Welcome to the weekly edition of Helping Humpday, dedicated to Kossacks helping one another.
Humpday — because we’re smack dab in the middle of the work week and getting over that hump sure looks sweet. But for some folks in this community, the humps they need to get over are far more daunting than looking forward to the weekend. That is where Helping comes in. Helping Humpday is specifically about generating support for struggling Kossacks who find themselves facing an imminent financial emergency. Our goal is to publicize the Community Needs List as widely across the site as possible. Our motto is simple: many hands make light work. But we need all hands on deck to make this successful. We invite you all to join us.
Please share this diary to as many groups as you think is appropriate. Thanks!
Update: Some Good News
A family member has just stepped up and generously helped Muff with her June rent today. However, they still need $850 for July rent and August is quickly approaching.
$850 to keep a tiny family off the streets today!
Ordinarily I would not make Helping Humpday an appeal for an individual as we have many Kossacks in need. However, today is an emergency. Mufftootuff and her son need help today. $850 is the difference between being a senior citizen on the street or in a modest apartment. $850 is needed for June’s rent by Friday. Yes, you read that right. June’s rent is overdue (again) and July is already half over. At one point they were three months behind in rent and the landlord is tired of giving them extensions. They can’t even live in their car, because they are (again) two months behind with their $250 car payment. The car that Muff’s son needs to get to a job. The job that can finally get them out of this downward spiral.
By the way, Muff works. She has a grueling job as a cashier at a local grocery, standing for hours and sometimes lifting cases of water or beer. It takes a huge toll on her back, but she keeps on. She also has a modest Social Security income. But combined, it isn’t enough. Once her son gets a job (and he is willing to take any job), they can begin to chip away at their debt and become stable.
Will 85 generous Kossacks step up?
I am not going to be subtle. Muff needs at least one month’s rent paid. Now. There are over 1 million Kossacks. There are hundreds of thousands of hits to this site daily. If just 85 of you donate $10, Muff will be secure in her home for another month while her son continues to look for work. If another 25 of you donate $10, they can pay one month of the two months of overdue car payment and that will keep the repro man from their door.
PayPal is momeriwether at gmail dot com (PayPal.me link)
They tried to do the right thing — and they suffered for it
Muff’s son tried to do the right thing for his family. He gave up his restaurant career to become a full time caregiver for his elderly grandmother. It seemed like the best decision for their little family. Muff had a good job and was earning a decent salary. Although the little family was stretched, it worked for over a decade. Then Muff lost her own job and had to settle for one paying half the salary. After Muff’s mother died, the expectation was her son would return to work. Try getting a job after being out of the workforce for over a decade. Even in a so-called booming economy with near-zero unemployment, there are a huge number of folks who are not benefiting.
Muff acknowledges that she has received a lot of help from our community. She needs one final push to the finish line. Will some generous Kossacks step up and give a helping hand to a fellow Kossack in need?
PayPal is momeriwether at gmail dot com (PayPal.me link)
This is an open thread. Virtual tea, coffee, hugs, the occasional cat pic, and a musical interlude along with more ways to help and occasional links are below the fold. But first, we pause to bring you the full list of Kossacks who really could use a little help from this generous community.