Not long ago, my best friend suffered a horrible tragedy. Her husband passed away and left her and 3 kids to fend for themselves. The story is difficult to tell, but what I need help with is this: the bill came from the hospital for the ambulance transport. Its $1500 and some change, and to make matters worse insurance isnt going to cover any of it.

What i'd like to do is collect a fund to help her pay for this, but i want to keep it anonymous. It doesnt even have to be $1500 total, but any little bit will count. The reason i want to keep it anonymous is because she has a very hard time accepting a gift like that. She's the type of person who'd rather work for it, than be given a handout. Which is fine and all, but her pride will get in the way of her pragmatism. I thought about asking people in her community & work to help with this, but they are all big blabbermouths.

So here's the deal, i want to set up a fund, and give her the entirety in an anonymous cashier's check or money order of some sort, but i dont know how to go about it or how to get it started. i know it sounds fishy from my end, but any help, feedback, or just general thoughts might be helpful. thanks!
-meGrimlock

 

If you really want to help, I say just do it. If someone blabs, so be it. In the
end, you will have the money to give her. And that's the point, right?

She may refuse at first, but at some point she will relent. Play the kid card. Tell her to think how much it'll help the kids.

 

if she knew who it came from, they could very well hold it against her. we're not dealing with just people with big mouths, but some who could be considered some pretty vile scum.

i got a suggestion to set up a website and have it linked to a paypal account or something. that could work but the only people who'd know about it are people who are reading this thread and anybody i tell, which isnt that much of an audience. still thinking about it, thanks for the advice.

 

if it's money you need you just have to ask. I tired about 2 years ago to set up a forum donation pool for everyone to collect money in an event something like this happened. Noone did much about it.

Just pm me some details and I'll get you some money.

 

sorry to hear about your friend. my suggestion is this, are the kids of school age? if so
I'm sure theres a whole lot of caring parents at their school who would like to help. search out the PTA there a great place to start. Next stop, your local church their there to help out as well. Bikers for a cause is another avenue, check for a local club, they may sponsor a poker ride to help raise money. your a good friend-good luck!

 

that sucks, I know how that can be... I can pledge 50 bux, just PM me your info, and I'll snail mail it.

 

i've asked a church for some advice, they should know what theyre doing. i'll keep you all posted to what develops. im still trying to work out the logistics. when it comes to money i'm a total doofus, plus the liability thing: i'm not getting a cent out of this, but people should always be cautious about subjects like this.

its been a pretty emotional ride for her, and she feels like a huge charity case and a burden to everyone. but if i get this thing off the ground i hope she can see the good in it. thanks for your support.

 

If you are talking to a church, you could go to their "Benevolence Committee", that'd be the best place to go there.

 

I know that money is tight for many of us, and you don't even have to give a dime. Just keeping her in your thoughts and prayers is more than enough. But if you can contribute, any amount will be helpful. I have a Paypal account, you can also write me a check. I'll make sure all the money is sent to her by a Money Order in an unmarked envelope or giving it to New Life Christian Church (NOT the one you're thinking of - different church, same name) so they can gift it to her. Please PM me for contact and Paypal info.

My friend and her family have shown me great friendship in the short time I've known them. I hope this can be a tangible way to thank her as well as lifting a small burden off her shoulders. I've began to ask friends in my circle so please think and pray about it, and thank-you for your support.

 

BUMP please consider it

 

bump again

 

so far my friends have raised $125. you can contribute too

 

bump

 

another bump

 

unrelated update, i started a similar thread in another forum. apparently self-bumping annoyed a moderator. maybe i should have started the thread in the "For Sale" section where a used nail trimmer might get 10 self bumps in a day and nobody complains.