For John/Randi

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I wanted to start a new thread so as not to bog down the announcement thread.

I've just ordered a living plant to be delivered to Randi at her home address. The girl is working up the total and will let me know. I know some of you have expressed a desire to send something so what I was thinking is you could send me whatever you think is appropriate. I will keep track of everything received and, deduct for the cost of the plant and send the rest to where ever Randi wishes.

I know Phred was working on something too, so I hope I didn't step on any toes, but the girl said it might take up to 5 business days to be delivered - and possibly longer because as you can guess, they are swamped with Valentine's day orders. :( This is why I just went ahead and did it - didn't want to wait any longer.

So, I have no details as of yet except that I've given the girl the information.

If you are definitely in, PM me and I'll give you my address. You're going to have to trust me and send the check directly to me - in my name, or you can wait until we get the official announcement from Randi and then send it directly to wherever she chooses. However, I'm quite trustworthy - if I do say so myself. ;) :) And unfortunately I can't accept credit cards, I'm not a bank, but I sure wish I was. ;)

So, let the posts begin, let me know what you all think and we'll see if we can do this in the least painful way. ;)

[slick]

Debbie: I don't have any money to spare until next payday, the 15th, so if it's OK with you, I get a post-dated cheque in the mail to you soon.

The last time I went to the bank to get a US money order, they dinged me an extra $6.00 for the privilege, so a cheque will have to do.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

No problem Slick, thanks. :) Now if I could just get ahold of Phred!!!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

The total came to $125.70 - $100.00 for plant/flower (did a live thing), $17.95 for shipping (pretty reasonable if you ask me) and $7.75 in tax.

Now, it has been brought up that some would like any "extra" to go to Randi herself to help "tide her over" until John's estate is settled, etc.

So I will do it both ways. If you want your donation to go to Randi herself, just specify. If you want it to go to a charity, just specify that. Either way, no matter what, I will only keep a small portion to help reimburse for the flower/plant and every penny beyond that will either go to Randi or to the charity.

Oh, and Sara was just telling me about an online community that just raised $13,000.00 for the widow of a man that was killed in the recent terrible train crash in LA. $13,000.00!!! For a woman they had never met and had only "met" her husband online!!! Ok, ok, so that's pushing it a little for our small PT community, but the story sure is inspiring. :)

[ramanth]

I'd love to help out Debbie.

Speaking of the other community, the prop and costuming communities that I belong too lost two people (on seperate occasions - one to illness, another to a car accident) and money was raised and put into a fund for their children.

It's amazing how these little places on the internet come together for each other. :)

I especially know it first hand. :)

*HUGS*

[lynnestankard]

Debbie - please count me in.

Lynne

[slick]

Debbie...I'm either really tired, or really blonde....I'm sending you an email.

[tatsxxx11]

I would be honored to contribute. Thank you so much Debbie and Phred for attending to this, especially considering the narrow time window.

[Cincy'sMom]

I'm in. Debbie I think Ihave your address for the Christmas card list...okay to just go by that?

[dukedogsmom]

I'll send you some money when I get home from vacation in a few days.

[anna_66]

Please count me in.

And thank you for being so sweet and just "doing it":)

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom

If you are definitely in,

PM me at Tubby & Peanut's Mom

and I'll give you my Name & Address.

*******
NOTE >>
*******

Don't forget to send Debbie the PM to receive her mailing info!

If you already KNOW her full name and snail-mail address...
you're all set! ;)

THANKS for Helping!

..

[delidog]

I Thank You,Debbie...and I would like to contribute...But I would also like to send Randi Something Seperately...She is My Friend....and I feel for her Loss Right now

I will PM you for your address..

Many Thanks,
Nicole

[krazyaboutkatz]

Debbie, you can count me in too. I just pm'd you about it.:)

[Karen]

Count us in!

[koxka]

I'll send her some spanish goodies that she loves.:)

[jenluckenbach]

Oh my, what a dilemma for me.......looking at bread and water for the rest of my life (Charlie losing job) and yet.....to GIVE is a blessing.

Count me in.

[RobiLee]

I'm in.

I can't help but think what a great place this is. Such loving and caring people.

[Logan]

Debbie, I sent you a PM last night.

Logan

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks everybody. I just got in this morning and am going through the threads and will then answer all PM's.

Yes, if you have my name and address from the Christmas list, that info is still valid.

Delidog - and anyone - if you want to send Randi something seperately, you can just add it to what you send me and make a note of it. The reason for this is before I send actual money to Randi, I'm going to look into getting it converted to Euros - or whatever Denmark uses as currency - does anybody know? Anyway, I was thinking this way would be easier on Randi, otherwise she will have to figure out how to cash a bunch of American checks.

I'm going to see if I can get in touch with UniqueViking, she might have some insight into the currency exchange portion of all this....

[Killearn Kitties]

I think Denmark uses Danish Kroner (DKK). I'm afraid I don't know anything about how it is best to convert or send a lot of different currencies though.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Debbie...you know those currency exchanges that seem to be on every block in Chicago? They should be able to help you convert. I would take cash though so they don't charge you for cashing the check as well. ALso, if you have a bank you do business with, they may be able to do it for you cheaper.

