Thank Andrew and our other troops in Iraq...

[Ken Begg]

This is a time of year when many of us are more prone to give to good causes.  I'd personally like to thank Andrew and all the fine men and women like him, and thought perhaps others would like to contribute.  I will match the first one hundred dollars raised for this.

My general idea is to split contributions between two organizations.  

Operative Gratitude (http://opgratitude.com/website/html/) sends care packages to our troops stationed in Iraq.  They've been doing this for a while and have a pretty good idea of what they need and want over there.

Spirit of America (http://www.spiritofamerica.net/site) helps our troops do their jobs in rebuilding the country.  When units see a need but don't have the funds to accomplish it, they solicit help from Spirit of America.  Current projects range from providing tools, sewing machines, etc., to help devastated Iraqis gain useful work, to helping farmers there grow crops, to helping build and supply schools for Iraqi children.  No matter what our various views of the war are, I'm sure we can all agree on the humanitarian side of helping Iraqis building a better, freer society.

Please visit the websites referenced above and see what kind of work these organizations are doing.  I am certainly open to any other suggestions.  Also, I'm no computer maven (to say the least).  I don't have any brilliant ideas for how to collect the donations, other then having them sent to my Paypal account.  I'm sure there's a better mechanism, and a more transparent one, and would welcome any suggestions.  Needless to say, my intention is that every cent of each donation would be sent on.

I know money is tight for most folks.  However, even donations of five or ten bucks would add up, and I think it would be a nice gesture of thanks to Andrew for all he's given us as a writer, a friend and a U.S. Marine.

I again solicit any comments or suggestions.

[Ken Begg]

We've raised $40 over at Jabootu (which I'm matching).  Certainly you regulars here can match that, can't you?  There's still 60 bucks worth of matching funds available.

[Ken Begg]

Just to keep folks updated, we've now raised $110 from three extremely generous donors, along with the hundred bucks I promised to match.  Obviously, I'd love to add to that total.  However, I think that's pretty good for less than 24 hours, and I'm sure Andrew will appreciate the fact that we are thinking of him (and everyone else serving in our Armed Forces).  Hopefully he'll be back home soon, safe and sound.

Anyone wishing to add to our donation pool--and really, five or ten bucks would be great--can Paypal me (ken@jabootu.com) or go to Jabootu and use the 'tip jar' on my front page.  Just mention Andrew's name in the message.  I'll continue to collect money until things dry up, and report back here as things go along.

Thanks, guys.