I just wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for the fundraising drive we're having for Ron Craig, ( Fire Victim , Iowa) who has been living without a home since August of last year. I received a call from Ron who was very, very, very appreciative and thankful and somewhat speechless of the recent donations that were sent to him. He said he received numerous envelopes from all across the country, people he didn't know, who opened up their hearts to care. I want to also report that Big Fat Daddy's, Baltimore based caterer (who has "gone greener" ) has secretly pledged over $1000.00 to Ron. Wayne Schafer, owner says, "I never met Ron, but it's a good cause."
Here is a video sent to me by someone special who filmed Ron and his two stray cats. As you can see he is proudly wearing his Iowa jacket. Pumpkin, the cat, is named properly, don't you think?
The irony of this is how Ron is proudly wearing his Iowa jacket. He's an Iowan, a farmer, and told me how he had part of his land protected so hunters could not shoot wildlife on it. He's an animal lover, and a nice guy. So it pains me to inform you I have personally called and written 63 organizations in Iowa to help him, and the only help I've received is from YOU readers and fellow Etsians, and one reporter (see below.)
It makes me realize how Etsy is so much more than just a place to sell crafts, it's a place where people , good people with big hearts, shop, and sell. It's a breed all it's own and I'm so happy to be part of this community. Trust and believe without us, Mr. Craig would not have had horse feed this month.
I heard back from one reporter (thank you) who investigated and assured me that the town is very sympathetic to Ron's situation. He doesn't have "fines" from the town per se (on the old RV in his yard, or the sharded remains of his burnt up home) but they have sent him warning letters. She has forwarded me two more resources to contact. I'm a little bit jaded at this point, but I keep thinking how much Ron needs the help and that every call or letter matters. I don't hold my breath but I will try my hardest to touch base with them this week.
This fundaising was a way to raise awareness and find someone in Iowa, to open up their hearts as we have--us, the bunches of people who don't even know him....I wish I was hoping they would organize a clean-up committee to help him remove the debris from the yard. Or find it in their hearts to donate some used clothing or twice worn shoes. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO ONE IN IOWA WITH HEARTS AS BIG AS OURS. THERE MUST BE.
So I beg of you readers, fellow Etsians, and friends: If you can get a message to anyone in Iowa, or have any family who may work with a non-profit in Iowa, Ron needs:
Clothes - men's used
Shoes - Size 8 men's
help removing an old RV
yard Clean up
Horse Food!
Cat Food!
A warm meal.
A job.
Donations!
See what you can do. As if this happened to us, I'd like to think we could find resources or help.
I just wanted to say thank you for all the outpouring of donations and sincere concern that came forth from Etsians, our family, our friends, our readers , our fellow Etsy teams, and some Iowans during our "Help Ron" the Iowa Fire Victim who lost his home last August fundraiser launch.
The spreadsheet proves that people care, in just a few days we hit 26% to goal. I want to remind you this is a public tally. The Donor Name Field can be edited by you at any time and so you may wish to change your name or shop name to "ANONYMOUS" in the instance you wish to remain private or low key. Most of you added the names yourself so I assume you don't care. The spreadsheet will be up until we hit our initial goal. It is mainly to ensure I am calculating right and haven't missed your donation.
So, I figured I'd give you an update on the progress thus far.
Reusable sandwich bag by WrapCycle, Fire Engine Style!
My original hopes were not just to raise money to assist Ron in improving his living conditions (which we are doing and I so thank you for that) but to raise awareness also. After numerous phone calls, emails and letters, I think we made some progress. In all of these letters and emails, I asked for clothing and shoe donations, aid to clean up his farm, aid in removing and RV that sits on his property, and neighborly support. Sadly the week his home burnt down there was a major flood, and so his house fire did not make the news as it normally does in most areas.
One reporter, kind enough to reply during her vacation, will investigate the situation and I hope that she may be able to shed light and bring exposure that Ron needs to reach fellow Iowans.
