Deety
Head Coach
Let's get this thing rolling! :)Forums Announcement by 3yardsandacloud said:Spring Fundraiser 2007
Hi all,
Once again it is time for our Spring Fundraiser. Each year we run 2 fundraisers (Spring & Fall) to help defray the costs of running this site. Originally they were driven by the membership as a way to give back a little of what was given so freely to us. BuckeyePlanet's owner, Clarity, has always viewed this site as a community driven resource. A gift to his friends, the Buckeye fan community. More specifically, he's always wanted this place to be a "free" community. Historically, the fundraisers have been very low key events. Contribute or don't, it won't affect your experience at BuckeyePlanet. More recently the staff had been pushing to make the fundraisers LESS low key ... much to Clarity's chagrin.
Several events prompted this change in philosophy. First was an overburdened server. BuckeyePlanet literally exploded with growth. A growth that still continues today. Thankfully, our members stepped up in a big way and our server needs were met. On the heels of the "Server" fundraiser came the public knowledge of Clarity's health issues. What was once known to only a small group of "longtimers", became a community issue at BuckeyePlanet. It became more and more clear that Clarity's health was deteriorating. It became clear that his financial stance was precarious. It became painfully clear that we needed to act as an entire community to help the person that had given so much to us. The days of a few folks scraping together a few bucks to help out simply wasn't enough. It wasn't simply money either. Clarity needed all the resources and contacts that only a large community could summon. The kind of thinking and brainstorming that could effectively navigate a labyrinth of legal, medical and financial issues. With your help many of these issues were addressed. For the first time in many years, Clarity was able to have some medical issues addressed. He was able to have some successes in the legal arena and those will lead to more victories in the areas of disability funding and medical treatment. I can't thank you enough. The support of our community has made a big difference ... a difference that directly affects our friend on many positive levels. A difference that has moved me to tears on several occasions.
While Clarity is in a more stable place (on many different levels) at this time, more still needs to be done. His disability/Medicaid benefits will not take effect until December of 2008! He has had some minor issues addressed, but many still need attention ... and soon. I find it hard to fathom, but he STILL has a slew of dental issues that need addressed. He plays it down. Minimizes the issue. Ignores it. Doesn't dare give it more credence than to acknowledge it.
In addition to Clarity's ongoing issues, BuckeyePlanet has seen significant increases in operating costs over the past year. Costs that weren't unforeseen in our future, but costs that simply aren't easily met from Clarity's position. While an advertising partnership with "Sportswars" should help to defray those costs in the long term, it simply doesn't generate enough revenue currently.
OK, OK, OK. That's enough "doom and gloom" from Mr. "The sky is falling!". As with the past several fundraisers, I'm betting Clarity won't be whistling a happy tune as I expose portions of his personal life for our community to address. To be honest, I'm not sure he CAN whistle with the dental issues ... :) Anyway, he's just going to have to deal with it. We're his friends. His online family. As much as he'd rather "suffer silently" ... we'd rather help. As much as his pride prevents him from asking ... our compassion motivates us to give ... to pay it forward.
So my friends, I want you to know that Clarity is MUCH better off than a year ago ... even 6 months ago. He is stable on several levels ... financially, medically, and most importantly emotionally. This isn't to say he's making significant progress on any of these fronts, but the downward spiral has been stopped. I can honestly say he sounds almost giddy to have arrived at this holding point. Might seem strange to you or I, but to stop a decline that has lingered for many years is a HUGE achievement in his eyes (I believe GIGANTIC was the word he used). The biggest dangers have been addressed and minimized and Clarity just needs to "get by" until Medicaid kicks in. So once again I and the whole staff at BuckeyePlanet thank you for all the support you've given to BP and more importantly to Clarity ... THANK YOU!
So without further ado, let's start this fundraiser. Clarity has asked that we keep things as low key as possible. Guess my previous 6 paragraphs ruined that request.He has also asked the we make a request for help with the BP Wiki project. Several folks are really pushing that project forward with their hard work, but more hands will help lighten the load. It is the type of project that BP excels at ... a community project. A project that will benefit all of us at BP, and the greater base of Buckeye fans in whole.
PLEASE HELP the BP Wiki Project!!! Thanks!
Clarity would also like to donate some of the proceeds to a charitable cause. What cause is undecided at this time ... feel free to make a suggestion. I get the impression Clarity is already looking for ways to "pay it forward" ... amazing.
