Once upon a time, in a not so distant past, Wednesday at the Street Prophets Coffee Hour was deemed Helping Humpday.
Humpday — because we’re smack dab in the middle of the work week and getting over that hump sure looks sweet. But for some folks in this community, the humps they need to get over are far more daunting than looking forward to the weekend. That is where Helping comes in.
Helping Humpday was nurtured by former Kossack bfitzinAR, whose heart is a big as the ocean. She was the voice of and the quiet mover behind the Community Needs List. Hopefully you all have seen it and know it. It’s that list of Kossacks who have a sudden financial emergency (often due to a health or job crises or tragedy) or who are in dire economic straits and simply have no other place to turn. They are at a desperate place financially and emotionally and spiritually, a place where no one should ever have to be. As difficult as it is to do, they reach out to this community and ask for help. And this generous and caring DKOS family responds.
Helping Humpday will be a place (just one of several on this site) where we coordinate those pressing needs and, most importantly, spread the word. I might highlight a particular Kossack’s story, share links to appeal diaries, offer a shoulder to lean on, and in any other way try to get the word out and offer support. Reviving Helping Humpday is a work in progress; the format is in flux; I may revert back to the expanded list developed by Horsefeathers for bfitz; please bear with me. Suggestions are always welcome!
Virtual tea and coffee, hugs, the occasional cat pic, and a musical interlude, along with the Needs List and Links, are below the fold. Please join us.
This is an open thread and all topics are welcome. Be kind to one another, we’re all in this together.
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTED NEED/LINK
Long-time Kossack and cartoonist jtg needs a push over the finish line for rent this month. Still struggling with health issues, primarily a serious foot wound that will not heal (diabetes, cancer survivor, a rare skin condition, and other issues contribute). As a substitute teacher, every day jtg couldn’t work is a day of lost earnings. He’s working on self-sufficiency by getting full-time teaching credentials. Please help him over this current hump.
Update: Help Keep JTG Living Indoors and More
SOCIAL MEDIA — Help Spread the Word
Help us get the word out! If helping financially isn’t the right option for you — or you want to do more — then be the link between need and fulfillment. If you are active on Social Media, go to the linked fund-raising pages on the Needs List and use the social media icons on the page to share it throughout your contacts on Facebook, Twitter, whatever platform you use. If you are active on DKOS, and it is appropriate for your members, republish this diary to your groups and tip, comment, rec so it stays on the sidebar as long as possible.
CURRENT FULL COMMUNITY NEEDS LIST:
Have a few dollars to spare? Financial assistance is, of course, our most critical need. Consider donating to any of the fundraisers below. Encouraging words of support and virtual hugs are always welcome. And are also a way of helping. When folks feel low or alone, they need to know we value them as part of our community.
Please kosmail any updates, corrections or additions to basket.
New & Upcoming/Urgent
PR0GRESSIVIST — Resolving a disputed transaction with PayPal and needs a one-time amount of $153 130 via PayPal. Kosmail for PayPal address.
WICCANEAGLE — Needs $2,200 2,000 to pay off a lien resulting from condo association late fees.PayPal is abqkellyeagle at gmail dot com
JTG — Needs $950 650 for February and estimated $600 for April to make up for holidays (no pay as substitute teacher) and previous health crisis with foot that prevented him from working. PayPal is james at jamesthomasgreen dot com (GoFundMe; kosmail for postal address or other options)
MAUREENMOWER — Currently disabled due to spinal injury & non-healing leg wound (requiring surgery soon). Unable to work, awaiting SSD approval. Just out of hospital. Needs $1,500 180 for February. PayPal is moeloe1126 at aol dot com.
HARPPLAYER — Needs $1,854 427 in total (diary with details). New/unexpected needs for auto insurance ($173 due 2/3), car tags, title and tax ($97), coolant, wiper blades and sundries ($55), unexpected vet bill ($102). PayPal is bluessingerrn at aol dot com
Ongoing needs
FINEENA — Paying off Sam's (dog) vet bill; $1,179.45 remaining (interest added each mo.) PayPal is palskaren ataol dot com
BFSKINNER — Woot! Rent is covered; latest diary has updates on medical and housing situation which is still critical (diary).PayPal is houstonbfskinner at netscape dot net (GoFundMe)
FARWESTGIRL — Needs $6,414 3,597 in total (vet bill ($37), backup vehicle ($220), LLC ($200), electrician, culverts, & gravel (est $500), and storage pod ($3,175)) YC — Lost the House Please Help Get Something on the Road — diary Feeling Very Discouraged Right Now. PayPal is ping-pita-5765 at opayq dot com
SWAMPYANKEE — Chemo, “tumor flare” & some issues involving low white cell count causing extra expenses (Oxygen, ER visits, transfusions & pain meds). Needs funds for second flea treatment for cats & in apartment. PayPal is jennifercirino at sbcglobal dot net
MICHELEWLN — She found/got a 2012 Certified Used Car from Hertz ($5330 financed at $110/month). A few more months paid ahead will help her cover brother's 20% hospital copays. PayPal is artbymichele at aol dot com
SLKSFCA — requested removal from the list as the remaining debt is manageable and thanks all for the help. Woot!
KOS KATALOGUE
It’s open all year round! Every purchase supports a Kossack, and you get to stay out of those crowded malls. Purchasing from these vendors and artisans helps folks remain self sufficient and financially independent. Plus, these folks are just darn good at what they do.
Kos Kataloguers are invited to post links to their shops or wares under the Community Links.
Departments of the 2017 Kos Katalog
- Arts & Craftwork
- Books, Cookbooks, Magazines, Bookshops & Publishing
- Childrens', Craft Supplies, & Yarn: Knit, Crochet, Weaving
- Clothing & Jewelry
- Painting, Drawing, Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture
- Food-Drink-Garden & House-Home & Pet
OUR PHILOSOPHY
What’s the philosophy behind the Community Needs List? For my premier diary, I will again let bfitz speak for us:
Kossacks taking care of our own — helping by sharing/donating money or needed items, helping by sharing both donation site links and artisan/vendor site links and purchasing gifts for self or others via those links, helping by sharing knowledge and informational links, or helping by just sharing a hug or a cup of coffee as appropriate — is what community is all about.
Helping Humpday resides with the Street Prophets because compassionate response to the need and suffering of our fellow human beings really is the intersection of politics and ethical values. Politics because if we had the government we are working towards, we wouldn’t need fundraisers. Ethical values because they tell us that it is right to help those in need and to protect them from those who would demean them or leave them to suffer. As bfitz declared, We are community — clan, tribe, company, village, culture, and state. Community survives beyond the life of any single member and thrives by supporting and strengthening the life of each individual member — by helping each other, by sharing — all together.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Finally, this week’s musical interlude (my repertory is limited, so suggestions for songs that fit this theme are always welcome):
The Community Needs List team thanks you. It really does take a village. Community Links welcome. Please share links, stories, or pictures.
This is an open thread. The blog is now open.