An Opportunity
Oct 23rd, 2006 at 4:16 pm by Susie
I just got off the phone with my friend MB and she’s in that really bad, desperate dark place where there’s no way out. I’ve been there. It’s awful, and the only thing that can pull you out of that pit is the kindness of others.
Mary Beth and husband Eric run Wampum (home of the Koufax awards) and they’re in dire financial straits right now, much worse than me. (And much worse than you can tell from their post. Trust me on this.)
They have four kids under ten, two of them autistic, and no heat at night. They’re living in an RV, and they’re cold all the time. The brake line on their RV just started leaking, and they can’t move out of Mendocino County with no brakes.
They’re applying for whatever aid they can, but they’re not eligible for much. I know what that’s like - to be so poor, and so desperate, but not quite poor enough to get help.
I’m asking every single one of you who’s in a position to help to please do so. Whether it’s $5 or $50, they really do need your help. (There’s that handy Amazon donation button up at the top of their left-hand column.)
If you live anywhere near Ft. Bragg (California) and can lend a hand (whether it’s housing, brake repairs or food), let me know and I’ll put you in touch.
It drives me nuts how so many progressive activists live so close to the edge financially, making sacrifice after sacrifice, and worrying constantly, for “the cause.” Hell, most of the time, I’m one of them, so I guess that’s why it strikes a chord.
I wish I could give more, but I’ll send $5 and hope many others pitch in. It would be nice if there was an ongoing fund to handle this kind of thing, rather than resorting to random pitches by those who happen to be aware of some desperate circumstance like this.
[...] Mary Beth and Dwight, who have devoted countless hours to promoting the progressive blogosphere through the annual Koufax Awards, are in need of your help. As Susie of Suburban Guerrilla writes: I just got off the phone with my friend MB and she’s in that really bad, desperate dark place where there’s no way out. I’ve been there. It’s awful, and the only thing that can pull you out of that pit is the kindness of others. [...]
Amazon appears to hold the funds for 30 days (they say you can get the money back for that time period). Does nayone know if there is a way to get it released right away? I could only give $20 but it sounds like they could use it NOW.
No, the Amazon funds clear faster than that, I wouldn’t worry about it. But you can also send donations to: Mary Beth Williams, General Delivery, Ft. Bragg CA 95437.
Done. Hope it helps.