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.
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*).
What a great way to help!
love that you’re doing this Katie.
Best idea ever! I am constantly yearning to donate to innumerable great causes: cancer walks, research foundations, disaster relief efforts, etc., etc., but I just can’t swing it financially. This lets me do it because you’re in a position to be generous! Thank you!
Don’t apologize, it’s a good cause! I will click around, but my husband and I are also donating as much as we can spare to the victims.
Katie, this seems to be confusing people (and to be honest, there are more direct ways of raising immediate funds). Angela on Oh She Glows (www.ohsheglows.com) set up a donation page on the Canadian Red Cross site, it might be worthwhile to generate donations that way to the American Red Cross. It’s a great way to raise money for disaster relief.
Hi Tessa,
As I said in my post, I know that a lot of people have already donated. I wanted to provide a different way for people to make a difference. So often, people get frustrated that the only way they can help in a certain situation is to give money. This way, all the have to do is click, and the advertisers pay! But I definitely do not mean people shouldn’t make a donation as well (which I’ve already done). We can do BOTH :).
Oh,this is such a wonderful idea. Of course I will do whatever it needs to help. Of course.
I have been working as a Nurse in the Redcross shelter in Burlington Couty NJ, as I walked into the sleeping quarters at the shelter its a totally overwhelming experience thats difficult to process, no words really describe it. Hundreds of cots lined up, blankets and pillows are the hottest commodity only thing to look forward to is whats the next meal its very humbling.
Jennifer, thank you so much for volunteering. The world needs more people like you.
Thank you Katie!
All the Nurses working are amped up on Chocolate!
Thank you for doing this Katie! I live in NJ and I’ve seen the conditions people are currently living in. It’s really sad how people are stuck, have lost their homes, and are now starving. I’ll definitely be clicking around on your website (more than usual anyway)