Lets right a wrong.
There is a special 12 year old girl with a love of farming that was wronged.
Together I'm asking you all to help right a wrong.
The plan?
Pledge a monetary amount in the comments that will be gifted to this child so she in turn can truly help someone in need to get a farming operation off the ground.
Do not pledge if you do not intend to fulfil your promise.
Pledge and PayPal that amount to Meredithamonson@gmail.com
Lets see how much we can raise in 30 days.
At the end I will PayPal all funds to grandma for her precious granddaughter to pick how she would like to donate based on the Heifer International catalog.
Pledge $5
ReplyDelete$20. Done.
ReplyDeleteReceived. Thank you!
DeleteI pledge $5
ReplyDeleteReceived. Thank you!
DeletePledge $25.00 Rex
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I pledge $10. Will send tonight.
ReplyDeleteChanged my mind after looking at the Heifer catalog - upping it and pledging $100 (but I can't send it till this evening so look for it then) "Rex"
ReplyDeleteReceived. Thank you!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteDuurrrrr....wrong thread oops!
DeleteJust deleted it to maintain clarity on this post.
DeleteOh, I want to pledge... $10... will send this evening...
ReplyDeleteAmazed at the outpouring of compassion ladies! Is this okay grandma (should have asked first)?
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is a good way to approach the subject? Some people have good hearts some not so good...here's x amount you have been gifted to give a gift and truly help those in need to start an agricultural enterprise?
I'm trusting this story is true and putting my faith in grandma!
I'm floored by the response already.
Ladies and gents*
DeleteMeredith, if grandma doesn't want it, just make the donation to HI yourself and let grandma know it was done in her daughter's honor. It'll work either way.
ReplyDelete*grand-daughter's honor* not daughter's
DeleteWe can do it that way. I want granddaughter to pick out what she wants to donate though.
DeleteMaybe for transparency we will do it that way, I'll post a screen shot of the donation at the end of collection after we have a total for her to "shop" the catalog.
There ya go! That'll work!
DeleteAlready have $30 which can be a share of a larger animal or a flock of ducks/chickens or bees.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what she picks once all donations are in!
Pledging $25!
ReplyDelete"Received". Thank you!
DeleteGot it and will deposit today. Thank you.
DeleteHi everyone, Meredith now my jaw is the one that is dropping. What a wonderfully kind and thoughtful thing to do. My granddaughter's name is April and knowing her like I do, she will want this $ to go to another little girl or however the program works. Right now in our neck of the woods the season for giving is just beginning. She has been talking about visiting the local mall where they have a tree that has names on it and picking one. A teacher in school is suggesting this and April seems really excited to go and do something like this for a family. I haven't yet explained to her where her $ went that she donated so I am unsure how to approach her about this lovely gesture.
ReplyDeleteIn the next couple of days I think I will start a conversation with her about us not donating to people anymore unless we've done our research. She's too young in my opinion to hear some of the things we all know to be true about donating to JW. But I will make it clear to her that JW did not keep her word about updating the clan blog, it wasn't because she forgot to let my granddaughter into her secret blog. Which is what my granddaughter thinks. I want that part corrected in her mind because that's not right.
I'd feel more comfortable that if someone here wants to donate a sum to HI that we do it as a group? The idea of it certainly lifts my spirits and I would be willing to send some money in mine and April's name. How does that sound? Once I am able to explain to her the other I will let her read what's been written here about donating to HI. Kay
Whatever you are most comfortable with. Are you comfortable with letting the girls pick out what the $ will go towards? If not we could vote and do it in honor of the pure kindness your granddaughter showed in spite of all the hardships she has recently gone through.
DeleteUp to you!
It's heart breaking she thinks Jenna forgot about her specifically. I have no clue what the best way discuss it is, but when you do (be it now or after Christmas some time in the future) let her know SHE did make a considerable difference. Already we have $155 going to HI directly because of her!