But you want to send a check in Danish Kroners.

[slick]

Debbie...I'm sending you UV's email addy in case you don't have it. My envelope will be in the mail next Monday.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks Karen, and Sara. I hadn't thought about the currency exchanges! Great idea....but I think I'll check with my bank first since it just seems like it would be cheaper.

Danish Kroners it is! :)

[ramanth]

Mail from MI on it's way to you Debbie. :)

[Albea]

Debbie,
I'll send you a PM to get your address and mail a check to you tomorrow. Thank you for doing this.

[lizbud]

Debbie,

I will be mailing my check in the morning.If it would be easier
for you, I could get a money order instead. If it makes any
diffenerce at all, please just pm me, o.k? Thanks so much for
taking this on & communicating our good wishes to Randi at this
sad time. Liz.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Liz, I'll respond publicly because others might be thinking the same thing.

A personal check is fine. I'm going to have to deposit all in my bank account anyway, and then write out one check when I convert our donations to Danish Kroners. So don't go through the trouble of a money order unless you really prefer it that way. I also actually prefer the personal check because then I can keep track of everyone's names and addresses in case Randi wants to send thank you notes and also, just so she knows who gave.

Thanks so much to everyone! :)

[tatsxxx11]

Mine is on the way. Thank you so much Debbie:) Gosh, I hadn't thought about the currency exchange either!

[catcrazylady]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
Oh my, what a dilemma for me.......looking at bread and water for the rest of my life (Charlie losing job) and yet.....to GIVE is a blessing.

Count me in.

I'm with you Jen but how could I not give? I still have my hubby, a jobless hubby, but at least he is still here to comfort me. I can't imagine the pain that Randi must be experiencing.:(

Thank you so much Debbie for taking care of this. I know it is going to be quite an undertaking. If you need any of us to do anything to help out please let us know.

My check will be in the mail Monday.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom

A personal check is fine.

I'm going to have to deposit all in my bank account...

then write out one check when I
convert our donations to Danish Kroners.

Thanks so much to everyone! :)

:eek:
Hey Deb ~

Have you "talked" to your bank??

A year or so ago I tried to help an "overseas" PTer who wanted
to buy (and PAY FOR) a pair of USA SLIPPERS!
Turns out there is a LOT of real GRIEF involved in "movin money"
back & forth across the International Borders!! :(

USA "checks" are not easily "cashed" outside of the good ole USA!

And receiving a Canadian, Australian, or British "check" at a
USA bank is an expensive and time-consuming process.

"MY" lil bank charges:
$50.00 fee to "wire" money outside the USA;
$20.00 fee to just "receive" a Foreign money "wire".
There are "extra fees" to convert into / out of USA Dollars.
$8.00 fee to "convert" a Canadian check to USA Dollars;
along with a 30 day wait to get it done!

My Banker DID say that they're a smaller bank, and that Larger banks
may do things cheaper & quicker - but that you should ask YOUR bank
for some help in dealing with this.
She said you need to talk to the "International Transfer SPECIALIST"
at your bank.

I then asked her about PayPal...
she had no direct knowledge; but said she KNOWS they do
small international amounts MUCH Better than any bank could hope to! :p

Let me know if you'd like some help with this!
;)

/s/ Phred
..

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks Phred. I know it's not easy and that's why I wanted to take care of it for Randi so she doesn't have to deal with it. I do know when we went to Germany/Switzerland a few years ago I asked my local bank about it and the manager had to call her manager and get back to me. I was thinking about calling the guy we deal with through work because they are actually a big bank (not as big as Citibank or anything) and they should be able to handle this with little trouble, but we'll see.

If you have time and the inclination and you want to dig a little deeper into the PayPal thing...... I know they charge something like 3% to "collect" and nothing to send. I've got an account to send, but not to "collect." But 3% might be relatively cheap compared to the banks, and then Randi can set up an account, I'll "pay" her and she can collect from PayPal in Danish Kroners.....if it works that way.

Our work banker is gone for the afternoon (I just tried calling him for work related stuff) but I'll try calling on Monday to see what he says.

Thanks Phred, doing all the research is a huge help! :)

[Kirsten]

If PayPal would work, it would be great (since money orders are terribly expensive from Germany).

Kirsten

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Kirsten, I sent you a PM. :)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

:)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I'm bumping this up one more time because you can now contribute through PayPal.

Go to

http://www.datslife.net

click on the paypal button and it will take you to their website. I believe you can either pay through debit card, credit card, or even have them withdraw directly from you bank account if you want (I believe they call that an e-check?).

They do have their fees that I will have to pay in order to get the money from them, but that's a minor issue, the fees aren't *that* much.

Thanks again to everyone. I know Randi will appreciate it.

Oh, and please let me know if the button doesn't work or if you have any questions.

