Sorry for the gimmick-y title.
However, there is nothing gimmicky about what’s going on in the northeastern United States and parts of the Caribbean right now. Thousands of people have lost everything—their homes, their livelihoods, members of their family…
Today’s post is a reminder that there are more important things in life than chocolate.
This time, I’m not joking.
The victims of Hurricane Sandy are currently in desperate need of food, clothing, water, and medical supplies. Many are stuck in shelters, not knowing when they’ll be allowed to return home- or if their homes even still exist. To raise as much money as possible, my first thought was to host a giveaway, where you’d make a donation for an entry. But a lot of you probably already have made a donation, especially since a few other bloggers have already hosted donation giveaways.
How you can help:
EDIT: I really did have the best of intentions with my initial idea. Getting the advertisers to help with the fundraiser was, I thought, a brilliant way to raise the most money possible, since big companies have much more money to give than individual blog readers. I’d initially hoped to raise at least $2000, then match that number myself, and also ask if any companies would match it.
But then I started getting hate mail. A lot of hate mail. And hateful comments on the post. Hateful comments from people who were doing nothing, themselves, to help raise money, yet who had no problem criticizing the efforts of someone who really did want to help. My idea was not meant to be a publicity stunt or to get me more page views, and it’s really disgusting that anyone would think that. Some of my own relatives and friends lost a lot more than their electricity to this storm. (Both my parents grew up in one of the hardest-hit areas of New York, and many of our relatives still live there.)
I’m taking down the entire idea, not to give in to the haters; but because this was supposed to be an idea that would help, and it just seems to be doing more harm (and engendering more hatred) than good. (There are a few other reasons–things I didn’t initially think about–such as the fact that I’d rather send money now than wait until December.)
I’m making a private donation to the Red Cross, and I hope you all will do the same.
Why would ANYONE send you hate mail for trying to do something so thoughtful and compassionate? Don’t let them get to you, Katie! You had an awesome idea, and even though this didn’t work out as intended, you still made us all more aware of how much help is needed over there! 🙂
I agree. That inandof itself is a lot. Katie has a huge following and brought this to a lot of people’s attention. Nice job!!
Uh! This makes me so mad! >:( What kind of sick, distorted parasite of a human hates on someone for trying to help other people? This was a great idea! You are a wonderfully kind person Katie and don’t you forget it!
Katie,
Let me begin with what an amazing heart you have. Your actual readers, those who follow your blog, know that. No questions asked. I am sad you felt the need to pull your idea. It was heart felt and giving however the options you still have given to those who’d like to still help is brilliant also.
I can honestly say, I know how you feel. I recently did something through my restaurant that I felt was heartfelt and patriotic. I ended up apologizing and learned a good lesson. Haters will be haters. They will turn something good into making us feel like we are trying to self promote to give attention to ourselves through trajedy or something else. I ended up making an offer to all my patrons instead of the ones that earned it. It went against my grain but still worked out in the end. Understand this though, if you are doing something morally right, You will have hundreds upon thousands of people in your corner backing you up so don’t let the “few” change who you are or how you want to change the world. Yes, you are that good, so next time…Go for it and don’t give in. Way to go Katie, keep up the good works!
It’s sad, but miserable people will always try to see the worst in others. They aren’t capable of caring, and so they can’t fathom that anyone else would be :(.
You go girl! None of us were thinking clearly of every possible outcome immediately after Sandy hit. Your heart was in the right place. Don’t give up! I look forward to your email every day!!
I just want to tell you that you are fabulous. I don’t know you personally…only through reading your blog… but I just admire your big heart and how positive you stay. If there were more people like you in this world, it would be a world of rainbows and butterflies:) Keep up the good work!!!
You said: “Hateful comments from people who were doing nothing, themselves, to help raise money, yet who had no problem criticizing the efforts of someone who really did want to help.” How do you know that the commenters weren’t doing anything to help?
…Does it matter? I think the most important thing is that we get as much help to the areas that have been devastated by hurricane Sandy – a value which Katie has been doing a fantastic job at endorsing. Those commenters who were hateful towards her have forced her to modify her original plans of raising funds, thus impeding her attempt to get aid to those that need it most. Quite frankly that is a selfish action that I don’t think anyone actually trying to help would commit (since their words revoke to some degree the ethos behind aid/donating!) and it is unfair and cowardly that they took it out on Katie…
Very well-written, Alethea. Their selfish act has now caused those who were in need to lose potentially thousands of dollars. I hope they’re happy with themselves now.
(No, really I don’t hope they’re happy. I hope they’re remorseful and make bigger donations to make up for it. )
Just wanted to chip in and agree with what others are saying – your idea was so amazingly generous, and shame on anyone who criticized you or said that you were doing it for the sake of blog popularity. It’s really awful how nasty people can be over the computer. However, I am happy to say that my family is still giving money to the Red Cross 🙂
Thank you for being the very generous spirit that you are, no matter what the haters say. And thank you for the sweet potato chili recipe that I have used dozens of times in the past year. It’s really amazing!
It’s really too bad that people have to be so critical and free and easy with their negative opinions. I am sorry that happened. I personally thought it was a nice thing for you to do.
In other news, I have had your eggy breakfast bread every morning for breakfast for several weeks now. When the hurricane was supposed to come (it spared us in upstate NY but we weren’t sure that was going to happen) I thought, “OMG I better bake some breakfast bread right now so I have it if the power goes out!” The power didn’t go out but I had my delicious bread and I just want to thank you for offering the gluten free recipes and gluten free options you do because they are really helping me out! Keep up the good work Katie. I think you are great.
The highest nail always gets pounded.
You’re a high achiever, Katie, and some people are just plain threatened by the fact that you want to do something so publicly big and selfless.
I sure hope you don’t let those haters get to you. You are an awesome example for all of us! Remember that!
God bless, and thanks again for the yummy recipes.