DeleteTake a glance at HI's online catalog.
That is a game changer for families. This will nurture and nourish.
I'm so excited about this and it's all because of a sweet little girl with a heart of gold.
I can only hope this out does the disappointment she felt over the clan.
I will send 25.00. I like the group effort.
ReplyDeleteThat was 34.36 Cdn :)
DeleteReceived from Canada! Thank you.
DeleteBecause I think both the girls need to come out of their shell a bit and join in things more, I'd like it to be that she could be part of a group that votes. Both girls are shy? I'm not sure if that is what it is but they both seem ill at ease being the center of attention. They weren't always quite this shy but I'm told by their counselor it's one of the ways they are coping with their loss. I like the idea of turning a negative into a positive. This good act will definitely balance out what she hears me tell her about the other not so good act we donated to.
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone understands. I appreciate the thought of donating in her name, I'm crying while I'm typing. And while I think the whole idea is such a generous one, I would feel better if we could do it together. I think April will be pretty thrilled to be donating money with a group of farmers, or those who love farming etc. Kay
Ok. We are donating as a group and will vote as a group because we have been touched as a group.
DeleteActually, there is a "where most needed" option that I hadn't looked into.
Perhaps we can donate where the need is the greatest?
$20 sent.
ReplyDeleteReceived! Thank you.
DeleteThank you to the group and Thank you Meredith for thinking of my granddaughter. You all are very kind and have humbled this grandma to no end. I'm signing off for now.
ReplyDeleteWe just hit the $200 mark!
ReplyDeleteThere's actually a "send a girl to school" option under the women empowerment section!
So many wonderful ways to impact the lives of people in a positive and constructive manner!
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
If women farmers had access to the same resources as men, more than 150 million additional people would have enough food to eat. We aim to make that a reality. Your gift will provide support for women's groups, training in gender equality and the means to send girls to school. Help empower women around the world to reach their full potential.
That would be great if we could raise the money.
DeleteMost.amazing.thread.ever.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderfully epic :-)
Delete$10 sent!
ReplyDeleteReceived! Thank you.
DeleteAnother $10 here
ReplyDeleteSent? If so, received. Thanks!
DeletePledging $20....will go send it now
ReplyDeletedenise
I'm in for $5.00. Sending now.
ReplyDeleteBev
Received. Thank you!
DeleteI'm sending $10 now.
ReplyDeleteReceived. Thank you!
DeleteThank you, thank you everyone. I am overwhelmed, to say the least, with this thread and its good people. I have read some of the posts here to the girls while we were planning tonight’s supper. April was curious why her grandma was reading a farming blog. I told her that even though I don’t farm/live on a farm anymore, since grandpa passed, I still love reading about other farms/farmer’s lives. However, I said-“on this particular blog I found some folks who had also sent $ to read JW’s special blog, who were also upset that JW hadn’t kept her promise”. She wanted to know if any of the other people ever got an answer to their email. Apparently she’d had her Mom send an email last fall asking JW if she’d received her donation and never received a response. To date we have never received anything back from donating to CAF/JW. Just to be clear here, I helped my granddaughter make the donation in 2014. This was before the girls lost their parents, and I my son and daughter-in-law. After I made the donation for her I didn’t think much of it. She was carrying around the Chick Days book, I remember that much. Chickens were #1 on the list when they decided to start buying stock. She loves going to her other grandparent’s farm and both her parents and I had/have always encouraged both girls to share and be kind to those in need. Both girls are allowed to do what they choose with their allowances. I’m certain her Mom thought the CAF blog was harmless and likely thought it was a companion to the book. April likes to look at photos of animals.
