LATEST UPDATE....................................................
Ok, so both Kittycat and I have had the chance to speak with Maurice tonight - and he is flabbergasted (for lack of a better word) that a bunch of total strangers from various parts of the country (and world) - have chipped in to make an effort for someone like him.
He is the most humble, softly spoken (and now shocked) person you could ever hope to speak with.
The attention we have attracted to this cause has been unbelievable - and at this stage - we now have a bike shop in Canada who is participating in this cause.
A large percentage of the cash we have collected will be absorbed in bike, accessories, clothing, camp gear - above and beyond that which I will be shipping to him (I have asked him to hold off on buying anything until he receives our care package - which won't be hard for him as he has no cash)
The remainder will go towards the money stolen from him - in what I believe is the most heartless of the two crimes he was subjected to this past week. This cycling odessey he is on - is part of a 7 year journey so far - one in which his ability to cycle is liberating to him, especially given his physical challenges (nobody is disabled - we are simply a mix of able bodied (often mentally challenged folks) and physically challenged folks)
The plan is to see what remaining donations filter in over the next few days - quite a few people have indicated they would be sending checks.
At that time - we will be drawing a check in Canadian funds and distributing the cash to him as needed. He will receive 100% of the funds!
Maurice has no idea at this stage - (unless he now is a slowtwitcher!!!!) - of how much we have raised for him. He told me that he would refund any money beyond that which is absolutely needed to get him going again
Can you believe that??????
How often do we bitch on this forum about the stupid shit and here we have someone - who is in obvious need - but is SO appreciative of the efforts of everyone combined - that in this time of need - he wants to give back!
We did not enter into discussions about how much money was lost in cash/cards etc - but based on our conversation - it was a considerable amount of money - possibly enough to get him through the next few months on his bike.
His situation is such that he wasn't able to simply pick up the phone and call his bank and ask them to wire money from his checking account to wherever he was.
I would hazard a guess to say that he lost more money in one foul swoop - than many of us would ever care to imagine.
So.........here is the current situation
I will wait until Sat for all checks to arrive - I have an email from all members sending checks and will mark them off as they arrive - I will also wait for the different products/items and gifts to arrive at my office.
I will go ahead and purchase - out of my own pocket - a nice durable journal - to replace the one lost in this incident and propose the following.....
We start a thread - which hijacking of will not be tolerated - and we seek Dan's assistance here.
Each and every Slowtwitcher that contributed - will have a chance to send a little wish or message into the thread - which I will print up and affix the entire thread to the first few pages of the journal - as a point of reference to him that we do care. It is also a way for you to communicate directly with this wonderful man
This is similar in nature to the virtual card idea - which is great
Does everybody think this is a good idea or not?
Once we have the thread printed and the care package on the way - I am going to have delivered via FEDEX or DHL - the balance of the fundraising efforts in a certified check in Canadian funds, made out to him personally.
And if you have read this far - I know you want to know how successful this cause has been
Thanks to each and every one of us that have contributed - we believe we have so far raised just over $2000
Great job everyone!!!!!!
(Important Disclaimer: Because we are dealing with cash contributions here - I am making available complete records of all contributions into this account, paypal and checks, and a further record or disburtion of funds to Maurice. Kittycat will have a hard copy of these documents - and any other person requiring documentary evidence of this, need only ask. This entire effort was undertaken with a large amount of trust by all contributors - that the funds would find their way to the intended recipient - and I only wish to be forthright - and allow an open audit by anyone here - to evidence the appropriate and intended receipt and allocation of funds. I am an honest person - but I want to ensure that all parties involved have a 100% comfort level in the cash management of this fund)
Sorry but I felt it necessary to put that in there!
Have a great night everyone - Maurice has told me that he went from having the worst week of his life - to feeling relieved to know that there are kind people out there.
Wait until he receives the bike, gifts and the check!
