My Efforts to Give Back
After three weeks of reporting key stories selected from the overwhelming amount of information out there, I've decided to share on a more personal note (heck, I guess it is my blog after all).
You see, my heart goes out to those that have "lost everything" in the most personal of ways. I have survived abuse and addiction, abandonment and homelessness; and never had any support from my own family to get out of trouble, much less any support later to achieve my dreams.
I've lost all those things mentioned on the main page; personal treasures lost or stolen. Many times, in my teens and twenties I struggled to make my way; and in utter despair I wracked my brain, looking over and over, through a phone book far too slim, for help to move my sorry lot forward. Many times, I wished for a helping hand that would come from nowhere; but it never did. I tried Faith-based living, 12-step programs, psychological therapy and medication. In the end, all that was “wrong” with me was that had to go the distance alone.
I have grieved and tried to put to rest "what I might have been" if I hadn’t walked that road so alone, and it's become especially important to me now to help a lost Katrina family or person find their way again. I don't have much to offer; I am a marketing and internet entrepreneur that lives a modest and comfortable life, but my disability-retired mother has very high insurance and prescription needs, and gets an insulting amount of money to live on from her federal retirement program – so I support her too. I already work crazy amounts of time to fund my family’s investments as we all work hard together to move into a more safe financial position before the certain economic disaster on our horizon.
But you know what? I have a few extra minutes (somewhere), and I always have a few ideas! I’ve know of a landlord in my tiny town with two clean, empty apartments – and I’m going to bug him until he gives loans them to me, free or cheap. Each month I make subcontractor payroll for my own agency with just a bit of room to spare – but I’m going to temporarily reduce my personal monthly draw so I can hopefully help some one in need.
Here’s the story: I've been trying very hard to get through the incredible red tape to directly help someone, and the funny thing was that I had to go all the way to Amsterdam to find them!
I’ve been placing online registrations and making phone calls since BEFORE Katrina hit - and have received back one email from only the Red Cross to tell me they were all overwhelmed and would get back when they knew what they needed. I have re-contacted them all and not heard back, so, I gave up the formal channels and started going word of mouth.
We don’t have final details worked out yet, but while I was in Amsterdam at IBC I had dinner with a friend of a friend who knows a young scholarship student in the same 3D/multimedia business that we are -- that had lived in Mississippi and everything he and his family owned was lost in the flood.
Stay tuned and I’ll update here as details evolve, as I’m attempting to coordinate an offer of long term help: new laptop, cell phone, housing and a job!!
I’ll be asking everyone in the 3D graphics industry to dig into their checkbooks and offices if I can connect with this person!
You see, my heart goes out to those that have "lost everything" in the most personal of ways. I have survived abuse and addiction, abandonment and homelessness; and never had any support from my own family to get out of trouble, much less any support later to achieve my dreams.
I've lost all those things mentioned on the main page; personal treasures lost or stolen. Many times, in my teens and twenties I struggled to make my way; and in utter despair I wracked my brain, looking over and over, through a phone book far too slim, for help to move my sorry lot forward. Many times, I wished for a helping hand that would come from nowhere; but it never did. I tried Faith-based living, 12-step programs, psychological therapy and medication. In the end, all that was “wrong” with me was that had to go the distance alone.
I have grieved and tried to put to rest "what I might have been" if I hadn’t walked that road so alone, and it's become especially important to me now to help a lost Katrina family or person find their way again. I don't have much to offer; I am a marketing and internet entrepreneur that lives a modest and comfortable life, but my disability-retired mother has very high insurance and prescription needs, and gets an insulting amount of money to live on from her federal retirement program – so I support her too. I already work crazy amounts of time to fund my family’s investments as we all work hard together to move into a more safe financial position before the certain economic disaster on our horizon.
But you know what? I have a few extra minutes (somewhere), and I always have a few ideas! I’ve know of a landlord in my tiny town with two clean, empty apartments – and I’m going to bug him until he gives loans them to me, free or cheap. Each month I make subcontractor payroll for my own agency with just a bit of room to spare – but I’m going to temporarily reduce my personal monthly draw so I can hopefully help some one in need.
Here’s the story: I've been trying very hard to get through the incredible red tape to directly help someone, and the funny thing was that I had to go all the way to Amsterdam to find them!
I’ve been placing online registrations and making phone calls since BEFORE Katrina hit - and have received back one email from only the Red Cross to tell me they were all overwhelmed and would get back when they knew what they needed. I have re-contacted them all and not heard back, so, I gave up the formal channels and started going word of mouth.
We don’t have final details worked out yet, but while I was in Amsterdam at IBC I had dinner with a friend of a friend who knows a young scholarship student in the same 3D/multimedia business that we are -- that had lived in Mississippi and everything he and his family owned was lost in the flood.
Stay tuned and I’ll update here as details evolve, as I’m attempting to coordinate an offer of long term help: new laptop, cell phone, housing and a job!!
I’ll be asking everyone in the 3D graphics industry to dig into their checkbooks and offices if I can connect with this person!
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home