ReplyDeleteI checked PayPal today, after I picked up the girls, and so far I’ve found one donation made in 2014. It was made on 8/2/2014 for $65.00, I cannot find the other one. I cannot remember if it was last year or this year we sent her a get well card. I think we may have put the $10.00? It’s the only other explanation I have unless I am missing it in PayPal. She had to save a little over three months for the $65.00. That’s a pretty generous little girl of which I am very proud. It wasn’t until this past summer that she reminded me of the donation we made when we unpacked boxes with her books in them. I asked her if she’d ever talked with the author after she signed up for the special blog. She said “it just didn’t work out, the chicken lady (that’s what she calls her) never got back to me”. She thinks JW lost her address and doesn’t care that she sent her money to save her farm. Knowing April she probably feels like she didn’t send enough. I emailed JWs email address this past summer and never heard back so I googled JW scam and found coldantlerscam site and then this blog. Truthfully, after reading through JWs blog, April probably had seen something written about a new book, but then also at the same time JW was soliciting money for Clan blog. I think April thought the money she was donating was for the new book and entry to the new blog where she and others would see the book being written and maybe become a character in it. Since I didn’t do my research I sent the $65.00 which ended up being for the personal Clan blog instead. Which of course, in a way, I am glad April lost interest in due to the fact it contained adult content and then abruptly stopped without further updates.
I will look through the HI catalog tomorrow. I’ve loved what I’ve seen so far. Again, everyone thank you for all your kindness. April likes the idea that she is included in a group that is going to be choosing a gift for someone. Which of course makes grandma happy. Kay
Sorry for the lack of breaks in paragraphs. I promise you they were in there...I think.
DeleteShe might not have been written into a book but she's been written into this blog. :)
DeleteI just sent in $10, its the least this "haters gotta hate" hatter can hate the HATE.
ReplyDeleteReceived! Thank you.
DeleteReceived! Thank you.
DeleteSo what are we up to, funds wise? This is the best idea...
ReplyDelete$275!
Delete#9 is concerning
ReplyDeletehttp://freefromharm.org/agriculture-environment/10-reasons-to-say-no-to-animal-gifting-hunger-orgs/
If anyone has American focused charities or possibly other suggestions we can consider (if you want)?
Myself and others have donated funds to Heifer International. To be sent through a young girl who has already been burned once. I've dealt with HI many times in the past. No charity is perfect, but they are far more reputable than CAF. Please don't back down on your promise to a 12-year-old girl.
DeleteI simply said TO CONSIDER, what part of that is breaking a promise to a young girl?
DeleteYou as a donor object so that is that.
For the records I have an issue with Heifer International's refusal or inability to discuss the health of the animals and the training of those individuals receiving them.
Sending animals to people potentially ill equipped to humanely raise the animals is a disaster for everyone... including the donors, recipients, and animals.
We will keep to the original plan and not entertain or discuss any other possibilities.
I simply requested that the funds I donated go to HI through Kay's granddaughter, as advertised. If you have issues with HI, why did you propose that charity in the first place?
DeleteIt's what I've done in the past and what I'm familiar with. Looking through a physical catalog today and looking at the condition of the animals prompted me to research. What I found then prompted me to open the forum for discussion..."if you want".
DeleteYou don't want to. That's fine.
This isn't an organization I'll support in the future but for this fundraiser we will use it.
I cringe knowing my $5 will potentially go towards giving animals to those who may not be prepared to care for them. Also on their site they don't guarantee what you purchase is what they'll do with the money.
Lesson learned on my end. Should have done my homework!
they are a big organization. This is from their website:
ReplyDelete"Our farmers learn how to keep their animals safe, healthy and productive. Project participants learn animal health and husbandry, integration of livestock into the ecosystem and improvement of the environment."
There are going to be critics of every organization out there. I would stick with the original plan and donate to HI. I really doubt they just drop off a goat and say good luck.
I have NO faith in any organization without full transparency. Unfortunately they will not disclose or answer questions of how those claims are accomplished.
DeleteAlso, did you see their headquarters?
This is from Humane Farm Animal Care
DeleteWhat these organizations say and do aren't always consistent.
