DANGER: We have dropped to 45th place...

I don't even know what to say anymore. I can't believe that we have dropped from being in the top 10 to being 45th and quite possible missing the goal of raising $4,000 by at least 50 unique donors. I am totally serious when I tell you I really thought we might have a chance at getting the $6000 bonus for raising the most money and having the most donors. It seemed like such a simple goal given the number of members we have on the various social networking sites. For those people who have already donated, I am extremely grateful to you for your support and contribution. For the rest of you, I am not too proud to beg. Please, think about whether there is any way that you can make a donation tonight. Time is running out. The minimum donation is $10 and every one counts. Here is the link to make the donation: http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/the-list-project-emergency-support-fund/

The picture above is one of the special kids that we send care packages to. I have had the privilege of meeting her and her family. Look at the joy on her face. Be a part of this great cause. Donate now. Please.

Peace,
Sky

Almost there.....

We need at least 10 more donors and need to raise at least $890 more to reach the MINIMUM goal to earn a permanent spot on the Global Giving website. I know we can do this. Throughout the past year, several people have really stepped up and went above and beyond in their giving to The List Kids. There is one special person that I want to tell you about. His name is Mateo, and I have no doubt he wakes up every day thinking about what he can do to help the newly resettled Iraqi refugees. He is the one that welcomes all new members to The List Kids chapter on Netroots. He has sent gifts and money that I know come from his heart and that he has made sacrifices in order to give. He is constantly thinking up fundraisers. He even planted a sunflower garden to raise sunflowers to sell. And he has gotten his family and friends involved. They have made cards, donated money, sent toys, and held their own fundraisers. His mom even made special cookies to sell at a local market. For Mateo, The List Kids is a labor of love. He cares about these kids, most of whom he has never even met. He gives unselfishly of his time and resources. Mateo is a huge part of why The List Kids has managed to operate for over 14 months and has been able to meet the needs of the growing number of Iraqi kids that are arriving in the US. You see, Mateo has never forgotten that the List Project families are comprised of men and women who risked their lives to work with the American forces in Iraq. By doing so, they endangered their lives and the lives of their children. Their first year in the US is extremely rough, especially considering the current economic conditions. Our goal is to make their lives just a little bit easier --- to bring a smile and a sense of hope to the lives of over 100 kids. Like Mateo, you can be a part of this amazing project. Donate today at http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/the-list-project-emergency-support-fund/

Peace,
Sky

Apathy

Plain and simple, we need 21 more people to step up and make a donation to The List Project/The List Kids on Global Giving: http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/the-list-project-emergency-support-fund/ While it seems fairly clear that we cannot make the top three in either the number of donors or amount raised, we need to do everything we can to at least ensure a permanent spot on the Global Giving website. To do this, we need to raise $4,000 from 50 different donors. Unfortunately, we only have 6 day left to reach this goal.

I have to admit that I am surprised and yes, very disappointed, that we fell so far down the rankings and are in danger of not even making the bare minimum goal to stay on the Global Giving website. I look at the number of members we have on the Facebook website (945 members) and the Netroots website (1,444 members) and can't figure out why we haven't blown by our goal. Really, are there only 36 of you out there who care enough to donate $10???? Thirteen of those donors are my friends --- kids who cared enough to donate $20 each. One of those donors is my mom who has supported me and The List Kids more than I can ever repay.

100% of every dollar donated to The List Kids goes to providing care packages for the kids. The return on your investment is priceless. How can you put a price on a smile? How can you put a price on a feeling of safety or acceptance? That is what the monthly care packages provide to newly resettled Iraqi refugee children. Here is a sampling of emails the List Kids have received:

"I'm writing here just to thank you about the great job you are doing, My 2 daughters are in your LIST "L***" (5 years) and "L***" (1 year) they receive the gift package monthly; that package means to L*** (5 years) a lot she feels welcomed and that someone somewhere loves her and wants her to be happy."

"I receive today a wonderful gift to my daughter. thank you so much and have a great new year."

"thx alot for your nice gift that we`ve got it today ,your nice gift makes my daughter very happy ,you make her smile ,and I do not know how to thank you."

