If I may, How about a list of acceptable places for a donation

[TayTay]

In Your Honor. We have been talking about a donation, made in the Senator's name, to show support.

I submit this one, but there are more that are equally worthy. Please submit yours.

http://www.neshv.org/

New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans. They are in chronic need of funds and they are near and dear to the Senator's heart.



Ahm, you might like the message from our friend Max Cleland
http://www.neshv.org/va_leave_no_one_behind_2003.html

What say you, perhaps a donation here?

[beachmom]

1. I just said in the other thread that I like your idea, Tay

This is the best idea I've seen yet.

[TayTay]

2. There were a lot of good idears in there

I was hoping to put them all in one thread and then ask what people think. It is unfortunate that there are so many veterans organizations that could use the money. (Damn this Admin.)

And thanks.

[StoryTeller]

3. This sounds very good to me.

I think the more personally connected Sen. Kerry is to wherever we donate, the more meaningful it will be.

And I agree with Beachmom that doing something to help the veterans he cares so much about is a fabulous idea....uh, I mean, ideaR. :)

[Democrafty]

4. I am definitely in favor of donating to a place

where he's visited, that he has some conection to. This seems like a great solution.

[StoryTeller]

5. So how do we do this?

I looked at the NESHV site, and they take online donations, but it would sure be nice to be able to direct people to one link where they can donate, and it would all go into one large "We love John Kerry" account.

It sounds like several of us would like to also send him a physical token of this gift, too. I love the idea of contacting his own former cookie shop and having them send an extravagent number of cookies using his own mom's recipe. Along with a card saying that we've set up this donation fund in his name at NESHV because we know he loves the troops and we love him.

I can't imagine that he wouldn't feel cheered up by this. Let's do it!

[MH1]

6. Can someone contact them, or the place we decide on,

and find out how we can do it through PayPal or some other online payment system (Click to Pledge is an alternative to PayPal).

May I also suggest that someone email Skinner (maybe after we are a little further along on details) and ask if he would allow us to publicize it here in the main forums, maybe even a pinned thread?

This isn't just about Kerry. This is about showing that people who support Kerry - DEMOCRATS - really do support the troops.

If there is any benefit to setting up a website for this purpose, I would be glad to host it, but it would take a couple days to set up, and we would need a designer. I'm thinking those efforts are better spent on winning this election, so we ought to keep it simple - a PaylPal (or Click-to-Pledge) link that we can post in forums and send around, that would aggregate the contributions to one bucket "in the name of" would be great.

[TayTay]

7. Wonderful idear MH!

I like the PayPal thing I think that aggregating these contributions into one would be a good thing.

As for the cookies, I bet we know someone in/near that great city that can pick up something yummy locally and make sure it gets there. I just bet.

[StoryTeller]

9. And, um...who would that be, I wonder? :-)

Tay, would you be willing to call Maggie's Sweets and find out what they might be willing to do for a certain previous owner? If you let us know, we could all PayPal you for that part of it, and then the donation part would be separate.

I'm kind of thinking the cookies would be a gesture from mostly just us on this forum. Right?

[StoryTeller]

8. If everyone is agreed, I'm willing to email NESHV

It seems that no one has any objections to this. I like MH1's suggestion of using PayPal or ClickandGive to do this and making it a coded button that can be disseminated across boards and blogs.

May I have the privilege of emailing Stephen Cunniff, the Community Affairs Manager, with the following? (Please give me feedback on this and I'm happy to tweak it to everyone's satisfaction. I'm used to being edited!)

Dear Mr. Cunniff,

I'm writing on behalf of supporters of John Kerry and bloggers from Democratic Underground to ask if we could work with you to set up a donation account on behalf of NESHV in John Kerry's name. We know that the NESHV has been near and dear to Senator Kerry's heart, and we would like to honor him and show our support for him by helping the shelter.

We would like to utilize something like PayPal Donations or Click and Give that will allow us to create a button that we can insert into our discussion board posts, websites, and blogs. We know your website allows online giving already, but we would like to be able to have all the individual donations funneled into one account in Senator Kerry's honor. If you could help us figure out the easiest and best way to do this, we would greatly appreciate it.

We want to honor Senator Kerry's long-standing commitment to the troop and to veterans in this practical way. As Democrats, this is something we take pride in doing. Can you help us, please?

Thank you so very much--not just for this, but for caring for our veterans and serving our country in this way. We appreciate it and are looking forward to showing our gratitude both to you and to Mr. Kerry.

Sincerely,
(Whatever you want to sign it as)

What do you think?

