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Giving back...
in
Posted on September 3rd, 2008 at 12:44pm
I wanted to let you know about three charitable endeavors with which I'm personally involved, in the event that you're moved to participate in one or all.
"THE ALISSA FUND"
Our regular reader/KOOK Alissa, a New Orleans resident, was fortunate in that her home was spared significant damage from Hurricane Gustav. However, she and her community have no electricity, and face an urgent need for non-perishable food. Fellow KOOK Suzanne Olden has established "The Alissa Fund" to collect cash contributions which she'll forward to Alissa. You can click the link below to make a donation of any amount via PayPal. Note: donations to this fund, while greatly appreciated, are not tax-deductible.
Click here to donate to The Alissa Fund via PayPal
LUNCH WITH ME TO BENEFIT VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD
A few months back, I agreed to donate a lunch (for the winner plus three guests) to benefit the Vintage Hollywood Foundation. Vintage Hollywood Foundation is a non-profit group that supports charitable organizations, both large and small, that work to promote the health and well-being of Southern California's diverse community. Since 2002, Vintage Hollywood has raised over $800,000 to benefit organizations including United Friends of the Children and Save the Children. The lunch will take place in Los Angeles, on a mutually agreed date, and includes a signed CD of Halfway, pleased.
The auction closes on September 17. To find out more and/or bid on the lunch, click on the link below.
Click here to bid on lunch with me
COME SEE ME AT THE JDRF WALK IN L.A. ON NOVEMBER 1
Both Charlton's daughter Georgica and my manager Arlene's son Ben have Type 1 (also known as Juvenile or insulin-dependent) diabetes, which is an incurable auto-immune disease in which the body loses its ability to produce insulin.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the only organization solely dedicated to seeking a cure for Type 1 diabetes. Their annual Los Angeles "Walk for the Cure" will take place on Saturday, November 1. Since the theme of this year's Walk is "Rock Out Diabetes," it seemed even more fitting that I should participate. To that end, two pieces of news:
1) I'll be performing a short set - with Charlton and the guys, of course - at the conclusion of the Walk (motivation for you all to attend!).
2) Please consider supporting our team, "Curt's KOOKs for Georgica and Ben." You can sign up to walk with the team, and/or make a tax-deductible contribution, here:
http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmi...
Note: We'll have team t-shirts available for sale soon and will add a purchase link as soon as they're ready.
EDIT: Here's the link to buy team shirts: http://www.cafepress.com/curtsmith/5982448
Papa S.
EZEZEZ
Comments
Posted by Alissa on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - 11:55.
Wow, wow, WOW I was having such a dreadful day until I stopped here :))))). THANK YOU !!!! Still writing from the internet cafe in the next city, man I was feeling blue. Anxious, angry, all that awful stuff that eventually catches up with me no matter how much i try to bury myself in my work about it. FEMA finally made it here (Florida parishes, 7th Ward (not 9) sorry for my crackling phone, Suz. But yeah, FEMA arrived a day AFTER the National Guard, and what is this, 6 days after the storm. Pssshhh ... oh, I am not even going to go there.
If you guys really want to do this with the Kook funds, I spoke with my editor yesterday and she LOVES this story. We know of EXACTLY the perfect group of kids who could certainly use this help. Whenever you guys are ready, I'll call the mayor and council members who will absolutely want to know about this.
As does my editor. She remembers you Papa C - I just love that. who knew, my liberal editor Lil, remembered you immediately. Hee hee, I thought that completely rocked. I want this story.
Thanks again for getting me in a better mood by stopping here. I haven't read the TEN THOUSAND pages by now of where I left off (McCain veep Palin), oh hell to the NO, I'm not even biting. I just had to get out of my blues by coming here, and am so glad I did :))).
Suz, feel better. Thanks for keeping me contacted to the outside world. I hate that isolated feeling where you hear NOTHING after the storm. Not even crickets, and that's BAD when you live in the country. Anyway, I was getting so irritated and antsy, I started taking my Halfway, pleased CD everywhere. Me and Suzanne have been texting it like "Where's Waldo?" Papa Smith, my kids and I took you into (besides the hurricane winds) the skateboard park, the internet cafe, and to the drugstore for water.
Sh*t, I hate to go, but have to. Nice to be in touch outside my immediate area, and it's just going to have to be that way until we're all repaired and powered up again. Ciao, ~Alissa
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Friday, September 12, 2008 - 19:40.
Ok, looks like $780 is it. Good job!!! I'll be sending the $$$ to Alissa tomorrow. I won't post a list of who donated (I'm sure everyone gave to give, not to get glory...), but you know who you are, and I am grateful to each of you for your generosity, as is Alissa. I'm sure she'll post a great story about how the money is going to be put to good use in her community.
Thanks again, everyone. We are truly blessed here :)
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 13:16.
Just wanted to update everyone. I went to the orthopedic doctor. I fractured the part of the bones that stick out to the side where the muscles attach to my L1, L2 and L3 vertebrae. So muscle damage too. Rest and lots of being careful, Motrin and pain meds.
No new donations so we're still at $740. Hoping to reach $1000...
Thanks again for everyone's wishes and prayers. It means the world :)
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 11:45.
Kent - contact me off board suziecooks4you@verizon.net and I'll give you my address
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by Dani O. on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 07:10.
Take heart, Alissa. We're still roughing it here in Kenner too. My place just got power back yesterday, but in a cruel twist of fate, the A/C is busted. I have lights, but still no cool air. C'est la vie.