"The A***** kids got their package – it made their day. Thanks so much!"

"We got your gifts. We were delighted. THANK YOU and THANKS to all our friends in the The List Kids."

"Thank you my friend for the gifts you sent. I recieved the two boxes you have been sent them to my daughters, today afternoon. My daughters are very happy. Thank you and God bless you."

"I am sending this email on behalf of my daughters. We got the stuff the the kids list sent. They are very nice and the kids were so happy. They like the stickers so much."

"We are the parents of Y***** and A********** and we want to say many thanks for your gifts that you sent it to them . We wish all the best for you in the future."

"First we are very grateful to the list kids for sending the stories package to my doughter. She was so happy when she received this package, she loves stories and colouring. We really appreciate what you are doing for our child."

"We are so greatfull for you all for sending the things for us they fell so happy with it and they toled everyone that we have many friends and they are keep sending for us many things that we like it. God keep u save for your family and for all the kids who you help. Thank you again for everything."

"Today We have received the package that you guys have sent it to us. Y***** and Y***** were delighted. They says thank you Sky and thanks a lot to all those who worked with you in this tremendous effort to help the new comers. So thank you so much guys. We are really happy with all these things. We feel that we have a big family now - our friends in the ListProject.org and theKids List too- keep the great work."

So what is stopping you from getting involved? Really, I would like to know because I just don't understand the lack of support for these kids. Enlighten me by sending me an email at sky@thelistproject.org

Now that is more like it!

In the Global Giving American Open Challenge we have moved from 

34th place all the way up to 9th place!  

• Special thanks to all my DYS friends who have donated in the past 24 hours! 

• Remember, to earn a permanent spot on Global Giving we need to raise $4000 and have at least 50 unique donors by June 30th.  I know we can do this.  You can donate as little as $10! Every single donor is important.  

•  Come on List Kids chapter members on the social networking site Netroots (http://netroots.thelistproject.org) --- now is the time to really show that you believe in this cause.  Some of you have been waiting for the opportunity to take action.  Now is the time and the action is very simple.  Make a donation at:  http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/the-list-project-emergency-support-fund/

• If you forward me your email confirmation of your donation I will send you the brand new List Kids wristband!  They are even more cool than last year's version.  Simply forward your confirmation email to me at sky@thelistproject.org, along with your mailing address and I will send you a wristband as a thank you.

• There are 103 refugee kids that are counting on you!  The number is growing each week as new families arrive.  Please help us reach out to them.

$10 = $6000

I am supposed to be a math whiz, but I am sure some of you are questioning my math skills at the moment. Let me explain this unique equation:

The List Project and The List Kids are taking part in the American Open Challenge on Global Giving. We have until June 30th to raise $4000 and have at least 50 unique donors. If we make this goal, we will be given a permanent spot on the Global Giving website which will give our project greater visibility.

Check out this link: http://www.globalgiving.com/dy/v2/americanchallenge.html

We are currently ranked 30th out of 79 projects! That's pathetic. However, the top projects are not that far ahead of us. Our goal is to finish in the top three for amount of money raised so that we will get an additional bonus of $1,000-$3,000. And we want to have the most unique donors as that will get us an additional $3000. If we could win both these contest, we could effectively gain an additional $6000!!! Just think how many care packages we can send with that kind of money.

So here is the challenge: You can donate as little as $10. If every member of Netroots donated $10 dollars each we would surely win the unique donor contest and most likely win the $3000 bonus for the most funds raised. If every person reading this blog ---that means you --donated $10, we could blow the competition out of the water. In essence, your $10 could easily turn into $6000!

Please take the time to donate today and help us win the American Open Challenge so that we can gain a permanent spot on Global Giving and continue to reach out to the more than 100 Iraqi kids that we send care packages to each month.

Here is a tip for those who don't like to ask people for money directly: simply put this link in your email signature and spread the word to everyone you email: http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/the-list-project-emergency-support-fund/

You can do this! If you do, you will discover that $10 really does equal $6000 when all is said and done. Simple math;)

Peace,
Sky Choi