[TayTay]

10. This would be incredible.

Thank you ST!!!!

I would be honored to collect for the other end of this. No more than say $2 and anyone coming to Bosotn can hit me then with this. Anyone else, ahm, PM and we will work it out.

[StoryTeller]

11. Thanks, Tay! And...

When you call about the cookies, do see if we can have some sent over to the NESHV, too. That was a good idea, and I know that most of us would be more than happy to chip in a few extra dollars to have that nice extra touch.

How long should I wait for other people's opinions on sending that email? I'm just chomping at the bit to get going on this--but I don't want to overstep and miss getting other people's input.

[beachmom]

12. I think you should do it; there will be enough people

to make this worth while.

[TayTay]

13. AHm, with all due respect

Is it okay with everyone that we do this donation to this place.

(There were many good suggestions at place. I kind of thought a vote would be in order. Ahm, I didn't mean to hijack the discussion. Oh dear.)

I would love to send over cookies.

BTW, The NESHV has had a very rough time of it. They had some mismanagment and almost closed their doors. It was touch and go there for a while. Now they have righted the ship and are really doing some good work.

[StoryTeller]

14. I vote for the NESHV!

I didn't see any other suggestions--but I could have missed something. I just like this idea because it's a place that John Kerry is already personally connected with, so it would be meaningful to him if we did this.

And I do see that they could use the help. Did you all look at their wish list page on their website?

I'm glad they got things back on track, Tay, and didn't have to shut down. Do you think this is a good, solid place to donate to?

[MH1]

15. Is it possible to ask around certain quarters

and find out what certain people might think might be the best place to support in the manner we are describing?

[TayTay]

47. We are dead-on target

As most people who do what is in their heart are.

All set. We just need to hear back from StoryTeller.

[MH1]

17. I love the email as you've written it,

just let's make sure this is the place we want to make the donation to.

Also, I think it's Click and Pledge. Here's a site that reviews these tools:

http://www.idealware.org/donations/2005/11/click-and-pledge.html

[StoryTeller]

18. Thanks--and I like your suggestion, too.

Of checking with Certain People to see what they think would be good. Just as long as a Certain Other Person is kept in the dark about all of it, because we wouldn't want to ruin a fun surprise. :)

Click and Pledge--that's it. Thanks. I'll make sure to make that change.

So...not to seem impatient, but how quickly can we check with Certain People to find out what might be good? I'm excited about this and want to DO IT! :D

:bounce:

[WildEyedLiberal]

24. Count me in for whatever

I'll send money for whatever - I do think we need to send JK a concrete token as well, though. I like the cookies idea. I'm in for a donation for both cookies and the vets' center. Just keep me posted.

[StoryTeller]

19. Who is checking with Certain People? (nt)

[MH1]

35. I was kind of hoping Tay might know how to do that

but on re-reading her other comments, it sounds like she already knows NESHV is a good pick. So I'm happy to go with it.

Maybe someone should post a poll? But I don't know if we have any other suggestions than NESHV and Jon Powers' war kids charity.

[karynnj]

22. Great letter

[Inuca]

16. I am perfectly fine with this

and would be happy to contribute.

[Luftmensch067]

20. Just caught up with this

What a perfect idea. I'd love to contribute as soon as that's figured out!

[ProSense]

21. This is fantastic! I'm in!

It's a perfect way to thank Senator Kerry!

[MBS]

23. Great idea: count me in, too n/t

[StoryTeller]

25. So, Everybody...What's The Verdict???

Are we on with the NESHV or are we still checking into other possibilities? MH1, what say you? TayTay, what say you? Anybody else want to weigh in????

[WildEyedLiberal]

26. I'm cool with whatever

I want to send him cookies and I'll make a donation to whatever org everyone else likes. The vets home works for me.

[Island Blue]

27. I'm cool with whatever too.

If we can come to a descision by tomorrow that would be great. Otherwise I won't be able to do anything until Tuesday because I'll be out of town.

[sandnsea]

28. Agree n/t

[cadmium]

29. count me in.

I am just getting back to this after a few double shifts. I used to know the donation person at NESHV but he has moved on to a vet outreach program. If you want me to do a little checking in on who to call PM me.

[YvonneCa]

37. I'm in. n/t

[TayTay]

30. I forgot. I also like this charity very much

http://vvaf.org/programs/war-kids-relief/

Jon Powers ( :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: ) runs it.

