celeste17
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When: Sunday, February 15th
Where: Big Al's Brewery in White Center 9832 14th Ave SW
What to Bring: A Pot luck dish to share
Time: 1pm-5pm (Big Al's is open from 12-5)
Who Benefits: Right now its still being decided but there are suggestions Westside Baby, Seattle Eductional Access (they can use gift cards).
Please come and have fun.
Thanks, Celeste...it's on my calendar :)
ok.. let's settle on charities so we can ask TR to list it on the calendar for us...
Aw DAG! I've got the Annual Scrabble Invitational Marathon that day. :-/
I know you all will have a great time. Party ON, Garth! :D
pigeonmom
Member Profile
Yay! I can go! I want to let it be known that I'm not opposed to silly nametags as I tend to be shy & may forget some names.
:-P
silly nametags can be helpful...and you can write anything you want on them :)
LisaM
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How about one people-related charity and one animal-related charity?
good suggestion...
flowerpetal
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I have a people idea. There is a small preschool preparing children of low income families for kindergarten in West Seattle. The Refugee & Immigrant Family Center serves 40 children every day. Many of the kids come to the center with little or no English and all need a boost before kindergarten.
RIFC is much like Head Start, but State funded through the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). Their budget is tight and I bet I could get a wish list of classroom supplies from the teachers with little effort. Let me know what you think.
flowerpetal..
i think that is a great idea!
Second LisaM's one people, one animal related idea!
JenV
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actually might not make it to the meet up - bummer - but my favorite author guy is coming to town that day and I think I need to be there.
thee
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OK, Jen, don't make us guess... who is it?
thee
has a library card, knows how to use it
JenV
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Christopher Moore - signing copies of his long-awaited book "Fool".
Christoper Moore... Lamb.. book club.. do we dare?
jenV.. would you come if we did:)
flowerpetal
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Thanks JoB! If others are interested in helping (see Post #9) I will talk to the center about a wish list.
celeste17
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Any other suggestions?
celeste17
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I vote for Furry Faces, and I still think we should include Seattle Education since we were going to do that one in December.
alki_2008
Member Profile
Animal: I would also vote for Furry Faces.
People: I would vote for Seattle Educational Access over RIFC because (1) SEA already got bumped from December and (2) RIFC already has a fundraising event scheduled on 2/12. My reasons for voting SEA over RIFC are for these 2 reasons only, and has nothing to do with one program being more/less deserving than the other.
Apparently there is a controversy regarding
Who Benefits
for a
"Forum Meetup"
but from what I have been able to read via the West Seattle Blog, it is a mystery to me.
I don't care about the meetup or
Who Benefits, but I think it is amusing.
ummm...exactly what have you heard? We have done this periodically, and we have a great time, meet new friends, socialize, and someone always benefits. A little over a year ago we raised quite a lot of money for the West Seattle food bank...and then we helped out a fellow West Seattleite whose business had been firebombed. We even got on the 11 pm news for that one.
There's no controversy here..we're just trying to decide where the benefits of us opening our hearts and our wallets will go this time.
Maybe you should give it a try...it's good for the soul...
Alki - 2008...thanks for that suggestion. I think that maybe that's a good idea....
and what does everyone else think? (Boy, that snow in December really messed things up, huh...)
Zenguy
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So Scott, if you do not care why comment...troll alert.
flowerpetal
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RIFC's webpage needs some updating. The fund-raiser you were referring to was for 2/12/2008. This is a small organization, obviously I guess, which needs support. There is no fund raiser planned right now.
the needs for the two organizations are not the same.. other than cash or gift cards which every organization that services people can use...
there is no reason we can't do both...
Zenguy wrote:
"So Scott, if you do not care why comment...troll alert."
As I wrote before, I found it amusing. If I were trolling, I would find your response irresistable.
JenV
Member Profile
based on certain comments, is there a local charity to support mental health in West Seattle?
LOL...
i think that would be a hit for us all:)))
and danged useful too.
beachdrivegirl
Member Profile
Well, if you had read all the posts in teh first thread you would have seen that I did recommending donating to West seattle Highline Mental Health. Mental Health agenices dont get nearly enough funds to operate so for those out there still deciding where to give this time of year please consider West Seattle Highline Mental Health.
bdg, I don't think the comments wondering about a mental health charity were based on wanting to actually do anything charitable for a mental health organization, I think it was because they don't like some of the comments that were made and are insinuating that people on here may be have mental health issues
Actually, BDG, Navos is a fine thing to have a function for. Considering the more public things of the last few weeks in WS,...the shooting last night (yeah, I consider shooting someone not quite "normal"), and the suicide of the young man down by Salty's last week, and the state of the economy, etc., I think that more and more people may need the services of our local location for help for mental stress. Depression is a big thing in the general public, and, you're right, we shouldn't overlook this facility.
