WebSleuth Members Assisting TES "Journal" and Support Only

[ThoughtElf]

Can you PM me the specifics, I'll see how to go about arranging to have them sent to a WS'r volunteer. Great suggestion. I would arrange it myslef but I am in Jersey, so it would take 2 destinations which does not seem to make sense. Great Idea.

PM inbound.

Agree - sending to a local Orlando WS searcher is best idea.

 

[Litig8r]

my goodness people are rude. trying to stay positive here, but wow. I have been doing fundraising and donation organization for years now and never have i come across such rudeness.

Thanks pregodego2 for making these calls. I am sure that your efforts are appreciated. Have you contacted the Publix grocery stores over there? I find they generally have a "hometown community" attitude - and I would be surprised if they would not donate platters, etc.

Regarding the bad attitudes. Unbelievable. When someone acts like that, you might say something like, "I respect your decision to decline offering your services/assistance. I'll be sure to put the word out that you find this request inappropriate so that you are not contacted again". Hopefully they'll catch the meaning in that! Make sure you say this all in a kind and respectful way, which I'm already sure you will. :blowkiss:

 

[pregodego2]

A lot of places are either closed today or the managers have left for the day. I will keep calling, but hopefully there will be a better response tomorrow if i can get on the phone.

BTW, erin the office administrator for TES is so nice!

 

[pregodego2]

Thanks pregodego2 for making these calls. I am sure that your efforts are appreciated. Have you contacted the Publix grocery stores over there? I find they generally have a "hometown community" attitude - and I would be surprised if they would not donate platters, etc.

I just got off the phone with one of the stores and they said i have to go through corporate (something im getting a lot of, which im not used to honestly. the places here just give you donations and you give them a reciept and signed paperwork). Of course, righ tnow corporate offices are closed...

Like i said, hopefully better turn outs tomorrow.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

What a great thread, Blink!! Thanks for putting it up here!

Kudos to all those out looking for Caylee! My thoughts and prayers are with each of you as you take each step to bring us closer to finding this precious child to return her home. Bravo for doing a job none of us want to tackle (searching for a body), but which is of the most importance. Caylee deserves to be found. I applaud you for your efforts.

 

[ThoughtElf]

Just an FYI - there are also WS'ers calling for donations, emailing Orlando groups and web sites right now to get more searchers out there on this thread:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69923

c'mon over and help if you have ideas of groups/sites we can contact.

 

[poco]

YAHHHH - put a couple ads (you can put more than one if you alter your ad) for volunteers on Craig's List and am getting replies from people wanting more information!!!!!!!!

 

[barb0301]

Are we doing lunch tomorrow? Anyone have a paypal account that is willing to let us send donations to, then call in the order for lunch?

 

[poco]

Are we doing lunch tomorrow? Anyone have a paypal account that is willing to let us send donations to, then call in the order for lunch?

I have PayPal!!!! There's not much money in it right now, though.

 

[barb0301]

I have PayPal!!!! There's not much money in it right now, though.

What I was thinking is that anyone that is willing to donate to the lunch effort could PayPal the money to your PayPal account. You could then use those funds to purchase the lunch. This is the way it is being done at another group and it is working great.

Thoughts?

 

[daisy7]

UPDATE:[/B] Erin just called me back after speaking with Tim and she is now on her way to call paypal to get it all figured out.

IN THE MEANTIME: SEND DONATIONS THROUGH NETWORK FOR GOOD
http://www.texasequusearch.org/donate.html

I have worked in the nonprofit field for many years. I highly recommend that people donate via Network for Good. 100% of your donation will go directly to TES. NFG obtains all their charity info from the IRS. And, NFG will ensure you receive the donation receipt needed for taxes, which removes this administrative burden from TES.

To donate to TES, visit:

https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=760664878

For Erin @ TES - All 501(c)(3)s automatically have a NFG account via the info at Guidestar.org. If TES has not gone to update their account info, you will receive a check in the mail for donations. Or, you can update your listing to have donations directly deposited into your bank account (this takes some filling out forms and about a week)

 

[poco]

I have no problem with my PayPal account being used - you will just tell me what you need me to do.

 

[daisy7]

Don't know who this was, but I have found it very difficult to get food donations via Publix. They are more likely to donate $ (of course, a good thing!), but you do need to go through corporate in Lakeland and it's a long process...

I've found that the smaller, especially family-owned ones are more effective

I just got off the phone with one of the stores and they said i have to go through corporate (something im getting a lot of, which im not used to honestly. the places here just give you donations and you give them a reciept and signed paperwork). Of course, righ tnow corporate offices are closed...

Like i said, hopefully better turn outs tomorrow.

