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Unbelievable Donation

Posted to: Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k by Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k Fri, 21 Jan 2005 22:00:13 PST Edited: Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:28:55 PST Feedback score: 313 (* * * * * * * * * *) Tags: community success Comments: 1315 by 61 members (most recent yesterday by Michael Pattinson Viewed: 17057 times by 547 members

Two years have gone by since the first post on Unbelievable Donations.

Jackie and I want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for the warm friendship we have found at O-Net and for the incredible supported you have given to help make all these amazing things happen. It would not have been possible without you.

Here is the overview or update of 2005 and then 2006 January to April 2005 Donated items start to come in.

April 2005 tried to send a container to Sri Lanka for Tsunami relieve, unable to, due to political problems in Sri Lanka

April 24/2005 Shipped a full 40 ft container to Fiji, with some items going on to Papua New Guinea. Arrived May 27th

June 20th/2005 Shipment of items to Tanzania, Toye Wigley’s project

September 16th/2005 Shipped computers, clothing and schoolbooks to Belize Central America

September 30th/2005 another 40ft container to Fiji, arrived Nov 16th.

August 7th/2005 40ft container to Phuket,Thailand, Meron Moroz project

October 3rd/2005 40 ft container to Ghana,West Africa.

November 2005 Started working on a project with David Bale for Bread Line Africa to ship containers to Africa, going extremely well.

December 2005 trying to send items to Moses’ school project in Sudan.

December 2005 started working on sending a 40 ft container of dehydrated food, clothes and tents to Gabriel’s Project in Sudan Africa. I think this is the most exciting and meaningful project to date.

I want to say that this has been an amazing year and it could not have been done without all of your support.

Ray and Jackie Brosseuk

SUMMARY OF 2006 PROJECTS

Breadline Africa Kids in Cans, thanks goes to David Bale

Stop Genocide wristbands Completed, sent the wristbands that we did not sell along with a check to Gabriel.

The Sudan & Chad Refugee camps project Completed, all the money was sent to Gabriel.

Sudan School project with Moses We raised money and sent it to Moses.

Shipment to Fiji in May Completed, A close personal friend donated the funds required, Jackie and I sent cash to help pay for the distribution costs throughout the islands.

Shipments to Swaziland Children’s Aids Orphans Two containers a 40ft and a 20ft were sent in Feb. June 25th another 40ft container to Swaziland Arrived, distributed.

Kamae Children Money sent to them in August.

Oct 15th another 40ft container to Swaziland Arrived Dec 18th, All Paid for and distributed

Nov 15th another 40ft container to Swaziland Arrived, all Paid for.

Kitchen Building for the kids under the tree Completed, we gave them a container to use, they are trying to sell it and then use the funds to build a block building.

Second Life, Better World Island Jackie and I were asked if we would take over Better World Island in 2006, we are thrilled with the potential of this Virtual world and the enormous possiblities that lie ahead.

Looking Forward to an AMAZING 2007.

2006 was an amazing year, Thanks to the O-Net community and to all of you who helped make this happen.

Ray

Original first Post.

My wife and I were just given two transport truckloads of construction nails, 37 tons, all in 50 lb boxes. We will be shipping them overseas to be used for the rebuilding in the tsunami region and also some into the south pacific for the building of schools and dormitories ect.

I can't tell you how incredible this is. I went home this week to unload all of them into my warehouse; I am a little sore right now.

It will take more than five, forty-foot containers this year to get all the nails shipped. We will be able to put roughly 7 or 8 tons per container and the rest will be clothes, shoes, food ect, otherwise the container will be to heavy, maximum weight forty two thousand pounds. These nails were from Tree Island Nails in Vancouver It just goes to show you that there is really good people out there.

All we have to do if we want to make a difference in this world is believe we can and move forward (action) with that belief and commitment and it will happen. I asked the owner why he would give such a large donation and he said he was inspired by what my wife and I are trying to do and just wanted to help. So it just goes to show you that if you just start trying even if the nay sayers say it can’t be done keep on trying

Pictures

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2608.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2610.JPG

Thanks again

Ray

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Sat, 22 Jan 2005 12:37:03 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, this is simply incredible! Will you need assistance with garnering funding for transport? Or perhaps for the donation of services for this? A colleague of mine helped with international shipping on a CD project I did a few years back. Not sure if that is still an option, but I can check into it if it would be of use.

Thanks so much for sharing this.

c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330) Sat, 22 Jan 2005 12:40:15 PST Comment feedback score: 0 (net 0 from me)

Ray, amazing! What an inspiring story.... really amazing to me... thank you so much for sharing it... and thank you for what you're doing.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317) Sat, 22 Jan 2005 21:56:50 PST Comment feedback score: 1(*)

Over the past 9 years we have shipped over a million pounds of goods to the poor. My wife and I work on a very simple philosophy, just collect it as it is given, get it ready and organize it, then when there is enough collected to fill a 40 ft container ship it. The funds for doing this usually come from our own pockets but there has been times over the years were we have prepared stuff for shipping and not had the money to pay for it. It has amazed us that every time we are short someone comes forward and donates the cash. After seeing this happen more than once we decided not to worry about the funds any more we just take the leap of faith and go forward believing that its for someone in need so it will happen and it always does. Example; the nails, we don't have the money currently to ship them all but that's no reason to say no to them. Last year five 40-foot containers shipped out and we paid for only two; the rest was paid by others. To answer Sue's question we are always glad for financial support as it just allows us to ship more. I would ask if your friend has any pull with the shipping companies regarding rates. I have tried over the years to get them to lower their rates for charity, but with no success. When we first started in 1995 the first container cost $3,900 U.S. and now they are $5,700 U.S. so if any of you have ideas on how to get cheaper shipping please let us know. Please don't take this as us asking for funds, I am just trying to answer Sue' direct question "Will you need assistance with garnering funding for transport?" Thanks to all of you, I have received real inspiration here over the past few months and I just want to encourage every one to step out and do something good even if you think its beyond your means or your personality. I used to think, how could I, one person make any difference out there. Think again you can, it may be small in your eyes but collectively if we all do it, it will shift the compass. Thanks Ray

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Sun, 23 Jan 2005 10:41:24 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, thanks a bunch for sharing a bit more info on this, and for caring enough to have taken this on out of your own pocket!

Perhaps there's a simple way that we can help defray the costs. We've set PayPal campaigns up in the 1 Tin Cup area to help fund small projects that crop up on the network. Let me know if this might be of use, or if you'd like to know a little bit more about how this could one one potential tool to help offset the costs for shipping the nails?

Regardless, I'm commited to serving as a personal magnet to this project of your's, and will do whatever I can to get a few more eyes to it. Thank you, Ray, and to your wife!

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022) Sun, 23 Jan 2005 11:06:21 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +- (net 0 from me)

Ray, how would you feel about people sending a small, personal thank you note to the owner of "Tree Island Nails" as well? It's something I'm inclined to do. How would you feel about that?

