A little input then I will leave it alone.
If you think about the scenario of a simple went broke thing to help with:
Pretend I had a week in the hospital and lost my job. Bike is being repossessed and the kids back to school money is non-existent.
You won't be able to save my bike if I have no job, med bills are probably 50 grand but you can get a few hundred for the food or back to school supplies or whatever.
Now, if I post it here it is super embarrassing as the first point then it becomes a popularity contest as to who wants to help whom. Then you are collecting stuff in the public forum, selling it in the public forum and commenting on it in the public forum. I think I would be so embarrassed I would choose starvation.
Anyhow, my suggestion is this.
Have 3 guys that decide. Their decision on need is final. They send a mass email only to those who have said they will participate. They do not send a mail to the participant. If you are gonna sell parts that's just dandy but be willing to send money. Some parts languish for some time or don't sell at all. A broke person needs money right now.
Next step, the guy needs 500 bucks lets say. We will send the mail description of what it is helping and how critical it is. (2) mails happen. One is the cause and money goal and the other is the reply for I am in list.
If its a huge thing and we just need money, just send out the one mail. Some may send 10 bucks and some may send 100 depending on their willingness and/or station in life at that time.
Either way you go, it all has to be done in about a week. Broke hurts every day. It is not like wine, it does not get better with time.
If 10 guys are in they need to ship out 50.00 bucks. 20 guys are in they need to ship out 25.00 bucks. (right now)
That way within a very short time, your treasurer has sent money directly and in time to do some good.
Sell your parts later. Or for that matter, sell your parts now and put the money away for later to do this.
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Have you ever noticed every side has an up and a down. Well, the more need you have the more folks not in need get burned out. You could find yourself tapping folks once a year or once a week.
Eventually you get down to the last really good folks, about 6 people who just can't afford it anymore.
I said this negative part now to be remembered by the ones deciding on what is important for a cause. They have to be spaced and they have to be critical.
Jim needs a new rear tire to get to the rally is not a cause.
Jim is out of work and the heater broke in January is
Over and out, as I said I am in. I will donate.
