Help for the Troops IIb

[mike55]

Some of you might recall, I organized a donation drive to raise funds to buy pre-paid calling cards for American and Canadian troops overseas. In about a month over the winter holidays, we collectively raised $1853. Great success by any measure.

I hadn't thought about it, until I received a couple of emails from past donors asking if I would be doing it again anytime soon. The short answer was no; but if the will is there, I'd have no problem dedicating time to it again. The process is easy. So here we are. Once again, Wayne has graciously provided the space.

I've received several donations since yesterday and will give it a go again.

With all that is happening with the housing and job markets and fuel prices, it might be a stretch for some; so do what you can, IF you can. If you care to donate at this time you can send a donation of $5, 10, ??? to the paypal account troopcalls@gmail.com or by clicking on the Donate button below.

As in the past, I'll post first name and last name initials (unless you tell me you want to stay anonymous) and as card purchases are made, the donors will receive a purchase receipt via email. No tax deductions for you or me.

For those not familiar with what we did, below is a link that takes you back to the original drive:

Help for the Troops II

Any questions, just drop me a line.

Best of the summer to all,

Mike

[stomachmonkey]

Bump

[Red Baron]

Thanks for setting this up, Mike.

[mike55]

I'll update this list in the order donations are received:

$25 Mike R.
$100 Mark S.
$50 Mike Z.
$20 Scott J.
$10 Abby S.
$50 Richard C.
$100 Robert C.
$20 Matt N.
$25 Jeffrey N.
$25 Chris M.
$20 Randy V.
$10 Marc G.
$50 Ed S.
$35 Greg C.
$40 Terry C.
$250 (Anonymous)
$50 Eric - The Plug Guy
$100 Adam G. / Apryl B.
$50 Noby T.
$15 Mel W.
$50 Marc S.
$25 Joseph C.
$25 Anthony T.
$50 Bill G.
$25 Tucker D.
$35 Lewis C.
$250 Eugene L.
$50 Bruce M.
$100 John A.
$100 Alan G.
$50 Joseph R.
$50 (Anonymous)
$25 Roger G.
$100 Walker B.
$20 Lindsey J.
$40 Glenn M.
$25 Dan Gi.
$100 Jim H.
$40 Dan Ga.
$100 (Anonymous)
$10 (Anonymous)
$200 David B.
$100 Jeff H.
$25 Tim T.
$100 Cam Mc.
$100 Paul G.
$50 Dennis M.
$50.27 (Anonymous)
$20 Jackie
$150 George M.
$25 Kirk P.
$10 Danny K.
$25 Darrell E.
$20 Mike P.

Total = $3190

[mike55]

RB, thanks. After the first go around, this one will be much easier to co-ordinate.

It would be great if more members could stop by and give the thread a view. So, spread the word to others if you can. It'd be great if we could top the money raised in the last drive.......

Mike

[Jim727]

This is a great idea and I'd like to participate. But. When I clicked the "Donate" button PayPal (which I don't have) was slapped down by my security. Any other non-paypal ways I can donate??

Thanks for doing this.
Jim

[mike55]

Jim;

Didn't know about the Donate link, although it's worked for others. I'm no expert in HTML! The easiest way is through Paypal. You can logon directly and enter the payment manually. Checks are too cumbersome for me to deal with. If it works, great. If not, no worries. Thanks,

Mike

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Great idea - thanks for setting it up!

BTW the donate link thingy works fine.

[Jim727]

Received your PM - sent you a reply.
Jim

[mike55]

Quick update - Jul 15, noon....

As of now we've raised $450. Once I get to $707, we'll purchase first 25 card pack (each 550 minutes). This will allow up to 2 1/2 hrs of talk time from Iraq or Afghanistan.

We've had 260+ views of this thread, and 7 PP members have donated so far. With over 55,000 members, I hope we can do better. So with a gentle nudge, I hope and encourage you to do what you can. It really does make a difference and goes a long way to show we care. I'm happy to put my time, effort and donation in without any expectations.

Let's make it worthwhile for all and put a smile on your face and those of others. Thanks again,

Mike

[mike55]

Update - Jul 16, noon(ish).....

Since my "nudge" yesterday at this time, I've received an additional $1000 in donations/pledges and I thank you all for it. It makes the effort all the more worthwhile. It's greatly appreciated.

We have enough now to buy cards that will allow 50 service men/women over there to call home for up to 2 1/2hrs total talk time. That's a good thing!

Let's try to keep the momentum and see if we can surpass the last drive's total. Stay tuned......

Mike

[mike55]

Hi folks;

Well in one week we've surpassed what we did in one month last time around. So far the tally is $2050 ($1980 net of PP fees) received/pledged.

Congrats and thanks to all donors! We're very close to buying the first 75 pre-paid cards. Once all funds are received, I'll update you via email.

For those contemplating donating, please do. Any sized donation is acceptable. Let's try for another 75! Cheers,

Mike

[mike55]

I just made a purchase for 75, 550 pre-paid cards, for a total of $2107.35. Again these are good for approx 2 1/2 total talk time from Iraq and Afghanistan. Donors, check your email.

I'm happy we can put smiles on at least 75 deserving individuals. I hope you feel as good as I do about this. 6 donors on the current list are PP members. For those that can donate, please do. We've already surpassed last winter's drive and it would be great to add even more. Thanks to all that have stopped by and to those that have donated.


Regards,

Mike

[Shoepop]

Mike this is truly a wonderful thing you are doing for our service men and women who are out there covering our butts. Thank you very much for taking your time and putting it together, IT IS TRULY appreciated. I can't believe only 6 Pelican's contributed . If you don't mind me asking are the other contributers listed members of other forums or ??????? Thanks again Mike. Mark S.

[mike55]

Mark;

Thanks again. The pleasure is mine.

So far we have 40 donors - 6 from Pelican, 3 from Club Cobra, 23 from Rennlist, 6 that didn't identify which forum they belong to ( pretty sure these are Rennlist as well) and 2 others.

Let's try for another 75.........

mike

[Shoepop]

23 + another possible 6 from Rennlist COME ON PELICANS!!!

[mike55]

Mark;

Thanks again. Your participation in this drive and the last one is greatly appreciated. So far, 6 PP members are on the list of donors - you and 2 others are 2nd time donors. I realize times are tougher than they've been in a long time and this plays a role in one's ability to donate, especially to something like this.

It would be great to see more PP members participate. If not, that's OK. We've surpassed the totals in the first drive and I'm happy for that. Again, donations of any size are acceptable. Let's try to keep it going....

Mike

[mike55]

Quick update. With several new donations and the residual from the last purchase, we're on our way to purchasing another 25 pack of pre-paid cards at the very least. If you can donate, please do. Thanks again to all contributors. It's made this effort very worthwhile.

Mike

[mike55]

The Troop Calls donation drive has been a great success. Special thanks to Wayne who's help played a big role in getting us to where we are now. I hope we continue to support the chief Pelican's endeavors.

For those that are contemplating donations, I'll accept them until Friday night and then make the final purchase. After that, hold the thought for version III (winter holiday season). We've made a modest contribution that will make a big difference. Thanks again to all,

Mike

[mike55]

I was just about to close this round; but found out we're only $200 or so shy of another 10 pack of cards. I'll hold this open for today. If there are those that were contemplating donations, now's the time to do it. Paypal donations can be sent to troopcalls@gmail.com . Thanks again,

Mike