I want to give $46,000.00 to charity!

[tlgoblue]

No, I'm not rich. But WE are. After spending too much time on these boards, and thinking about adding in my sig how many times I've given to the Michael Eisner fund, it hit me hard. I have given to Disney enough $$ to feed a small country. I see others on this board who have done the same. I also ASSUME that anyone on this board has taken or will take one Disney vacation. From that, I assume we are, collectively speaking, quite wealthy. I also see we are 46,000 strong.

So I was wondering if there was a charity that, say Pete, (since he is so helpful to all of us) might want to suggest we donate to, if any of us were so inclined. It seems to me, that we are all fortunate (some more than others), and if we all gave $1.00... (the math is quite easy) well, you get the picture. We are a sizable group of really good people and $46,000.00 is a nice round number, don't you think?

I'm sure I'm asking for some sort of flaming, but I don't bruise or embarrass easily. If this post is at all improper, moderators, please feel free to pounce on it. Just sharing a good thought.
BTW, for the most part, I love My Disney vacations, and don't plan to stop taking them.

This is in no way a solicitation for funds for any organization, just something to consider. Am I the only one who sees the possibilities?

Tracy

 

[binny]

I think its a great idea personally!

Maybe we ought to have a "charity exchange" instead of the next exchange. Everyone who signs up agrees to give $1.00 to the Charity chosen

 

[ennazus]

Those are BOTH awesome ideas!!!!!!!



I'm game!

What do you say, Pete? Do you have a suggestion for a charity?

 

[Cindy B]

I applaud you!

Yes, people in INDIA live on 100 ruppees a month.. (roughly $2.50 A MONTH!)

In the Phillipines, people live on Smoky MOuntain.. yes that sounds like something from a John Denver song.. Rocky Mountain high, fresh air, invigorating... NOT! Smoky Mountain is a trash heap, a very very large trash heap, which obvioiusly smokes. Many many families live on that!


In Jakarta Indonesia, diarrhea kills young children every year. (And yet we can buy Imodiom AD very very easily!)

In Phnom Phenh Cambodia, families with sick children do not get medical treatment for thier young children, since they can get more "handouts" if the sick child looks sicker.. they in turn starve the sick child... so even more money will come it.


Also in Cambodia.. $10 per month is the monthly cost for schooling. That is a very costly sum for most Cambodians.. so the children are forced to work.. either doing piecemeal crafts, farming, begging or even prostitution...

Young orphan girls in China are called by some the "maggots in the rice bowl".. (An actual quote from a family who dropped off a child in a Chinese orphanage)

Suicide rates are extremely high among older Russian orphans.


Yes, all around the world, we have so much. $46K is a drop in the bucket for some. I give a lot to charity, and if I added up it would probably be close to that some or even more.

Some people even here in the US, can never afford to go on a vacation, let alone one to Florida.



I sacrifice so much for others. I could be a richer person in net worth, but I give to others who have nothing... that is more important to me.

Yes, it could and should be done.

 

[Towncrier]

You should send Pete an email since I'm pretty certain that he doesn't read every single post that appears on the DIS boards. In the past, folks on this board have supported Give Kids The World and several Avon Breast Cancer events. Fire off an email to webmaster@wdwinfo.com and let us know the results.

 

[whirlsy]

I think its a great idea, too bad we couldnt send families who would never be able to afford a disney trip on a disney vacation.

 

[bmartin1206]

Good Luck. All I wanted to do was send one sick child and his family to Disney and with he exception of a few (very few) generous soles have been turned away and let down. I'll continue to work on it on my own. It'll just take longer.

 

[Disney Doll]

Is there some sort of international charity that sends money to all different countries, including the USA?

I know there is terrible poverty and need everywhere in the world, but there is also some here. I wouldn't have a problem donating to a charity that divides money among many different countries, but I would like some of it to stya in my own country as well. Not all, just some.

 

[wovenwonder]

Wonderful Idea! There is Power in Numbers and the DIS could become one powerful place! Lets point that power in the right direction.


Many of us DO visit wonderful places during the year. I mentioned once before about having all of the DISers collect the little shampoo, lotion packets, etc from your travels and have one person willing to accept them all. After collecting them for a certain amount of time (perhaps a year) they could be donated to local homeless shelters. I didn't have any takers at the time though.

 

[bmartin1206]

I think charity should start at home, focus your resources to get a handle on the issues then use those succeses to benefit others. Spreading yourself thin (monetarily or otherwise) helps no one as the problems grow quicker than the resources. In my opinion it needs to be attacked one at a time beginning with the children and we have plenty here in this country. Why are we often eager to help other countries and ignor our own back yard. If you can't give money, lend a helping hand. Somebody needs a mentor, a tutor and a role model. You don't have to be a super star to do any of these nor do you need to be rich.

 

[Cindy B]

I know of an international charity which does amazing work overseas,in many different countries and also in the U.S.


I have volunteered with them for many years.

 

[AMClvsMKY]

I think it's a great idea also but I 100% agree that the money should stay at home and not be sent out of the country.

 

[tlgoblue]

WOW!

I'm glad to see there are those out there who see the possibilities. While I'm aware that we all have certain places we'd like to see our $$ go, and all are noble and valid, I was hoping for a single cause, so we could really do some good, as a group. I certainly think if you want to give to your favorite group, you should. However, I would just like to say "I CARE." I see many suggestions about feeding the world's hungry. I think that's fine. I hope this doesn't turn into a debate about who gets what. That is why I suggested Pete designate a charity. I will E-mail him and ask him if he would be interested in being some sort of guide.

It is not my intention to fund any specific group. I just think we have an incredible group of people whom, together, can do incredible things, without spreading ourselves too thin.

If nothing else, thanks for all the positive feedback. It's good to know you're all out there!

Tracy

 

[bmartin1206]

The family I'd like to send has their only son in intensive care, critically ill but hopefully improving and he has Downs Syndrom. To make it worse his step father , who has stepped up to the plate as father figure has been layed off. His name is Michael and he thinks my wife (who is his Peds Nurse) is both a Goddess and Arial. She also works part time at the Disney store. He won't go to either the office or the Disney store unless she is there. She has red hair and once dressed like Arial which pretty muched cemented his belief.

 

[janette]

Pete has in the past sponsered a drive for Give Kids the World, there have also been other things done to help in efforts by people here.

There are many issues surrounding charity donations, it's best to try to give to an established organization. Here's a link to several that help children on trips. Wish Fulfillment Organizations for Children

 

[CarolA]

I had the impression that at one time Pete made Give Kids the World the "official charity" of his web site.
BMartin, have you contacted this charity. If the kid has medical needs this is probably the way to go since they have on site medical staff etc to deal with issues.

 

[Lynn CC]

I'd be all for a charity in the U.S. Our people need it now more than ever.
I think we tried this before on this board with Give Kids The World. I know I donated, but I'm not sure if too many of us did?

 

[JohnTBap]

Do I give a dollar for each of my aliases???

 

[MAC3]

I Love it! There is a woman who is usually on the Universal Board and helps people get Fan Club cards...

Her screen name is Tinkerbarb. She helps the Make a wish foundation.

Just a suggestion.
Great idea! Whatever the charity.

 

[ead79]

A couple years ago we did a large fundraiser for Give Kids the World in Florida. It is a wonderful charity, and I could certainly handle donating $1 for these sweet children. Let me know what charity is decided, and I would be happy to donate.