"
OUR MISSION
Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) is the leading non-profit certification organization dedicated to improving the lives of farm animals in food production from birth through slaughter.
The goal of the program is to improve the lives of farm animals by driving consumer demand for kinder and more responsible farm animal practices.
When you see the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® label on a product you can be assured that the food products have come from facilities that meet precise, objective standards for farm animal treatment."
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI have looked at the catalog today, April looked at it when she was done with her homework. There are many wonderful projects and gifts in the catalog. Please know I strongly want to do this as a group with less emphasis on my granddaughter and more on righting a negative (s) with a positive kind of approach. For everyone. April is everyone who has ever donated to someone in need and then discovered that promises weren't kept. I came to this blog because I wanted to read ALL the stories hoping to feel better that I wasn't the only one who hadn't researched more before pushing the submit button. I posted anonymously because I felt it gave me safety in saying what happened to us, how we were stolen from. I realize many people all over the internet use anonymity to spread rumors or to bully people or to be just plain mean. I have never felt that environment here. I guess I felt somehow justice would prevail if there was enough of us. And I still feel very strong about that, even if it's the kind of justice that warns others to stop donating. Stop enabling.
I'll vote with the general consensus of the group for April. Whenever it's time for the group to pick and choose where the money goes I will make sure April gets to see the choices.
I don't want to see anyone unhappy on this thread. I think this thread was put up with great passion, compassion and for all the right reasons. To right a wrong done. I thank all the very passionate posters and Meredith for this thread and for the donations. I look forward to hearing about what some of you think are good projects or gifts to send through HI.
$275 is enough to send a girl to school. There are also many baskets and plant based gifts. I think we can still go through HI without giving animals.
ReplyDeleteYes...in theory, there is a disclaimer that funds are used where they see fit. Hopefully that will be towards truly sending a little girl to school!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI like the "send a girl to school" option.
Delete"At the end I will PayPal all funds to grandma for her precious granddaughter to pick how she would like to donate based on the Heifer International catalog."
DeleteIt was my impression that the girl would get to pick where she wanted to send the funds, perhaps with a bit of guidance from grandma. Let's just back off and let her decide. She sounds like a wise and caring little girl. I'm sure she'll make a good and generous decision.
Anon 6:51 is a comment from the grandmother. She seems to be in favor of group consensus....? Doesn't want it to about her granddaughter so much? At least that's how I'm reading it.
DeleteAnon. 7:48, her grandma stated that the granddaughter, April, wanted the group to decide, as she is shy and is having some trouble making decisions right now. She wants to be a part of what the group is doing. I am still OK with donating to HI as that is what was originally discussed, I like the "send a girl to school option," but really, anything is OK with me. Just my opinion though, I will be happy with whatever the group decides and April agrees with.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm voting for sending the girl to school!
ReplyDeleteI'm voting for send a girl to school. I do think HI is a decent charity and have no issue with monies going to them.
ReplyDeleteI'll vote for Send a girl to school. And I think any 12 year old girl would like that too. Empowering another girl would definitely have made me feel good at that age.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of sending a girl to school. Many years ago, I sponsored a child so she could get an education. We were able to correspond through a translator and she was so grateful for the opportunity to go to school. She was learning skills that would enable her to make a living wage after graduation. The sponsorship was a gift that would impact her through life.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of empowering women. If April agrees this would be a good choice, I vote for sending a girl to school.
Sorry everyone for not piping in earlier - April thinks sending a girl to school is a great idea. We looked at the HI catalog together and found the part about Send a Girl to School. She was surprised when I explained to her that school is a privilege(not requirement) for many girls in other countries. So another vote for send a girl to school. April wanted me to tell you that is what she would vote for. Also yes I was anon 6:51 I forgot to sign my name. Kay
ReplyDeleteJust an idea...I'm grandma-aged myself, and don't know if kids still do this. If April wants to donate her funds to send a girl to school, is it possible to set up a pen-pal correspondence between the two young ladies? Especially if April is a shy girl trying to grieve the loss of her parents, it might help her connect with someone. Can Heifer International help coordinate something like that?
