Friend in need (not a solicitation!)

[drayke]

For those who followed that other thread looking for low cost things to help out the family in need that we can no longer discuss how TO assist, I just wanted to report that Passporter jumped on and comped UPS to get a new 2005 copy to the family before the end of the week so it would get to them in time for their WDW adventure! How cool is that! Way to go Passporter!

 

[bengalbelle]

Thanks for letting us know that. I was so disappointed that the other thread was deleted.

 

[wonderlandaddict]

I have been looking for that thread all day. Can we get an update on the results?????????

 

[Twende]

I too was looking for that thread all day.

I had mentioned on several other boards about how wonderful the people of DisBoards are and how so many offered to Pay It Forward for this family.

I thought it was inspiring and wonderful. Why was it removed if I may be so bold to ask?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

There's an explanation as to why it was removed here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=958455

It's regrettable that it had to be done but I understand why. I only hope that we can get an update later from ugadog99 when she returns from WDW.

 

[RobDoc]

...
I thought it was inspiring and wonderful. Why was it removed if I may be so bold to ask?

All that needed to be done was to send the details of the charity to WebmasterPete asking permission, in advance. This is pretty clearly spelled out in the site guidelines:

"1. FOR SALE posts: For sale ads are strictly prohibited on any of the DISboards. Anyone posting such ads will have their posts deleted. For sale posts include posts asking for donations. If you are part of a charity that is looking to raise money, you must email the webmaster at webmaster@wdwinfo.com with information and proof of the organizations validity (this includes an address for the organization as well as the phone number). Otherwise, the post in question will be deleted."

The OP was contacted with that information and declined to ask for permission. The thread was allowed to remain two more days before being removed when the request was never made but more posts with further needs were posted by the OP.

The DIS has always been very generous with both it's own charitable programs (thru "Give Kids The World") and many other organizations. None have ever been denied to my knowledge when permission has been requested in advance. It is too bad that was not done in this case.

 

[Feralpeg]

Doc, thank you for this information. I will definately keep it for future reference. I think the problem the OP on the other thread had is that this was just a family that she wanted to help have a nice time on their trip. She had no idea it would snowball the way it did. She didn't really ask for anything. To be honest, I was the first person to say that I wanted to have something for the family when they arrived. It kind of just went from there.

I'm sure she didn't know what to do when she received the information because it isn't a charity. It is just a needy family. I don't remember the OP every asking for any type of donation. She did report what had been volunteered as the request of others and was happy that people were volunteering things. I just wanted to clarify what happened because I don't believe the OP was trying to solicit anything or trying to go around the rules. Sometimes things just take on a life of their own.

 

[bengalbelle]

Doc, thank you for this information. I will definately keep it for future reference. I think the problem the OP on the other thread had is that this was just a family that she wanted to help have a nice time on their trip. She had no idea it would snowball the way it did. She didn't really ask for anything. To be honest, I was the first person to say that I wanted to have something for the family when they arrived. It kind of just went from there.

I'm sure she didn't know what to do when she received the information because it isn't a charity. It is just a needy family. I don't remember the OP every asking for any type of donation. She did report what had been volunteered as the request of others and was happy that people were volunteering things. I just wanted to clarify what happened because I don't believe the OP was trying to solicit anything or trying to go around the rules. Sometimes things just take on a life of their own.

I agree. She only asked for ideas. Everything else was volunteered.

 

[RobDoc]

Actually, she did post a list of what had already been donated, set up a way to accept PayPal and even posted a list of what was still needed- all after being contacted last Friday and declining to ask for permission as requested.

Regardless, this was not done in accord with the site guidelines, could EASILY have been handled in appropriate fashion and she was given the opportunity to do so yet, for some unknown reason, chose NOT to accept the opportunity extended last week. She was contacted personally by two different WMs.

We realize that everyone was trying to do something nice - too bad it couldn't have been in conformance with the site policy.

 

[Southern4sure]

Actually, she did post a list of what had already been donated, set up a way to accept PayPal and even posted a list of what was still needed- all after being contacted last Friday and declining to ask for permission as requested.

Regardless, this was not done in accord with the site guidelines, could EASILY have been handled in appropriate fashion and she was given the opportunity to do so yet, for some unknown reason, chose NOT to accept the opportunity extended last week. She was contacted personally by two different WMs.

We realize that everyone was trying to do something nice - too bad it couldn't have been in conformance with the site policy.

Paypal was not set up for this purpose. I was going to send a check but was afraid it would not reach her in time so I OFFERED to send paypal IF she already had an account which she did and I'm glad I asked. The only thing solicited was ideas to help this needy family, I see ideas and suggestions solicited everyday on the Dis and I didnt see this as any different. My heart went out to the children and I wanted to help in someway as did others to make this trip magical. Every question I asked was answered by the OP when she was able to which was hard since she is a teacher. It is not the OP's fault it snowballed but Im glad it did at least something good came out of it. It was so comforting seeing people wanting to help instead of threads getting hijacked, argumentative threads, personal attack threads and threads about personal hygiene and such. To the OP...have a fun and safe trip and thank you for trying to make this trip magical.