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:12:13 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Thanks Sue for your support and willingness to help in some way.

We won't be shipping the first container until March this year as we have to sort, fold and bail clothing that will go into a container with the nails. It takes roughly 200 bails of clothing mixed with the nails and other stuff to make up a load.

In a typical container load this year we will put: 200 boxes of nails 10,000 lbs 200 bails of clothes 20,000 lbs Miscellaneous stuff 12,000 lbs The miscellaneous stuff consist of 100's of new rubber boots, 1000's of new womens nylons, new frying pans, new womens makeup purses, shoes, Wheelchairs, Walkers, crutches, hospital beds, dehydrated vegetable soup mix, children's storybooks, and more, Thanks for the tin cup suggestion. I will think about it for a while, I'm just a little unsure as we are not a registered charity and we personally can't give tax-deductible receipts for any donations. As for a letter of thanks to Tree Island Nails. I think that would be wonderful. I will get all the info for you and post it here later, I am sure he would really appreciate it.

Thanks again Sue

Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:15:14 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, do it anyway, ted isn't a registered charity and he's gotten a lot of support from people here. i don't care if i give to a charity or not.. i don't have a lot of money, but would love to help fill you "cup." Every little bit adds up! Just ask Ted Ernst! I believe his goal was met last week! Your faith inspires me.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:45:11 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Carla White said:

Ray, do it anyway, ted isn't a registered charity and he's gotten a lot of support from people here. i don't care if i give to a charity or not.. i don't have a lot of money, but would love to help fill you "cup." Every little bit adds up! Just ask Ted Ernst! I believe his goal was met last week! Your faith inspires me. Thanks Carla, I am reading how to do it now and hopefully after I have figure it out I will have made up my mind.

Thanks Ray

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Sun, 23 Jan 2005 19:30:43 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Carla: I made up my mind, thanks for the encouragment. Sue is helping me do it, as I couldn't quite figure it out, close but no cigar.

Thanks Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Sun, 23 Jan 2005 19:32:58 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

you're quite welcome... you faith inspires me greatly... may your "tin cup" overflow! sue, you're awesome.

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:10:43 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

No. This simply needed to be bubbled up. What a shame it would be if it were missed! We're in the process of getting Ray's proposal up in the Tin Cup area with a DropCash campaign (donation box) attached to it.

By Meron s'Mor'z (1840), Sun, 23 Jan 2005 21:20:03 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

You people rock!!! Thank you, once again, for shedding more light on the path, leading the way and reminding us all of what we showed up here for.

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 11:27:33 PST Edited: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 11:28:46 PST Comment feedback score: 0+-(net 0 from me)

Ray:

The Campaign to help defray shipping costs has been set up here This is also linked to from the main This Week's Campaigns workspace. The donation function isn't active yet. I've sent a note to let you know what you'll need to do to activate your TypeKey account so that I can open the dropcash function for you. Let me know when you've sent in the confirmation, and I'll get the donation function opened right away and linked to on the campaign page above. Hope this will help even a little. I'll give people a heads-up on it when it's live and invite them to throw a bit of spare change in the digital cup.

By Meron s'Mor'z (1840), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 13:03:53 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray,

I greatly admire what you are doing. You seem to have a great deal of knowledge about containers, shipping etc. I'd like to pick your brains about that some time. The container that was collected by my step-monster (my father's second wife, who is truly and angel and I love to bits) for shipment through JAM International was gathered in March 2004 and not delivered until January of this year. The one previous to that took just as long. Is that normal?

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 19:48:16 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Thanks Sue, I mean really really thanks. It looks great. Question ? can I put up a picture here of our warehouse full of stuff.

Ray

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 19:53:19 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

A picture would be great, Ray. It would make the outreach that much more personal :^) Thinking perhaps it would be good to also pull this into the mini-action network: http://www.omidyar.net/group/min i-action/ There are some wonderful, engaged people over there!

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 20:12:41 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Meron Moroz said:

Ray,

I greatly admire what you are doing. You seem to have a great deal of knowledge about containers, shipping etc. I'd like to pick your brains about that some time. The container that was collected by my step-monster (my father's second wife, who is truly and angel and I love to bits) for shipment through JAM International was gathered in March 2004 and not delivered until January of this year. The one previous to that took just as long. Is that normal? The actual on the water time depending on were it is going usually takes less than a month. example: from the west coast to Fiji 21 days, Grenada 29 days, Indian ocean side of Africa 45 days, West Africa from the east coast of north America 21 days. These are aprox times.

I find that if you do not go to the country you are shipping to and clear the container with port authorities and the customs agents it will sit for a long time on the wharf. Sad to say but this happens in most countries because they can charge a daily fee as it sits on the wharf, usually very small amounts per day according to us, but large to them.

Anywhere from $11.00 U.S to $65.00 U.S. per day. It's not so much about the money but the time. When I first started this it took me usually 3 weeks to clear, now I am on to the game and I clear it before they unload it off the ship, so I can take immediate delivery.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 20:30:42 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Sue Braiden said:

Ray, how would you feel about people sending a small, personal thank you note to the owner of "Tree Island Nails" as well? It's something I'm inclined to do. How would you feel about that? Here is the info were you can send a note of thanks. Tree Island Industries Ltd. P.O. Box 50 New Westminster, B.C. Canada V3L 4Y1 Att. Bob Regehr Sue I think it will be great for him to get a thanks other than from me.

Ray

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 20:33:13 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Terrific, Ray! Thanks for this ...

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 20:34:06 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

i'll send one as well...

By Meron s'Mor'z (1840), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 21:48:26 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|-(net 0 from me)

Ray,

Thanks for responding to my container, shipping times question. So 10 months from Sooke, BC to Africa seems unreasonable?!? Hope we get this O'netCanada thing happenin'. Would appreciate chatting to you and learning some of your tricks. Give us some notice when you are going to be in Vancouver next time.

Meron

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 22:08:15 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Meron Moroz said:

Ray,

Thanks for responding to my container, shipping times question. So 10 months from Sooke, BC to Africa seems unreasonable?!? Hope we get this O'netCanada thing happenin'. Would appreciate chatting to you and learning some of your tricks. Give us some notice when you are going to be in Vancouver next time.

Meron

Every week from Monday to Fri morning, then I drive home to be with the family for the weekend. I know I bought a truck a year ago with 65,000 klm and now it has 175,000 klm. :( Call me if you want and I'll try and answer some of your questions. Vancouver cell #604-805-8191

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 22:40:54 PST Comment feedback score: 2 (* *)

Here is a picture of the warehouse, which is starting to fill up again. We just emptied it in Oct. Hope this works my wife is trying to tell me how to do it over the phone. It's times like this I question my own IQ :) http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2608.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2610.JPG In the picture you can see that we are using some of the pallets of nails as benches to put the clothes on after we sort and fold before they are taken to the bailer. Clarification I said we and it is mostly my wife and kids lately, as I have been so busy manufacturing the mining equipment.

