What Jeff and Amanda have done here

[wellstone_democrat]

I've never been so proud to be a member of the DU community than I have been in the past two days. Before the tragedy that has engulfed Mari333 and her family, I saw this forum come together not only to protest administration policies and practices, to donate to a single mother and her son facing very hard times, and to lend an ear, a shoulder, a word of comfort to all sorts of people in time of need.

We've followed Mari333's difficult journey over the past year fearing for her son. When this terrible tragedy struck the family it was her husband. DU rallied to offer condolences but post after post begged to do something tangible for this family.

Two stepped forward and spent the day pulling together a political response (call Sen. Levin of Michigan!), a memorial response (flowers to be "present" for us at the memorial service), and a practical response (help with expenses of the funeral). Jeff and Amanda did yeoman service today. Each has their own "full plates" as we all know. But they stopped, they organized for us and they did the hard work of asking Mari to be generous enough to allow her DU family to help her in her time of need.

I can't imagine the time and energy this has taken. Thank you both for making me prouder than ever to be associated with you both and with all of DU. I don't think I will ever forget the goodness of all of you. I'm sure that our friend Mari333 won't.



Link to donation/condolence thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2270427&mesg_id=2270427

Link to United Veterans (Amanda's donation site:) http://groups.msn.com/UnitedVeteransofAmerica/


on edit---add links

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Yes, thanks to them for helping to coordinate things

and keep things moving along at such a difficult time.

*big hugs*

[NMDemDist2]

2. link please?

how can we donate?

[nostamj]

4. here ya go!

a number of options. direct cash gift to help with funeral expenses, flowers fund, donate to MFSO in Scott's name. if you need a snail mail to donate to the cash gift, PLEASE PM vetwife (Amanda) as she is coordinating that part of the effort.

A Death in the DU Family | Mari333's Husband | What DU Can DO

thanks W_D, sometimes you just gotta do what needs to be done. without the rest of DU stepping up, the whole thing would be in the archives by now...

cheers to ALL.

[Bunny]

3. Thank you for writing this. Jeff and Amanda are, indeed, the

best. It must be exhausting for them, to coordinate the information dissemination, as well as talking to Mari herself. Blessings to both of you, and to all of our DU brothers and sisters for rallying around our friend.

[vetwife]

7. Speaking for myself I am humbled by your post..This is America !

This is the America I want to live in. Neighbor helping neighbor instead of spying and backbiting as Ashcroft and the Fear and Smear crew wants. This community should be what the real America looks like. You don't walk away from someone in pain. You help ! This was not only Jeff and me, it was DU. This is what freepers call hate mongering commies who want to take over the country don't you know? Well, I for one want to live in DU. DU represents America. People putting their own problems away and helping those who have been struck by misfortune. I love all of you guys and there is no need to thank me.
It was a labor of love and real support to our troops. Halliburton ain't getting nuthin !

To donate just click on my signature line and it will take you there !

[Bunny]

9. Aw, Amanda...

:hug:

[wellstone_democrat]

11. My thoughts exactly Amanda!

THIS is the America I believe in. Not that selfish rapacious world of the neo-cons and Bush*. But, people who rally in a crisis and mourn with their friends. People who, like many here, gave money they could not afford and sent genuine expressions of faith and love.

And, in that spirit, two stepped forward and *lead*---not through posturing and announcments about "leadership" but through action. They are who I want my son to emulate as he matures--not a posturing fool in costume.

I can't thank all of DU enough---its a privilege to be here.

[nostamj]

13. I agree with Amanda 100%

this is not about US, it is about DU. and it is the kind of America that DU wants to see.

action, not attitude. action, not platitude.

and since Amanda did not mention it, the $700+ and growing is all small donations of $5, $10, $20. no one should feel bad if they can't give more or can't give at all right now.

ALL of your replies to the 'condolences' thread are being compiled and formatted... Mari wants to share it with Michael. so, even your words of support are important.

YOU are important. and we ARE a community. a 'family'. this is only ONE example of our ability, our WILLINGNESS, our NEED to connect and contribute.

and huge kudos also need to go to Ann Arbor Dem who, on the day before she was leaving for a family vacation, made a number of calls to coordinate the floral donations. it would not have happened if she hadn't stepped up and gotten it DONE.

