April 29, 2013

UPDATE: YOU DID IT!!!!!!! (*** PLEASE READ POST #43 ***)

[font size="3"[font color="blue"]MONDAY @ 11:00 PM UPDATE: $520 RAISED! YOU GUYS ARE WONDERFUL!!!

Sunwyn asked that I ask you to stop now, since the amount of $487 has been reached. But I'm going to leave the info below intact for today. [/font color][/font size]




[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.&quot [/font]




If you're not familiar with Wishadoo, please see my journal for previous posts.


[font color="green"][font size="+2"]DUer, sunwyn, is in dire need of help to get her electricity bill paid by Wednesday.[/font color][/font size]

First, here is the DU post which brought her situation to our attention.

Second, here is the Wishlist post, which includes a link to a PayPal account being used to collect funds. The electric co-op bill will be paid directly from the funds raised.

(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 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). 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.

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]


[center][/center]

April 28, 2013

I'm a Human Being

This video is from July 2012. The online community is trying to find Mr. Davis but, as yet as far as I know, no luck. There have been scammers setting up online fundraisers saying it's for him, but they've been discredited as being just that: scammers.

I'm posting this because this applies to SO MANY PEOPLE...people down on their luck in myriad ways, with others judging them harshly without knowing their story.

We rarely know another's story. Not really.

So, in my most humble yet sincere opinion, we would do well to remember that, above all else, the stranger we encounter along our path who may be asking for our help in some way is a human being.

We need to be mindful of The Golden Rule.

It doesn't mean we are horrible people if we're skeptical, but we must remember our Humanity, and see the Humanity in others. Maybe we can learn more about their story before making assumptions and judging them harshly.

Edit to add: It may be good to remember this even if the person is wearing a teabagger-type t-shirt or is sporting a confederate flag, for example. They're also human, so maybe we can default to treating others as fellow human beings unless they DO something that shows they're not deserving of our time and energy. Maybe the right-wing paraphernalia isn't even theirs, and they're mortified to be associated with it, fearing others may not help them because of it.

April 7, 2013

7 Reasons This Muffin Mix Can Save America

Edit to add the company website in case you want to give them a shoutout: http://www.jiffymix.com/

Not perfection (see posts #37/38), but this company has more integrity than the vast majority we tend to hear about. I'll take integrity; I'll support them and encourage them to do better.

"Cory, My name is Howdy Holmes; I'm the CEO of Jiffy mix. Why don't you give me a call at ...." I could hardly believe my ears. There on my non-smart phone voicemail was a message from a Formula Atlantic Racing Champion-turned-CEO of the $100 million per year market-leading company in prepared baking mixes. What could I possibly have done to deserve this honor? I simply had written a short note complaining that I preferred the flavor of real blueberries to the artificial ones in their muffin mix.

Anyone who has dared venture down a grocery store's baking aisle or opened their grandparent's cupboard has probably seen one of the timeless white and blue "Jiffy" boxes that haven't changed much since the mixes were first invented by Holmes' Grandmother in 1930. What I didn't know until I did some homework, was just how great of a company is behind Jiffy mix. After a 16-minute long chat with the Jiffy mix CEO, and 11 years of studying business and economics, I knew I had discovered one of America's last great businesses. Here is seven reasons why:

1. Jiffy mix sells over 55% of all muffin mixes in the United States, but doesn't spend a dime on advertising.

While Jiffy competes by selling quality products at the lowest price (40 to 60 cents for corn muffins, for example), most American companies now try to sell their products by making people feel inadequate. "Buy our products, or you won't be happy or sexually fulfilled" is the implicit message that lies to us each time we turn on a TV or catch up on the latest news. Instead of trying to convince us what we should want, Jiffy simply does the right thing, and works to meet a genuine need for convenient wholesome food. The 30% to 52% off the final price that Jiffy saves not advertising or making flashy packaging is directly passed on to customers in the form of unusually low prices.

FULL ARTICLE (excellent!): http://www.policymic.com/articles/30626/7-reasons-this-muffin-mix-can-save-america

April 2, 2013

** 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.&quot [/font]




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&quot .

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]


[center][/center]