I also found out some disturbing news. If you are a fire victim without insurance, aid usually comes first from the Red Cross, and second from any local or state non-profits that are willing to help. If you are out of the locale of agencies in your area, or there are no agencies in your area that are set up to help fire victims, you are out of luck. The only other option is to go on state assistance and live in without a home. Not many of us realize this until it happens to us. I wish the Fire Departments had fundraisers to help Fire Victims, just a thought. In this case, the kindness of strangers like us have helped in some way. (I suppose it's not too late to plea to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is it?)
In talking to Ron, he was very appreciative of all we are doing, and did indicate that initially a debit card in the form of $250 was given to him by the Red Cross.
Our Co-Leader had the ideas of approaching a lot of corporations for sponsorship. I called a bunch inquiring, and I found out that many are willing to help people in need. However, they do not donate to private individuals for several reasons. One, they do not know the legitimacy of the individual case (thanks to many scams, they just won't do it.) Two, they want donation and tax write offs which only come from 501-c3 Charity organization.
Etsy also advises that when donating or supporting a charity, to make sure it's a 501-3c one, so that you can rest assured that your money is not going to a scam or illegitimate cause. A lot of special teams are formed to assist with certain charities, like "Etsy Angels" who choose a different cause each month. It is amazing to see how many charitable Etsians there are! There are some going on right now to raise money for Japan via sending donations to the Red Cross. You can search etsy.com/teams by keyword search to find something that fits your charity needs.
So the next step with HELP RON is the hopes that the kind reporter can get a non profit to take up the cause, and have wonderful corporate sponsors come forward to help Ron rebuild his life.
Extreme Makeover required a 19 page application, most of it waivers for filming, and focuses on families in need. Although I sent photos and information, I think that it won't make it very far. Still, I created a Facebook page that you can "LIKE" for added exposure in hopes that someone who views it can do something.
Thank you for continuing to spread the word and send Ron's story to any Iowa agencies or private individuals that you think may have resources to help. If you do decide to spread the story, you can use the Facebook Community page set up for Ron as it has a synopsis of the circumstances surrounding the cause. That way they can contact Ron directly.
I have done most of what I can do from here, so far away, and will continue to send donations Ron's way as they come in. Thank you for all your support, for bringing it to me in the first place, and thanks for restoring my faith that some people, like us, do care about strangers.
I'm pleased as your Team Captain to announce a huge Fundraising challenge. I am asking for help spreading the word to our readers, followers, team members , people on other Etsy teams, your twitter friends, your blog friends, and people at your church or youth groups, so that if everyone donates as little as $1, we can raise $5000 to help someone in dire need. As you may or may not already know, I personally work with many charities and often times I don't get to know the actual person I'm helping. In this case, I selected this cause we will be helping just one person and that's something we can feel good about. I honestly think this is a cause for Extreme Makeover Home Edition but we have to start somewhere.
RON FEEDING HIS HORSES
This cause is RON.I am asking each of you to help spread the word.I've never met him. I live in Baltimore, Ron is on a farm near Ames, Iowa. I heard about him through Etsy seller, Marie, WearTheHeartIs who shared the initial story her blog.
Who is Ron?
This story breaks my heart and I know we can help! The key thing to remember is, Ron could be your neighbor or mine. This could happen to any of us. Ron had a beautiful home on an Iowa Farm. His address is in Ames, Iowa, but he's inside the town of Story, Iowa. Ron worked hard and loved animals, often taking in strays (cats, he loves them, and can never refuse a cat.) He had a love for horses, he has 4 horses, who are ages 14, 25, 26 and 27 are alive and fine and getting fed everyday even though Ron is not. He was a kind man, and always generous. When the recession hit, Ron was not spared. Ron felt the economic fallout when he had lost his job at 3M. After that he served on the Census board, and tried desperately to make ends meet. Soon Ron found himself juggling which bills to pay, as well all know, times are tough and we are often forced with these type of decisions. Ron let his home insurance lapse.
August 23, 2010 a fire swept through Ron's house, all but destroying it. Here is a video that was taken of what is left of Ron's home by Marie. I must warn you it is sad to see this once prestigious home in shambles. No insurance means this is the way the home stays.
