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View Full Version : 2010 Fundraiser--General Discussion-Q&A



Matt
10-06-2009, 12:13 PM
It is getting close to that time again and I wanted to let everyone know a few things about this coming year and open the floor to suggestions (like I do every year).

First off, the fundraiser is going to be a bit different and more exciting this year. We have a few new ideas that should make it more smooth and efficient while maintaining our traditional and classic style.

One thing for sure, members will be charged full rate on shipping for items. I would like to personally have a chance at some of the auctions and it has become so large that full shipping charges have become a bit of a necessity for my family.

I have already had several really amazing items donated this year which is why the fundraiser in on my mind. We already have a wonderful start and you guys will not believe the items we are going to be able to line up this year.

This will be the fundraisers 3rd year and every cycle it gains credibility in the world of Stephen King. I now have members of that world on every level contacting me in advance to be a part of it and there is nothing I do all year (besides seeing my grand baby) that fills me with more joy and anticipation.

So please post suggestions here. Some of the greatest pieces of the process have come from this sites community and I rely on that information to make the fund raiser the best it can be.

As always, the fundraiser will begin on Jan 1st, 2010 and run through May 19th (our site anniversary) of the same year.

:grouphug:

Darkthoughts
10-06-2009, 12:30 PM
:clap:

Brilliant! I'll have a think on it, but I'm really looking forward to this!

turtlex
10-06-2009, 03:05 PM
Awesome, Matt !!

I love when we start talking about the fundraiser!!

wizardsrainbow
10-06-2009, 05:40 PM
I will be happy to contribute some King collectibles again this year from my own collection as well as help out with prizes from Michael Whelan and Jae Lee, possibly Richard Isanove too.

Patrick
10-07-2009, 12:05 AM
:thumbsup: Looking forward to this as always.

Matt
10-07-2009, 06:07 AM
I will be happy to contribute some King collectibles again this year from my own collection as well as help out with prizes from Michael Whelan and Jae Lee, possibly Richard Isanove too.

Thanks David, your help is something this fund raiser couldn't do without.

candy
10-07-2009, 10:38 AM
well done for all the past years matt, and hope this year exceeds expectations, anything i can do let me know matt:rose:

Brice
10-11-2009, 07:05 AM
So...are we trying to double again?

Fsmdr
10-11-2009, 09:55 AM
I will also like to contribute to the next prize. You can count on it, Matt.

Daghain
10-11-2009, 12:03 PM
I have some bits & baubles to send your way too, Matt. Nothing spectacular but I'll try and get it out in the next week or so.

Matt
10-11-2009, 01:39 PM
Thanks you guys, that would be great! :clap:


So...are we trying to double again?

I have not decided on the goal yet Brice but we are going higher for sure.

ChristineB
10-11-2009, 02:13 PM
I'm extremely new here so a bit lost on this.

From what I can understand so far is you have a auction every year to benefit the Haven Foundation. I assume there will be more info on it as we get closer to the start of the year. Correct?

gsvec
10-11-2009, 02:22 PM
You can count on me again, Matt!

And ChristineB, welcome to the forum! Our annual fundraiser is an amazing thing - auctions, trivia, and lots of other things! The hightlight at the end is the drawing (you get points for winning or doing stuff along the way). Click on this link (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/forumdisplay.php?f=173) to check out all the stuff from our last one! :rock:

Hannah
10-14-2009, 10:03 AM
I'm extremely new here so a bit lost on this.

From what I can understand so far is you have a auction every year to benefit the Haven Foundation. I assume there will be more info on it as we get closer to the start of the year. Correct?

Hi ChristineB! Yes, we do a fundraiser every year for the Haven Foundation. Part of the fundraiser involves auctions, which we hold right here on our dtbay.