We do better if we concentrate on one or two issues at a time.
I am assuming that this won't be our last meet-up... NAVOS sounds like a great candidate for the next one..
in the meantime, those of you who can't wait will find it easy to donate here...
http://www.navos.org/index.php?option=content&task=section&id=4&Itemid=38
beachdrivegirl
Member Profile
Thank goodness I can think for myself as to what charity I will donate to; also thank goodness I don't have to wait for a forum get together. In the meantime I'll sit back being amuzed and thankful for my individuality
Irukandji
Member Profile
Yes, you are unique, just like everybody else. Lots of great charities out there, and lots of people doing good work. Hope to see you at the meet up!
I shouldn't have poked fun at good people. I apologize.
NAVOS and Southwest Family and Youth Services would probably love the help. SWFYS is located in North Delridge...
And as for giving to organizations, most of us do it outside of these meetups, but keep in mind that word of mouth goes pretty far for those that don't know about these services.
JenV
Member Profile
I am "amuzed" as well at your amazing ability to think for yourself, BDG. there's no reason to get nasty with anyone here. Mental health was a good suggestion by you, and yes, mine was a joke- but I do think it's a worthy cause - particularly here in WS. If you don't want to get along, don't go to the meet-up. If you just want to be nasty to people, well, I guess that's just part of your amazing individuality.
"I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way."
-- Mark Twain
Joking about mental health and making fun of poor spelling is always a good way to get along too.
thee
Member Profile
FYI, Big Al's is a dog-friendly place! Your favorite four-legger can run around in the front courtyard --- off leash even! Doublebonus: it's not in Seattle proper, so you won't be hassled by the fuzz.
beachdrivegirl
Member Profile
Thank you JT for making a very valid point. Mental health is not a joking matter and if it is in fact something you care about you would know that. Yes I have poor spelling, i like my poor spelling! :) And lastly, i think that answering ones questions or contributing to ideas about fundraisers isnt a sign of nastiness. I believe making fun of individuals, joking about serious illnesses, and being rude in general is.
And as I have mentioned before, I am busy the weekend of the meet up but no worries i'll be having fun in the sun elseware!
I have one question...
why do people who have no intention of participating... get in the pool for the sole purpose of p.....g in it?
if you think it's dumb to plan a charitable purpose for the meet-ups.. that's ok
If you don't like the charitable organization chosen for the meet-up.. that's ok.
If you don't want to go to the meet-up... that's ok.
But why do you have to sour the positive efforts of those who do care enough to organize these events and attend?
If you want to donate to a charity that is not sponsored at one of these events, you can do so privately.
I only posted the link to the charity named by beachdrivegirl because she didn't do so herself... and it was possible that there were those who were reading who might have been interested enough to follow the link and donate now in light of recent events.
if you want to go to a meet-up that has no charitable purpose... go to one that has no charitable purpose.
The same group of people that has brought you meet-ups with a charitable purpose also organized a bowling party that was pure unadulterated entertainment and theHouse organized a meet-up at Proust a week or so ago that had nothing to do with charity.. in fact, he specified that it had nothing to do with any charitable event.
this kind of nastiness is incredibly rude to Celeste who is the organizer of this event.
Now.. can we get back to our regular programming and plan a potluck where everyone who wants to go has a good time and those who want to do so contribute to a couple (or more) good charities at the same time?
and if you don't want to participate...
can you just let those who do get on with this?
Nobody is asking your permission to have a meet-up.. so if you really aren't interested in participating, please be grown up enough to keep your comments to yourself.
JenV
Member Profile
"Thank goodness I can think for myself as to what charity I will donate to" ....implying others don't. This is a discussion. That was a backhanded insult to everyone on here participating in that discussion. At least when I insult someone, I do it upfront and own up to it.
I may make it to the meet-up, BTW, before I head off to "have fun in the sun"! Hope to see (most) all of you there!
