I was the luckiest Kossack involved in the the three week subscription drive that ended at midnight December 31, 2011. I offered my empty PayPal account for the use of a small donor drive, because lots of folks wanted to help buy lifetime subscriptions for others but only had a fraction of the cost at their disposal. While others ran the diaries and maintained numerous lists, I collected the email notifications from PayPal, kept the books, and purchased the subscriptions. If you think that sounds boring and tedious, you couldn't be further from the truth, because many of the email notifications had messages attached. Messages that made me laugh, messages that made me cry, and messages that blew my socks off.
You know how the story ended, of course. Before long, gift-giving mania broke out in Orangeland, with Kossacks reaching out to Kossacks and saying, "You matter to me. Here's a token of my appreciation." Many, perhaps most, chose to make their gifts anonymously. Kos will give us an update soon on the final tally, but this diary is about the 198 "small" donors. I thought, at first, that their story would have to remain mostly my secret, because their messages arrived with an assumption of privacy. I couldn't let it go, however, because the best part of the story is that many of the people on "Ono's List" - all of whom received lifetime subscriptions - turned right around and used the small donors fund to share their joy and appreciation in whatever way they could. Other Kossacks made multiple donations, and a few made large donations. Enter old-fashioned cut and paste, and I can now let you see part of what I've seen. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the small donor Santas:
It is a pleasure to be able to give back a small token of what was gifted to me. Kelley if there is any way to do this again, I could contribute more next week and again the week after, until the 31st.
Here's $100 just because, and another $23 for the one person who has so far taken advantage of my offer to pony up $23 for everyone who registers at [redacted] during their $23 off holiday sale.
Thanks for your part in helping us small-donor Santas do a good thing for our beloved community. Cheers!
I paid one forward to [redacted] but want to contribute some more to this worthy cause. Love you, {{{Kelley}}}, Mwah!
How I wish my tidbit could be more, but I had to do something for the pool, so it is the thought that counts in my case.
With fast internet but little else, here's my little bit to help someone who needs a faster DKos connection more than I do.
I really wish I could gift someone with a lifetime sub or, failing that, I really wish I could make a larger contribution. Still, if it'll help someone out, I'm good with it.
Kelley - I was surprised to get a gift lifetime subscription to Daily Kos! I never thought there would be that many people donating - this has been so incredible to watch. I want to pay it forward at least this little bit, with more later if I can.
I am unable to gift a lifetime subscription, but would like to add to the small donors list. Longtime reader/lurker. Almost never comment. Thanks for everything that you do.
I've been a DKos lurker for several years. Wanted to help out with a Small Donation for subscriptions. Don't have a preference as to who it goes to.
A small donation for small donor lifetime subscription drive at daily kos. Thank you, I am so happy to have received the gift myself, I want to pass it on. I'll send another donation next week, after I get paid.
From a DKos lurker to help buy someone a lifetime subscription. I'll get my own later.
The donation is for the dkos small donor pool. There are many deserving names on the wish list. Hope we can clear them up by the end of the drive.
I got gifted with a lifetime, but want to pay forward what I can afford towards someone else's request. Thanks!
Help from an expat retiree.
payin' it forward!
Hi - please use this donation toward anyone's lifetime sub at dKos - and bless you for what you're doing! It's not much, but it's the only way I can help pay forward what the angel who gifted me with a sub did...what a wonderful gift. A wonderful gift.
This $25 is for [redacted]. If for some reason he doesn't end up getting enough pledged for a subscription feel free to move it for someone else.
Ho, ho, ho one more time! I really must stop, but there are so many very fabulous nominees!!!
Hi Kelley! It's a drop in the bucket, but we all know how those drops add up. So, I am doing my part to help pay it forward, and hopefully it is not too late for the small donors fund for lifetime membership.
Small donor fund... Thought I'd pay it forward a little... :D
A small contribution for the subscription drive... here's hoping lots of these small one's add up!
Here is half of a Kos subscription. Thank you for making it possible to make small donations.
Please pool this with other small donations to give someone a lifetime donation. I have already bought myself an annual donation, because I anticipate being able to afford it each year. Thanks for doing this and for your interesting diaries. I love Daily Kos!
Paying forward the sub I was given a while back. I would also suggest (anonymously) adding [redacted] to the list of deserving recipients. She hasn't asked for one, but she's well liked & apparently can't afford one now (to judge from recent posts).
Scraped up a little more for the Small Donors Fund.
Hi KelleyRN2, I am a long-time lurker who just recently signed up on DKos. Please add this last-minute small donation to the small donor pool to help anyone you can.
Hi! This is the last that I can do. I am grateful that I've had the chance to give one complete subscription and to contribute to 3 others. You have made the small donations possible and that is so awesome. Thank you. It means the world to me!
10 dollars is for [redacted]. I will push him hard in Comments.
Wishing you a Happy New Year with so much gratitude in my heart for all you have done for the community. and of course keep this anonymous. thanks. [This was a $500 donation!! NK]
my donation for small donors for kos...thanks again for including me on the list!
I want to help make another Kossack a happy lifer, as so many generous donors have done for me. Thank you so much for doing this!
I would love to see [redacted] get a sub. He hasn't been around a lot lately, but he is still here. I know he needs it and I think a sub would bring him back. If it gets down to 10 or 20 more, please send me a message. I will make it happen.
Nurse Kelley - I hope that you can use this $10 to pool toward another lifetime sub for someone at DKos, before midnight tonight. If this is too late perhaps you could put it toward an annual subscription for someone, instead. Paying it forward...
I am eking out a few more sheckels, and hoping we can wipe all the names off the list...the tears, they just keep coming, but they are good tears! :-)
I just keep refreshing the "list" diaries--how can I not give a little more? Thanks again for making it possible!
I don't want to be responsible for anyone getting left behind on that list! Not much, but I hope it helps!
For Daily Kos lifetime subscription for [redacted]. If [redacted] already gifted or if gifting can only be done randomly through you please use for the proper purpose, as I picked [redacted] at random anyway. Coming late to the process and don't have much time so I hope my method here is okay.
Hi, Nurse, I received a sub anonymously and should show up in the 'received' list as [redacted]. I paid it forward anonymously but I can eke out this little bit more, to finish up the list.
Gift of a lifetime subscription for anyone still on the list. From a long time lurker.
For any Kossack in need. Happy 2012 from Berlin!
Please add my $10 to the Small Donors Pool. You may add it to whichever user's account is closest to making $100 (or use your own judgment, Nurse Kelley).
Bless you, Nurse Kelley, and may 2012 be your best year ever! May it be the best ever for ALL Democrats!
I'm not around much at all, but just saw the lifetime subs - I can't afford one myself but can afford to contribute to someone else's subscription, and so this is for that.
For the final subscription. Thanks for all you have done and all that you do. [NOTE: The small donors had a secret santa of their own, a Kossack who rounded up the final tally to make enough for one last full lifetime subscription. NK]