A couple of months ago we realized that with me being so busy out of town that we should see if we could find someone to help out. We decided to try and see if we could make the project help people not only overseas but locally to. So we hired some people in town that have no jobs and are in need of a little money two days a week. So now five people come in and help two days a week for $54 a day.

Ray

By Meron s'Mor'z (1840), Mon, 24 Jan 2005 22:54:44 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Awesome Ray!!!

You are an inspiration. You done good on the photos btw.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Tue, 25 Jan 2005 21:34:43 PST Comment feedback score: 0

I put the links to the photos at the top of the post and when I go home this weekend I will take a few more and post them.

Thanks

Ray

Unbelievable Donation

Posted to: Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317) by Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30)(1317) Fri, 21 Jan 2005 22:00:13 PST Edited: Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:28:55 PST Feedback score: 313 (* * * * * * * * * *) Tags: community success Comments: 1315 by 61 members (most recent: yesterday by Michael Pattinson (CCAL30) (546) Viewed: 17058 times by 547 members

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Wed, 26 Jan 2005 09:31:42 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Terrific, Ray!

(BTW -- I'm trying to regenerate a TypeList key for Jackie and will get a note out to you on this shortly).

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Mon, 31 Jan 2005 18:02:41 PST Comment feedback score: 0

More stuff. We were just given 30 brand new 3-room tents. These tent are extremely large and are made of nylon not canvas, they would sell for probably more than $400 a piece. The same store gave us 100s of new rain coats too. Just thought I'd let you know how great things are going.

Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Mon, 31 Jan 2005 18:05:03 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

you're amazing ray! way to go!

By Meron s'Mor'z (1840), Mon, 31 Jan 2005 19:52:07 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Beyond amazing!

By RicHARD ~The Anointed One~ Makepeace (CCAL30) (2319), Tue, 01 Feb 2005 14:05:32 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

I was a carpenter, read nail-banger, for twenty-plus years; just hearing you talk about so many nails gave me a back ache. I can't imagine carrying all of them. Whoa, I take that back; I've moved a lot of kegs, half-kegs and boxes of all sorts of screws and nails. When I first started out, we were still carrying cast iron tubs up many flights of stairs in New

I hope you didn't do all that schlepping by yourself. I think this is a fantastic contribution: the title fits the topic and its creator. Peace to you, R

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Tue, 01 Feb 2005 17:28:52 PST Comment feedback score: 0

RicHARD Makepeace said:

I was a carpenter, read nail-banger, for twenty-plus years; just hearing you talk about so many nails gave me a back ache. I can't imagine carrying all of them. Whoa, I take that back; I've moved a lot of kegs, half-kegs and boxes of all sorts of screws and nails. When I first started out, we were still carrying cast iron tubs up many flights of stairs in New York City wallk-ups and brownstones. I hope you didn't do all that schlepping by yourself. I think this is a fantastic contribution: the title fits the topic and its creator. Peace to you, R No Richard I am very thankful for the neighbors fork lift. They were nice enough to come over and lift the pallets off the truck and set them into the warehouse for me. After they left I used the pallet jack and maneuvered the 23 pallets (over 2000 lbs each) around to try and organize things a little bit. I felt it the next morning.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Wed, 02 Feb 2005 07:41:27 PST Comment feedback score: 3 (* * *)

More incredible things are happening.

Sue Said Earlier:

"Ray, this is simply incredible! "Will you need assistance with garnering funding for transport? Or perhaps for the donation of services for this? I answered Sue regarding the shipping costs overseas and not about the local trucking costs from Vancouver to our warehouse. I don't know which one sue was referring to but let me tell you what happened yesterday. it is incredible. I called the trucking company yesterday the ones I hired to bring the nails up from Vancouver. I wanted to see if they had sent out the bill yet for the two truck loads of nails because I haven't received it. The owner of the company said no way, no bill the trucking is on us we are glad to do our part in such a good cause. Wow. This usually costs $1,385.00 cnd. Per load. Now it's free.

Again I just want to say, when it comes to helping the needy, just do it, action is what it takes and more people will join in and pretty soon huge things will be happing just because one person said I'll try even if I am just one. Have a great day all of you:)

Ray

By Meron s'Mor'z (1840), Wed, 02 Feb 2005 14:04:03 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray,

Your latest entry has me all choked up. It is amazing. I was so moved I went back to read the entire thread again; I'm needing some inspiration at the moment. Caught your number and the invitation to call this time through ... I'll take you up on that. Your closing paragraph reminded me of: ... "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can still do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.". -Helen Keller. ...

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Wed, 02 Feb 2005 20:15:15 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Thanks Meron

Love the quote.

I will be back in Vancouver next week, feel free to call. ... "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can still do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.". -Helen Keller. ...

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Wed, 02 Feb 2005 20:26:58 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Some better Pictures of the nails. A Picture showing over 100 garbage bags, full of clothes that come in each week Another showing how we sort them into flats, then how they end up compressed into 100lb bails. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2619.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2621.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2622.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2620.JPG

Thanks Ray

By ted ernst (CCAL30) (2599), Thu, 03 Feb 2005 12:29:03 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

These are Ray's photos for those that don't like to click elsewhere:

By ted ernst (CCAL30) (2599), Thu, 03 Feb 2005 12:31:02 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Sue, what's the status of Ray's dropcash campaign? Anything I can do to help?

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317) Thu, 03 Feb 2005 17:55:05 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Thanks so much Ted, I couldn't figure out how to do that. I am going to post a wonderful thank you letter I got in the mail today from Union Gospel Mission. Some of you may remember another post of mine before Christmas called "Winter Jackets for the street people of Vancouver" Well, this is why I got the letter. Just thought I would share. It goes to show that sometimes you wonder if what you are trying to do is making a difference and it sure feels good when you get a letter like this that shows people really appreciate the help. Just on another note, I think we need to encourage you ever receives the $25,000 to continue to post on how the money was used and who it has helped. For two reasons to encourage accountability and it is just plain great to here the stories of people making a difference. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/UnionGospelMissionl etter.jpg

Ray

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Fri, 04 Feb 2005 16:05:19 PST Comment feedback score: 0

I picked up another 300 Garbage bags of clothes today from the local Thrift store. It seems the more I sort, bail and ship away the more that comes in. For the past three years the local thrift store has been giving us all the used clothes we can handle. It started at 30 bags a week, now over 150 bags a week.

Thanks Ray

By Therese Fitzpatrick (117), Sat, 05 Feb 2005 21:11:32 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Thanks, Ray, for doing this work. I can do this: send you good vibrations.

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Sat, 05 Feb 2005 21:18:41 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, is it possible for us to send a thank you note to the trucker as with the donor of the nails? Would like to send one to them too ...