 

[daisy7]

I have no problem with my PayPal account being used - you will just tell me what you need me to do.

Hello all -

Poco, thanks for all you're doing, but I HIGHLY encourage people to donate via my post above this one. Donors who give $ to an individual via PayPal will not be allowed to claim this on their tax returns, which is an added benefit for many.

From the nonprofit perspective, I cannot stress enough how much using NFG cuts down on the admin. paperwork for us! The IRS changed the requirements for donations last year. It used to be that nonprofits had to provide a letter/donation receipt for amounts ~$750 and over (other donors would just use their canceled check as receipt). Now, donations ~$20 and over require this letter/receipt for taxes.

I hope all making donations will use NFG! Thanks to all of you awesome people!

 

[poco]

Hello all -

Poco, thanks for all you're doing, but I HIGHLY encourage people to donate via my post above this one. Donors who give $ to an individual via PayPal will not be allowed to claim this on their tax returns, which is an added benefit for many.

From the nonprofit perspective, I cannot stress enough how much using NFG cuts down on the admin. paperwork for us! The IRS changed the requirements for donations last year. It used to be that nonprofits had to provide a letter/donation receipt for amounts ~$750 and over (other donors would just use their canceled check as receipt). Now, donations ~$20 and over require this letter/receipt for taxes.

I hope all making donations will use NFG! Thanks to all of you awesome people!

No problem, doesn't matter to me how it gets done, just that it gets done!!!

 

[barb0301]

Hello all -

Poco, thanks for all you're doing, but I HIGHLY encourage people to donate via my post above this one. Donors who give $ to an individual via PayPal will not be allowed to claim this on their tax returns, which is an added benefit for many.

From the nonprofit perspective, I cannot stress enough how much using NFG cuts down on the admin. paperwork for us! The IRS changed the requirements for donations last year. It used to be that nonprofits had to provide a letter/donation receipt for amounts ~$750 and over (other donors would just use their canceled check as receipt). Now, donations ~$20 and over require this letter/receipt for taxes.

I hope all making donations will use NFG! Thanks to all of you awesome people!

Hi Daisy,

We're only talking about using this method (someone's PayPal), in order to get lunch served to the searchers. By all means, anyone wanting to donate to TES should do so through NFG.

Barb

 

[Tricia]

HOLD ON.

Daisy, we have a very strict rule at WS.

If ANY money is going to be asked for it needs to go through me.

I only know of TES. I do not know your organization. Until then I am locking this thread.

Please explain what this organization is.

DO NOT TAKE DONATIONS AWAY FROM TES. That is WRONG.

 

[Tricia]

OK Kids,

Mom has it figured out.

First, I think you all have such generous hearts and souls. It brings tears to my eyes. What an incredible bunch.

Yes, you can make donations to TES directly or through Network For Good.

http://www.texasequusearch.org/donate.html This page gives you the link to go to NFG.

My apologies to all who are trying to do good. I am sorry I got so upset. Please understand how many times people have come into WS and with seemingly heartwarming intentions have tried to take advantage of the posters.

I had never heard of this organization. All I read was rather than go through TES use NFG. For all I knew NFG stood for, "NO FUN GOOBERS." No clue.

That's why I freaked and shut down this thread.

Also, it is very tricky to ask for donations to a paypal account for TES lunch. I have asked those involved to please do this through private email. Only to protect everyone.

My darling people, I would LOVE to be able to let GOOD people come on WS and ask for donations. Like the people who are helping TES. I would love to open the forum up just this once. But I can't just this once. It either has to be all or nothing

I would love to trust everyone who asks for money that will be used for good, but I have been burned too many times. Big time.

It sucks. IT SUCKS. I HATE IT. But it is the way it is.

If anyone has any questions please email or PM me.

Thank you.

Love,

Mom.

 

[impatientredhead]

(posting now since we are unlocked)


The thread is locked so I am sending this direct for now. Another suggestion for contact points for supplies would be:

Healthfood, gyms, athletic supply stores: all should have gatorade, powerbars etc that they may be willing to donate and probably not getting as many direct inquiries.

Professional services that don't seem like go to options such as dentist, realtors, car shops, daycares, teachers will often pool together to sponsor something being donated. ie contact them with a "for $50 we can provide the following to the search" "for $100 we can provide"..... they often are willing to help but don't realize how much they could do for a small amount of money.

Has the local distribution companies for pepsi (aquafina) been contacted and asked for a pallet of water?

I am happy to make calls and have experience doing so but I don't want to repeat work or hop in the wrong spot.

 

[Theonly1]

There is a Second Harvest Food Bank nearby...