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This message was self-deleted by its author (OneGrassRoot) on Sun Mar 3, 2013, 12:05 PM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Thanks OneGrassRoot... again...for Wishadoo and all you do..
Soooo, what about this? Any creative ideas and suggestions? 
What if, as a community, we have an auction to raise money for DUers who need some help and are on Wishadoo!'s Wishlist? Can you think of what some DUers could contribute for such an auction and/or what you might bid on?
One DUer previously mentioned that he/she could offer horseback riding classes; another is a tie-dye queen and can offer lots of tie-dye merchandise.
Maybe auctioning lunch with a beloved DUer or an autographed book from our published authors?
I'd be happy to have DU itself benefit if we were to collaborate and admins want to participate in some way. Hint, hint. 
There are talents and skills galore within the DU community, so surely there are some creative things that can be auctioned, even if they're only able to be appreciated by those of us in this community.
Edit to add that if you're wondering how it would work, technically, one of Wishadoo!'s unused tools is a marketplace, which is like "ebay for good." It has the auction and buy now features, just like ebay.
Remember the auction we had for DUers in the Gulf after Katrina/bush* ? If I recall it was very successful!
I was here but don't remember that. Cool that it's been done before!
If you have any suggestions, or know DUers I should reach out to about this, let me know, please.
to reach out to the crafty DUers. Great idea.
I'm with you on the Katrina/bush* thing.
Thanks much.
Four things come to mind, FL:
1. After I post an OP, you can reply which will give me one spot to gather replies.
2. You should post your paid services there regardless!
3. You should post the same at Wishadoo, in an applicable Wishlist category. You can offer your services for a fee, for barter, to gift to another Wishlist post...
4. I almost forgot the Business Directory! LOL http://www.wishadoo.org/directory/main/
Regarding the Wishlist, let me know if you have ideas regarding the categories in your case; if a category should be reworded, categories combined, etc. I'm going with the flow and will reorganize categories based on what works best for you guys.
i need to edit the location better...
I'll definitely post more in the other OP and I need to make Wishadoo a main tab on my browser and check it every morning
I went to the marketplace forum, and they're brainstorming ways to make more people aware of it. I posed my question in that thread rather than create an OP there for now. Just FYI.
The more the merrier, right? ~
I may not be able to help in the $$ dept these days, but I know this platform is amazing and will help those in need. There are a LOT of helpful souls out thee who have the resources and abilities , and Wishadoo helps put them together with those who need help in a immediate way...
Thanks OGR for this !!!
K&R to the MAX!
Assuming that each DU member can kick in 1.00, wouldn't that add up nicely to help a fellow DU member?
I was able to donate a few drops for the bucket recently, and am very pleased to see it that one of our members
has benefitted from our joint efforts.
Things are getting worse "out there", commuity is becoming much more essential.
Kudos to One Grass Root for creating Wishadoo admist personal problems of his/her own.
Also because it is a most cool thread that everybody should see!
Laura
I like the OUT LOUD call to action.
There is no way people can know if someone needs help unless they speak it out loud.
Want to feel like your life means something?
Want to make someone really smile, and cause them to feel like they matter as well?
Help someone. That's all you have to do....
It's the best cure for the blues I know of...
There is no widget to tell.
Yeah, that embeddable widget doesn't always work for every PayPal account, and it didn't work for the most recent Wishlist posts highlighted here. 
Both DUers in question have had an especially awful day today, so I don't want to bug them for an update. Hopefully they can give me an update in the morning and I'll share here then.
Sending good vibes to you and your family, especially regarding your dad's health.
And a few other personal tribulations.
I can't donate right now, but I can give this a good swift kick.
I hope the personal tribulations ease up very soon.
Thank you again for your amazing generosity with so many recently.
and all the wonderful DUers who have contributed their well wishes and contributions.
All I can do is apologize that I haven't been successful at growing Wishadoo more to get more engagement there.
I also can't create OPs too often here, and -- as you can see -- unless an OP has a lot of controversy, it disappears quickly.
I posted this idea earlier as another way to generate funds for people, but I got nuthin'.