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Sat, 05 Feb 2005 21:22:51 PST Edited: Sat, 05 Feb 2005 21:26:46 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ted, DropCash campaign is temporarily stuck in TypeKey limbo. (Ray ... sent another one to Jackie. Same userid and password. If she doesn't have it, or if you need me to resend the id/pword, let me know, and we'll skin this cat another way ;^)

By Niny Khor (1410), Sat, 05 Feb 2005 21:25:41 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Hi Ray - just saw this thread following Sue's magnet links. A M A Z I N G! :)

Thanks for the inspiration!

By Darlene Charneco (CCAL30) (594), Sat, 05 Feb 2005 21:56:14 PST Comment feedback score: 0 + - (net 0 from me)

truly beautiful and inspiring.:) Love to you and your wife.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Mon, 07 Feb 2005 15:45:52 PST Comment feedback score: 0

No Sue it appears it got lost somehow and I am probably the one to blame. So if you could regenerate it some how would appreciate it.

Thanks Ray

Sue Braiden said: Ted, DropCash campaign is temporarily stuck in TypeKey limbo. (Ray ... sent another one to Jackie. Same userid and password. If she doesn't have it, or if you need me to resend the id/pword, let me know, and we'll skin this cat another way ;^)

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1317), Mon, 07 Feb 2005 15:51:31 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Thanks for the good vibes Therese and from the rest of you. I am glad I can share this with all of you, I know it encourages me every time I sit and type it out, it's like it makes it more real or something after sharing it and I hope it sends encouragement to all of you.

Thanks

Ray

By ted ernst (CCAL30) (2599), Wed, 09 Feb 2005 08:46:18 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Any news on Ray's tip jar?

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Wed, 09 Feb 2005 08:51:17 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

ray, again, you continue to inspire me. thank you so very much and god bless you more!!!

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Wed, 09 Feb 2005 18:08:03 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, two suggestions:

Have Jackie go here directly to process the registration: http://www.dropcash.com or, I can set it up under my name, and simply PayPal the donations to you. I certainly don't mind doing that at all. Whichever you and Jackier prefer to do. If you want me to open a cup under my name for now, I can have it done in 5 minutes, and up so you can start receiving donations. If you want to do this with Jackie's email addy as it's attached to her own PayPal account, you'll find the DropCash registration is quite simple. There are two parts. The first requires her to sign up for a TypeKey account. Simple and free. Don't know why it's not sending the email to her. Does she have a spam filter that's maybe catching it instead of passing it on? The second step is to give your campaign a name, and a brief description. Once you've got that you'll be given a URL that we can share through this thread and through the tin cup area so that people can start filling it up ;^)

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2022), Fri, 11 Feb 2005 13:28:01 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Just a quick heads-up to let you know that Ray and Jackie have their tin cup online now. If you'd like to kick in a little spare change to help defray the cost of shipping these supplies, here's where you can do it: http://www.dropcash.com/campaign /jackiegb/shipping_goods_for_tsu nami_reconstruction/

Unbelievable Donation

Posted to: Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371) by Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Fri, 21 Jan 2005 22:00:13 PST Edited: Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:28:55 PST Feedback score: 313 (* * * * * * * * * *) Tags: community success Comments: 1334 by 61 members (most recent: 9 hours ago by Michael Pattinson (CCAL30) (611) Viewed: 17276 times by 547 members By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Fri, 11 Feb 2005 13:34:14 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me) thanks sue for the link!

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Fri, 11 Feb 2005 14:26:40 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Thanks Sue, looks great. I really enjoy sharing all the great things that are happing with our little endeavor, so I will keep all of you posted. I just thought of a great thing to tell, all of you here at Omidyar are great people; keep up the momentum in making a difference.

Thanks

Ray

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Fri, 11 Feb 2005 14:38:50 PST Edited: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 14:39:42 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Love the description you put on your DropCash campaign, Ray. Glad you and Jackie were able to arm wrestle the sucker to the ground. Hope we fill it up!!! (BTW ... we like you sharing all these things with us too :^)

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Sat, 12 Feb 2005 20:16:43 PST Edited: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 20:57:33 PDT Comment feedback score: 0

I want to tell all of you something that has been slowly increasing over the last two years. In order to find enough clothes three years ago to ship at least two containers a year, we needed to get clothes from three different towns Salmon arm, Kamloops and our town. Last year we stopped getting from the other two towns as our town started giving us over a 100 bags a month. Now in the last 3 months I have had to go to the local thrift store every Friday and pick up around 80 bags, this means 320 a month.

It does not make any sense, this town only has 8,000 people in it and the thrift store says that despite giving us three times more clothing than before their sales have doubled in the last year. I can't help but think of a Bible verse that says: Give and it shall be given unto you good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. After shipping out 5 containers last year our 10,000 sq ft warehouse was empty in November. If you look in our warehouse right now you would have to say good measure, pressed down and running over. Time to give it away.

Thanks

Ray

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Wed, 16 Feb 2005 14:55:59 PST Comment feedback score: 0

This week we are starting to sell some of our raw Gold nuggets that we have made into jewelry on Ebay. Item number: 4967790795 Item number: 4967798779 We do this each year to help pay for our charity work. Just thought you would like to see what some of it looks like. The first one is not for sale it's my favorite one. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2856.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2702.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2666.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2665.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2644.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2686.JPG sorry I haven't figured out how to put the pictures here, just the links

All this gold comes from our mine in the Yukon. If you click here you can see where and how we dig it out of the creek. Go to photo album at http://www.ac-mine.com/ Thanks for all the support at the Tin cup fund, we really appreciate it

Ray

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Wed, 16 Feb 2005 18:18:17 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, here's an example of the code you can use to insert an image into a posting (or your profile, or a PM): code:

You don't have to call the tag "pic". You can call it whatever you want, as long as the name is the same as the label you give to the link code. The only part that matters in terms of where you place it in the page is the tag, because this shows where you want the image to be displayed. The link code below it can go anywhere in the document, so long as you leave at least one line between it and whatever else is above it. It doesn't disrupt the actual flow of text on the page. Regarding the link code: you don't need anything other than the source of the image. If you leave the other arguments out, it doesn't affect the display. They just help to speed the display up by giving it the information to tell the page how much space to leave for it when it's drawing the image. The target allows you to link the picture to another web page.

Here's what the code would look like:

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Wed, 16 Feb 2005 19:10:56 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Thanks Sue for the info, I really appreciate it. I'll try it next time. This nugget is almost two ounces. I have found them bigger, but not as nice, that's why I kept this one. Ray

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Wed, 23 Feb 2005 20:48:59 PST Comment feedback score: 0

I have another incredible story to tell all of you. I contacted an American group I know, called Global missions to see if I could organize a shipment of nails for them. They are currently working in Sri Lanka and would be able to distribute everything through out the tsunami stricken region.

