** HELP a DUer: Show What Community Really Means **
[font color="brown"](I was previously given permission by Skinner to post periodically about http://www.wishadoo.org, especially when it involves DUers, with this required disclaimer: "The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by Skinner on 8/6/2010, and the moderators have been notified."
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EDIT TO ADD that, in spite of the misery and despair all around, there is GOOD NEWS going on in the world, and we're posting it in the new group GOOD NEWS. Join us! 
If you're not familiar with Wishadoo, please see my journal for previous posts.
I NEED YOUR HELP, AS A COMMUNITY. PLEASE. It will surely come as no surprise to anyone here that the needs of DUers outweigh the number of DUers who see these posts and have the ability to help. I'm not only talking about financial support; we need more eyeballs and people to gather for emotional support and advice as well. I need your help in spreading the word about Wishadoo! The tools are there; I need help making more people aware of them. My time, energy, creativity and resources are severely limited at the moment.
Please click here for easy ways to help spread the word.
I've previously suggested one creative way of raising money for DUers and others via auctions, using Wishadoo's Marketplace (like "ebay for good" .
Honestly, my personal situation is very, very dire right now right along with many of you. I have so much already developed and built concerning Wishadoo! and spin-off projects, and other ideas waiting in the wings, but the business of survival and hamster-wheel existence of trying to find more work when over 40 and drowning in everything has taken a toll as of this morning. I am open to suggestions. About anything. I've always wanted for Wishadoo! itself to be a member-owned co-op, so maybe enough are realizing the beauty of co-ops and want to be part of moving Wishadoo! in that direction? If so, please let me know. Thanks. And, as always, A HUGE THANK YOU to the many people who have helped Wishadoo! and other DUers in many ways already. You are appreciated tremendously.
NOW, to focus on other DUers in need....
Click the DU name to see their Wishlist post. Please keep in mind that, even if you can't help financially (not all needs are financial), there are other ways to be supportive. Simple acknowledgment means THE WORLD; it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there and ask out loud this way. As we work toward legislative changes to ease the needless suffering of so many, we also need to simultaneously come together and have the courage to ask, offer, give, receive, and pay it forward. Most of the Wishlist posts are a direct result of the lack of a social safety net and lack of jobs. You can contact these DUers directly via Wishadoo or here at DU with any questions. Some posts have convenient donate widgets embedded for you to see the progress of their individual fundraising needs.
(BTW, I swear PayPal works differently for every single account. If you have the option to select "Personal" and then "other," that should eliminate any fees. But, in my experience, those options aren't always provided.)
If there are other forums here at DU where this can be shared, would you please do so for me? Thanks.
[font size="3"][font color="green"]* The newest DUer Wishlist post is from long-time DUer, oxymoron: [/font size]
[font color="green"] "I've come here to Wishadoo in hopes of enlisting the kindness of strangers and friends, get resource suggestions, job recommendations...anything.
I was transferred to Denver last year, and my brother, who has AIDS, accompanied me. I have since been diagnosed with MS. My Mom's health is rapidly deteriorating and we need to get back home to Portland, OR as soon as possible. Monies used will be for moving our household, breaking our lease, and getting an appropriate place in Portland.
I am also looking for work there; transferring is not an option, unfortunately. I am a major account manager with a background in the Transportation (moving) Industry and have working with the likes of Boeing, Amazon, T-Mobile, State Farm and many others. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
I am in my 50's and finding new employment is not easy in these times, even with extensive experience. Add my new diagnosis to the mix, and it's even more complicated, and stress certainly exacerbates everything. This is urgent for my family."
There is a PayPal button at the Wishlist post.
[font size="3"]* [/font size]rbrnmw has been under extraordinary stress for a long time, and recently you may recall that her father passed away. Please offer good vibes, well wishes and/or prayers regarding her father, and any other support you can offer regarding her s situation.
[font size="3"]*[/font size] You gamers and those of you who know gamers can help fulfill new, non-monetary Wishlist post by DUer, Akoto. He also happens to have an excellent OP in GD now discussing being disabled. [/font color][/font]
There are more...so many more. Please peruse the Wishlist or check my journal to see the list of previous highlighted Wishlist posts by DUers.
[font color="blue"][font size="3"]PLEASE ALSO: [/font color][/font size]
* Recommend this thread and keep it kicked for visibility;
* Please scan the Wishlist in general on a regular basis; some posts are simply asking for information. It's not always about money.
