This post is not about smoking or lost climbers so don't read it

[Mortos]

DU members, including me, have given over $3500 in one day to DU's official charity. I have noticed for 2 days the posts by Skinner on this topic have gotten scant attention and few comments but stupid adrenalin inducing posts on mountain climbers and smoking cant keep up with the outraged comments and new posts. The smoking threads have become so prevalent and mean spirited that they have been unilaterally locked by the mods, including my original post with smoking in the title.

$3500 is a good start but it is really a drop in the bucket to what a community like this with over 99,000 members should be able to give.

I think DU members are better than we have shown so far.

Get up off your ass and give some money to charity. If every member gave a measly $5 it would equal nearly half a million dollars. We should be able to scrape together at least $100 grand.

Quit yer bitchen about smoking and lost mountain climbers and dig into you pockets and give the equivalent of a Starbucks cup of coffee to this charity and show that this group does more than beat problems to death with our keyboards.

Donate here:
http://help.secondharvest.org/democraticunderground


Or go back to debating the pros and cons of smoking and beat that dead horse some more benifitting... no one.

Jesus Christ!

You remember him, he was the one who advocated giving to the poor and helping the underprivileged.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. I couldn't agree more

While I haven't given to Second Harvest, I have donated food to my local food bank both for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[nam78_two]

2. K&R.nt

[Jcrowley]

3. K & R

It's really dumbfounding to see the wasted energy on such menial issues and such life-determining issues relegated to the backbench.

[enigmatic]

4. I think the past few days in GD have shown a few things

There are some people who this time of year brings out the absolute worst in themselves. It's truly embarrassing stuff.

Fortunately, it also brings out the best in people as well, and this proves it. I hope everyone who is able to donate does so. Helping people who need help is a basic philosophy of what it means to be a Liberal, no matter what circumstances those who need help brought upon themselves.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. One more rec and you've made the greatest page

And here's a kick to help you get that rec.

[NC_Nurse]

6. Thanks for the reminder!

I haven't been to GD in days, but I hadn't gotten around to donating. Now I have.
:toast:

Happy Holidays everybody! :D

[enigmatic]

7. kick n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

8. Just donated and a K&R.

[GenDem]

9. Donated last night.

It wasn't a lot, but like you said if everyone that can -- kicks in a little it will really add up.

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. ..

:kick:

[ecstatic]

11. I'll think about it; after all, the cost of rescuing the climbers has drained my budget

Just kidding! Thanks for the reminder! I procrastinate but I'll get to it tonight, hopefully.

[Booster]

12. K&R. And I couldn't agree with you more.

[lostnfound]

13. $200 here, last night. I'm surprised the total isn't higher.

Hopefully there's just some delay in counting it? :shrug:

[toshirajo]

14. I already do

on a local level.

Not to be hypercritical or to turn this into an argumentative thread - But! Many of us have been doing this quietly everyday, every year, for decades. From rent assistance to food drives, from Lion's Clubs to Public Radio, from church to work, from children to adults - we form our foundations and raise funds as they are needed to be applied as they are needed in our backyard. Your motivational style needs polish. Perhaps this is your first effort into philanthropy. Bravo. Welcome. We can use another pair of hands. Big hugs.

[Mortos]

17. I also give throughout the year

I thought this would be a great way to show progressives as a large group can work together to do something really impressive with this one charity. As to my motivational style, I tend to be straightforward with my beliefs and it seems that the gently reminders put up by Skinner have recieved very little attention from the members of this community.

I see a lot of apathy when it comes to topics like this but red hot passion when it comes to topics like smoking, mountain climbers and the flaming topic du jour. Topics that benefit no one and tend to alienate members against each other.

If this group cannot raise $50,000 for this charity before Christmas day, I think it indicates that we, as a group, are all talk and no action. If every member who can, gives just $5, we should be able to wow the WWW with our actions. More importantly, we would make a difference in the lives of hungry people across this nation.

It seems that DU doesn't care and that saddens me and makes me angry.

I look forward to seeing today's totals but I am not confident of an explosion in giving.

[toshirajo]

18. I totally understand.

I understand the frustration, and the anger. I know the temptation to scream. That's why I offered big hugs, and still do. Let it happen. Let your feelings come to the top, and then throw them away. Entertain the emotions for a moment, and let them show you the benefits of detachment. Let whatever money comes in stand for itself, and be glad for it. It's beautiful no matter how big or small. DU may not be the best venue to attract contributors. It may be just one of many. You're doing good. Let it all be good including to yourself. Really. Big hugs man.

[EnviroBat]

15. Done...

Donation Amount: $10.00

Tracking Code: 1691-1441-1-80222-94862

[Irishonly]

16. Just donated

I would just ask the members to remember people are hungry all year around. I volunteer for our Council of Churches and we are thrilled this time of year at how much food we get. I only wish people had Christmas giving frames of mind all year around. My other request for you if you donate to a local food bank is not to forget the kids. The looks of their faces is joyous when the see even just a tiny bit of junk food. Sorry, don't mean to be preachy. Motos makes an excellent point. Five dollar donations add up.

[Pooka Fey]

19. Done.

Thanks for the kick in the pants - it was one of those things I'd been meaning to get around to before Christmas.

[tbyg52]

20. K,R,&Done

$100 here. This is a very good idea. I like to put my donation together with a group of people I like and enjoy the HUGH total!!!!!1!!

Please kick in what you can, if you can. I would consider it a wonderful holiday present to see hundreds of thousands of dollars!

[Mortos]

21. Thanks

I appreciate your donation as do all the people it will feed. People like you restore my hope.

[RayOfHope]

22. Donating and kicking n/t