Auction pin for Katrina relief ideas?

G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

OK guys heres the story, however fairly long.
My parents live/lived in Pass Christian Ms. about 6 miles west of Gulf
Port. Their house was 2 houses off hwy 90 which is on the beach. The latest
we have heard is that the entire area was wiped out by the storm surge.
Unfortunately they did not have flood or hurricane insurance. Could not
afford it.
I am thinking about auctioning off a TFTC pin I have and giving the money to
them to help out with general living expenses or whatever I can. Keep in
mind they are not rich folks at all, retired Gov worker and retired school
teacher. They basically live pay check to pay check. Dad runs a charter
boat, (google Top Gun Too, missing in action right now but was in the
Gulfport harbor) and mom is now a pretty famous local artist, (see www.
Mississippi Art, Geri Dendis). Now to make matters worse dad was just
released from the hospital on Friday after a week of heart testing, etc...
with the understanding they are going to schedule a quadruple bypass in 2
weeks. Keep in mind the man is 78 years old and ran a fishing trip the day
before they put him in the hospital. A real fighter he was diagnosed with
colon and prostate cancer a little over a year ago. Went through the
surgeries, radiation, chemo and is now believe it or not on the 1 year
cancer free plan.
Right now they are with my younger brother, his wife and 4 kids in a 3
bedroom apartment in Jackson, MS. Won't last long I assure you.
Now my thought was to auction off a TFTC pin I was going to sell anyway and
give them everything it brings in plus whatever else I can chip in. I am
feeling kinda helpless being in Va. about 1,100 miles away. I hope to drive
or fly down in a week or so after residents are allowed to return to their
homes to see what we are dealing with.
I am hoping to get some relief for them through FEMA but I understand that
can take months.
My question for you guys is how best to go about auctioning the pin? Ebay,
outright auction on the newsgroup, any other ideas? I thought about a raffle
but have heard I may need some kind of license, etc...

Thanks and sorry it's sooooo long.

Brian
prowlerman99@msn.com
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

prowlerman99 wrote:
> OK guys heres the story, however fairly long.
> My parents live/lived in Pass Christian Ms. about 6 miles west of Gulf
> Port. Their house was 2 houses off hwy 90 which is on the beach. The latest
> we have heard is that the entire area was wiped out by the storm surge.
> Unfortunately they did not have flood or hurricane insurance. Could not
> afford it.
> I am thinking about auctioning off a TFTC pin I have and giving the money to
> them to help out with general living expenses or whatever I can. Keep in
> mind they are not rich folks at all, retired Gov worker and retired school
> teacher. They basically live pay check to pay check. Dad runs a charter
> boat, (google Top Gun Too, missing in action right now but was in the
> Gulfport harbor) and mom is now a pretty famous local artist, (see www.
> Mississippi Art, Geri Dendis). Now to make matters worse dad was just
> released from the hospital on Friday after a week of heart testing, etc...
> with the understanding they are going to schedule a quadruple bypass in 2
> weeks. Keep in mind the man is 78 years old and ran a fishing trip the day
> before they put him in the hospital. A real fighter he was diagnosed with
> colon and prostate cancer a little over a year ago. Went through the
> surgeries, radiation, chemo and is now believe it or not on the 1 year
> cancer free plan.
> Right now they are with my younger brother, his wife and 4 kids in a 3
> bedroom apartment in Jackson, MS. Won't last long I assure you.
> Now my thought was to auction off a TFTC pin I was going to sell anyway and
> give them everything it brings in plus whatever else I can chip in. I am
> feeling kinda helpless being in Va. about 1,100 miles away. I hope to drive
> or fly down in a week or so after residents are allowed to return to their
> homes to see what we are dealing with.
> I am hoping to get some relief for them through FEMA but I understand that
> can take months.
> My question for you guys is how best to go about auctioning the pin? Ebay,
> outright auction on the newsgroup, any other ideas? I thought about a raffle
> but have heard I may need some kind of license, etc...
>
> Thanks and sorry it's sooooo long.
>
> Brian
> prowlerman99@msn.com
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Brian, I don't know you, but my prayers along with all of America are
for you, your family, and all the victims of this disaster. Right now
your parents are alive and safe, so hang in there for a few days until
it is safe to return to the area. I am speechless, after watching the
images on TV tonight.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Brian, hang in there, the important thing is that they made it out
alive, and I know thats the most important thing. Hit Ebay, better bang
for the $$$, but dont even hesitate to start a fund with RPG to help
out as well.! Keep your faith, and go down there to see them once the
OK is signaled. Just being with them will make you much happier. Ive
driven home several times after getting out of Myrtle Beach, before a
Hurricane, only to thank the good lord that my home was spared.But, the
most important part was that my family was alive and well. My prayers
are with you!~Pinball Bret
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