As in the past, your donation (or lack thereof) will NOT affect how you are treated at BuckeyePlanet. Give if you can and if you see the merit in doing so. If you are unable to at this time, we understand that as well. Once again we will award any monetary donations with vCash in the ratio of 1,000 vCash for every real dollar donated. $5 = 5,000 in vCash. $20 = 20,000 vCash, etc.
I still have some CoachTressel.com t-shirts and "You Win with People" wristbands. I'll ship those to any member donating $10 (wristband), or $25 (t-shirt). Please note that sizes and quantity on the t-shirts are limited. They will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis ... subject to size availability. Thanks again to M2Marketing and CoachTressel.com for their kind donation or merchandise.
Goals: "Whatever we can raise is more than enough." That's about what Clarity said.
Thank you all for you time and consideration.
3yards
PS
On a personal note I'd like to mention a few observations. About a year or so back I noted with dread a different tone in Clarity's writing. An undercurrent that disturbed me greatly. I'm certain others noticed it as well. I had the distinct impression that he bordered on that point of no return. The point where the will to keep fighting a seemingly losing battle comes into question. The question: "Did I lose this battle? Was it lost a year ago? 2? 4? Maybe I should just accept my fate. Will anything I do make a difference?"
The answer to the final question is, of course, YES. Whatever you do, however small, however grand, can make a difference, will make a difference ... DOES make a difference. You may never see the difference. You may never know that it has occurred. It does not change the fact.
YOU, my friends have made a difference. Just as Clarity made a difference in our lives by launching BuckeyePlanet and "giving" us this community, you have made a difference in his. More importantly than the financial donations, more so than the technical help or the legal advice, the change you've fostered on an emotional level is nothing short of stunning. I see him posting again on the site, having fun once more, enjoying the interaction with his many friends. Hell, even doing the mundane tasks of site administration seem to make him happy once again. That, in no small part, is due to you and your kindness ... your generosity on a multitude of levels. On multiple occasions I have heard Clarity touch on the topic of charities and charitable contributions from BuckeyePlanet. Once again, for this fundraiser, he would like to donate some of the proceeds to a charitable cause. Amazing huh? He's not out of the woods yet, nor are we as a site, yet he's looking to pay it forward. I get the distinct impression that he'd like to make charitable work a larger piece of the community project at BuckeyePlanet. I shake my head in wonder.
We always wonder if our contributions (at any level) ever have more than a negligible effect. It often seems so small, so insignificant. If our efforts here only help Clarity in some small way to improve his life, then my whole association with BuckeyePlanet will have been worthwhile. More than all the Buckeye knowledge I've gained, more than the recruiting information I get, more than the fun and friendship I enjoy ... more than any of it combined ... this I would judge most valuable. By far. Not even close.
Now I come to the realization that "paying it forward" might become one of the major focuses here at BuckeyePlanet. I know that "paying it forward" isn't simply a payment ... it's an investment. Something that will grow and multiply and affect far more people than could possibly be imagined. I think about all the odd, weird, joyous, sad, funny, happy, twisted and coincidental series of events that has led to this point ... and I think ... "My God, what a wonderful place this is."
What a community ... ans we've only scratched the surface.
Donations can be made via:
MAIL
BuckeyePlanet
5794 Gradey Pass
Galloway, OH 43119-8598
NOTE: Checks should be made payable to: Joanna Bryant (NOT BuckeyePlanet). Please be sure to include your BuckeyePlanet username with any donation so we can credit your account with the appropriate points.
PAYPAL (link)
The memo/note area (where you would include your username) is limited to 250 characters, so longer messages should be PM'd to 3yardsandacloud or Deety. Please be sure to include your BuckeyePlanet username with any donation so we can credit your account with the appropriate points.
Thank you!
BuckeyePlanet
5794 Gradey Pass
Galloway, OH 43119-8598
NOTE: Checks should be made payable to: Joanna Bryant (NOT BuckeyePlanet). Please be sure to include your BuckeyePlanet username with any donation so we can credit your account with the appropriate points.
PAYPAL (link)
The memo/note area (where you would include your username) is limited to 250 characters, so longer messages should be PM'd to 3yardsandacloud or Deety. Please be sure to include your BuckeyePlanet username with any donation so we can credit your account with the appropriate points.
Thank you!
Spring Drive 2007
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