Many of us have been following Charley James and his "Suddenly Homeless" series here and at other media. He has been on the street since April and has been writing about his experience of being homeless as well as what other homeless individuals, couples and families go through.
Here's some good news: It looks like Charley's ordeal is ending!
He's been offered a job as a full-time free lance reporter for an international wire service starting Dec. 1. It's a three month contract initially yet we're all hoping it becomes permanent. But because of the way free lancers at the news outlet get paid, he won't see his first check until about Jan. 20th – I think that's the same day Pres. Obama is sworn in for his second term.
So some of his friends are asking fellow Kossacks to join us in helping him get over the hump, the period from now until he receives his first paycheck in January. His editors in LA and the UK are also asking readers to donate today, as well.
You've been very generous in the past and we're hoping you are able to dig into your pocket one more time.
Even if you can't donate, please "rec" this diary so it stays prominent today.
Cash donations may be paid via PayPal to the account of another friend of his who's done this at past fund raisers. At Pay Pal, send the donation to gweigel1@wowway.com.
If you want to give via check, money order or cash rather than PayPal, send Charley James a private K-note and he'll provide the address and particulars.
Here's what Charley needs to get him through the next 60 days:
Rent – $1,440
Food – $650
Clothes – $200 (He lost his winter clothes when he became homeless in April and still needs a parka, boots, a couple of sweaters, a stocking cap and gloves. He went to a free clothing distribution site but they were out of his size (L and XL) by the time it was his turn)
Medicine – $275 (He's used up the free benefit from BigPharma and has to pay for his prescriptions)
Miscellaneous – $250 (everything from his cell phone to shaving crème and a laundromat to food for Prince, his beloved Golden Retriever who's done as much as anyone to help him through this)
The total is about the same amount that ShoshannaD was able to raise for Charley a few months ago when she ran a fund raiser for him here. I've been in touch with her over the last few weeks and we're hoping we can do the same.
Even if you cannot donate, could you please "recommend" this diary?
Cash donations may be paid via PayPal to the account of another friend of his who's done this at past fund raisers. At Pay Pal, send the donation to gweigel1@wowway.com.
If you want to give via a check, money order or cash rather than PayPal, send Charley James a private K-note and he'll provide the address and particulars.
He is continuing to work on his book, now called "From Middle Class To Homeless: When The American Dream Becomes A Living Nightmare." Charley has been booked to speak in April at a conference on family homelessness, and will be appearing on a number of syndicated radio programs to talk about the homeless issue between now and the end of the year.
He took time out from covering homelessness during the election and did some reporting and writing on the campaign but especially on organized voter suppression.
Even if you cannot donate, could you please "recommend" this diary?
Cash donations may be paid via PayPal to the account of another friend of his who's done this at past fund raisers. At Pay Pal, send the donation to gweigel1@wowway.com.
If you want to give via a check, money order or cash rather than PayPal, send Charley James a private K-note and he'll provide the address and particulars.
Thanks to everyone from Charley and his friends!
Even if you cannot donate, could you please "recommend" this diary?
Bill & Estelle Windsor
UPDATE: Thank you to all who have contributed today. We are doing this funding event over Charley's objection because he is embarassed by his situation. Without wanting to humiliate him, I want to say that like many homeless people he is barely getting by. He is renting a basement room in a stranger's house, he gets food from a food bank and takes many meals at a soup kitchen. He stands in line to get winter clothing but because he has a common size for men he has found things in his size are gone by the time it is his turn. If you do not want to donate, that is fine but please do not humiliate him further with comments that attack either Charley or my wife and me.