We also have an enormous giveaway in May that coincides with our site anniversary - last year's prize was the DT omnibus signed by King, Jae Lee, Richard Isanove, Robin Furth, Peter David, etc. :D

Beambounder
10-20-2009, 10:07 PM
Hi, Matt ,I go by Beambounder .My name is Ronald Sippel. I may have a desirable duplicate numbered edition of Talisman/Blackhouse signed by Peter Straub only. I am also willing to donate fine art paintings which have created over the years inspired by Sai King's writings. Oddly enough I am a freelance illustrator;I need to apply for such a grant and I am willing to donate to it as well. Please e mail me info at rongailsip1@yahoo.com. I am on disability but I am a published illustrator with a hunger to keep going.Keep up the Great Work,I can hear the GENUINE ENTHUSIASM in your written voice.:clap:

Matt
10-21-2009, 04:53 AM
Thanks Beambounder, we can sure use all the help we can get. I will totally get in contact with you.

I'm excited about it this year, very fun and rewarding thing to do.

ChristineB
10-31-2009, 04:23 PM
Thanks for the link gsvec, very helpful!

This is very exciting. I can't wait for it to start again.:nana:

Matt
11-03-2009, 07:23 AM
Thanks for getting so involved Christine, I really appreciate it.

I wanted to let everyone know that I just received an amazing box donated by Juliana, this thing is really going to start off with a bang in 2010 :rock:

Matt
11-27-2009, 10:23 PM
I always like to do a quick write up on why the site does the fund raiser every year and what we have been able to accomplish so far.

This site raises money for the Haven Foundation which is a charity organization that Stephen King set up to support freelance artists in times of trouble. While most of us know their work, it is hard to understand that these artists live job to job and rarely have medical or life insurance.

TheDarkTower.com took up the cause 2 years ago and has raised almost $10,000 since then for Haven. This is has been accomplished through two amazing fund raisers that included all kinds of auctions, games and prizes.

2010 is going to be a whole new year and a new opportunity to show Stephen King how much we appreciate him by using our community to raise money for a cause that is dear to him. Last year, Stephen King noticed this site's efforts and sent us all a message promising not to send Pennywise after us. It was very fun and scary. :lol:

So put questions in here, I am really hoping we can get most of the community involved this year.

razz
11-27-2009, 10:33 PM
You spelled "explanation" wrong. :3

Matt
11-27-2009, 10:42 PM
Thank you, I dont' have a spell check on this computer. :scared:

razz
11-28-2009, 06:43 AM
Use Firefox. >:3

Matt
11-28-2009, 06:18 PM
I do! Are you kidding me? :lol:

That one was at work <_<

Matt
12-15-2009, 12:40 PM
Just as a teaser, our first auction item is going to be pretty big so we can get this thing started right.

Signed King item he did as a favor to the site. :ninja:

turtlex
12-15-2009, 01:19 PM
Yea... That's a teaser, sure is !!

gsvec
12-15-2009, 06:20 PM
:rock: :excited: :rock:

Sam
12-15-2009, 08:05 PM
Auction TEASE!!:P

Patrick
12-16-2009, 11:18 PM
:excited:

Ari_Racing
12-17-2009, 05:53 AM
Can't wait to see it! :)

JameseyLefebure
12-17-2009, 06:03 AM
Hey guys -

I was just wondering - is it just an auction that we do for fundraising? Cause I've got the forms at home and all filled in for me to do a skydive next year and I'd very happily be willing to fill in an extra form for me to donate the money to charity? :) I'm planning to jump out a plane anyway - doing it for a good cause will just be the icing on the cake :)

Jamesey
xxxxx

ChristineB
12-17-2009, 09:35 AM
Jamesey,

There is a donations section for the fundraiser also. Or at least there has been in the past ones.

Matt
12-17-2009, 12:50 PM
Hey Jamesey--thanks for the interest.

This site is not a non-profit so it can't be listed that way. Giving money straight to The Haven Foundation would though.

Matt

JameseyLefebure
12-17-2009, 12:58 PM
oooh ok :) ell I think i'll do that then :) cheers for the info :)

Merlin1958
12-17-2009, 01:25 PM
You got a PayPal address for donations yet? If so could you post it? or PM it?

I'm in again this year.

