Stevie's 60th

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by MacMan

What about if you set up your own paypal account then people can pay you the donation amount directly, and one cheque for the full amount donated can be sent from you to the charity? Or a combination of contributions through paypal, and also those that send their cheques to you individually? Just an idea. Paypal is simple... I don't use cheques, plus I'm in Canada and would contribute.

I have one and wouldn't mind doing that but that opens up a can of worms of people not being comfortable, you know? I would be happy to do it but it's kind of a lot to ask to have someone put money in my account. Right?

[seeker007nmss]

I don't want to be a wet blanket, but we have done a few things like this before and we never recieved any indication that it was even noticed or appreciated. I think it is a good thought, but .....

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Does Stevie's particular charity *only* do the ipod thing? I'm inclined to agree with you, Carrie. However if it's the only thing her charity provides and we are doing it for her birthday, I can get behind it.

i don't know. i think raising money for ipods is a waste, though. why can't her people call apple and come up with some sort of charity partnership? imagine the PR possibilities there.

i just find stevie's attitude towards the war and the soldiers flaccid and self-indulgent. she supports the soldiers but won't publicly announce her position on the war. she does just enough charity work to get a little publicity and keep her name in the papers between tours. and what is up with this quote:

... as my press agent Liz Rosenberg said, every returning wounded soldier should be given an iPod. It will be an integral part of their recovery.

how about hospitals that aren't filthy and ill-equipped? how about support after their enlistments are up? how about trying to end the war so they don't need hospitals and body armor? ugh. she could be doing so much more with that "celebrity" she loves to talk about.

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Where do I send my check?

http://www.bakesalesforbodyarmor.org/

http://www.fisherhouse.org/

[Johnny Stew]

As you pointed out, the soldiers have many needs -- and thankfully there are numerous charities to handle most every aspect of those needs.

iPods aren't "needs," per se, but research has proven that music greatly aids the recovery process for wounded soldiers, and also significantly helps those who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

So Stevie is focusing on an aspect of the healing process that was being overlooked, and since the soldiers are benefiting from that, it can't be anything other than a good thing.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

I don't want to be a wet blanket, but we have done a few things like this before and we never recieved any indication that it was even noticed or appreciated. I think it is a good thought, but .....

True but this isn't about us, it's about honoring Stevie's birthday by contributing to a worthy cause. Recognition in this case is just a nice to have. It is disappointing sometimes not to get it but the key is not to expect it.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

As you pointed out, the soldiers have many needs -- and thankfully there are numerous charities to handle most every aspect of those needs.

iPods aren't "needs," per se, but research has proven that music greatly aids the recovery process for wounded soldiers, and also significantly helps those who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

So Stevie is focusing on an aspect of the healing process that was being overlooked, and since the soldiers are benefiting from that, it can't be anything other than a good thing.

Good point.

I'm in for a small amount, anyway. And I think the paypal idea is awesome if we could work it out, Suze.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by carrie721

i don't know. i think raising money for ipods is a waste, though. why can't her people call apple and come up with some sort of charity partnership? imagine the PR possibilities there.

i just find stevie's attitude towards the war and the soldiers flaccid and self-indulgent. she supports the soldiers but won't publicly announce her position on the war. she does just enough charity work to get a little publicity and keep her name in the papers between tours. and what is up with this quote:

... as my press agent Liz Rosenberg said, every returning wounded soldier should be given an iPod. It will be an integral part of their recovery.

how about hospitals that aren't filthy and ill-equipped? how about support after their enlistments are up? how about trying to end the war so they don't need hospitals and body armor? ugh. she could be doing so much more with that "celebrity" she loves to talk about.



http://www.bakesalesforbodyarmor.org/

http://www.fisherhouse.org/

I agree that iPods are a bit frivolous relative to everything else going on in the world. Let's think about this then... just because this is Stevie's charity doesn't mean that this is the only cause that she feels strongly about. I'm sure that there are many other things on her radar, but this (iPods) just happens to be the niche that she carved out for herself. For example, what about the disaster in Myanmar? I am sure that right now Stevie is probably more worried for their survival vs. providing comfort for recuperating soldiers who are safely on American soil. They are now saying that 22,000 are dead and another 40,000 are missing . I would bet that Stevie would be particularly grateful for donations made toward this timely relief effort.

I think we all pretty much know where Stevie stands on the war- or any war- without her having to state her position in explicit terms. I can understand that she is probably sensitive about demoralizing those that are in active service, and being who she is, she probably does not want to get derided as yet another airheaded Hollywood celebrity talking about politics. Through her actions she says all she needs to say without saying a word. That's good enough for me.

Oh, and as I stated originally, I am also for the PayPal option.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Good point.

I'm in for a small amount, anyway. And I think the paypal idea is awesome if we could work it out, Suze.

That's what it's about, when many people give a little it becomes a lot! I support the iPod charity because it gives emotional and spiritual support which in turn will help soldiers heal. Your emotional health is deeply connected to your physical health.

Maybe this isn't the most worthy charity I just chose it because it is hers. Maybe they will come back and ask us to donate somewhere else, who knows. Choosing a charity is a very personal thing so it doesn't surprise me we have differing opinions!

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I agree that iPods are a bit frivolous relative to everything else going on in the world. Let's think about this then... just because this is Stevie's charity doesn't mean that this is the only cause that she feels strongly about. I'm sure that there are many other things on her radar, but this (iPods) just happens to be the niche that she carved out for herself. For example, what about the disaster in Myanmar? I am sure that right now Stevie is probably more worried for their survival vs. providing comfort for recuperating soldiers who are safely on American soil. They are now saying that 22,000 are dead and another 40,000 are missing . I would bet that Stevie would be particularly grateful for donations made toward this timely relief effort.