* ACKNOWLEDGE these courageous people who have made themselves vulnerable by asking for help. Please offer whatever support you can (information, advice, well wishes, financial or other support, etc.)
* Share Wishadoo! with others (online and in person)...your friends, loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, other networks and organizations; after all, the more who gather...[/font color]
[center][font color=green]* * * * *
ABOUT WISHADOO!: Anyone is welcome to use the tools at Wishadoo, so long as the Terms of Service are adhered to (basically "play nice" and don't lie). This includes creating posts in the Wishlist, a "craigslist of compassion." Most of us are struggling with one thing or another, and as you'll see, there are many categories in the Wishlist to cover a variety of issues/needs.
Wishadoo! is a comprehensive portal providing tools, resources and inspiration to connect, help/be helped, and cultivate compassion, cooperation and authentic community in myriad ways, online and in our own "backyards." Wishadoo!'s tools have been designed to integrate and be of service to all sectors of community: individuals, neighborhoods, schools, organizations and businesses.
The Wishlist is where we can ask, offer, give, receive and pay it forward. If you create a Wishlist post, let me know your DU name, and I can start to do weekly or biweekly threads such as this to highlight DUers' needs and offerings.
Any contributions to Wishadoo! itself go toward the cost of maintaining the site, NOT toward any Wishlist posts. That takes place one on one, between Wishadoo! members. If you are able to help with costs to keep the site going, I'd appreciate your generosity tremendously and will be forever indebted.
http://www.wishadoo.org/support-wishadoo/
MANY, MANY thanks to those who have already
helped support Wishadoo! in various ways! [/center]
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= new reply since forum marked as read
YOU are one of the most empathetic women with whom I have had the pleasure.
A shining light of warmth and comfort.
Thank you, Helen Reddy.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to help. 
within the first few hours.
and I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
My personal situation is like so many these days: a struggle each day to maintain food, shelter and utilities. Nothing fancy.
I lost half of my income over a year ago and haven't been able to get more work; having struggled for so long before that, I have no safety net whatsoever. (In addition to social entrepreneurial ventures, I have always kept food on the table by doing transcription/marketing/PR for medical clinics, as well as freelance writing and editing projects. One of my two big accounts went out of business, hence my income being cut in half.)
Growing Wishadoo!, with the intention of generating some revenue -- it is a social enterprise, after all -- has been very difficult given the daily struggle. (It's amazing how much time and energy it takes to look for work these days; much more than actually DOING the work, imho. And, of course, anyone who has started a business knows how much time, energy and resources that requires over the years. I haven't worked less than 60 hours a week in some capacity since 1993. I have had one week-long vacation in that same amount of time. I don't mind working hard; I don't know how to do otherwise, quite frankly.)
As mentioned in the OP, if others would please help spread the word about Wishadoo!, that is what would help tremendously. I still believe positive word of mouth via social media can be worth more than any traditional advertising budget.
Ideally, if I could find a handful of sponsors/partners of integrity to help sustain Wishadoo (and me) as I continue to develop and expand, that would be almost miraculous at this point. But it's a Catch-22 in that obtaining such sponsors/partners is less likely until the community itself is larger and more established.
So, helping me grow Wishadoo! is how others can help me at this point. Other than a patron or wealthy benefactor or freelance work to help keep my head above water, there's no way anyone can help my personal situation. I just want to see what I've been working toward get to a point of sustaining me on this planet. Again, I don't need much and don't ask for much; simply to be able to afford to exist.
I'm far from alone. There are tens of millions just like me across the US. Ideally, some of these projects I want to develop would create jobs and income for others as well.
I need an oxygen mask for myself at the moment.
Sorry to whine, and that's probably too much information, but hopefully that answers your question. Thank you again for asking.
I'm so sorry to hear about your situation, OGR.
Sending all the positive vibes I can muster because that's all I have right now. 
You are amazing. All of us coming together in our own way is pretty amazing.
Kicking these threads helps tremendously. No worries about not having an email list.
I want everyone to know that you, and this awesome resource you've created, kept me from being homeless!!
I cannot WAIT for the day I am financially able to give back!
(I don't know if you got my email, so I want you to know that S'n'C came through for me! So, barring any unforeseen emergencies, I should be able to make it.)
I am so sorry I didn't reply. Thank you for the update and I'm SO GLAD!!!!
My favoritest DUer.
Thank you so very, very much for sharing that, sabrina1!
I needed that.
I sent you a PM (two, actually).