Daghain
12-17-2009, 01:38 PM
I believe it will be posted after the first of the year. :)

Merlin1958
12-17-2009, 01:43 PM
I believe it will be posted after the first of the year. :)

Oh, Ok sorry if I posted too soon. I'm still "in" however. LOL

:wtf:

Daghain
12-17-2009, 01:45 PM
No worries. The fundraiser officially starts in January so I'm assuming that's when it will be posted. My guess is you'll see something in the marquee. :)

Matt
12-17-2009, 01:50 PM
Daggers has it as usual. I like to make sure I have my ducks in a row before I start accepting donations and I am almost there.

A link to donate and progress bar will appear at the top of the screen beginning Jan 1

Daghain
12-17-2009, 01:56 PM
Well, then my job here is done. :lol:

Matt
01-01-2010, 04:33 AM
We had our very first donation before the fund raiser even began.

Thank you for the support sickrose. :rock:

Fsmdr
01-05-2010, 03:06 PM
Matt,

So we would not be able to see the full list of items, only the individual prize that are given out biweekly, is that correct?.

Matt
01-06-2010, 09:48 AM
That is correct. I feel like it creates a little suspense and in the past I wasn't able to publish the list until the end.

I have offers coming in all the time so it changes a lot.

Jon
01-14-2010, 02:15 AM
I have made sizable donations to an island nation in need. I will try to donate to here soon. I must recover from donating about 1/5th of my monthly salary... that kinda hurt and wifey is mad.

Patrick
01-14-2010, 11:25 AM
Good for you, Jon! You did the right thing. :couple:

SummitVisions
01-14-2010, 10:07 PM
The effort behind this kind of fundraising is awesome. Kudos to everyone who works so hard to pull it off, especially since it's an annual event. The teasers will definitely keep me coming back for the bi-weekly surprises!

SV

Matt
01-15-2010, 04:45 AM
So glad to hear that, I hope we come up with something that tickles your fancy. :nana:

Matt
01-15-2010, 02:35 PM
We just went over 10% of our goal with a payment that just came in. :excited:

Thanks everyone!!

Matt
01-21-2010, 05:54 AM
Auction 4 should be up today everyone, we are doing great so far! :grouphug:

gsvec
01-21-2010, 05:58 PM
Umm . . . wasn't #3 for Horns?

So what's the new one, Matt? I miss the crawler! :lol:

Matt
01-21-2010, 06:51 PM
Sorry, that should be 4. :D

Matt
02-22-2010, 10:18 PM
I am hoping everyone could include their member name in paypal donations, its hard for me to know who it is coming from sometimes. :fairy:

Patrick
03-13-2010, 05:27 PM
Matt, are you looking for more auction items? :D

Matt
03-14-2010, 01:58 PM
Yessir I am, always. If I have too many, I'll just do more auctions!!

Patrick
03-15-2010, 04:29 PM
Matt, are you looking for more auction items? :D


Yessir I am, always. If I have too many, I'll just do more auctions!!
In that case, please read Post #465 (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?p=493703#post493703) in my Collection thread and let's talk. :cyclops:

Brice
03-15-2010, 05:53 PM
*bids*

turtlex
03-16-2010, 03:11 AM
*waiting to see that up for auction* :evil:

Brice
03-16-2010, 03:31 AM
Back off, woman! :angry:


:couple:

Matt
03-16-2010, 05:18 AM
OMG--I would say that I am very excited to be working with you Patrick :lol:

Great stuff!

turtlex
03-16-2010, 05:25 AM
Back off, woman! :angry:


:couple:

:shoot:

:huglove:

Hannah
03-16-2010, 05:30 AM
Wait, I want to get it on this "fake angry/tough but really sweet" action too.


Brice and Pam! :pullhair: :angry:

:wub:

Brice
03-18-2010, 10:37 PM
Wait, I want to get it on this "fake angry/tough but really sweet" action too.


Brice and Pam! :pullhair: :angry:

:wub:

:panic:

<_< :nope: :evil:

Oh...alright!

:shoot: :shoot: :shoot:

:grouphug: You know you're in on it.

