing this fund raiser, I'm simply saying that their soo many other causes that can be helped on a local level rather than with an international charity that usually eats most the money. One important fact that everyone should know. All international or national charities or obligated by law to only donate 10% of all donations to the actual cause. The other 90% is used for "administrative" costs. I speak on this with some authority. I was an administrator for an internatinal charity and I know the inner workings.

That being said, I will make a suggestion as to a better cause. How about we dontate money to a local charity that assists abused women and get them back on their feet and helps them find jobs and restart their lives? I think that what we are involved in as hobbist and providers, that may be a nice link to help other women that can't help themselves. If everyone is interested, I will do research and provide the name and charity to assist.

That is my two cents and i respect all your perspectives...i was only trying to make everyone aware of the realities of organized charities. They are mostly all crooked.

Jimmy

p.s. Danny....you still have me mistaken for someone else. I would appreciate it if you stop attacking me and being childish.

You know Phil, I would not bash ;your post.  But I would bash your trying to put a damper on something good saying "you just want to have a party".  That in itself is pure BS.  My suggestion is you donate to who you want and come to the event if you want or don't come.

Jimmylick is correct.  (I cannot believe I am actually having a conversation fit for The National Review, with somebody named "Jimmylick" . . . lol)  One thing that has always bothered me is all of the money raised for breast cancer research, when in fact, colon cancer kills more men every year.  Why is that?

That said, I do not have any problem giving money for the Tsunami tragedy, when a number of these "countries" were engulfed in subpar standards of living and, as a result, had become a breeding ground for terrorists because children have nothing else to look forward to when they grow up.  If the "excess" ends up getting spent on building better housing and enhancing community development programs (which appears to be the goal of the larger international aid agencies), then I say more power to them.

In any case, jimmylick, be generous however you like . . . but be generous.

My advice to Phil is to curl up in a ball and stay home.
What a rotten attitude;  must be a rotten person.  Enough.

and I doubt you would be feeling that way if you were one of the victims who has lost all that they've known and loved.

There are times when I get disgusted because we always seem to be helping people in other countries while there are so many of 'our own' who could use help. Then I remember that we're all in this world together and do each other a great disservice when we turn our backs on others no matter who they are. Using another person/peoples' ignorance (because they refused help or food from certain races or religions) is not acceptable and would only make us just as ignorant as they are.

If you can't be supportive of the causes that others choose to focus on then find the ones that you support and get behind them. Don't insult and berate what others choose to do or the manner in which they choose to do it. Be thankful that somebody cares ;o)

-- Modified on 1/12/2005 10:07:47 PM

{ lurker mode off }

"There are times when I get disgusted because we always seem to be helping people in other countries while there are so many of 'our own' who could use help."

Most Americans believe we give far more in aid than we actually do as a nation.  As a percentage of GDP, there are plenty of other nations who give more than the US.

The American people, on the other hand, are a pretty giving bunch.

{ /lurker mode on }

The original question is one I asked at $4 billion. I believe that there are many fine charities that tuly need money. This no longer is one of them. I am sure that the California, Utah and Arizona red cross is in dire need of monay at this time. I also would bet that the food banks are running dry.

I believe that the premise of this benefit is intended to bring together a group of people for a worthwhile cause. Noting that there have been significant contributions made by the rest of the planet, I feel that people should direct their donations, if any, to the charity of their choice. There are many charities who need support, and I believe that some of us in this community may be in a position to assist. Give with you hearts to whomever you choose.

Did you read my message Ikneadu? I was not insulting anyone. Just as Coyote said, there are many more worthy causes that can be helped rather than just this one. I sent a long explaination in another post, but MichaelCA seems to be censoring me at free will. So, I made a suggestion as to the kind of charity that is more worthy...Shelters for Abused women her in Phoenix as an example.

If the support for the fundraiser isn't as overwhelming as the organizers hope, they only have themselves to blame due to an earlier blunder in the holiday season.

There was a private Toys For Tots party(ies) over the holidays to which the majority of TER hobbyists and providers were NOT invited (including myself). (I remember DanorDanny saying he handpicked or emailed the invitees personally) Then afterwards we got to hear on TER how fabulous it was...the best ever, etc. Kind of a slap in the face, don't you think, for the uninvited?

So, it's interesting that a month ago, many of us were not good enough for the private Toys For Tots party, but suddenly now we (or, I should say, our wallets) are welcomed with open arms for the tsunami relief party.

(I personally sent an online donation to Catholic Relief Services 3 days after the tsunami. Obviously I think people should be charitable.)

But, don't be surprised if the negative fallout from the earlier charity party leads to less attendance than expected.

It is nice to see that finally there is some support to what I have been saying. DanorDanny and his group don't understand that helping locally is more beneficial, instead they want to attack and critize.

And yes, their earlier party/fundraiser was a slap to many.

Ms./ Anonymous, thank you for your comments even though you chose to use an alias to do it.  What you did not understand is that that function was a joint effort for a couple of groups that were members only.  It had nothing to do with the TER community or any of the TER members.  It was simply a VIP reception that had a good cause attached to it.  The lady that puts it on has been doing it for over six years.  If you are not on her mailing list or the other group's then you would not have gotten a invite.  If you would like to PM me with your real handle I would be glad to elaborate.  As far as any effect on this worthwhile cause all suggestions are good and taken in the spirit they are given by the organizers, Angelina and Danordanny.  If you had sour grapes over the Toys for Tots benefit then you just have to deal with it.  Nothing personal, just a private affair as I said.

Agreed. People do things for that Tsunami because it's in the news.

What about the slow motion Tsunamis that take place all around the world all the time and kill millions?

How about in this very country, where 10% of the population lives under the poverty line and have no healthcare and barely enough to buy food for their kids?

When do you have a fund raiser for them?

Yes, I read your post twice before I responded and that is why I responded the way that I did. Not only did you call it a 'silly fundraiser' but you also tried to imply that it was just an excuse to have a party. I don't know about the others but I thought that was insulting and just plain rude.

If a party or fundraiser is a 'private affair' then there is no reason why it should be advertised on a public board. The people on the special mailing list should all be notified by that mailing list and keep their private affairs to themselves... including how wonderful it all was. That way there won't be hurt feelings by those who aren't welcome to attend.

Your point is very well taken and I think that is an excellant idea.  Thank ;you for that imput.

Obviously private parties should not be advertised.  But comments about them WILL happen.  The comments will attract interest as people come and go. I get invited to certain parties in Dallas and not others.  I was envious about some of those that I was not "invited" to at first.  But the public comments about them enlightened me as to who I should be networking to be invited in the future.  Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.  So you could look at it as a slap in the face or useful information.  I try not took at them as popularity contests, but as circles of friends.  I just can't be part of every circle.