That thread was/is what Disney is all about...IMHO.

 

[Southern4sure]

"1. FOR SALE posts: For sale ads are strictly prohibited on any of the DISboards. Anyone posting such ads will have their posts deleted. For sale posts include posts asking for donations. If you are part of a charity that is looking to raise money, you must email the webmaster at webmaster@wdwinfo.com with information and proof of the organizations validity (this includes an address for the organization as well as the phone number). Otherwise, the post in question will be deleted."

So if I understand what your saying, all the Disers who have their Ebay ID in their signatures are breaking the rules too? The sole purpose of this is for personal monetary gain is it not?

 

[bettyann29]

It was so comforting seeing people wanting to help instead of threads getting hijacked, argumentative threads, personal attack threads and threads about personal hygiene and such. To the OP...have a fun and safe trip and thank you for trying to make this trip magical.

That thread was/is what Disney is all about...IMHO.

I agree.. Many times I dont even post on here anymore because of the way threads get out of hand.. but unfortunately most of them dont get pulled.. Makes no sense to me..

 

[Feralpeg]

Again, thank you to all who helped. I have been in touch with Melanie. She does not plan on visting the DIS again. She will be missed.

 

[Southern4sure]

Again, thank you to all who helped. I have been in touch with Melanie. She does not plan on visting the DIS again. She will be missed.

Same here and she told me this also. But she will give us a trip report....privately of course.....

 

[summerrluvv]

So if I understand what your saying, all the Disers who have their Ebay ID in their signatures are breaking the rules too? The sole purpose of this is for personal monetary gain is it not?

Yeah, I don't understand that.

I'm sorry that she won't be posting anymore on the Dis. That really stinks I hope the family has a magical trip and she should be proud of the memories she has been able to help create for them.

 

[disneyfanz04]

...even posted a list of what was still needed...

I don't think she did this to solicite what was still needed I am sure she did this because she was overwhelmed with PM's from people asking to help so instead of answering each post just figured she would post so everyone could see. I am extremely upset that such a wonderful, kind-hearted, rekindling faith in humanity thread would be deleted. Her original thread was asking for help for free and cheap things for this family to do, and the Disers took it upon themselves to volunteer to help with monetary donations. Such a shame. Kinda makes me not want to be here either. I think after the few exchanges I am signed up for I will be leaving the DIS too. So sad!!

 

[GOOFY D]

It is sad that sometimes the strict letter of a rule is considered rather than the intent and purpose.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I agree with the mods that the thread had to be pulled.

I read the thread a few times before it disappeared and was totally touched to see the outpouring of support and Magic from others. I also TOTALLY agree that the OP was ONLY trying to get ideas of how to help this family, not soliciting anything.

BUT, once it snowballed into so many offers it did become a potentially problematic post. I am one who LOVES to believe that we are all part of IASW here on this board, but we are often reminded that cyberspace is not always a safe and friendly place.

I think that by leaving that thread in place it could have opened up the potential for those that were being generous to be flooded with PM's from others begging for help for their friends or themselves. It also could encourage others to post seemingly innocent "help" threads that can't be verified, and potentially would be for personal gain only. Scam artists exist everywhere.

I think we can all agree that we don't want to see the board flooded with posts asking for "freebies". Even if they were legitimate requests, too many and we would all begin to ignore and even become bitter over the amount of "begging" going on.

Again, I COMPLETELY agree that the OP was NOT asking for donations, and I am sure she was probably totally surprised by the offers that were given. I think it is wonderful to belong to such a warm-hearted community that loves to share the magic and spread pixie dust whenever they can.

I want to keep it that way. Once burned, twice shy. It would only take one "scam" post to make everyone here a bit more cynical to the genuine needs.

I am very sorry the OP feels she can't return. The mods only pulled the thread, not banned her. We are still a community of Disney love and Magic and she should feel free to come here anytime. If nothing else this should have proved to her how wonderful this community is. If the mods were really uncaring, unfeeling they would have deleted the post immediately, instead of giving it a few days to "comply". Those 2 days made a lot of difference to this family. But, their ultimate job is to ensure the long term needs of the boards are taken care of, and by deleting the post they did just that.


Just my $.02

 

[Chicago526]

I don't get why she won't post on the DIS anymore, though. The WM's advised her what she needed to do to keep the thread open, and she chose not to do it. I don't understand why she would be upset at the DIS for following their own policy?

At any rate, it was nice to see so many people willing to help!

 

[Feralpeg]

I don't get why she won't post on the DIS anymore, though. The WM's advised her what she needed to do to keep the thread open, and she chose not to do it. I don't understand why she would be upset at the DIS for following their own policy?

At any rate, it was nice to see so many people willing to help!

She believes she did do what the mods asked. She edited her posts to remove the Paypal references and asked others not to mention Paypal in their posts. She never thought about asking for permission because she never intended for things to go this way. Also, it isn't a recognized charity. It is just a poor family. I think the OP was just upset because she thought a really nice thing was coming together and then she got scolded for it. I'm sure in time she will return. Right now, she is just a little gunshy. I've been scolded in the past for something I didn't even realize I shouldn't have done. It isn't a pleasant feeling.