it hurts my heart to see what my fellow americans are going thru down there.
my thoughts are with you and everyone down south..

as for the raffle, i would think you'd get a decent response from RGP, but
the real point is to raise funds and you probably wouldn't get more than the
pin is worth if you limit it to RGP.
Look into ebay - not 100% sure they would let you do it unless it goes to a
well known charity.

I for one would rather help in that manner than write a check to some
organization and hope the money goes to the people that need it rather than
lining someone's pocket [my biggest pet peeve with charities].

good luck with whatever you choose.
Dan

"prowlerman99" <prowlerman99@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:27ydnWF2YLAUb4neRVn-qg@adelphia.com...
> OK guys heres the story, however fairly long.
> My parents live/lived in Pass Christian Ms. about 6 miles west of Gulf
> Port. Their house was 2 houses off hwy 90 which is on the beach. The
> latest we have heard is that the entire area was wiped out by the storm
> surge. Unfortunately they did not have flood or hurricane insurance. Could
> not afford it.
> I am thinking about auctioning off a TFTC pin I have and giving the money
> to them to help out with general living expenses or whatever I can. Keep
> in mind they are not rich folks at all, retired Gov worker and retired
> school teacher. They basically live pay check to pay check. Dad runs a
> charter boat, (google Top Gun Too, missing in action right now but was in
> the Gulfport harbor) and mom is now a pretty famous local artist, (see
> www. Mississippi Art, Geri Dendis). Now to make matters worse dad was just
> released from the hospital on Friday after a week of heart testing, etc...
> with the understanding they are going to schedule a quadruple bypass in 2
> weeks. Keep in mind the man is 78 years old and ran a fishing trip the day
> before they put him in the hospital. A real fighter he was diagnosed with
> colon and prostate cancer a little over a year ago. Went through the
> surgeries, radiation, chemo and is now believe it or not on the 1 year
> cancer free plan.
> Right now they are with my younger brother, his wife and 4 kids in a 3
> bedroom apartment in Jackson, MS. Won't last long I assure you.
> Now my thought was to auction off a TFTC pin I was going to sell anyway
> and give them everything it brings in plus whatever else I can chip in. I
> am feeling kinda helpless being in Va. about 1,100 miles away. I hope to
> drive or fly down in a week or so after residents are allowed to return to
> their homes to see what we are dealing with.
> I am hoping to get some relief for them through FEMA but I understand that
> can take months.
> My question for you guys is how best to go about auctioning the pin? Ebay,
> outright auction on the newsgroup, any other ideas? I thought about a
> raffle but have heard I may need some kind of license, etc...
>
> Thanks and sorry it's sooooo long.
>
> Brian
> prowlerman99@msn.com
>
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Many Canadians hearts and prayers are with our brother and sister
Americans.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Thanks for the kind words. Spoke with mom and my brother a few min ago. They
now have power in Jackson and can catch the news. Gov of Miss . was saying
that all of the casino's were destroyed, one was actually picked up and
deposited across the street and came to rest on a Holiday Inn, totally
crushing it. There are rail road tracks that run parallell to the coast
approx 1/2 mile from the beach. Everything from the tracks to the coast is
suppose to be totally destroyed, leveled. A container ship is sitting in the
lobby of the Miss. power building and the entire port of Gulf Port was
destroyed. Shipping containers are littering the beaches over 1/2 mile away.
A local TV station is actually back on the air tonight and you can check
them out WLOX TV 13 out of Gulfport.
Thanks again,
Brian
<shnidei@cogeco.ca> wrote in message
news:1125458644.061160.224900@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Many Canadians hearts and prayers are with our brother and sister
> Americans.
>