Yes, participate or don't - let's move on! Cool about the dogs, thee; will your grinning avatar be there? *lives vicariously through others' pooches*
thee
Member Profile
i just may bring 'em both -- the good one and the bad one -- they <heart> beer.
This might be a good time to mention that although the discussion of which charities should benefit from this get-together was opened to anyone with suggestions... a lot of work goes into the management of the charitable side of any event...
someone has to contact the organization, get a wish list, publish it, promote the event and commit to either deliver the donations or arrange for and oversee their pickup.
there is no organization running these events... these get togethers are managed by individuals from the forum.
celeste 17 agreed to be responsible for putting this pot luck together...
but the people who proposed the charities are the ones doing the work to make sure that your donations reach the charity involved.
I personally think it is great that beachdrivegirl suggested NAVOS... that is why i posted the link for those who might want to contribute...but she stated she would not be able to attend and no-one else was inspired to step up to manage that charitable donation for her...
flowerpetal also proposed a worthy local cause.. a preschool program for at risk kids... but was unable to get information together in time for this event...
since he has agreed to be the responsible party it is likely that his organization will end up the recipient of a future event...
For this pot luck, I believe we have basically narrowed the donations down to two causes.. the puppy mill puppies and continuing education for street kids..
i believe those two causes have volunteers who have agreed to be responsible for making sure the donations reach their intended organizations..
i know at least one of them does :)
and some of us will once again be buying gift cards at local stores to help soclwrkinmotn keep the local families he works for afloat. After the budget cuts this january he is finding it increasing difficult to meet their needs through the system...
i think those donations go to Southwest Family and Youth Services.. but to tell you the truth.. since i didn't have a need for a receipt for tax purposes (we're renting).. i am not positive...
Wish lists for these causes have already been posted on WSB.. but we will get them updated so stay tuned for more information about those causes and their wish lists...
and information about which donations are tax deductible and how to get documentation for your taxes..
and i hope you are putting a lot of thought into what you are going to bring for the potluck.
We had great food at Full Tilt's inauguration pot luck so i am really looking forward to this one.
flowerpetal
Member Profile
I am happy to hold off on my suggested cause. SEC is an important and worthy organization. With regards to charitable contributions; under a certain dollar amount; which is significantly high, one needs only to track it themselves. Your tax preparer will know that threshold amount. You will need to know however, who it is your donating to; either SWYFS or SEC.
I'm bringing comfort food; that's as far as I've gotten in my planning.
beachdrivegirl
Member Profile
Oh Job, considering I was one of three individuals who actually pre-sold tickets for the locksmith fundraiser while still holding my full time job I am plenty aware of the work that goes into a fundraiser. If I remember right I believe many of us were disappointed with some of those that spoke much louder about the event than their actions showed. Jan didnt we talk about that @ the yard sale???
I do have a tax question though: arent charitable donations receipts ect important regardless if someone is renting or not. Its not like renters dont get taxed; in fact considering home owners already get a bigger tax break it seems like renters would be more opt to track their donations for tax cuts. But that is just me.
And JenV I wasnt trying to imply anything about anyone so please do not start making up stories. It really is not necessary.
Best of luck to you all and your charitable event. Obviously others feel like their thouhts are more important than mine so i will butt out & let you all carry on.
BDG - For the 2008' tax year the standard deductions start at:
Single or Married filing separately...$5,450.00
Married filing jointly......$10,900.00
Head of Household......$8,000.00
So, if your itemized deductions don't exceed the above amounts then any tax-deductible donations are worthless with regard to your tax return.
The reason JoB mentioned home owner vs. renter is that many home owners have substantial interest expense that can go toward the above limits.
Hope this helps.
8-)
beachdrivegirl
Member Profile
Thanks Erik it does. :) I didnt want to have to call a tax accountant.
JenV
Member Profile
Wasn't "making up stories" BDG- (I leave that for the "thinks we're still in high school crowd") - just pointing out exactly what you implied. Don't say something and then act all innocent like you didn't mean what you said. That's disingenuous. If that's NOT what you meant, you might want to proofread before you send something out so you can be sure your true meaning is coming across. Unless you really were just crowing about your wholly unique individuality and ability to make up your own mind and wanted to share that with all of us, then by all means let's join in a round of applause - unless you're too busy patting yourself on the back.
STOP. For GOD's sake, people, this is a thread about a gathering. Do you suppose it would be better to just cut everything after the original announcement and close it there as a post-it note? I can do that. Maybe take a vote.
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