ReplyDeleteYes, kids still do. My granddaughter's class each received a pen- pal through an organization called students of the world. She writes back and forth with a young girl from Australia. They enjoy writing actual letters to each and they also send fun stickers back and forth. Kay
DeleteI vote for send a girl to school and second the pen pal idea....Rex
ReplyDeleteI just added a small amount. Don't care where it goes, good charity or bad charity, as long as Kay's granddaughter knows the caring and support that comes with it. Her choice. The gift from me is to her, not so much the charity.
ReplyDeleteReceived. Thank you!
DeleteThank you. I will tell her of your kindness in the morning. She really like the idea of sending a girl to school. We'll wait to see if that is what the groups decides. Kay
DeleteThe girl to school options sounds great to me and my ten bucks. :-)
ReplyDeleteTotally supportive of Meredith changing the charity as long as the kid knows not everyone in the world is a greedy taker. learning to give back without spinning it into a scam. A hard lesson but one she learned sooner than later, may serve her well
ReplyDeleteThank you for your flexibility. It was upsetting to some so the donation will be made to HI.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWell that's snarky. In your own words: "Do not pledge if you do not intend to fulfil your promise." You promised the funds would be donated to HI. But it's OK, after people have donated with that it mind, for you to have a change of heart and suggest a different course?
DeleteThis, of course, will only be met with more hostility from you, so I don't even know why I'm bothering.
If you are going to hold others to the wall for every last utterance they make, then apply the same to yourself, please.
I specifically said "if you want" and it was overruled. There's nothing sinister there.
ReplyDeleteI suggested we right a wrong first and foremost. The specific charity was secondary in my mind. Evidently the charity selection of Heifer International is as equally important to that of righting a wrong. My suggestion was overruled by someone I'm trusting donated.
Is your opinion that of someone who donated?
Discussion is a wonderful thing. Nothing wrong with opening up communication.
Keep in mind this is first a gift to a good hearted child. Don't sully our efforts with a tilt for tat and stirring a pot that doesn't exist.
Well said
DeleteI have no dog in this fight, as I have not donated. In my opinion, your initial response to the person who said he/she did not want to consider other charities was rude. You even used all caps and were sarcastic. You never apologized, and instead tried to make it seem like that person was being unreasonable or unyielding.
DeleteYour blog post is titled Heifer International, so people possibly donated specifically so they could help HI. It is completely unfair of you to even discuss changing your mind halfway through the process, after numerous people have donated.
Now you're trying to be a victim and say someone is trying to sully your efforts. Don't be dramatic, just apologize and move on.
Oh, and I (anon 10:54) am not the same as Anon 9:26, just for clarification.
DeleteDiscussion is never unfair.
DeleteIs it the same person just going around being pissy on this blog today?
DeleteYou didn't donate, you're just here to police the behavior of the people that are actually involved in this project? Ok. That's new.
I'm glad the charity was not changed but I didn't have any problem with discussion of that possibility. It seemed like the risk of stepping on someone's toes was too great. Meredith made her points and clearly stated "Lesson learned on my end. Should have done my homework!" Meaning she would not press the issue further. I'm voting for the "send a girl to school" option in part because of Meredith's animal care concerns. I also think that option would resonate with the granddaughter.
"Is it the same person just going around being pissy on this blog today?"
DeleteNope, I think there are more than a few of us who are beginning to get a little fed up with the near-constant petty negativity and hypocrisy found here.
I gather this from comments left on multiple posts over the past few weeks, that are not supportive of JW/CAF, but simultaneously take issue with the mainstream thoughts posted on this blog. Which always get shot down by a heckling crowd in short time.
If you're fed up with the blog stop reading it?