Again - a HUGE thank you to all involved - this was the collaborative efforts of almost 90 slowtwitchers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, so both Kittycat and I have had the chance to speak with Maurice tonight - and he is flabbergasted (for lack of a better word) that a bunch of total strangers from various parts of the country (and world) - have chipped in to make an effort for someone like him.
He is the most humble, softly spoken (and now shocked) person you could ever hope to speak with.
The attention we have attracted to this cause has been unbelievable - and at this stage - we now have a bike shop in Canada who is participating in this cause.
A large percentage of the cash we have collected will be absorbed in bike, accessories, clothing, camp gear - above and beyond that which I will be shipping to him (I have asked him to hold off on buying anything until he receives our care package - which won't be hard for him as he has no cash)
The remainder will go towards the money stolen from him - in what I believe is the most heartless of the two crimes he was subjected to this past week. This cycling odessey he is on - is part of a 7 year journey so far - one in which his ability to cycle is liberating to him, especially given his physical challenges (nobody is disabled - we are simply a mix of able bodied (often mentally challenged folks) and physically challenged folks)
The plan is to see what remaining donations filter in over the next few days - quite a few people have indicated they would be sending checks.
At that time - we will be drawing a check in Canadian funds and distributing the cash to him as needed. He will receive 100% of the funds!
Maurice has no idea at this stage - (unless he now is a slowtwitcher!!!!) - of how much we have raised for him. He told me that he would refund any money beyond that which is absolutely needed to get him going again
Can you believe that??????
How often do we bitch on this forum about the stupid shit and here we have someone - who is in obvious need - but is SO appreciative of the efforts of everyone combined - that in this time of need - he wants to give back!
We did not enter into discussions about how much money was lost in cash/cards etc - but based on our conversation - it was a considerable amount of money - possibly enough to get him through the next few months on his bike.
His situation is such that he wasn't able to simply pick up the phone and call his bank and ask them to wire money from his checking account to wherever he was.
I would hazard a guess to say that he lost more money in one foul swoop - than many of us would ever care to imagine.
So.........here is the current situation
I will wait until Sat for all checks to arrive - I have an email from all members sending checks and will mark them off as they arrive - I will also wait for the different products/items and gifts to arrive at my office.
I will go ahead and purchase - out of my own pocket - a nice durable journal - to replace the one lost in this incident and propose the following.....
We start a thread - which hijacking of will not be tolerated - and we seek Dan's assistance here.
Each and every Slowtwitcher that contributed - will have a chance to send a little wish or message into the thread - which I will print up and affix the entire thread to the first few pages of the journal - as a point of reference to him that we do care. It is also a way for you to communicate directly with this wonderful man
This is similar in nature to the virtual card idea - which is great
Does everybody think this is a good idea or not?
Once we have the thread printed and the care package on the way - I am going to have delivered via FEDEX or DHL - the balance of the fundraising efforts in a certified check in Canadian funds, made out to him personally.
And if you have read this far - I know you want to know how successful this cause has been
Thanks to each and every one of us that have contributed - we believe we have so far raised just over $2000
Great job everyone!!!!!!
(Important Disclaimer: Because we are dealing with cash contributions here - I am making available complete records of all contributions into this account, paypal and checks, and a further record or disburtion of funds to Maurice. Kittycat will have a hard copy of these documents - and any other person requiring documentary evidence of this, need only ask. This entire effort was undertaken with a large amount of trust by all contributors - that the funds would find their way to the intended recipient - and I only wish to be forthright - and allow an open audit by anyone here - to evidence the appropriate and intended receipt and allocation of funds. I am an honest person - but I want to ensure that all parties involved have a 100% comfort level in the cash management of this fund)
Sorry but I felt it necessary to put that in there!
Have a great night everyone - Maurice has told me that he went from having the worst week of his life - to feeling relieved to know that there are kind people out there.
Wait until he receives the bike, gifts and the check!
Again - a HUGE thank you to all involved - this was the collaborative efforts of almost 90 slowtwitchers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by:
oneforty.6: Aug 9, 05 20:05