I do appreciate your appreciation but, without the response, this would all be an archived thread.

nost

[burrowowl]

5. Amanda and Jeff are GREAT PEOPLE!

n/t

[wellstone_democrat]

6. kick

:kick:

[calimary]

21. I'll second that! In fact, I'll third that. And more.

We spend most of our days (and many sleepless nights) finding comfort here among others of like mind. Mainly because of a "president" who does NOT motivate us to stand tall. People like Jeff and Amanda, on the other hand, do. We stand tall because of each other - HERE. We hang our heads over bush. By contrast, we can lift them high because of YOU guys.

My elderly neighbor down the street (who plans to vote a straight republi-CON ticket, yet somehow cannot find it in her heart to vote for bush this time), says "there are stars in your crown" - whenever someone helps her out. That'd fit you two - and everyone else here who rallied. Bless. You. ALL.

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. They have been incredible.

We all knew they were extraordinary people already. Look at Jeff's AMAZING Question W review show. Fighting the administration with his creativity and Vetwife's devotion to our Veterans who need her help and now, this. They are 2 unbelievably incredible people and I, too, am proud to know them in this internet world. Du and the people here are just amazing.

[Sugarbleus]

10. Wonderful tribute to those who made this happen...

It's a grand thing to be able to thank everyone's efforts.

I've found DU to be a surprisingly wonderful source for help on issues of a more personal nature. I've been helped more than a couple times.

Some of America's finest are right here in DU.

[tandot]

12. Thanks, Jeff...Thanks, Amanda

I am so proud to be a member of DU.

I hope the both of you keep us updated on Mari and how she and her family is doing.

:yourock:

:grouphug:

[calimary]

22. Yeah, and something else - make sure you let us know when Michael

comes home. That's something else I think we've all been yearning for.

[nostamj]

23. michaels return will be VERY difficult.

but based on my conversation with her today, I do have faith that Mari has the strength to meet the challenge.

I'm sure if Amanda or I have news we can share, we will. Mari has asked me to consolidate and format ALL your condolences and words of support so she can share them with Michael and I will be sending that to her tomorrow.

best,

jeff

[Cha]

14. My thanks to Jeff , Amanda..

and All duers who have made this happen in our Mari's hardest time. :grouphug:

[peekaloo]

15. a sincere thank you to Jeff and Amanda.

:*

:hug:

[LWolf]

16. Yes, thank you!

[vetwife]

18. Again..its all of you.....We are approaching the $825 mark !

Marie's husband had just found a job after being out of work for a long time. You folks have no idea how much this means to her ! She is so humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of words, contributions, love and calls to Senator Levin's office. I too am grateful for the help with the Florist from Ann Arbor...I thought about this thread after crying about you folks being so kind and thoughtful....A New Yorker (Jeff) and a Southern Gal (me) teaming up to coordinate a fellow friend of us all in Michigan. Had there been an inernet in 1860 there would never had been a civil war? If both sides were liberal !

I have to thank my husband who I have cherished even more today for picking up the slack around here because I have not left this computer but once all day long ! Jeff, three kids have been fetching me cokes, sandwiches and helping with supper. Buddy I hope you have a little help there !

[nostamj]

20. ha! I'm all alone here and it was after 3pm when I realized...

HEY! you haven't eaten anything yet... (a pot of coffee doesn't really count but it does keep you typing......)

and even then, the pasta & meatballs got cold because there was an endless number of PMs and emails to answer...

still, one of the best days ever.

note: it's the DONATION thread that needs your attention. this is very kind and appreciated but... don't let that thread fall off for the rest of the weekend, please.

jeff

A Death in the DU Family | Mari333's Husband | What DU Can DO

[burrowowl]

24. KICK

KICK

KICK

[EST]

25. What a miracle you are, Amanda.

Once again I am proud and humbled just knowing you. (tearful, smiling sigh)

[blm]

17. two great human beings...

salute.

[KC21304]

19. Kudos to Amanda and Jeff and any others who

pitched in. :grouphug: