Well, here we are. Over half-way through the last month of 2016 — a year that will live in suckatude. But there’s only one way out of this and it takes a human chain to do it. We are that chain. Folks like hero tales, super hero tales even better, but they’ve never been true. The “Greatest Generation” never claimed to be that — they were ordinary people of good heart doing their ordinary best to deal with an extraordinary situation. They used to say, “We seen our dooty and we dood it.” Making a joke of what their children called heroism. We, their children and grandchildren, are no less than they. The ordinary people of good heart doing their best outnumbered the Haters in 1942 and what seemed slowly at the time overwhelmed them. In 2016 we outnumber the Haters. It will seem slow to us in the middle of it, as it seemed slow to our parents and grandparents back then, but we will overwhelm the Haters. And we start by taking care of our own — and then expanding the group we consider to be our own until we include everyone who is willing to help and not hate. Simple to say, hard to do — but we can and we will.
+++++++++++++++ links for Kossacks in Health and Financial need +++++++++++++++
PDNC — No. 1 urgent — Patriotic Daily News Clearinghouse (Lin), the Blogathon Queen who started/helped start practically every caring community DK has from food aid to Kos Katalogue. And the environment. And torture. And... (We may soon be mining her old diaries about torture under W to see how to stop the incoming administration.) She’s a cancer survivor who recently found out — because our GD Medical Industry paid no GD attention to what she told them over a year ago and kept telling them until someone finally listened — the cancer back and spread to both lungs and into her bones. She’s very depressed as well as in pain, so words of support are also gifts. Please visit, read, rec, tip, and comment in Aji’s diary for PDNC — www.dailykos.com/... donation widget PDNC — www.youcaring.com… — note: PDNC still recruiting strength before any new “protocols” can be investigated. $18,828 to reach the goal.
Aji — Aji is a major Community Fundraiser right up there with PDNC but for the last several years due to RL and a lousy internet connection mostly behind the scenes — until she got the word about PDNC. She’s spearheading this one even if she sometimes has to go into town to get a solid connection. The longer version of her backstory is in many diaries and on the YouCaring donation widget. The short version is: 2008 crash, refinance denied, manufactured home repossessed, living in a 30+ y.o. uninsulated RV (this is the 7th winter), October 2015 electrical fire convinced them to seek multi-stage fundraising for a new house. Weather and other circumstances delayed start until July 2016. Time loss meant wrapping the final three phases (about $12K each) into one large $35K multifaceted phase. Winter is closing in. Windows haven’t been delivered. If they can’t do the septic system soon, it’s going to be delayed until next spring’s thaw. If they can get those two major things done before the ground freezes, they might, maybe, be able to move in and finish the interior over winter. If not, one more winter in the tin can. And the electric bill for trying to heat the RV is taking money that could be spent on the house. Latest diary, Homerise… www.dailykos.com… Meanwhile, even if you can’t donate, please share wingssilverwork.com and www.youcaring.com… links everywhere and daily if possible. $15,000 to reach the goal.
Arabian — Kossack, unemployed because a toxic-work-environment supervisor fired her after her unpaid FMLA was up, still recovering from an injury with no insurance because unemployed. Unemployment benefits almost up — Depression is better but some love to her diary still would be good www.dailykos.com… She’s had no luck finding employment at this point but her foot has healed enough to wear a special shoe instead of the boot. No widget but PayPal is arabean@att.net
BFSkinner — Kossack since 2008 beset with myriad mental and physical health issues that have worsened over the years. The current problem is teeth which Medicare does not cover. The last time he was intubated they managed to knock out about 5 teeth — then denied responsibility so they wouldn’t have to deal with the problem. He explains it here www.dailykos.com… the diary has PayPal address. He has an ongoing medical gofundme www.gofundme.com… gofundme target for dealing with teeth is $18,762, so $3,470 to reach this goal.
