A Barrow Downs Charity Idea - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 10-28-2013, 07:02 PM

I posted this idea on the Facebook Barrow Downs page and thought I should also post it here as there are quite a few forum Downers who don't FB. (I love neologisms.) There's a fair bit of interest in the idea on our FB group page.

Here's what I posted: "I was looking through the World Vision Gift Catalogue for Christmas and had an idea. The catalogue lists things people can sponsor as gifts--goats, chickens, pigs, sheep, hens and roosters, cows, even beehives, as well as food and medical supplies. A goat costs $100, three little pigs $120. These items are provided to a child or family in need in a developing country.

Is there any interest in us contributing to one of these gifts? It would be a gift from "the Barrow Downs". I'm not sure exactly how this could be done--maybe through indigogo? (I have no experience with indigogo but I think the Brit moot Downers do.)

I've tried to see if there are other organisations doing similar work for Christmas but haven't found anything really similar. Are there other organisations people would be interested in supporting?

Information about the program and about World Vision can be found here;the link is to World Vision Canada but it is an international organisation. Its Mission Statement is to support people in need regardless of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity. My understanding is that while World Vision is a Christian evangelical organisation it does not proselytise. Any interest? :

World Vision Christmas Gift Catalogue"

It was suggested that indigogo is not a very reliable source, so I am researching other ways to gather our contributions together. I've written World Vision about the idea to see if we can use their "Wish List" page on their website. We could also use my paypal account.

One Downer suggested the Heifer International charity but that charity is based only in the US, so tax receipts would be issued only for the American IRS. If I read the comments correctly, there's support for using World Vision, which I think can give receipts for many countries. World Vision uses the word "steward" to describe its actions and I think that fits well with some of Tolkien's use too.

If forum folks are interested, you can reply here and I will keep this thread updated. Once plans are clear I can PM any information that requires privacy.

Inziladun · 10-28-2013, 07:54 PM

Though I'm in the dark on how this sort of thing works with regard to how one contributes, I'll be glad to do what I can.

Bêthberry · 10-29-2013, 07:55 AM

Thanks, Inzil. Once we figure it out too I'll let you know.

Kitanna · 11-01-2013, 11:39 AM

Would it be possible to set up some sort of paypal and have anyone who is interested put in what they will? Then transfer the funds to World Vision? Is such madness even possible?

Mithalwen · 11-01-2013, 11:18 PM

I have used the Good gifts catalogue for years which guarantees that the money is used as described and is wanted by 5he community.

Can an organisation really be evangelist an non proselytising? Seems unlikely that both could be true.

It is a nice idea but it might also waste a lot of money in exchange and transfer fees.

Bêthberry · 11-02-2013, 09:14 AM

Kitanna, I've been told that paypal will not make deductions for gifts--as opposed to sales agreements--but I'm checking out their policies to determine other costs with them. I have a paypal account folks could use. I've written to World Vision to see if they have a payment site of their own we could use directly.

Hi Mithalwen! Thanks for your comments.

On the Facebook page, several members have spoken in praise of World Vision, having used it before and in one case, often. In the link I provided, World Vision provides a chart describing how it's resources are attributed. 81% of revenues goes to the program, a little under 14% goes to fundraising, and slightly more than 5% goes to admin. From what I've read about such charities, World Vision has a very good if not excellent track record. It's mission statement claims that it helps people regardless of religion, which to me means no strings attached. I don't doubt that there are Christians who help others without shouting about their faith to the rooftops, the point being their own work and faith in action rather than persuading others, but I wasn't looking specifically for a Christian charity, just one applicable and reliable. *shrugs*

But I'll check out Good Gifts and see if folks on FB would prefer it. There's a larger response on the FB page.

10-28-2013, 07:02 PM	#1
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,977	A Barrow Downs Charity Idea I posted this idea on the Facebook Barrow Downs page and thought I should also post it here as there are quite a few forum Downers who don't FB. (I love neologisms.) There's a fair bit of interest in the idea on our FB group page. Here's what I posted: "I was looking through the World Vision Gift Catalogue for Christmas and had an idea. The catalogue lists things people can sponsor as gifts--goats, chickens, pigs, sheep, hens and roosters, cows, even beehives, as well as food and medical supplies. A goat costs $100, three little pigs $120. These items are provided to a child or family in need in a developing country. Is there any interest in us contributing to one of these gifts? It would be a gift from "the Barrow Downs". I'm not sure exactly how this could be done--maybe through indigogo? (I have no experience with indigogo but I think the Brit moot Downers do.) I've tried to see if there are other organisations doing similar work for Christmas but haven't found anything really similar. Are there other organisations people would be interested in supporting? Information about the program and about World Vision can be found here;the link is to World Vision Canada but it is an international organisation. Its Mission Statement is to support people in need regardless of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity. My understanding is that while World Vision is a Christian evangelical organisation it does not proselytise. Any interest? : World Vision Christmas Gift Catalogue" It was suggested that indigogo is not a very reliable source, so I am researching other ways to gather our contributions together. I've written World Vision about the idea to see if we can use their "Wish List" page on their website. We could also use my paypal account. One Downer suggested the Heifer International charity but that charity is based only in the US, so tax receipts would be issued only for the American IRS. If I read the comments correctly, there's support for using World Vision, which I think can give receipts for many countries. World Vision uses the word "steward" to describe its actions and I think that fits well with some of Tolkien's use too. If forum folks are interested, you can reply here and I will keep this thread updated. Once plans are clear I can PM any information that requires privacy. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

10-28-2013, 07:54 PM	#2
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,034	Though I'm in the dark on how this sort of thing works with regard to how one contributes, I'll be glad to do what I can. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

10-29-2013, 07:55 AM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,977	Thanks, Inzil. Once we figure it out too I'll let you know. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

11-01-2013, 11:39 AM	#4
Kitanna Child of the West Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Watching President Fillmore ride a unicorn Posts: 2,132	Would it be possible to set up some sort of paypal and have anyone who is interested put in what they will? Then transfer the funds to World Vision? Is such madness even possible? __________________ "Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain

11-01-2013, 11:18 PM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,449	I have used the Good gifts catalogue for years which guarantees that the money is used as described and is wanted by 5he community. Can an organisation really be evangelist an non proselytising? Seems unlikely that both could be true. It is a nice idea but it might also waste a lot of money in exchange and transfer fees. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

11-02-2013, 09:14 AM	#6
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,977	Kitanna, I've been told that paypal will not make deductions for gifts--as opposed to sales agreements--but I'm checking out their policies to determine other costs with them. I have a paypal account folks could use. I've written to World Vision to see if they have a payment site of their own we could use directly. Hi Mithalwen! Thanks for your comments. On the Facebook page, several members have spoken in praise of World Vision, having used it before and in one case, often. In the link I provided, World Vision provides a chart describing how it's resources are attributed. 81% of revenues goes to the program, a little under 14% goes to fundraising, and slightly more than 5% goes to admin. From what I've read about such charities, World Vision has a very good if not excellent track record. It's mission statement claims that it helps people regardless of religion, which to me means no strings attached. I don't doubt that there are Christians who help others without shouting about their faith to the rooftops, the point being their own work and faith in action rather than persuading others, but I wasn't looking specifically for a Christian charity, just one applicable and reliable. shrugs But I'll check out Good Gifts and see if folks on FB would prefer it. There's a larger response on the FB page. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.