ENWorld can help the people of Haiti!

[Mark Chance]

Well, to be honest, I personally dislike any "let's donate to X by having a big sale of Y and all of our profits go there". It is in the best interests of the victims to support established charities by donating directly, rather than promotions that "give you something", as there are likely hidden costs from these promotions. Even if the intentions are good, there is always an undercurrent or subtext of exploitation.

I can understand that to an extent, but your subtext isn't a subtext. It's an inference, and not a very nice one at that.

In March, I'm plan to start selling my first for-sale product. Half the monies earned will go to support a shelter here in Houston that specializes in helping homeless women and children. There's no exploitation going on. There will be no hidden costs. I'll get X amount of money, divide that by 2, and write a check for that amount to the shelter. Piece of cake, and completely honest.

If folks don't want to buy my product, that's their prerogative, of course. If folks don't like my choice of beneficiary, the same applies. I, for example, won't be supporting the particular effort that is the topic of this thread because I find Doctors without Borders morally distasteful. If I'm going to donate money to Haiti relief, I'll do it via other means to an organization that I find acceptable.

Isn't freedom of association great?

 

[jaerdaph]

Okay, this conversation is starting to get a little crazy now and border on politics. We really don't need to go there.

Everyone should feel free to give whatever they can to whatever charity they want. We don't need to know your reasons why you do or don't give to any particular charity.

 

[Mark Chance]

Everyone should feel free to give whatever they can to whatever charity they want. We don't need to know your reasons why you do or don't give to any particular charity.

Amen.

 

[JohnRTroy]

I can understand that to an extent, but your subtext isn't a subtext. It's an inference, and not a very nice one at that.

In March, I'm plan to start selling my first for-sale product. Half the monies earned will go to support a shelter here in Houston that specializes in helping homeless women and children. There's no exploitation going on. There will be no hidden costs. I'll get X amount of money, divide that by 2, and write a check for that amount to the shelter. Piece of cake, and completely honest.

That's quite honest, and proper. I was just making sure people realize that some attempts can be seen as that. (For instance, when 9/11 hit and for a time car and furniture dealers would have graphics of waving flags and I saw an attempt to use those images commercially--maybe not meant to be crass but showing solidarity, but it still felt inappropriate).

It's a hard balance, I know.

 

[Jamfke]

That's quite honest, and proper. I was just making sure people realize that some attempts can be seen as that. (For instance, when 9/11 hit and for a time car and furniture dealers would have graphics of waving flags and I saw an attempt to use those images commercially--maybe not meant to be crass but showing solidarity, but it still felt inappropriate).

It's a hard balance, I know.

Hi, I'm one of the many publishers who donated product to the bundle. I've responded to a similar inference on another board. I will repeat what I told the other - person.

We (publishers) received an email from OBS asking if we would like to contribute any titles to the mega-bundle, with about a 24-48 hour notice to participate. OBS is donating 100% of the sales from the bundle to Doctors Without Borders. We do not receive one cent from OBS for our contributions to the bundle. I, and many other publishers offered up what we did because we wanted to help people in a bad situation. There is no "behind the scenes" BS going on here, and I don't think you'll see anyone waving any flags in the future.

 

[jaerdaph]

Thank you very much for your contribution, Jamfke - it is much appreciated!

 

[JohnRTroy]

We (publishers) received an email from OBS asking if we would like to contribute any titles to the mega-bundle, with about a 24-48 hour notice to participate. OBS is donating 100% of the sales from the bundle to Doctors Without Borders. We do not receive one cent from OBS for our contributions to the bundle. I, and many other publishers offered up what we did because we wanted to help people in a bad situation. There is no "behind the scenes" BS going on here, and I don't think you'll see anyone waving any flags in the future.

I understand, and just to be clear I was not trying to say or imply anybody who contributed to that project was doing that.

I guess it was a more or less ill-written (and admittedly grumpy) rant towards the general nature of charity in general and my own beliefs (contribution should be its own reward, the less fanfare the better, etc., yada yada...) rather than targeting this specific thing.

So in short, what's being done is a good thing.

 

[Treebore]

I understand, and just to be clear I was not trying to say or imply anybody who contributed to that project was doing that.

I guess it was a more or less ill-written (and admittedly grumpy) rant towards the general nature of charity in general and my own beliefs (contribution should be its own reward, the less fanfare the better, etc., yada yada...) rather than targeting this specific thing.

So in short, what's being done is a good thing.

I totally agree, my wife and I founded and run a charity and we have been getting repeated suggestions to start accepting cash donations and the like, but we stay with accepting no money and only donations of time/effort, dogs, and training, never cash.

Why? Because once charities start doing that they tend to become more about the cash than the charity, so we keep it focused on the "Charity" and stay away from the money.

So personally I tend to stay away from charities who want money, I help those who accept donations of food, clothes, or time far more often.

However, in a situation like Haiti, money makes more sense, since I cannot donate medical supplies or medical aid/skills, which is critically needed due to the shortages.

So for this I make an exception, and I commend everyone who is contributing, we are literally helping to save lives, which is an awesome thing.

 

[Aus_Snow]

contribution should be its own reward

Indeed, yes.

the less fanfare the better

I do not always necessarily agree (that that is for the best, in every single case.)

So in short, what's being done is a good thing.

But anyway, at least we all seem to agree here (except one, who apparently believes MSF/DWB to be 'immoral' - quite surreal, that . . .)