I sent an email to them last Wednesday and the next morning I got a reply. They said that they could use the nails but no clothes as the government of Sri Lanka won't allow any clothing into the country as clothing is made there. (Don't always understand governments, especially when there people are suffering and in need?)

This got me thinking, how can I fill a container if I am not allowed to put in clothing. The container would only be half full in volume if it was just nails. I was planning on putting 30,000 lbs of nails, then the other half 12,000lbs of clothes.

That evening I was thinking of what other things I could put in the container to fill it. I currently have 6 hospital beds, a few wheel chairs and some crutches but that is still not enough stuff to fill it. Then the doorbell rang and when I answered it, a gentleman introduced himself as the Pentecostal minister. He asked me if I was the one who is shipping humanitarian aid overseas, I said yes. He explained to me that he had tracked me down through the bank manager in town who told him that we might be the people that are doing this as he sees us come in to the bank quite often and wire money overseas to help people. Small town! Then he told me that they had collected items that they wanted to send overseas but they could not arrange the shipment and would I want to have the stuff. I politely said yes and then asked what was the stuff, He replied, its all medical supplies. I was in shock; I could not believe what I was hearing.

The next morning I opened my email to find another one from Sri Lanka asking me if I could find Medical equipment to put in the container with the nails as it is desperately needed. I just sat there and smiled and then sent back an email and said yes we have medical equipment instead of clothes.

My son and I then went to the basement of the bank were the stuff was stored and loaded over a 100 boxes of new medical supplies, all of it was stuff you would see in an emergency room, cases of gauze, gloves, masks, needles, suturing supplies, more then I can mention. More than enough to fill a container with 30,000 lbs of nails and 12,000 lbs of medical supplies.

Amazing, I think so.

Thanks Ray

Sorry I haven't been around lately, really busy working in Vancouver every week on the mining equipment.

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Wed, 23 Feb 2005 20:52:25 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, that is such awesome news!!! I've noticed that your tin cup isn't getting much attention... how can we help raise awareness of this wonderful work you're doing and help fill that cup! I don't have a lot of money or I would fill it myself... Any ideas on how we can help you get the money to send this stuff???

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Wed, 23 Feb 2005 21:14:12 PST Comment feedback score: 0 ~ Carla White ~ said:

Ray, that is such awesome news!!! I've noticed that your tin cup isn't getting much attention... how can we help raise awareness of this wonderful work you're doing and help fill that cup! I don't have a lot of money or I would fill it myself... Any ideas on how we can help you get the money to send this stuff???

Thanks Carla, we are selling gold on Ebay to raise money and I called a few friends I know and asked them to help They said they would ?? So the money is starting to come in. I will let you know how much has come in at the end of next week when the ebay auction is over.

Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Wed, 23 Feb 2005 22:35:13 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

i hope and pray you find a big gold boulder!!!

By Rory Turner (CCAL30) (1114), Thu, 24 Feb 2005 07:41:55 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray,

You and your wife are truly amazing. Is there a way to propagate the request for help with the tin cup out into our other communities? I would be glad to send an email to my circles letting them know about this good work. Ray, do you have a nice blurb about what you do that I could paste into a letter like that?

By Niny Khor (1415), Thu, 24 Feb 2005 17:57:47 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Hi Ray - what an amazing story! Can you also give us the link to the auction in eBay? :)

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Thu, 24 Feb 2005 18:49:57 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Rory "please vote this week" Turner said:

Ray, You and your wife are truly amazing. Is there a way to propagate the request for help with the tin cup out into our other communities? I would be glad to send an email to my circles letting them know about this good work. Ray, do you have a nice blurb about what you do that I could paste into a letter like that? I haven't written anything like that Rory but last November an article was written in our local news paper so I'll post it here for you. Thanks for your support all of you.

Ray

Canada World Youth pitch in Shelley Irish/Times Review Two volunteers from Canada World Youth wheel out supplies bound for Grenada. The Caribbean island was devastated by hurricanes this fall. By Shelley Irish Staff Writer

In 1995, Raymond and Jackie Brosseuk started the program Partners for Others, an effort that ships containers filled with goods to aid those in need in the South Pacific. Since that time over one million pounds of materials have been shipped and distributed to schools, hospitals and clinics for the poverty-stricken. This year, the ever hard-working group from Canada World Youth helped the Brosseuk's fill the large rail containers with bundles of clothes, shoes, stuffed animals, and boxes of books. These items are destined for Grenada after Hurricane Ivan devastated the Caribbean island. Since the island has suffered the loss of electricity, 300 kerosene lanterns were added to the list of deliveries. On top of that, medical supplies such as walkers, wheelchairs and hospital beds have been gathered to send to medical clinics in the area as well. The non-denominational Partners for Others is entirely made up of volunteers who donate their energy, time and part of their own incomes to gather and distribute the warm clothes and nourishing food they're able to glean. Collected from around the province, Partners for Others distributes their offerings to the needy along Vancouver's infamous Hastings St. and to the underprivileged in Nunavut as well as the Caribbean and South Pacific. "This is a great idea, everyone should do this," said one member of Canada's World Youth. With their many volunteer efforts the small CWY contingent, along with Partners for Others, are leaving a positive mark on both their local and global communities. ? Copyright 2004

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Thu, 24 Feb 2005 19:08:19 PST Comment feedback score: 0 Niny Khor said:

Hi Ray - what an amazing story! Can you also give us the link to the auction in eBay? :)

My wife and kids are with me in Vancouver this week, she is out right now, when she comes in I will ask her for the link and post it.

Ray

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Thu, 24 Feb 2005 19:58:23 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Here is the links to the gold on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item= 4969892825&ssPageName=STRK:M ESE:IT http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item= 4969916659&ssPageName=STRK:M ESE:IT http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item= 4969928035&ssPageName=STRK:M ESE:IT

Thanks

Ray

By Niny Khor (1415), Thu, 24 Feb 2005 20:19:33 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

wow, the second pendant looks almost like africa ..

By Meron s'Mor'z (2013), Thu, 24 Feb 2005 21:12:28 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Wow ... it looks amazingly like Africa! Ray, I'll say it again, you are awesome and inspiring.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Sun, 27 Feb 2005 17:05:51 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Great news on the money for freight. I called a friend in Vancouver this last week and he said he would donate $1,000 towards the cost of shipping. We are well on our way now.

Thanks

Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Sun, 27 Feb 2005 17:17:09 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|-(net 0 from me)

ah such great news!!!! i'm so glad to hear that! again ray, i so admire you and your wife... and still hoping you find a big gold rock or boulder! it could happen right?

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Sun, 27 Feb 2005 17:46:01 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, I am just thunderstruck by the serendipity that surrounds you! The story you shared above about the knock on the door and the medical supplies made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. There's a whopping pile of divine intervention going on around you, my friend! I'm going to help get that tin cup back up into the public eye again. I've got a few ideas. I'll be back shortly ...

