DONATION INFO for DAMIEN'S B'DAY CHARITY PROJECT

[auntybesure]

This is such a moving project. Shimmery, you're really inspirational and thanks so much for all that you have done to set it up. If there are nearly 400 of us on this site I'm sure we'll be able to make a difference, even if not everyone is in a position to donate.
Might I suggest that we make a cut-off date of around the Monday 15th Jan (three days before his bday) so that we can get all the figures together and put it in D's birthday card?
I'm so excited - this is a charity and cause that is close to my heart as well.
I love the picture of D and E in Ireland. They're such crusaders!

[christine]

Awesome work, thanks so much i will be getting the cheque book out in about two minutes!

[dede]

I posted a note about this on the official site.

[thebraff (Braffy)]

Just a note to say that the school my son attends as part of their Year 10 community service program support this cause and were volunteers at the recent SO. Plus boys from the school acted as waiters etc at a fundraising event not too long AGO

[Lozzy]

OMG. Could I love Damien and Eileen anymore!!!! I'll admit that this is a cause very very close to my heart. My husband and I have spent the last 15 or so years working voluntarily in organisations promoting sports for people with disabilities on both a local and international level. In fact, I met my husband while we were both doing volunteer work for a sporting club for people with disabilities. It is when I first fell in love with his kind and patient manner.
I'll admit I had a tear in my eye when I first read this thread. Monetary donations are always kindly needed and appreciated, but finding volunteers with the capacity to lend their precious time is an ongoing problem in this area. I know my darling and I spent so many hours volunteering because of lack of people support.
Thankyou SO much Shimmery for organising this. My pen is poised above the cheque book and I'll certainly donate a few hours of my time for this cause.
We helped D achieve his dream, and now he is helping others achieve theirs.
Love and hugs to D and Eils - you are special people.

[belinda]

Shimmery a great big thank you to you for organising all this - you are terrific.

Aren't D and Eileen champs? I wish there were more people like them around.

I'll definitely be sending my donation.

Hugs,

Belinda

[shimmery]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!

Is it any surprise to already see so many members posting here from this fantastic board who volunteer their time! And as a group we can really do something special I think, no matter how small the contribution, all combined will really be something!

I will speak with Monica tomorrow with a list of your questions - hopefully I can answer a few now:

Winter I think donations of time would be most welcome! If anyone wished to volunteer their time to the SO maybe they could let them know they wanted to do so after hearing of Damien's suppport for the organisation, that way the SO would have an idea of the impact he has as Ambassador.

Morgaine, yes, the Special Olympics are different from the Paralympics.

Chrystyl we'd love to hear more about your experiences with the SO as a volunteer to give those who might be thinking about it an idea of what is involved.

Megan, at the Special Olympics website there is an online donation capability which an overseas person would be able to use. This option does not seem to have a comments form with it though for people to be able to add that they have donated on behalf of the Damien Leith Birthday Project so perhaps if they use that online facility, they could send a follow up email to Monica Smith [e-mail] to let SO know that they'd like to have their donation added to the tally for the project.

Ahtobesure - thanks so much for the idea re cut-off dates - that looks like a good date and I'll confirm that with Monica.

To EVERYONE who as posted their support for the idea THANK YOU! It is greatly appreciated.

[Bahamagirl]

Great work shimmery. I've been keeping an eye on the birthday project but I was waiting to find out which charity Damien and Eils supported. I've always thought that Special Olympics was a wonderful concept. I'll be sending my cheque. Just hope everyone's donations don't get caught up in the Christmas rush.

[shimmery]

OK everyone, have lots of new info which I will be posting here by editing this the first post in this thread as soon as I can type it up, having spoken to Monica this morning we have answers to your questions and she is also going to stay in touch to pass on updates for the tally which I will post here for you! Be back soon in the first post

[shimmery]

UPDATE 15 DEC 06

After speaking with Monica and finalising lots of details and asking her your questions, I have updated the first post in this thread. The news parts will be in LIME GREEN for a few days so they will stand out easily as new, then I'll convert them back to white for readability.

[RT]

i just done my donation over the phone with my credit card, i could only afford $20 this week but im going to do $20 a week until the cut off date which will be approximatley $120 if my calculations are correct!. i found it easier to do it weekly being so close to christmas and having 2 little girls with expensive tastes!! anyway, monica is really nice and she explained the charity to me.
So guys get donating and monica assured me that even $5 is helpful.

oh and just a thought but maybe we could just keep donating in damiens name for his next birthday aswell, im just talking like $2 a week or whatever thats $104 by the time his bday comes round again... well i may just do that!!

[cloudwalker]

Thats a great idea Raiyne,putting a bit in each week.I think i'll do that too as i am in a similar situation it being Christmas & having 3 small children it can hit your pocket a little hard.

[RT]

cloudwalker said:

Thats a great idea Raiyne,putting a bit in each week.I think i'll do that too as i am in a similar situation it being Christmas & having 3 small children it can hit your pocket a little hard.

yes i spoke to monica and she said it doesnt matter when or how they get it, it all counts no matter what. i figured $20 a week wasnt a huge amount to donate between now and jan 17th, im not going to miss it, so thats what ill do!

[-- Janny --]

I guess I will be making a payment on the 16th because that's when I get paid. Hopefully the money order will arrive on time to be tallied

[Womby]

I 've just given you a big Karma for doing such a brilliant job with this Shims. Can't wait to see how much we can raise for this very worthwhile cause!