[meatball]

Guys, we talk a lot about helping each other and what shiny new thing we're going to get for our cars next.. We can't forget what's going on around us. We are in the middle of one of the most horrific natural disasters of the last couple of centuries (the tsunamis in Asia) - these folks need your help. In that part of the world $10 probably will feed 20 people for a day. Ways to help: http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapc...tes/index.html - There are entire villages, tens of thousands of people who will be lucky to see some clean water within a week. if you need to understand better, look on the CNN.com homepage in the upper right at the section "EMAIL - Readers look for loved ones" There are pages of emails from people all over the world trying to find their missing families, sons, brothers, wifes, children, etc. MODERATORS - any way to do some sort of group collection/donation? I'll volunteer whatever services in that regard I can.

1st Donation: International Rescue Committee, online via credit card, 12/28/04:
Total Contribution Amount: 25.00
Payment Amount: 25.00
Outstanding Amount: .00
Total Received Today: 25.00
ID: 12881787

International Rescue Committee contact information:
Email Address: fundraising@theIRC.org

[meatball]

uh, okay - did any of the 19 people that looked at this have a drink of water in the last 24 hours?

[Mana4Real]

That really sucks I was watching a few bits on what happened... It made me think of what would happen if it hit the san francisco bay area. I will check out the link when I get off of work.

[meatball]

Death toll now over 80,000 and on it's way to 100,000 easily.
Survivors need water, food, medicine, water purification supplies, generators, heavy equipment, etc. in almost incomprehensible quantities.
Skip one Starbucks coffee this week and send $5 to one of the aid agencies.
I'll add another $19 for the first 19 people that looked at this w/o responding.
Like Jet Li movies? - he pulled his young daughter to safety in a Thai resort, hurt his leg though
Like the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition? - One of the models was rescued from 6 hours in a tree; she has a fractured pelvis and internal injuries - her boyfriend was swept out to sea and has not been found.

[meatball]

Here's the second donation:
Your Contribution Information:
International Rescue Committee

The following summarizes your contribution for:
Donate Online

Total Contribution Amount: 19.00
Payment Amount: 19.00
Outstanding Amount: .00
Total Received Today: 19.00
ID: 12992779

Donate online; it's quick, vitally important, and tax-deductible

[skyducker]

The following summarizes your contribution for:
Donate Online

Total Contribution Amount: 30.00
Payment Amount: 30.00
Outstanding Amount: .00
Total Received Today: 30.00
ID: 13032488

International Rescue Committee contact information:
Email Address: fundraising@theIRC.org

[LLG05]

:thumbup I agree, we all need to help out! Any amount will help! Please join us!

American Red Cross

Donation Amount: $25.00
Fund: Disaster Relief Fund

You made your contribution on 12/30/2004 14:34:31

Order Id: 8905883533


Thanks,
Dave...

[meatball]

SkyDucker & LLG05 - Thank you very much.

[loudog]

Great idea, Meatball.

My wife and I donated $100 to UNICEF on Tuesday, and will be donating another $100 to Christian Children's Fund next week. You're so right...this money goes such a long way to help these folks out.

Another idea: see if your company will match your donation dollars. My company IS matching dollar for dollar...it's a great write-off for them, and it really makes a difference to these unfortuante folks.

[odingalt]

Red Cross is a scam organization. When they had millions in donations for 'Familiies of 9/11' do you know how much of that money MADE IT TO FAMILIES OF 9/11! Not a god damn penny! It all went to administrative fees!!!!! Do they help in other countries, you bet. Did they help in America? No. That's bull **** if you ask me. About 1/2 of all monies received by Red Cross goes to administration. Do yourself a favor and find a better charity, that number is ridiculous.

http://www.apfn.org/apfn/WTC_red-cross.htm

[skyducker]

odingalt:

The organization we donated to is not the Red Cross. I agree with you 100% though on what you said.

[meatball]

Thanks to all for looking, commenting, and donating however they chose (or chose not to) The disaster continues to unfold into biblical proportions. Thanks, Loudog. A lot of companies are offering some sort of match.