DeleteI think "petty negativity" was in full force by the couple of people commenting on this thread hoping to paint Meredith as rude and snarky.
DeleteI don't agree with all the comments made regarding JW/CAF and don't expect everyone to agree with mine. If I found I was no longer enjoying the blog I would move along.
"If you're fed up with the blog stop reading it?" -HAHAHAHA!!!! That's the most hypocritical thing I've read yet. Meredith, shouldn't you stop reading CAF and stalking Jenna if you're sick of her blog? If you hate her so much, why devote so much of your time to her? The authorities have already been called on her animals, and you didn't donate any money to her. You are not personally owed, so let those who are go after her.
ReplyDelete"Petty negativity" my ass. Meredith (and others here) go after Jenna for being snarky to her commenters, and that's exactly what Meredith did with the person who got (rightfully) upset when she talked of backing out of donating to HI.
I, personally, enjoy having a place to vent about JW and like discussing things with others who feel the same way. That doesn't mean I agree with 100% of the things Meredith (or others) post all of the time. We are allowed to voice our own opinions. We're also allowed to call Meredith out for being snarky when she responds rudely to anyone who dare question her.
Have at it. No ones stopping or silencing you.
DeleteYes, what are you bitching about?? If you don't like something comment! express yourself!-- no one is denying that it's "allowed" but don't be surprised if someone disagrees with you. Your opinion is just one of many!
ReplyDeleteWow -- this was all just to right a wrong. Personally, I am a big fan of HI and have seen the life-saving results of their work in person. So, I disagree with Meredith on this one.
ReplyDeleteBut, I voted for send-a-girl to school option (still HI, but the gift of education) because a) girl's education is critical b) I thought the granddaughter would like the idea and c) because Meredith is uncomfortable with an animal gift and I respect her.
Let's wrap this up, do the donation, send a girl to school, remind the grandaughter that there is goodness in the world, and be grateful there is a blog with diversity of opinion. Rex
I haven't been following this lately as I am away on vacation. But I wanted to say I feel the same as Rex. Well said.
ReplyDeleteThanks you 2. I HOPE I'm wrong about HI. I've come to doubt everything which sucks. :( I doubt good intentions of organizations because I've dealt with so many fraudulent ones in the past year.
ReplyDeleteI need to tally it up but I think we hit the exact mark for sending the girl to school!
I thought of closing the donations and sending it off but paused because I did say 30 days and didn't want to deal with someone calling me a liar by ending the donations early. I think everyone that is interested has donated by now.
I'll make a final post and go from there. Thanks ladies!
Thanks you 2. I HOPE I'm wrong about HI. I've come to doubt everything which sucks. :( I doubt good intentions of organizations because I've dealt with so many fraudulent ones in the past year.
ReplyDeleteI need to tally it up but I think we hit the exact mark for sending the girl to school!
I thought of closing the donations and sending it off but paused because I did say 30 days and didn't want to deal with someone calling me a liar by ending the donations early. I think everyone that is interested has donated by now.
I'll make a final post and go from there. Thanks ladies!
Thanks you 2. I HOPE I'm wrong about HI. I've come to doubt everything which sucks. :( I doubt good intentions of organizations because I've dealt with so many fraudulent ones in the past year.
ReplyDeleteI need to tally it up but I think we hit the exact mark for sending the girl to school!
I thought of closing the donations and sending it off but paused because I did say 30 days and didn't want to deal with someone calling me a liar by ending the donations early. I think everyone that is interested has donated by now.
I'll make a final post and go from there. Thanks ladies!
I'm OK with closing early and sending the donation to HI for the send a girl to school.
ReplyDeleteso....did we right that wrong? Is the money donated? I am a little confused about whether we are stopping early and I missed the post about the donation or if we are going to the end of the thirty day period? I vote for donate now, since it seems like we are done....could we have an update please. Thanks again for doing this.
ReplyDelete