Abruzzo Earthquake Fundraising Drive

[juliancoll]

Some may have noiced how very quiet I've been in my postings since the 6th of April - not the time for my usual sarcasm and more a time of personal searching about what (if anything) I could do to help in a practical way. I'm not prepared to fly over and scramble through rubble or organise a bag of shopping to drop off at Amandola. Both would be totally pointless as I have no experience of either and both are already very well organised.

However, it seems quite a few people want to know how, where and to who they can donate money to help, but are confused as to where their money would best be used - there are so many different options available - so my idea is - why don't we at ItalyMag set up our own account where members can donate money and then send the total amount to worthy organisations as a lump sum?

Would this possible to arrange? Are Admin prepared to organise an account so we can do this and donate as one body helping another out at a time of need?

The recovery from any earthquake takes many years - there are funerals to organise - homes, hospitals, schools and businesses to inspect and repair or rebuild - there is the care of the people on a long term basis until those who will have their homes condemmed can receive the finances through either insurance policies or Government payouts that allow them to start rebuilding - and then of course, there is all the grief to deal with - counselling young and old alike so the lifelong effects are reduced and leave as few emotional scars as possible.

It all takes money - vast amounts - and if we were able to adopt this idea, although it would be a drop in the ocean - it would be one less drop other organisations and charities have to find.

So come on Admin - don't look for negatives as to why this may not be possible - give something back to the members here and open an account for us - or if you are not able to do this for perhaps legal reasons - allow a trusted member here to do it on our behalf.

Admin: Drive is now active - visit here to donate: http://www.justgiving.com/italy-abruzzo-earthquake

[Lollita]

Excellent idea.

[Nielo]

Great idea, I’d certainly make a donation – probably won’t be huge because I have already done so and funds are a bit tight, but even a little donation if there are lots of them could mount up.

[Lollita]

Maybe we could focus on one area of aid, I believe they are hoping to get the children back to school as soon as possible, perhaps we could buy books etc. I think they are quite expensive at the best of times.

[Moxie]

This is such a positive thread - I love it
I'd trust ya to set it up JC, you or Gala or Mr Acorn or Nielo or ...? - I think IM would have a problem doing this (licencing ?) It'll be a double signatory account if memory serves me well?
I'd also like to see the money go to the children. Maybe the magazine could do an article on how the forum money was spent?
Awesome...

Moxie

[Nielo]

I can hardly believe the mean spiritedness of some people!

I voted this thread as five star excellent because I truly believe that it is a really good idea but within minutes some nasty person had voted it down.

Are people here so shallow?

[juliancoll]

Lets not look for reasons why it cant be done or where the money should eventually go just yet - there's planty of time for us to fight about that kinda stuff later on.

Lets just try and get it up and running first - it doesn't matter if it's a penny or a pound that people are willing and able to donate - it all mounts up in the end.

Come on Admin - what d'ya say?

[Lollita]

Could someone who already has a means of receiving money help, I'm thinking of perhaps a villa owner who accepts payment on line, that way we could just use their account as if we were making a deposit. If they emailed a receipt with "donation" in the wording and kept a copy they should not have to explain to the tax man with regard to their bank statements etc.

Could this work?

[DavidUno]

Come on admin! Run with it!

Re using someones business account, that's a no no. They will end up being taxed.
Italy Mag will have the resources. The money doesn't need to be in Italy until it is required.

[tuscanhills]

I've escalated to Ronald...and flying off on holiday today, so can't chase any more........sorry!