Iraq's Youth in a Time of War

War Kids Relief's Program Manager, Jonathan Powers, is published in the current issue of John Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies Review Journal. The article “Iraq’s Youth in a Time of War” addresses the issue that the War in Iraq continues to have a detrimental affect on millions of Iraqi youth. Although billions of dollars are being spent on the war, there continues to be limited focus on enabling these youth to be part of Iraq’s reconstruction. Ironically, the vast majority of the country’s population is under 25 years old. As a result, many youth are being recruited as paid-for-hire insurgents and adding to the perpetual mayhem and violence. This article will explore the current struggle that Iraqi youth face and suggest ways to ameliorate their increasingly desperate position and help them find a better future. It argues that the United States and the international community should increase their support for efforts to engage Iraqi youth in their country’s state-building efforts. This is crucial for increasing the stability in that country and throughout the region.

[beachmom]

31. Oh yeah -- I definitely like that charity. I just love the Iraqi people

and feel so bad what has happened to their country. I actually am flexible about what charity or charities we use.

[Democrafty]

32. Jonathan Powers!

He's dreamy!

I'm fine with both or either.

[MH1]

34. That's a great charity

but I think in context, something that helps veterans or the troops in Iraq is better.

I am rethinking my suggestion above about asking around. Sounds like you already know that NESHV is an appropriate choice. I'm fine with going ahead with that one.

[StoryTeller]

36. Wow, that sounds cool!

But I agree with whoever it was upthread who said that in context a troop/veteran related donation would be more appropriate.

[TayTay]

38. Okay then

NESHV it is.

This is nice. StoryTeller, would you mid writing them?

I will speak to folks about the cookies.

[StoryTeller]

42. Aye Aye, TayTay!

Email gets sent first thing in the morning!

And cookies...mmmmmmmmmm. Hey, if you get to see the cookie package, can you take a pic and post it for us so we can imagine how yummy they are? :)

[rox63]

33. I think this would be great

Count me in for a donation towards whichever charity we choose, and for the cookies. Just let me know how to send the $$. :)

[StoryTeller]

39. ANYONE ELSE WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THIS???

Sorry for the caps--just wanted to catch everyone's attention.

Unless one of you tells me not to, I'm going to go ahead and send the email I wrote above to the NESHV tomorrow morning. I will sign it with my name and "On Behalf of The Democratic Underground Kerry Group" and my phone number.

Once I hear back from them, I'll post a new thread to let you all know what's up and if there's anything else we need to decide before we do it. I like the idea that someone else had of doing this in a way where there's a simple link or a button we can put in a forum post or on our own blogs or maybe on the DU website as well. That's what I'll try to get set up for us.

However, when it comes to contacting Skinner or anyone for DU, I would really like someone else to take over at that point, since I think it would be better for the request to come from someone who has been around longer than I have.

TayTay is on Cookie Patrol, I believe. She said upthread that those of us going to Boston can slip her a five at that point and the others of us who would like to contribute can PM her to make arrangements for that.

Is this okay with everyone??? If you have any objections, speak now or forever hold your peace. ;)

:grouphug: You all are so wonderful! I'm so glad to be part of this terrific group of people.

[JI7]

40. something veteran related plus some special treat for him

i like the homeless Veteran one you mention. but almost anything veteran related. depending on how much money we can gather (assuming we will send it to one person who will then make the donation in Kerry's name) maybe we can send to multiple charities.

and some little treat for him like chocolates.

[StoryTeller]

41. We are all thinking the same on this! :-)

TayTay arranged for a fabulous treat of chocolate chip cookies to be delivered to him tomorrow, I think. Isn't she amazing??? :loveya:

And as far as the donations--I think we weren't really thinking of having one person gather the money, because there was some suggestions of maybe allowing people outside our group to donate if they wish, and I'm not sure they would feel comfortable just handing over money to a private person they don't know. At least, I wouldn't. But if you check out the NESHV's wishlist on their site, I think they can definitely use every single penny we give them.

What do you think? Sound okay?

[_dynamicdems]

43. Let me know the details on the cookies. How much and who is collecting?

I'm kinda broke now so that's all I can do at the moment.

[politicasista]

44. I like the cookies idea n/t

[StoryTeller]

45. TayTay is the Cookie General.

She said we could give her a couple bucks in Boston if we'll be there or PM her and make arrangements that way.

[_dynamicdems]

49. Okay, I'll settle up with Tay at Faneuil later this month. n/t

[globalvillage]

46. Sorry I missed most of this.

I see that I owe Tay for cookies, but how do I contribute to the NESHV? I'm in for whatever you guys decide.
Thanks.

[wisteria]

48. I need info to, on what is going on except on the cookie matter. n/t