Pam and I have agreed to share the comics anyhow. If I win she gets pics of them and if she wins I go to her house to pick them up and store them at my house FOREVER!!!!!. :couple:














She won't be able to defend them either...all I've gotta' do is bring my camera as a weapon. :innocent:

turtlex
03-19-2010, 11:57 AM
:lol:

Only for you, Brice. :huglove:

Patrick
03-19-2010, 08:52 PM
I'll write up a description this weekend and send it over to Matt. Then he can post the auction whenever he'd like and you two lovebirds can start bidding.

Patrick
03-19-2010, 08:52 PM
Just remember to have your wallets out because I've been known to bid on my own auctions.:ninja:

Woofer
03-20-2010, 02:19 PM
I am hoping everyone could include their member name in paypal donations, its hard for me to know who it is coming from sometimes. :fairy:

Oops. I'm probably one who didn't, but I made a tiny donation. I hope to be able to make more before it is over. This payday, though, budget all went on paying for rides to work or parts for the car that wasn't working. :scared:

I really, really wish I had the means to bid on something because you guys have some really great items going. :clap:

Matt
03-20-2010, 09:07 PM
When did you send it woofer? This wasn't recently was it?

Brice
03-21-2010, 01:25 AM
Just remember to have your wallets out because I've been known to bid on my own auctions.:ninja:


So what happens if that backfires and you end up buying them from yourself? :lol: Is the sale final or if you're not satisfied with your purchase can you send it back to yourself? Do you charge yourself exact shipping? If there are issues with your purchase from yourself can you file a dispute with your cc company?

Woofer
03-21-2010, 12:27 PM
When did you send it woofer? This wasn't recently was it?

No, it was a while back, but it was only a tiny donation. No worries!

Patrick
03-22-2010, 02:03 PM
Just remember to have your wallets out because I've been known to bid on my own auctions.:ninja:


So what happens if that backfires and you end up buying them from yourself? :lol: Is the sale final or if you're not satisfied with your purchase can you send it back to yourself? Do you charge yourself exact shipping? If there are issues with your purchase from yourself can you file a dispute with your cc company?
:lol:

Nah, it doesn't backfire. I only bid what I am actually willing to pay.

I save on shipping and I get to personally inspect the items prior to bidding, while also support a good cause. :D

I'm pretty sure you guys will outbid me though, so no worries.

(By the way, I PM'ed the info to Matt the other day, so he's good to go with the listing whenever he deems appropriate.)

MonteGss
03-24-2010, 10:29 AM
So, I've only donated money in the past. I have something small I would like to donate this year. I haven't read through this whole thread yet....so, Matt, can I get a quick break down of what I should do? :)

Matt
03-24-2010, 10:37 AM
If it is collectible item there are two choices. You can send it to me, or just send me images and donate the shipping to the winner (auction or giveaway).

And thanks! :clap:

MonteGss
03-24-2010, 10:41 AM
PM coming...

I don't know if it is a "collectible" or not. :(

Matt
03-24-2010, 11:03 AM
Sure they are, send them on over to:

Haven Fundraiser
c/o Matt Rayne
51 Pinetree Place
Parachute, CO 81635

I think they will make a great giveaway item. :excited:

MonteGss
03-24-2010, 12:05 PM
Sure they are, send them on over to:

Haven Fundraiser
c/o Matt Rayne
51 Pinetree Place
Parachute, CO 81635

I think they will make a great giveaway item. :excited:

I'm going to the post office now. :)

Tito_Villa
03-31-2010, 05:30 AM
Any ideas on the next auction/giveaway items because without the messages on the top of the page im abit lost!

Matt
03-31-2010, 06:14 AM
New cycle starts tomorrow so I plan to try and put some stuff up tonight at work Tito.

Matt
04-01-2010, 02:38 PM
New auctions and giveaway item should be up by late tonight everyone.

We have some great stuff coming up! :rock:

turtlex
04-01-2010, 02:42 PM
Woowhoo :rock:

Matt
04-13-2010, 10:16 AM
A couple of really cool book are going for very cheap on DTbay. Auctions end in three hours.

