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Where To Go For Help

by virtualwhispers
16 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
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Hi Everyone,

Ive seen places online where you can go for monetary help when a disaster happens, but I just dont know where to look.

My Sister went out to the store this morning and got a call on the phone that her house was on fire. She hurried back home to see that she had lost everything. She jumped out of the car and just feel to her knees, a neighbor helped to pick her up and hold on to her. Along with everything else, the house was our Grandparent's house, a big part of where we grew up.

The fire started 3 houses from her and destroyed all 3 homes. Thank God, no one was hurt in the fire, but she only has what she has on her back. The houses are totaled and has to be torn down. They are to damaged to try and salvage anything.

She is 67 years old diabetic and lives in Pittsburgh, Im in New Jersey. I can help sending her something, but not nearly what she needs for something this devistating.

Anyone know the names of some of the websites that help in this sort of thing?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
  • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
    Banned
    Originally Posted by virtualwhispers View Post

    Ive seen places online where you can go for monetary help when a disaster happens, but I just dont know where to look.
    The American Red Cross.

    Good luck. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author DavidAllenNeron
    Something that I've seen a lot of success with is starting a KickStarter campaign, and marketing it appropriately. Of course there's a lot you could do to that model to help increase your chances.... but I think CrowdFunding might be able to help you.
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  • Profile picture of the author virtualwhispers
    Thank you all so much I just realized that she is a Veteran to. They may have departments that help Vets in this kind of situation also.

    I will be looking into the suggestions you all have made.
    Thanks again...
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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      oh my goodness, I'm so terribly sorry for your sister - but thank goodness no one was hurt or worse.

      if you do decide to start a Kickstarter or GoFundMe campaign , please post the link here - so those of us who want to help can

      Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Ah, that's a shame. I wish I could add ideas but it looks like everyone beat me to all of those that I had.

    Good luck to your sister!
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author virtualwhispers
    [DELETED]
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  • Profile picture of the author virtualwhispers
    Well, I made a post here for the site I set up for my sister, but the post disappeared. So I came to this page and put the link to the site here... and its gone to.

    You sure have some cold blooded people that manage this website. Who ever you are, I sure hope your never in desperate need one day. What you put out.. you do get back..... AND there are not to great consequences to things you do on purpose. ...... There is no way I could do that to someone, not even an enemy if they were in trouble.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cali16
      Virtualwhispers, I understand your frustration. However, the problem is that if the mods allow one person to ask for money (and yours was the second thread asking for financial help in just a couple days), no matter how genuine, tragic, and worthwhile the situation, then they have to allow everyone to start similar threads. Sadly, there would then be those who make up all sorts of tragic stories so people will send cash.

      So, I don't think it's about being "cold-blooded" as much as the intent is to protect forum members from scams and prevent an increasing number of fund-raising threads from appearing in the forum.

      Have you set anything up on crowdfunding or any of the other fund-raising sites mentioned earlier in this thread to help your sister out?
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      If you don't face your fears, the only thing you'll ever see is what's in your comfort zone. ~Anne McClain, astronaut
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      • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
        Originally Posted by Cali16 View Post

        Virtualwhispers, I understand your frustration. However, the problem is that if the mods allow one person to ask for money (and yours was the second thread asking for financial help in just a couple days), no matter how genuine, tragic, and worthwhile the situation, then they have to allow everyone to start similar threads. Sadly, there would then be those who make up all sorts of tragic stories so people will send cash.

        So, I don't think it's about being "cold-blooded" as much as the intent is to protect forum members from scams and prevent an increasing number of fund-raising threads from appearing in the forum.

        Have you set anything up on crowdfunding or any of the other fund-raising sites mentioned earlier in this thread to help your sister out?

        ummm - we used to have fundraisers here - there was one for Kim, one for Tim Pears, and I forget who else. But I can't remember if someone actually started a WSO for them or is my memory sketchy?

        I apologize, virtualwhispers, because I am the one who said post your link to the crowdfunding here - I should not have -

        so to get around it - get a website up with a link to it and post your website link in your forum signature - affiliate links aren't allowed in your sig but your own website is - even if it's on a free blogger or free wordpress.com site

        I wish you all the best!

        ps: if you need help with getting a site up - please pm me - I'll be happy to help
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        • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Karen Blundell View Post

          ummm - we used to have fundraisers here - there was one for Kim, one for Tim Pears, and I forget who else. But I can't remember if someone actually started a WSO for them or is my memory sketchy?
          Launching it as a WSO or in the Classified is fine and it's been done before numerous times. I doubt that these days with the turnover in members that has occurred that it would make any money, but it can be done.

          It cannot be done in the discussion forums. If one is allowed, there would be a million of them with no way to even verify if they were a legitimate need or fiction ... but real or fiction, they are not allowed in the discussion forums.
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          • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
            Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

            Launching it as a WSO or in the Classified is fine and it's been done before numerous times. I doubt that these days with the turnover in members that has occurred that it would make any money, but it can be done.

            It cannot be done in the discussion forums. If one is allowed, there would be a million of them with no way to even verify if they were a legitimate need or fiction ... but real or fiction, they are not allowed in the discussion forums.
            thanks - understood, Suzanne - I just couldn't remember whether they launched WSO's or whatever is all - like I said - my memory is sketchy with certain details - sometimes
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    SERIOUSLY, home insurance in the US is DIRT CHEAP! Last I knew, it cost about $300-400 a YEAR for renters insurance. I forget how much home owners insurance costs, but FLOOD insurance is the most expensive. The US federal government now mandates that the US handle all flood insurance. Even though my chance of having a flood is ZERO, and there was only ONE flood in the past 15+ years, and it didn't come within 20 miles of my home, it STILL costs a LOT.

    Hopefully you have insurance.

    Steve
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