I'm sorry, rbrnmw. I don't know what else to do right now.
NEW OP of 3/3/13:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022453620
CONTENTS OF THIS ORIGINAL POST BELOW (deleting OP to avoid confusion):
[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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If you're not familiar with Wishadoo, please see my journal for previous posts.
Please also check out two recent related OPs: 1) Asking for your help in spreading the word and 2) an OP -- a rant, really -- introducing the idea of a DU Angel Circle.
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 should be shared, would someone please do so? Thanks.
[font color="green"][font size="3"] There are two new DUer Wishlist posts; three if you count my plea as well.
1. rbrnmw: In addition to ongoing extreme financial stress, and being turned down for SSD, there is the added stress of her father's health. Please offer good vibes, well wishes and/or prayers regarding her father, and any other support you can offer regarding her family's situation.
2. kookaburra: Caregivers in this country are suffering tremendously. Kookaburra is the perfect example of our broken system and distorted priorities as a nation. Click her name to learn more about her situation.
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3. Me OneGrassRoot. I'm adding myself to this list and asking out loud for your help and support. I didn't create a Wishlist post but will summarize here: At 50, ageism in the job market is affecting me and my S.O. tremendously. As we both continue to try to find more work, and as I simultaneously work hard to develop Wishadoo and related projects for The Common Good, keeping the website going isn't my only challenge: Keeping the utilities on each month and a roof over our heads is the brutal reality. Everything has reached critical mass now. I'm far from alone; many of you are struggling with the same.
If you could please spread the word about Wishadoo!, that would help me tremendously. If you can spare any funds (without stressing yourself and after helping the other DUers), I would be most grateful. Even $3 offered by many can add up. Here's the link to help support Wishadoo. THANK YOU.
[font color="green"][font size="3"]More...[/font size][/font color] [font color="black"]
* VenusRising needs support with rent and bills. Many here offered moral support when her husband passed away suddenly three years ago. Please also see her recent DU thread for more information about her current situation.
[font color=red]VenusRising has received more donations but has a way to go. Her Wishlist post has a widget which shows the progress of her fundraiser.[/font]
* Another long-time DUer in good standing is asking for help. What he wants more than anything is to find an IT job but could use support in other ways now as well. He would prefer to not share his DU name but is indeed a member here.
[font color=red]This DUer has VERY PROMISING jobs leads thanks to suggestions by DUers!!!!! If you need a job or know of positions available, please see this OP.[/font]
* bakprkr , has posted the most recent request in the Wishlist. He is a vet, who has been struggling tremendously to avoid homelessness and needs transportation for employment (mass transit simply isn't available in many areas). His request is straightforward, and he's included a PayPal clickable icon. He has also permitted me to share his blog link, where you can follow his journey:
http://homelessvarmyvet.blogspot.com/
[font color=red]bakprkr also has received donations but has a way to go. His Wishlist post has a widget which shows the progress of his fundraiser, and his blog keeps us posted about his journey![/font]
* Deek's Wish needs much, much more attention. Not much has been raised thus far. You may remember deek's thread from April 2012, where she asked for votes to win a new wheelchair van for her daughter. DUers voted, but she didn't win. The engine on her van died and she needs a new one now, so she turned to Wishadoo! and DU for help.
* Silvershadow has a dream to start a non-profit organization for those who have Multiple Sclerosis and other similar neurological diseases.
* Akoto is a wonderful DUer I've interacted with behind the scenes; a very selfless young person, usually asking on behalf of others, but has a very real need for transportation.
* Mtnleo2 is asking for dental help for her niece, who is homeless.
* Oak2004 has a request to help a disabled/senior housing project.
[font color="green"][font size="3"]PLEASE ALSO: [/font color][/font size]
* Recommend this thread and keep it kicked for visibility;
* Please scan over the Wishlist in general; 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); after all, the more who gather...
*** IF I HAVE NEGLECTED TO INCLUDE ANY DUERS' WISHLIST POSTS, PLEASE CONTACT ME!!! ***
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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!
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