Ron has been making due, but never able to regroup after such a devastation. He has been trying to fix up the small, cabin-like offshoot to the north of the house. The truth is, it is riddled with raccoons, and Ron is the type of man who doesn't want to ask or bother anyone for help. It doesn't have electricity or running water. It is unfit, but we can help make it fit. Ron made it through the winter huddled inside the small building. Over the winter, he took in two stray cats. That's just Ron. He has a heart of gold. You can see by this photo, taken from the video, that Ron's cat "Hillbilly" is eating, but Ron's shoes are busting out the sides.
He's been taking showers at a local health club and getting evening meals at friends or relative's houses. He has a tracphone only with limited minutes, often running out of them. He went from living in a beautiful home, trying to make ends meet, to having absolutely nothing. Marie from WeartheHeartIs has been bringing him food and even cat food and selling some items she finds on his farm on Etsy to help Ron receive some sort of income. She spends one day a week rummaging around through any of the half dozen, dilapidated buildings he has on his farm, looking for things to sell, and that helps somewhat....sadly, not enough to even begin picking up the pieces that once was known as his life. Nothing is salvageable from the large home, nothing. Ron is just happy to be alive and like I said, hasn't asked anyone for help.
When I heard this story I knew I had to do something. There comes a time when I have to look at our team and know that in numbers, we can make a difference. This story touched me and I know I was meant to do something.
This could happen to any of us overnight. I realize that everyone is feeling this economy, but I'm asking everyone to open their hearts and help spread the word. If you can't donate $1, that's fine, you can help by spreading the word.
Here is how we can help Ron.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
1) SPREAD THE WORD,it doesn't cost you a thing but a few moments of your time:
Tweet, Facebook, Blog, Digg, and talk about this story and this post to anyone that will listen. If have an Etsy shop post this story in your announcement, and in your automatic Message to buyers, send them the link and ask them to spread the word.
We need to get this guy to Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I'm printing out this application and blog post and sending it to them. You can do the same here's the link. If we continue to put the word out, people will donate, help, and eventually someone who has real means to help Ron will come forward. I am calling out to Ty Pennington and I encourage you to post THIS STORY to Extreme Makeover facebook page, post it to your local news, your church, or anywhere anyone will listen.
Send this story to o Friskies or 9 Lives and ask them to send cat food, to Ron. Send your friends or family back to this link, so they read about Ron and send just a $1 or more to help Ron. If you send to twenty people, and they send to twenty people, and everyone sends $1, Ron can some temporary help he needs to possibly make his outbuilding more liveable until someone comes in and fixes this home!
If you know of any huge construction companies that build residential homes, send it to them. Ask them to rebuild Ron's house. You would not believe how charitable people can be. The key here is we are doing this for someone we've never met, and do not know. A stranger to us. Has a stranger ever helped you?
2) DO MORE AND DONATE, if you have the funds to do so here are a few ways:
You can donate via this paypal button and I will send the Donations to Ron as they come in, and I'll add you to the spreadsheet. (WARNING: This won't be tax deductible because I'm not a 501C! and Paypal does take fees unless you send me money as A GIFT to IraMency@verizon.net
:( I tried to use a site like Kickstarter but they said NO CHARITY CASES!)
You can donate below but know they will take fees!
Or you can purchase some of the items that are listed from WearTheHeartIs wherein you obtain a cool item from Ron's estate of which net proceeds after packing and fees go to Ron. These items are tagged "SUPPORTS RON" and click here to see them and Marie is constantly finding new things to sell from Ron's estate.
It's stories like this where I know, if enough people reach out, we can make a difference.
I beg of you, to spread the word and help this man. I believe that if we do, someday someone will help us when we need it. Such is life, and random acts of kindness. Every tweet, every facebook post, will help this man. It is now I will stop blogging for awhile and start helping Ron.
Copy and save and post this banner to your shop. Do what you can for Ron~!
We are banding together to help someone we've never met because random acts of kindness is what we are all about.
Thank you,
Cindy Fahnestock-Schafer
aka Ira Mency
http://www.IraMency.com