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Sun, 27 Feb 2005 18:44:02 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Thanks to both of you. Carla It could happen, our neighbor took out 300 ounces for the whole year then in the last week before quitting for the season he hit a 1000 ounces. It hasn't happened to us yet, the best so far was 150 ounces in 9 hours. No boulders just nuggets from 5 ounces down to dust. Sue I feel it to, I am still shocked at the whole thing it is really amazing how thing are coming together. When things like this happen you know that what you are doing for others must be right.

Thanks

Ray

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Mon, 28 Feb 2005 08:29:15 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Thanks to everyone thats helping. The tin cup fund is growing 175.00 now. Even my hair dresser in Vancouver is getting involved. Over the past year I told him a few things about what we are doing and now he has collected clothes and other stuff to help, it is so neat to see other people getting involved in this project. It's a great feeling when you are doing something for someone else and other people around you get excited about it to and before you know it, they have caught the bug of helping others.

Thanks Ray

By Meron s'Mor'z (2013), Mon, 28 Feb 2005 08:35:35 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me) Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k said:

~ It's a great feeling when you are doing something for someone else and other people around you get excited about it to and before you know it, they have caught the bug of helping others. ~ Kinda' works like a Yawwwwwwwn ; )

By sooner (565), Mon, 28 Feb 2005 09:33:26 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

I think we need a single place that shows all the current tin cups. I had to search for this one. Or maybe we do and I don't know where it is. Great work Ray.

Unbelievable Donation

Posted to: Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371) by Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Fri, 21 Jan 2005 22:00:13 PST Edited: Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:28:55 PST Feedback score: 313 (* * * * * * * * * *) Tags: community success Comments: 1334 by 61 members (most recent: 9 hours ago by Michael Pattinson (CCAL30) (611) Viewed: 17277 times by 547 members

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Mon, 28 Feb 2005 23:23:38 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Terry Fritts said:

I think we need a single place that shows all the current tin cups. I had to search for this one. Or maybe we do and I don't know where it is. Great work Ray.

Thanks Terry for your encouragement and support. I think Sue is working on it.

Ray

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Tue, 01 Mar 2005 11:13:29 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Terry Fritts said:

I think we need a single place that shows all the current tin cups. I had to search for this one. It's about to be unwrapped this week. I think you'll find it's easy, and kinda colourful to boot ;^) More news soon ...

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Tue, 01 Mar 2005 11:18:12 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Something wonderful is incubating in a small little corner not unlike this project that Ray has graciously shared with us here. Might be interesting to collaborate. Have a look: http://www.omidyar.net/group/tsu nami/news/1/ It's a lengthy thread, but it transforms into something that has me quite excited, and I think many of you are natural allies to help guide this with a little good old fashioned grassroots wisdom. This, in partnership with Ray's project, and Douglas Arellanes' ACEH radio project, could be the kind of convergence that might create "the perfect storm". I realize that may be an insensitive metaphor, and it's surely not intended that way, but have a look and see what you think. Wouldn't it be a lovely set of synergies to blend?

Seems sympatico.

By sooner (565), Tue, 01 Mar 2005 13:55:48 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Thank you Sue - I love the opportunities to participate in these Tin Cup projects - makes me really feel like I'm doing something to help out a bit. If something has you excited then I'm excited, too.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Sat, 05 Mar 2005 20:43:31 PST Edited: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 20:58:46 PDT Comment feedback score: 0

Update on the aid for Sri Lanka. I received 6 phone calls this week while I was in Vancouver, all of them amazing. The first was from an organization called Gleaners in the Okanagan area of BC. They gave us 12 barrels of dehydrated soup mix and apples. Each barrel holds 80-1 kilo or 2.2lb bags of soup mix and each bag when mixed with water and boiled makes 300 cups of soup, so each barrel has 24,000 cups of soup. They also have some wheel chairs and crutches to give us.

The second and third was more wheel chairs, crutches and medical supplies from the Salmon Arm Red Cross and our local Red cross. I couldn't believe the Red Cross was giving stuff to us. They said they were really thrilled to see that this stuff would be going to Sri Lanka. Fourth call, 100 more tents, donated from a merchant in Kamloops BC.

Fifth call, A friend I know in Oregon called me and asked if I was sending any more containers this year I said yes, one to Sri Lanka and we now have so much stuff I think I will need to send another one to Fiji. He said how are you for finances. I told him about the Tin cup $175 and the $1,000 donated from a friend in Vancouver and that we have $500 ourselves so far. He said how much to send both containers? I told him it would be about $9,000 US He said well I will send you $6,200 towards the cause. I am still in shock. That means we have a total of about $7,500 US, wow not far to go.

I have lots of driving this week picking all this up but it's worth it. J

Thanks to all of you and I enjoy sharing this with you.

Thanks Ray

By Lars Hasselblad Torres (3514), Sat, 05 Mar 2005 20:46:23 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, way to go!!! Great to see a pure-bred operations man at work :)

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Sat, 05 Mar 2005 20:46:57 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

OH MY GOSH!!! RAY THIS IS SO WONDERFUL!!! YOU ARE SUCH A MIRACLE OF REAPING AND SOWING.... I love it! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH US!!!! you are such an inspiration!!! GOD BLESS YOU! (even more!)

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Sat, 05 Mar 2005 22:13:30 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me) Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k said:

He said well I will send you $6,200 towards the cause. I am still in shock. That means we have a total of about $7,500 US, wow not far to go.

Ray, that's incredible! You are just an amazing karma magnet! Bless you and Jackie for this wonderful work that you continue to do, and thanks for continuing to share it with us.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Sun, 06 Mar 2005 13:58:13 PST Comment feedback score: 0

I was logging on just to tell you that I got another call from a charitable group in Langley BC just out of Vancouver. They are going to donate clothes and blankets to us. Things are coming in faster than I can pick them up. I also checked the tin cup and noticed that the funds have grown a lot today thanks to someone very nice who added $500. :):):)

Thanks Thanks

Ray

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Mon, 07 Mar 2005 20:27:14 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Gone tomorrow picking up more supplies. Driving down to Washington state 10 hours round trip. Gone the next day 8 hours driving to pick up the dehydrated soup mix. Will tell you all about it Thursday after I pick up all the stuff from the red cross only 2 a hour trip. I am tired already and I haven't left yet. :):)

Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Mon, 07 Mar 2005 20:32:38 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

safe travels... god be with you...

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Tue, 08 Mar 2005 12:49:28 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Nice to see that your tin cup has attracted a bit more generosity, Ray! Also glad to hear that the generosity is still continuing in meatspace too :^) Love the way that you keep us in the loop ...

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 13:57:27 PST Comment feedback score: 0

I am back from two trips picking up 35,000 lbs of stuff with only one flat tire. I have some incredible news to share with everyone here. I am busy writing and will post a little later. Believe me when I say, you won't want to miss this story.

Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 14:23:23 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

ohhhh can't wait ray, always LOVE what you share.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 15:59:31 PST Comment feedback score: 10 (* * * * * * * * * *)

A courier showed up at my door today. I called my wife and kids around and told them the story of what has been happening for the past 5 days. We then gathered around and slowly opened the envelope to see if it was really true. It's true; tears welled up in my eyes when I saw what was inside. We sat there stunned wondering why someone, a complete stranger would do this for us. Then I thought of all the people that we have helped over the years. It helped me understand how they felt when they received the gifts that we have taken over to them. I understand now why they sit and weep for joy at receiving something they never thought they could afford, with no string attached, just because someone cares about them. Now, those people have someone else who cares for them as well, the people behind The Maya Foundation. Here is how the events of the past week unfolded. I received an email on March 4th with four words in it?..

--- Michael Wilson wrote:

Checked your mailbox lately? I responded?..

--- Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k wrote:

Help, do you mean my email or my regular mail ? If you mean my regular mail, I have not been to the post office for 2 weeks as I have been away. Ray Then?..

--- Michael Wilson wrote: Regular mail. Might want to check it.

Then I wrote back?..

--- Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k wrote: I just went to the post office there was nothing unusual. What am I supposed to be looking for? can you give me a hint. If not, I will just keep checking the mail and let you know when I find something. Thanks Ray Then I get this?.

--- Michael Wilson wrote: http://www.omidyar.net/group/com munity-general/news/606/ Then?.

Now I am in a bit of a shock as I had never seen or heard of this post. I feel a little stupid now for not seeing this post when it was going on. I write back.

--- Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k wrote: Michael I am a little lost for words after reading the thread. I will start by saying on behalf of all the people whose lives this will touch, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! It is quite amazing over the last two months I found myself reading the 25k thread, saying boy, if I had some money right now if my new business was further along, I would just give some money to one of these people that I think deserve it and show people on the thread that action is needed. Now I read this and see that you were able to act on it. I send my congrats to you for doing this, not because it is coming to our project but because I admire you for doing something that makes a real difference in this world This is how my wife and I have learned to work, we step forward in faith believing that if we just do all that we can, it will work out and I can tell you for 9 years now it has every time. I was actually thinking the other day that when I get everything collected, there is probably going to be more than 4 containers of stuff to ship and clearly not enough money. As you are probably aware from my posts, with the small amount of money we have and what we have been given there is almost enough funds to send two containers in the next three weeks. Now with your donation it is clear to me that this is why so much extra stuff was donated to us, because someone bigger than you and I knew there would be enough money to send it. We have a quote on our web site that says "By many hands the work of God is done" We thank you for your hands. After the check arrives, I would like to say a public thank you on o.net if that is ok with you. I really feel it will encourage a lot of good people here. It will let them know that they shouldn't let the "nay sayers" get them down. Good things will and do happen. Ray Brosseuk Last email Sender: Michael Wilson (63) Date sent: Mon, 07 Mar 2005 17:33:47 PST Date opened: Mon, 07 Mar 2005 17:36:41 PST As it says in the thread, you are free to thank us in public or not, it's your choice. END.

I hope after reading this everyone working on the 25k challenge will be inspired to come together and get the job done. Let us set aside our differences and work together to bring this kind of joy to someone else. I am thrilled to share this with all of you and I want each and everyone of you to not give up on making a difference in this world, it does work and you will experience a fulfillment in your life like never before. To Michael, we send our heartfelt thanks to you, from ourselves personally, and on behalf of all the people who will benefit from your generous gift.

Photo http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005- 1/938053/IMG_2926edit.JPG

I will continue to keep you all updated as we continue this incredible journey.

Thanks Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:03:31 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

guess you got the gold boulder i've been praying for hun???? god bless you ray!!! i am so very happy for you!!!! still gonna pray for more gold boulders... "he who refreshes others, he himself will be refreshed!" Love it!!!!

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:07:03 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

and what a cute family!!!! i'd LOVE to send one of our videos to you for them to enjoy... pm me your address!!! THANK YOU AGAIN RAY FOR WHAT YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you're a true inspiration!!! i am so happy i could spit!!!, cry? jump? something!!!!

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:09:38 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

i'll add one more thing... i've been a bit bummed that your tin cup wasn't filling up that fast. i know you don't go around "bragging" about what you do... but you just do it, but i was hoping it'd fill up quicker... well, well, god knew the whole time HOW it'd get filled.... oh me of little faith! sorry i keep posting, i just can't tell you how happy i am!!!

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:14:34 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Carla, we need to post on the tin cup, Goal more than Acomplished!

By Rory Turner (CCAL30) (1114), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:17:10 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +- (net 0 from me)

Bravo Ray, bravo Michael Wilson! What else do you need Ray?

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:28:24 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Rory Turner said: Bravo Ray, bravo Michael Wilson! What else do you need Ray? If you were here right now, I would say I need you to help me unload my truck and trailer its been sitting in the yard loaded with barrels of dehydrated food and medical supplies since last night and I just don't want to do it:) The night before last I unloaded 374 boxes, each one weighing 65 lbs for a total of 24,310 lbs of books. I am a little tired ! :)

Thanks, Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:29:48 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

so you need a massage!!! or some neighbors to help lighten the load... somehow those 3 adorable kiddies probably can't lift too much...

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:32:35 PST Comment feedback score: 0

?~?Carla White ?~? said: so you need a massage!!! or some neighbors to help lighten the load... somehow those 3 adorable kiddies probably can't lift too much... To bad for them, I am going to need their help today:)

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:35:55 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Gone for two hours to unload, I will catch up with the posts after I have worked the kids really hard :) My wife says to let you know, I am just "kidding" pardon the pun,

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:37:49 PST Comment feedback score: 0+- (net 0 from me)

Ray, my dear, I will absolutely update your Tin Cup ;^) I can't imagine anyone who deserves this wonderful help more than you and Jackie, and it seems destined as did most everything you've shared with us in this wonderful thread. Blessings, Sue.

Unbelievable Donation

Posted to: Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371) by Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Fri, 21 Jan 2005 22:00:13 PST Edited: Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:28:55 PST Feedback score: 313 (* * * * * * * * * *) Tags: community success Comments: 1334 by 61 members (most recent: 10 hours ago by Michael Pattinson (CCAL30) (611)) Viewed: 17281 times by 547 members

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:40:02 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

For those of you who may have missed it, we did the Member Spotlight on Ray in ONTopic last week: http://www.omidyar.net/group/com munity-general/ws/ontopic/rev/29 / He shared some wonderful things in his background piece with me. Have a look when you have a moment.

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:45:15 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

i don't know, i feel like we should be having a party or something!!! to celebrate... sue's where's that karaoke??? LOL...