:)

And another "oh" ignore the rest of the website. I've had this for awhile, but this is the extent of it. None of the other pages work, and this was a template that I just plugged the picture into. I haven't had a chance to create a "real" web page/site.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Deb ~

Lil slow to actually load the PayPal payment page,
but we got
there in about 45-60 seconds.

I "sent" at 10:00 PM Eastern... see when ya "get it".

/s/ Phred
..

[slick]

I just completed it for a very small amount, because a cheque is already in the mail to you. I was just curious on how it works.

Phred, my whole trans. from start to finish completed in about 20 seconds.

Debbie.....complete that website......I love the picture by the lake and am anxiously awaiting more pics. :)

[gini]

Debbie, my check for Randi is in the mail to you. I would prefer that any extra after the live plant is taken care of, be given directly to Randi - rather than a charity.

Debbie and Phred, you are such great examples of why I just love this place called Pet Talk.

There is a spirit here that you just can't beat. May it always be exactly like this.

[Barbara]

As to delivery of the money to Randi: you could have bought travellers cheques in Danish Kroner and send them. They should be cashed without too many fees. And I suppose in a city like Chicago you must be able to find a possibility how to get them- even if American Express has to order them.

[jenluckenbach]

Thanks for the paypal!!! THIS time procrastination paid off. I was going to mail a check today, but this is SO much faster and easier. Feel free to take the paypal fee out of my donation. And make sure Randi gets whatever is left after flowers.

[Cincy'sMom]

Thanks for adding the PayPal debbie...works great for procrastinators!!

The funds have been clicked off to you. Please use however you feel appropriate!

[sasvermont]

Debbie, I just sent some dough via PayPal as well. I never did get that check in the mail to you. The PayPal thing is much faster and effective! I, too, would like any excess to go directly to Randi and then let her decide what she would like to do with it......but, in the end, I will leave this up to you to decide.

I am still in shock.

Thanks for doing this Debbie.

Sas

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke
I "sent" at 10:00 PM Eastern... see when ya "get it".
/s/ Phred
..

Phred, the email notification I got has a time of 9:00 pm on it, so I must have gotten it immediately! :D

I've gotten the email notifications from 4 of you already, so now I'm off to find out how to actually "collect" the money.

Thank you all *so* much! I know Randi will appreciate it immensely, and in the process, I get to learn how paypal works. ;)

Oh, and just a clarification, Jen says "Feel free to take the paypal fee out of my donation." Just so you all know, they deduct their fees before I even get my hands on the money. Just wanted to make sure everyone understood how this works.

Hmmm....I just went in and checked my balance and there are some payments there that I did not receive notification of. Guess I'll have to just make a point of checking the balance on a regular bases.

Thank you all SO much!!!

[jenluckenbach]

Oh, and just a clarification, Jen says "Feel free to take the paypal fee out of my donation." Just so you all know, they deduct their fees before I even get my hands on the money. Just wanted to make sure everyone understood how this works.
Oh good. I didn't want to think YOU would be paying these fees out of your pocket.

[Albea]

Debbie,
I only saw this Paypal arrangement now, too late. A check is on the way to you via regular mail.

[mruffruff]

Ditto. Probably be Monday before you get the check I sent today:rolleyes:

Mary

[gini]

I decided to use paypal and I could almost hear the funds being "ripped" out of my account.

It was a matter of a minute or less and Debbie was telling me that it was in her account.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

It's fine that the "checks are in the mail." Yes, paypal is faster, but faster comes with a cost, so I don't mind waiting a bit.

We got quite a few checks today. The plant/flowers are easily covered and the total is adding up. :) I will be giving everyone who donated a final total - once I get it.

Just wanted to say thanks again to everyone. I know Randi will appreciate it immensely. :)

[DJFyrewolf36]

I am so short of funds right now, but I do want to contribute! How long are you taking donations? I won't know how much I have to spare until all the bills come through but every dollar counts, right?

Let me know please!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I guess I hadn't really thought of a cutoff date, but seeing as I would want to get this to Randi ASAP, I would say the end of the month should be a good cutoff date. :confused:

[Killearn Kitties]

I've sent through PayPal, Debbie.

[NoahsMommy]

I just sent via PayPal. :)

Thanks again for doing this, Debbie. :)

[dukedogsmom]

I'll be mailing mine this weekend.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

:D

Just another bump to hopefully get a few more dollars for Randi. Thanks so much everyone! :)

[tatsxxx11]

Sent mine before I saw the PayPal option; I have an account:( I mailed mine 2 or 3 days ago, hopefully you got it today or maybe tomorrow. Thanks Debbie:)

[Barbara]

Want to give this a bump!:)

[anna_66]

Just wanted to let you know the check is in the mail Debbie:)

[RobiLee]

My check will be in the mail today, Debbie!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks so much, everyone! I know Randi will really appreciate all your thoughtfulness. :)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Just a reminder that if you haven't sent your check out yet, please do so. I would like to make sure I have all donations in hand by the end of the February so we can get the money to Randi.

Thank you all so much for your support. I know Randi will appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity so much! :)