As you would expect, there are MANY here on TBH that want to do whatever they can to help neighbors (and specifically TBHers) affected by Harvey. We certainly want to do the same.
However, we need to make sure we do things the right way. Past tragedies, disasters, hardships, etc. have illustrated that we aren't completely immune to those who might attempt to take advantage of others' hardships for personal gain - either by those accepting donations without a legitimate hardship or those soliciting donations and not fully following through with allocation thereof. Most of you know that we don't typically allow fundraisers without prior approval for this very reason.
In an effort to prevent our benevolent members from being taken advantage of, I want to make sure we have some protocols in place for soliciting and/or collecting/distributing donations through this site.
First, if you have created an existing fundraiser or an idea for generating disaster donations (gofundme, auctions, raffles, benefit events, etc.) from our members, please contact an administrator for approval before posting here. We'll want details and accountability before any outside fundraising events are approved, and many (most) likely won't be approved if we can't verify with near 100% accuracy.
There have already been several posts with groups or individuals designing shirts or other merchandise, with proceeds benefitting Harvey victims. Unfortunately, we can't really verify the legitimacy of these fundraisers.
Please know that Larry is working on a TBH Themed tshirt design that we will announce soon, with all net proceeds going toward disaster relief. (We haven't worked out details, yet, of whether that will be to a community organization for general donation or if proceeds will be allocated to existing site members in need, but we will work out those details before we start selling them in our store.). We will keep a transparent accounting of shirts sold and the proceeds donated.
if y'all would like, we can create a central donation (paypal or gofundme) for direct contributions via TBH. Again, we will keep a full accounting of dollars received and donated, with 100% going to relief victims.
We're actively working on this and will come up with plans soon.
Michael
However, we need to make sure we do things the right way. Past tragedies, disasters, hardships, etc. have illustrated that we aren't completely immune to those who might attempt to take advantage of others' hardships for personal gain - either by those accepting donations without a legitimate hardship or those soliciting donations and not fully following through with allocation thereof. Most of you know that we don't typically allow fundraisers without prior approval for this very reason.
In an effort to prevent our benevolent members from being taken advantage of, I want to make sure we have some protocols in place for soliciting and/or collecting/distributing donations through this site.
First, if you have created an existing fundraiser or an idea for generating disaster donations (gofundme, auctions, raffles, benefit events, etc.) from our members, please contact an administrator for approval before posting here. We'll want details and accountability before any outside fundraising events are approved, and many (most) likely won't be approved if we can't verify with near 100% accuracy.
There have already been several posts with groups or individuals designing shirts or other merchandise, with proceeds benefitting Harvey victims. Unfortunately, we can't really verify the legitimacy of these fundraisers.
Please know that Larry is working on a TBH Themed tshirt design that we will announce soon, with all net proceeds going toward disaster relief. (We haven't worked out details, yet, of whether that will be to a community organization for general donation or if proceeds will be allocated to existing site members in need, but we will work out those details before we start selling them in our store.). We will keep a transparent accounting of shirts sold and the proceeds donated.
if y'all would like, we can create a central donation (paypal or gofundme) for direct contributions via TBH. Again, we will keep a full accounting of dollars received and donated, with 100% going to relief victims.
We're actively working on this and will come up with plans soon.
Michael
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