Check it out! (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/DTbay.php?do=cat&showcat=1)

Matt
04-14-2010, 07:07 AM
We have some very big auctions coming up to wrap up the fundraiser in the next two cycles you guys. Watch for them.

Thanks to everyone that has contributed to this so far. :grouphug:

Tito_Villa
04-14-2010, 07:10 AM
We have some very big auctions coming up to wrap up the fundraiser in the next two cycles you guys. Watch for them.

Thanks to everyone that has contributed to this so far. :grouphug:

You tease :D

Matt
04-14-2010, 07:15 AM
:cool:

I suppose I can put this out here for those who have not seen it just for fun. This is the remarque Ned Dameron did in a 1st Viking Drawing of the Three for us.

It will be going up next but I suspect there is going to be some serious bidding on it. :lol:

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/7404/picture136y.jpg

turtlex
04-14-2010, 07:28 AM
It's amazing... and likely way out of my reach.
Wonderful for Haven, though and very generous.

Matt
04-14-2010, 07:31 AM
Yes, this stuff at the end may be too much for me as well even though I would love to have it. :lol:

Michael Whelan has also donated one if his pieces of art to go up. I think that one may also be in this block for a huge before May push.

turtlex
04-14-2010, 07:32 AM
We've gotta figure out a way to time with this tax refunds !!! :lol:

Daghain
04-14-2010, 07:38 AM
Damn, I need to win the Lotto! :lol:

That is seriously awesome. :thumbsup:

Darkthoughts
04-15-2010, 05:35 AM
Holy shit, that is absolutely amazing!! I need to have like, the yard sale of the century to whip up some funds :lol:

Matt
04-28-2010, 06:28 PM
**PLEASE READ**

I hate to admit this, but I don't know everyone's names. If you donate using paypal or a check, please reference your member name somehow.

If you have sent a donation via paypal on the 28th or the 27th, please PM me with the name it arrived under so I can match up members.

The worst that can happen is I announce your real name as a winner so don't worry, everyone who donated is in.

Thank you!

Matt
04-29-2010, 09:22 PM
All of the remaining items will be up for auction/giveaway next week. This will be our last group before the drawing for the grand prize.

There is all kinds of cool stuff and we are doing a few more than two for this last cycle. :ninja:

herbertwest
05-16-2010, 06:45 AM
I cant find anymore where Randall did mention the amount collected... i think it's $4 500
How is it compared to last year?

Brice
05-16-2010, 06:56 AM
I belive it's:

2008-$3,307
2009-$6,115
2010-$5,045 currently

total-$14,467

Matt
05-26-2010, 11:51 AM
$5246.00

This is the amount we were able to raise this year you guys. It feels good to really help doesn't it?

:grouphug:

Tito_Villa
05-26-2010, 11:54 AM
Haha what a GREAT amount :D

turtlex
05-26-2010, 12:30 PM
$5246.00

This is the amount we were able to raise this year you guys. It feels good to really help doesn't it?

:grouphug:


Ka Is A Wheel !!

I love it !!!

Congrats to everyone!

herbertwest
05-26-2010, 01:28 PM
Congratulations Palaver, it's not bad at all!

Brice
05-28-2010, 07:53 AM
:thumbsup:

Matt
06-29-2010, 07:36 AM
I just wanted to let everyone know the check has been mailed out so this forum is going to go into the archive for another year.

That is all except the grand prize thread which I am going to move to the site news forum so we can all have a look at the prize when the winner receives it.

:clap:

fernandito
06-29-2010, 08:01 AM
Great job Matt and everyone else involved ! :dance:

Mr. Rabbit Trick
06-29-2010, 11:26 PM
Thanks, and well done, for all the hard work by those involved in the fundraiser.

agrabin
06-30-2010, 07:37 AM
I just wanted to let everyone know the check has been mailed out so this forum is going to go into the archive for another year.

That is all except the grand prize thread which I am going to move to the site news forum so we can all have a look at the prize when the winner receives it.

:clap:

Yes indeed, thanks to all

:)