racketboy.com

I vote Ronald McDonald House. One of my cousins was born with half a hear a few years back, and RMH were invaluable in helping her parents get her from Baton Rouge up to Boston where she needed to be for the surgeries and treatments required to save her life. I know not everyone has fond feelings towards RMH, but it was a blessing for my family, so that's my vote.

And in my case it was to my parents, quit your jobs, sell your home, or go away. There were not wealthy, just barely over (like a thousand bucks small) over the financial cut off limit at that time. Had it not been for a grandma with some extra money at the time, we'd all have been destitute.

If the money went an organization that behaves like that I'm out. March of Dimes pulled that same crap. I've never donated a penny to them ever and never will.

So what's the answer? I wouldn't have mentioned a Racketboy member in need if it wasn't true. I honestly don't have a favorite children's charity, so I'm going to be unbiased here. I want this to be democratic; I'm not going to make a hard decision on my own. Should I hold another poll?

Also, if we're not helping a Racketboy member, should the auction be ended on the 21st as was decided, or continue on until after the new year in order to gather more bids for the charity. I'd appreciate some feedback here as well. Would anyone have any objections to the end date being pushed back?

I'd think things got confused. Perhaps run a new poll, close the other. Let people now since they're bidding and paying attention decide if it goes to a member in need or a charity. But if it is a charity, decide what it should be first so people know if they want to give money to it or not. That would I think be most fair/best.

Perhaps list several Children's Hospitals and "Member" in an additional poll.

Personally, I don't mind the member being anonymous, but I would like a vague detail of the expenses that require a donation. I don't want to be donating to the "send Repo to New York!" fund.

The description could be vague enough to leave the member their privacy, of course.

I like the idea of a smaller charity, or a member if they are in genuine need. However, I'll participate no matter how the dice roll. I'm still going to try and dig up a few items this weekend as well.

OK, unless someone has a problem with the poll being redone, I'll hold another poll.
So the scary burger clown charity is out.
Please post good children's charities.
Member didn't come forward personally (I lied), so it's only been PMs to me among other members. Not even sure nominated member will accept.

New meta-infused ultra mega voting super~ultra awesomeness.
Nobody dissented, so among the invested donors and most of the voters in this year's auction (some made no response), a new recipient vote was approved...
I humbly request that anyone who had a strong opinion on the donor this year let us know your opinion again. The consensus among the private conversation among the group of people actively participating in this year's charity auction was that there was insufficient information on the recipient to make an informed vote the first time. This is a very valid response. I fully encourage anyone who has a similar opinion to contact me directly if further information is needed.

Mysterious? Not so much. Just not public knowledge out of love for the proposed recipient who doesn't know either.

I'm sure a short list of who it could be can be figured looking at the comments of some regulars over this year in terms of various types of hardship and not just passing comments most make.