I think we all pretty much know where Stevie stands on the war- or any war- without her having to state her position in explicit terms. I can understand that she is probably sensitive about demoralizing those that are in active service, and being who she is, she probably does not want to get derided as yet another airheaded Hollywood celebrity talking about politics. Through her actions she says all she needs to say without saying a word. That's good enough for me.

Oh, and as I stated originally, I am also for the PayPal option.

She's probably very concerned about Myanmar, yes. What a horrible disaster. Maybe I'll set up a poll here and/or ask John if there's another charity she'd rather we give to.

And I'm happy to accept donations via PayPal. You just need my email addy for that right? Those interested PM me and I'll send it to you.

One other thing I was thinking is we can include a card for Stevie with a brief note from each of us. Or I could create a little booklet to put in the card if we have a lot of donations. You could type and send or handwrite and scan and send your note.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

She's probably very concerned about Myanmar, yes. What a horrible disaster. Maybe I'll set up a poll here and/or ask John if there's another charity she'd rather we give to.

And I'm happy to accept donations via PayPal. You just need my email addy for that right? Those interested PM me and I'll send it to you.

One other thing I was thinking is we can include a card for Stevie with a brief note from each of us. Or I could create a little booklet to put in the card if we have a lot of donations. You could type and send or handwrite and scan and send your note.

Great! Okay then... just to give us some kind of a frame of reference, do you think we should set a target amount? Also, there are some employers that offer 1:1 donation matches for employees (although it probably has to be sent to one of the "major" charities like Red Cross, UNICEF, etc.). I *think* my employer offers something like that; I would have to investigate.

So, okay... do I hear $1000 from the Ledge (total of all members)? Too high? Too low?

[Steviefan49]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

She's probably very concerned about Myanmar, yes. What a horrible disaster. Maybe I'll set up a poll here and/or ask John if there's another charity she'd rather we give to.

And I'm happy to accept donations via PayPal. You just need my email addy for that right? Those interested PM me and I'll send it to you.

One other thing I was thinking is we can include a card for Stevie with a brief note from each of us. Or I could create a little booklet to put in the card if we have a lot of donations. You could type and send or handwrite and scan and send your note.

GREAT idea Suze!! I'll PM you.. and give you info! Thanks SOOOO much again, for getting this all organized..

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by carrie721

she could be doing so much more with that "celebrity" she loves to talk about.

The trick is to just "enjoy" her celebrity!

I think the Ipods are shallow, but I guess it's a way to carve out a niche and claim a charitable spot for yourself that no one else is covering.

I saw Cher on 360 promoting helmets that protect properly and that was really something I could get behind.

I will say about music though, it's just one of those things that you turn to when all else fails. It can provide almost instinctive comfort, beyond the medical care. Reflexive therapy that might have some transcendent power to heal even when some of your body parts aren't working and maybe give companionship and familiarity when you feel abandoned, a link to happier, hopeful times.

It was actually this week, 9 years ago, from May 2 - May 8, that my brother was brain dead before we took him off life support and each of those 6 days we had earphones on him playing Prince through the portable CD player, because he always loved Prince so much. I don't know if it helped him at all, but it made us feel like WE were helping him.

Michele

[SandyMac]

Yes, I agree that music is healing to the mind and in turn, healing for the body.

I have been reading many articles about soldiers suffering from PTSD and some do yoga and some do meditation and some listen to peaceful waves crashing on the shore. It helps quiet the mind so these guys can get a restful sleep at night. Rest heals the mind and body. Some of these guys wake up in the middle of the night with severe night terrors, so if music or whatever can calm them down or lift their spirits so they can heal, I am all for it.

Please, let's not turn this thread into a political one. This is all about giving back to the men and women who fight for our freedom and got injured in the process. Please don't flame me, I just want this donation thing to happen and would hate for it to turn into a 14 page political thread. I hope you understand where I am coming from.

Peace.

[seeker007nmss]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

True but this isn't about us, it's about honoring Stevie's birthday by contributing to a worthy cause. Recognition in this case is just a nice to have. It is disappointing sometimes not to get it but the key is not to expect it.

I see your point. I just would like to know that the donation actually reached those it was intended for. I have seen things like fanmail for sale online. I would hate to contribute something and find the cash/items went to some flunkie at a management company or whatever, and never make it to the ones it was meant for. That's what I meant by recognition, not praise, just a "Yeah, we got it and yes, the people it was intended for actually recieved it".

[Steviefan49]

Originally Posted by SandyMac

Yes, I agree that music is healing to the mind and in turn, healing for the body.

I have been reading many articles about soldiers suffering from PTSD and some do yoga and some do meditation and some listen to peaceful waves crashing on the shore. It helps quiet the mind so these guys can get a restful sleep at night. Rest heals the mind and body. Some of these guys wake up in the middle of the night with severe night terrors, so if music or whatever can calm them down or lift their spirits so they can heal, I am all for it.

Please, let's not turn this thread into a political one. This is all about giving back to the men and women who fight for our freedom and got injured in the process. Please don't flame me, I just want this donation thing to happen and would hate for it to turn into a 14 page political thread. I hope you understand where I am coming from.

Peace.

Hey Sandy..

I completely understand where you are coming from, and agree with you 500%.. After all - this thread is titled "Stevie's 60th"- so I too, feel that it should basically pertain to doing something for "STEVIE" for her 60th Birthday!

Hugs,

Arlene