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:48:57 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:57:42 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Tin Cup's been updated to reflect your goal having been reached, and doubled ;^) http://www.omidyar.net/group/tin cup/ws/Shipping%20Goods%20for%20 Tsunami%20Reconstruction/

By Tom Munnecke (1530), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 17:00:02 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Congratulations, Ray... and Thanks, Michael! By the way, Direct Relief International in Santa Barbara ships a lot of containers like this, Thomas Tighe is their CEOand a good guy..

By Ed Runner (212), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 17:11:40 PST Edited: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 17:13:55 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Wonderful! Thanks to both Michael and Ray.

By u329009328 (1110), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 17:24:30 PST Edited: Thu, 11 May 2006 02:13:56 PDT Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Removed.

By Cynthia Gentry (CCAL30) (1880), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 19:14:46 PST Edited: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 19:15:22 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Wow!! This is such a joy to read. Congratulations you so deserve this! for the work you and your family do, Ray. Blessings are raining where they are needed...hurrah! I love the picture above. Think how the lives of those three smiling faces will be uplifted by this gift. Ripples...wonderful ripples! Michael, you rock!

By Niny Khor (1415), Thu, 10 Mar 2005 21:50:28 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Hello Ray! Congratulations!!! :) :) :) :)

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Fri, 11 Mar 2005 17:44:05 PST Comment feedback score: 1 (*)

Some more pictures of the stuff I have been picking up this week. I think I need a fork lift, my back is sore :) http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2946.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2 005-1/938053/IMG_2948.JPG More clothes in bages to be sorted and bailed. Dehydrated soup mix and apples in the drums. Medical supplies are all in another small room, forgot to take a picture. Books.

Thanks

Ray

By Tom Munnecke (1530), Fri, 11 Mar 2005 18:03:37 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

great pics, Ray... Just out of curiosity, how do you decide where to send this stuff?

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Fri, 11 Mar 2005 18:25:10 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray,

maybe since you have more than you need for your crates... you could use some of the money Maya donated to buy a forklift??? I don't know how much those are, but it would sure be a help for you, as it seem like these donations to you aren't gonna stop, AND it's important that you don't get injured!!! Just thinking out loud...

Carla

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Fri, 11 Mar 2005 18:31:11 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Tom, Up until last year we focused on the South Pacific as I grew up there. Lately it has been wherever we hear of a need like the one we sent to Grenada last year because of hurricane Ivan and now Sri Lanka because of the tsunami. Before I will ship to places that I don't know or can't be present to distribute it personally, I make sure to find someone or a reputable organization on the ground that I have a comfort level with.

Ray

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Sun, 13 Mar 2005 21:42:59 PST Comment feedback score: 3 (* * *)

Going to Vancouver in the morning, gone all week will try and drop in every evening if its not to late, I don't want to miss anything. A charity in Vancouver has called and donated clothing that is already cleaned, sorted and bailed, so I will be picking up 12,000 lbs to bring home on Fri. It just keeps coming in. I hired a lady in town today thanks to Michael. Her husband works at the local grocery store and he has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He is still trying to work a little but his health is failing. His wife was working but got laid of a month ago and we heard they are pretty hard up right now. I asked her if she would want to sort and fold clothes for me and I will bail on the weekend when I am home. She was so thankful for the job as they have two kids still at home. It's kind of cool we are now helping someone locally who is helping us, help someone overseas.

Thanks

Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Sun, 13 Mar 2005 23:41:20 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, what can I say but "praise the lord!" this is great news... amazing!!! thank you again for sharing it with us.. I love it!!!

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Sat, 19 Mar 2005 09:43:40 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Hi Ray, Any updates? Forklifts? Really enjoy following this story. Can't wait to hear your next report.

Carla

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Sat, 19 Mar 2005 11:02:58 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, this thread seems to be a continuous source of uplift and renewal. It's wonderful to see that you've reached out to someone else who needs assistance and that this project of your's and Jackie's can provide it. Thanks for continuing to keep us up-to-date despite how hectic things are for you right now. Would it be worth while to start a tin cup for this woman and her husband so that other ommidyar.net members can throw in a bit of spare change to help out too?

Blessings, Sue.

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Sat, 19 Mar 2005 18:37:37 PST Comment feedback score: 0

I'm home and I will be going down to the warehouse tomorrow to unload another 12,000 lbs that's sitting on my truck and trailer.

Carla, no fork lift yet, I probably won't buy one until I'm 80. I keep telling myself that this is good for me it's my exercise program, the one I should be doing, but never do. We were given boxes of new towels and linens, wheel chairs, walkers, canes, 200 more new tents, new rain gear and boots, 40 cases with 12 boxes in each of baby pablum, cases of arrow root cookies, 300 new kerosene barn lanterns, I think that's it ???

I get such a rush thinking about how each and every item that is in our warehouse will change someone's life for the better and most of all bring them joy and let them know that there is people on the other side of the world that care about them.

Thanks Ray

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Sat, 19 Mar 2005 18:43:03 PST Comment feedback score: 0

Thanks Sue for the Tin Cup offer, but I think they are going to be ok now, she got a job this week at Dennys restaurant and she will continue to work for us part time, this will help them get caught up.

Thanks

Ray

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Sat, 19 Mar 2005 19:38:10 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, thanks for the continued updates. Please let us know if the situation changes and assistance would be of use? I read this thread and have a hard time visualizing what you are doing. It seems so huge! This really is just incredibly to see it unfold. You're a great pipeline of good energy into the community ;^)

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Sat, 19 Mar 2005 19:55:33 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Ray, do you wear a lifting belt when you lift all this stuff? If not, please get one... one slip and you could be down for good... (one slip of a disc that is!) I worry about you... Amazing about all the new donations!!! Seems like heaven is surely opening up those storehouses, so much that you can't contain it hun? God Bless you and ALL you do... :) I think of you all the time and smile and think of all the blessings you are spreading.

By Sue Braiden (CCAL30) (2031), Sat, 19 Mar 2005 20:00:52 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Hey, Carla, I think Ray's got the kind of "lift belt" you can't buy in stores ;^)

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Sat, 19 Mar 2005 20:01:31 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

Amen to that... but I still worry about that back of his... :(

By Ray B-r-o-s-s-e-u-k (CCAL30) (1371), Sun, 20 Mar 2005 08:35:25 PST Comment feedback score: 0

I read what you girls posted and laughed, I've never used one of those in my life, I been lifting stuff like this since I could remember. Then I read to Jackie what you posted and now i have to buy one and wear it, Thanks alot :) (Did you catch the small i,:)

Ray

By c•a•r•l•a (white) (1330), Sun, 20 Mar 2005 08:39:57 PST Comment feedback score: 0 +|- (net 0 from me)

i caught the small i but what does it mean? ray, i can't believe you do all that lifting without a belt AND i am happy that you will now be wearing one... and get one for your son too if he starts lifting things that are too heavy... sorry, don't want to be heavy handed, just wanna keep you strong for all the work you guys do! i still think you need a forklift, maybe someone can donate one to you... who even makes those things? we really gotta get you one... somehow.