To Suzanne and all you KOOKs who donated, much thanks and kudos all around on behalf of the Gulf South. If any of ya'll want to come on down here (after hurricane season of course), I'll be happy to buy you a drink. Lezze les bon temps roule.
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Sunday, September 7, 2008 - 13:11.
Thanks Katy, Sheila and everyone, for your wishes and prayers. Hanging in there. I'll know more tomorrow after I see the orthopedic doctor.
Another donation - up to $705! Keep it coming! Alissa is working on the best way to help her community with it...
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by Katy on Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 17:59.
Suzanne, fantastic about the donations, but TERRIBLE about YOU! Ouch! Take good care of yourself, and heal soon! My thoughts and prayers are with you. (Just some heavy Hanna rain here. No wind to speak of...) Eggy
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 17:36.
So sweet! We are at a total of $670. My plan was to get it to Alissa tomorrow, but a monkey threw a wrench in. I fell today (thanks to tropical storm Hanna) and fractured 3 vertebrae. I'm out of commission for now, so I thought we could extend donations until Monday. To those who have donated, thank you!
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by Arlene on Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 15:22.
Carlos: Your family members are welcome to join you on the walk without being officially registered themselves. Registering as a walker is for the benefit of those who might wish to solicit the support of their own friends, relatives and/or colleagues. It also gives the JDRF an idea of how many people are going to be showing up, and how much space to allocate to each team ;).
Look forward to seeing you on November 1!
Arlene
Posted by Alissa on Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 14:58.
Wow, so much to say, so little time to say it. Went to the coffee house the next city over to get wired, and just had to say THANK YOU so much for your kindness and genorosity. What can I say? So much, SO MUCH. Just can't string the words together at the moment.
A quick pic, day 2 after Gus, it was hot and humid and sweaty but the anxiousness hadn't hit us yet. That's my son, Jet. I have been carrying my Halfway, Pleased with me everywhere. Kinda forgot it was in my front pocket though when this one was taken, but my son didn;t appear to mind. I have played Addict at least two dozen times this week, really eerie we're seeing this all again, perhaps another one next week? I dunno. So much to say, just can't think of the right words at the moment. Oh, and Working Hour? Have mercy, I can't shake that tune this week either.
Take care, ~Alissa
Posted by Carlos the bassist on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 15:21.
Question about walking?
I had started the first page and noticed it was only for one person. I would like to add my children (2) and wife, do each need to fill out a entry form?
Thanks in advance
- - Carlos in Los Angeles - -
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 10:55.
I spoke with Alissa this afternoon and through the crackle of the cell phone (service is up there, but spotty) she said she's was on her way to help out those in the rural areas of the 9th Ward. She sent me texts with the Parish names: Tangipahoa, St. Helena and Washington. They were left off of the lists of declared disaster areas (inadvertantly) and she is trying to see what she can do there - no electric, water (for people or livestock) or food. She is bowled over by what we are trying to do for them (I let her know today about the Fund). There are two more of you who have stepped up! Thank you!!! So keep it coming - I'll post a final tally for everyone Sunday.
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by Dani O. on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 08:21.
Hello KOOKs. I've been a regular on the Facebook page, and now I've finally gotten around to posting here. Like Alissa, I too am a native New Orleans resident. I'm sure that coverage of Gustav has slackened outside of LA, so let me assure you all that any donations to this fund would be a great help.
My own neighborhood is still without power or full sewage capacity. That means no lights, no A/C, no washing of clothes or dishes, and very limited showering. I count so far only one open grocery and 3 open gas stations. Your donations can help ease Alissa and her community in these tough times.
And Mr. Smith, thank you so very much for posting this. Also, thank you for your support of the Gulf South region and this fine city which I love so much. Ya'll should come down here sometime. She's still beautiful.
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 07:26.
Great! Looking forward to it! I understand paycheck to paycheck - I'm there too - I wasn't trying to be bitchy, just have a number of things going on that make me feel helpless and this is something that I can actually do to be helpful! However, got an update. Alissa just texted me and says that there are several communities close by that have had no Red Cross or FEMA help – they have no electric, water or food. She has no idea what we are doing here - it will be a surprise to her and the community. PLEASE GIVE!!! Obviously the need is great, but I can only do so much myself. I NEED YOUR HELP TO HELP THEM!!!
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by envertigo on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 06:52.
"Where are the "bleeding hearts"??? I hereby challenge you to show me exactly how much more giving the liberal side of the aisle really is!"
?
Waiting to get paid, for one. You'll have at least one donation today. No worries on this end...
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 06:02.
I would so love to be involved in the other two as well. The lunch with Curt, while completely priceless, is already out of my league bid-wise (not to mention the cost of flying out to LA, since I'm sure negotiable doesn't include negotiating location as well...although I know some great places around Baltimore!). But I'm in for a donation and will purchase a t-shirt for the Juvenile Diabetes walk!!
As for the Alissa Fund, please, please, please everyone, time is growing short and donations so far are, honestly, not coming in, and their need is NOW (I have a grand total of $100, including my own start off donation - with the cost of food these days, it's not even enough for one family for a week...) Thanks to the two who have donated!!! It is much appreciated!!!!! Where are the "bleeding hearts"??? I hereby challenge you to show me exactly how much more giving the liberal side of the aisle really is! ;) I've seen the words, now show me the actions... Alissa and her community deserve no less :)
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Recent Posts
| 3 Dec | Day 7 |
| 2 Dec | Day 6 |
| 1 Dec | Day 5 |
| 30 Nov | Day 4 (angels and ice cream) |
| 29 Nov | Day 3 (Show 1) |
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Aahh, Ivan is really styling..........Curt do you need any models?
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