Here goes -- OMG Kennedy Center button!

[saffronhare]

This is weird for me, but enough folks suggested it that I figure I'll give it a try. Future posts about this topic will put the information behind a cut. No guilt...no obligations...just puttin' it out there!

What you see there is a "donation" button that connects directly to a PayPal account raising funds to send princessboredom with her choir to their Kennedy Center performance over Memorial Day weekend. If you want to help, and would feel more comfortable sending your money directly to the school/choir to be credited, then please let me know.

It's a long time from now, but we'll need to pay the first installment toward the trip within the next couple of weeks. Total cost is estimated somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,500 (including air fare, hotel, concert production fees, etc.). With permission from agrnmn and me, she's already turned in her commitment form, so we're in this for sure. Have no fear...there will be fundraising stuff going on, as well as hitting up the grandparents. I'll place future messages behind a cut, at least, so it'll be simpler to pass on by if you'd rather not read.

We'll get creative with appreciation for help, which will be...uh, appreciated. Thank you!

Comments

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

What's the end date on this? I'd like to help, but am a bit strapped this week between car fixing and tooth fixing. I do, however, have a vast amount of beaded jewelry sitting about, that I would be happy to sell some of in the eldest princess' name, if you're doing the auction sort of thing that worked so well for Bob.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

The trip itself is over Memorial Day weekend. I should know sometime in November what the schedule of installments is, but it's just the first few hundred due between now and December. Not a gruesome sort of hurry.

I'm not sure I've got the intestinal fortitude to set up an auction just yet -- and it doesn't seem like quite the Life Emergency that Bob was experiencing, you know -- but I do thank you for the idea. Will keep it in my back pocket for the moment...

[womanofsalt.livejournal.com]

I know your first instincts are to resist auction, but let me plug for a moment. Auctions are useful for several reasons besides the end of raising money for your cause: 1. auctions allow people who are not natural cash givers to participate in helping people's dreams come true by bidding on items for the cause; 2. auctions help artists/givers of services donate in ways that make them a useful part of the idea of giving back to the muses/gods/universe for the gift/inspiration of their gifts(s) (my aunt actually freaks out if she can't find 7 auctions for a cause each year because these auctions help her fulfill her duty to sacrifice to a certain goddess for the use of her gifts to support herself financially for the rest of the year); 3. auctions also help artists/providers get their "product" or service out into the world, so even if one doesn't bid on a particular item, one is made aware that the product/service is available for future use. If the idea of putting an auction together and making it work is too overwhelming, perhaps how someone who doesn't have the funds to help, but has the service knowledge to help would offer to make this happen for you, so all you do is send out a thanks post and collect the money in the end (and of course tell everyone you know about it). Just my 2cents.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

Those are all really useful and sensible points. :)

When I was doing the Breast Cancer 3-Day, even the small-scale auction I managed was a great help -- and even seemed enjoyable for the givers. I think you're probably right on with your assessment that I just can't wrap my brain around managing an auction right now.

I think, come January, the help of a compassionate and effective Auctioneer would certainly have a lot of value in this project. It's always good to know how to answer people, when they ask how they can help. Thank you.

[lightonthesill.livejournal.com]

Should you choose to auction, I just might know a sparkly alter ego who would donate some time.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

Heh. That's a great idea. ;)

Heck, *I* know an alter ego who would donate some voice-over work.

[capriciouslass.livejournal.com]

Finally managed to get that off to you today. Hope it helps!

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

I just got the notice -- thank you!