Dem — Kossack since 2014, recently started a “Trump News Today” series (for which he’d like some volunteers as he can’t actually handle doing it daily) that I hope will get more eyes. His truck went ka-plooey two days after the election (figures, right?). Diary is here www.dailykos.com… He’s still dealing with medical issues (and bills) from some fractured bones and came down with strep last week. He’s employed (underemployed but some income) but doesn’t have the “extra” to fix the truck. So far he’s managing to get to work, but it’s taking a lot of energy he needs for healing. No gofundme/YouCaring widget, PayPal robertallenproctor4@gmail.com $575 to reach the goal.
jtg — Kossack since 2005 (not always active), very active Dem in the Monterey Bay, CA area. He’s a long-time cancer survivor and also out of the workforce for 15 years while he was his late father’s caregiver. He qualified for and started substitute teaching in mid-October and has been working fairly steadily, but the schools were closed the entire Thanksgiving week so needs about $500 to make December bills. The school closures for the December holidays will mean he’ll probably need help for January as well. GOFUNDME He’s also a Kos Katalogue vendor and hopes to augment his substitute teaching with graphic art sales. There’s a new issue as well. His car, without which he can’t get to the schools (or much or anything else — mass transit is minimal where he lives), needs a new transmission. He’ll set up a separate gofundme for that when he gets the total. Meanwhile • PAYPAL is good for either issue.
Rock Creek Parker/Susan Hogarth — caregiver for her late mother for years, bookseller in the Kos Katalogue to augment a minimal Social Security benefit of $320 a month. Currently in the process of selling the house so book selling (new orders) on hold and fundraising a lower priority until further notice. No widget, PayPal address is same as book contact, rockcreekparker@gmail.com.
Update: jibrille was on DK last Wednesday early morning, has started treatment but was feeling OK and able to eat breakfast. Her 9-month-old kittens are on her whenever she gives them a horizontal space to land on. Purr therapy seems to be working to mitigate side effects. :) More Healing Energy and Good Thoughts are very welcome.
70 y.o. widow friend of Kossack michelewin, www.dailykos.com… her home was repossessed and is currently living in her car. Not fundraiser at this point, but she needs a place to stay in Sacramento (has 2 cats). As she is homeless right now, she’s difficult to contact. michelewin working on that. Hold the Good Thought.
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++++++Links for folks with primarily financial needs who are Kossack artisan/vendors — and of course the Kos Katalogue where your dollars vote for Family, Neighbor and Nation+++++++
Not only is it the “holiday season” — queue Andy Williams — but even when our ballot vote isn’t heeded, our dollar vote is, so cast that vote for Kossacks and other small businesses. Let’s give small and local a very good year. That’s helping community, too.
From Pootie Pads to wearable and frameable designs to jewelry to used/rare books to decluttering services — gifts from the heart are as easy to find in the Kos Katalogue as they are hard to find in mega-retail chain stores.
KOSSACK ARTISANS/VENDORS — NO to CORPORATE SMISH/YES to KOS BUSINESSES
asterkitty — to assist with moving costs, special painting sale is here. Big discounts: alexalev.com…
jan4insight — get through the end of Dec.
sale at her zibbet shop. Zibbet sales
www.zibbet.com… — Kossacks get 10% discount by putting KOSSACK in the coupon code.)
jan4insight, jtg, and elenacarlena all have t-shirts/ designs at TeePublic the most recent of which are on sale — check the Kos Katalogue for links to TeePublic as well as their other sites.
Sara R & Winglion — Pootie Pads —
pootiepad.com… (also lavender/thyme for woozles).
snoopydawg — beautiful photography — 10% off sale to cover Charlies’ vet bill www.midlifeartistsunlimited.org/…
Wings — NDN Silver wingssilverwork.com (link to gallery, go to contact tab for email to commission or purchase) also lovely photography. The gallery sales are Aji and Wings sole income for living and for building their house.
Update: Rock Creek Parker — temporarily shutting down to prepare for sale of house. Of course fulfilling existing orders, but otherwise will let us know when she’s back in business.
2016 Kos Katalogue is OPEN FOR YOUR HOLIDAY & YEAR-ROUND BIZNESS!!! Tell your colleagues, tell your friends! Take a look — you‘ll be glad you did!