I'm in a little group called Lazy, Stupid, and Godless that is currently raising funds for Médecins Sans Frontières. (Doctors Without Borders)
We may be all or none of those things, but since the campaign started on 25 November, we have had to raise our goal three times, and we would dearly love to raise it more than that. It started out at $2,000 (that was hit within 24 hours). Then $5,000 (and today there was much rejoicing!). Now we have a goal of $7,500, but I won't hesitate to tell you that most of us are salivating at a chance to raise it to $10,000, because there's a small part of our Cthulthian mod who wants to be able to say:
It's over NINE THOUSAND!
And you will donate!
To me, this is what the holiday season is about. We give what we can to those who have even less. And I know how
much it means to be on the other side. Yes, sometimes it can feel shameful, depending on how the giving is done (religious orgs can either be great or horrible about this--there's a reason 'taking the soup' persists as a curse in Ireland).
But a gift given without strings is an amazing thing, especially when there is a true need. I wouldn't have been able to donate even the token I was able to, to MSF, if you hadn't all helped me get into real, safe housing. And now I want to do all that I can to pay it forward.
I received permission to spread the word about our little drive. It lasts until 25 December 2014, midnight. Please consider sending even a little bit. It does add up. And really, are you going to let a knitting group of roughly 2,000 members out-fundraise you like this? Really? ;)
And keep in mind, we've had side fund-raisers during the big one. The Fairyhoarmother comes to town, and giving comes out the ears. Over $200 for an animal shelter. Money and pledges to buy hot meals and coffee/tea for the homeless (that warmed the cockles of my now-housed heart), gifts and remembrances for board members who've had a bad year, or helped others... all spontaneous.
Come on, Kossacks! Descend on this fund raiser! Help kids! Support MSF! And get into that holiday spirit!
Wed Dec 03, 2014 at 8:42 AM PT: And we're within $100 of our new $7,500 goal! Knitters who talk about how things need a flange to make them (ahem) safe, and try to educate our in-laws that perfume caps are not contraception (because going out and buying the real thing speaks to premeditation to have sex and we can't have that).
Put simply, BiPM would be considered mild, but his grammar appreciated.