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.
You are one of less than 10 blogs I follow on a regular basis and you are the first to do something like this. I was disappointed that most of the other blogs haven’t even mentioned Sandy and the victims. So, thank you so much for doing this.
Just posted a link to your sugar-free chocolate chip cookie pie on Bariatric Foodie’s FB page. I love your recipe and have been meaning to share it there but just haven’t. Love what you’re doing and hope that post will get you many hits! 🙂
Thank you! Clicking around will not be a problem, pretty much a weekly (daily) happening.
Will clicking on the ads increase the revenue? What exactly should I be clicking on?
Nope, no need to actually click the ads. Clicking on ANY of the links on my site (recipe posts, faq page, about page, etc) count :).
As a follower living near the East River in Manhattan….. Thanks for thinking of us!!! {Your blog is fantastic} 🙂
You are so awesome sweetheart. As if I needed another reason to look up recipes on your blog…thank you!
This is a great idea! Thanks for keeping it real, Katie-I really admire your unselfish outlook on life. Question: do we need to click on the ads, or does we raise money simply by clicking around the site?
Simply clicking around the site :).
Click click click x50000
This is a great idea! I’ll start browsing recipes now!
Great idea Katie! I will do my part!
On a lighter note, I am LOVING the new lavender background on your site!
It’s funny how I seriously stopped doing what I was doing to click on this! I will definitely contribute and check your site a zillion times per day 😀 Okay, maybe 10 *blush*
And this is just another reason why I love your site! You are selfless and it shows 🙂 I’ve re-posted the link to this post on both my personal FB & blog’s fan page as well. You’re amazing, and thanks for giving us all another opportunity to help the victims! PS. I’m with the 1st commenter…I probably click on your site a bajillion times a day already! Ha!
I’m confused. Where’s the money coming from every time I click?
The advertisers (whose ads you see)
Bless you Katie, what a lovely thing to do…I’ll get clicking xx
I absolutely love that your raising money for everyone who has had to deal with Hurricane Sandy, but it wasn’t just the Northeastern US. Cuba was hit just as bad.
Thank you for mentioning that! Haiti was hit as well, and I should’ve mentioned this (*editing now*).