Travis leaving

Is there anyone here that has Travis' mailing address?  I was thinking maybe people would be able to send some small amount of money to him and his family to help them get through this time.  I know I would like to, but I don't know how to contact him in "real life".  

I dont want to post someone's personal info. Google rock the flock and you will find it.

Good idea though.

That's a really nice idea. I want to participate too, maybe others from the forum as well? Can we use our paypal accounts or something like that, to gather some small sum? I don't have much money, but I'd still want to give something and I'm thinking if all of us got together then combined that sum could add up to a meaningful amount. Travis must have some rather high expenses now with his cancer advancing (if I understood correctly, this is just my understanding based on his posts on Permies).

Nina Jay wrote:That's a really nice idea. I want to participate too, maybe others from the forum as well? Can we use our paypal accounts or something like that, to gather some small sum? I don't have much money, but I'd still want to give something and I'm thinking if all of us got together then combined that sum could add up to a meaningful amount. Travis must have some rather high expenses now with his cancer advancing (if I understood correctly, this is just my understanding based on his posts on Permies).

I wouldn't know how to set anything like that up, but I'm all for it.

Me neither I've never done anything like that. I know Paypal exists and I have an account there, have used it to support Kickstarter campaigns, that's about it

I'm thinking that probably someone who is American and has a Paypal account would be best to collect the money and send it to Travis. Any volunteers?

International money order would probably be more tricky (and expensive) but possible too.

Is there some trusted moderator or someone that people from permies could send funds to to be passed on?  I haven't been here nearly long enough for that, but I would have no problems sending funds to someone that would then pass them on to Travis.  We could each send money individually, but it may be better if his family could get a lump sum to be used for medical expenses or whatever, rather than $5 at a time trickling in.

I could be that person, as I'd also like to thank him for all he's done around here over the years. I'm also in the US, and friends with Travis on facebook.

Maybe a phone call or a visit with his permission could be even more useful to him. If someone needed to ask for help for travel expenses for a long drive then that might be an equally effective way of spending the generosity his permies.com friends have expressed. Maybe his wife could also do with knowing there are a lot of people out there rooting for them, and who care enough to make something happen?

Should I message him on facebook to see what his thoughts are?

Nicole Alderman wrote:Should I message him on facebook to see what his thoughts are?

That would be great Nicole, thank you.

Another option might be for Nicole to use her superpowers to get the name & address to the charity he volunteered for & supported. Permie's could make donations directly to that in his honor.

If he doesnt want to accept the help, what do you think of possibly gifting it to his wife? With four young ones, she may be extra aware of where money could be needed or more open to the gift.

Nicole, if you're up to setting up a family fund I am happy to support that.  Thank you so much for offering to step in.  It's a tough situation and any way we can help, many of us want to.  Travis has touched many minds here.

How about setting up a crowd funding program?

1. Kickstarter

Kickstarter is a site where creative projects raise donation-based funding. These projects can range from new creative products, like an art installation, to a cool watch, to pre-selling a music album. It’s not for businesses, causes, charities, or personal financing needs. Kickstarter is one of the earlier platforms, and has experienced strong growth and many break-out large campaigns in the last few years.

2. Indiegogo

While Kickstarter maintains a tighter focus and curates the creative projects approved on its site, Indiegogo approves donation-based fundraising campaigns for most anything -- music, hobbyists, personal finance needs, charities and whatever else you could think of (except investment). They have had international growth because of their flexibility, broad approach and their early start in the industry.

3. Crowdfunder

Crowdfunder.com is the platform for raising investment (not rewards), and has a one of the largest and fastest growing network of investors. It was recently featured on Fox News as the new breed of crowdfunding due to the story about a $2 Billion exit of a crowdfunded company. After getting rewards-based funding on Kickstarter or Indiegogo, companies are often giving the crowd the opportunity to invest at Crowdfunder to raise more formal Seed & Series A rounds.

Crowdfunder offers equity crowdfunding currently only from individuals + angels + VCs, and was a leading participant in the JOBS Act legislation.

4. RocketHub

Rockethub powers donation-based funding for a wide variety of creative projects.

What’s unique about RocketHub is their FuelPad and LaunchPad programs that help campaign owners and potential promotion and marketing partners connect and collaborate for the success of a campaign.

5. Crowdrise

Crowdrise is a place for donation-based funding for Causes and Charity. They’ve attracted a community of do-gooders and and fund all kinds of inspiring causes and needs.

A unique Points System on Crowdrise helps track and reveal how much charitable impact members and organizations are making.

6. Somolend

Somolend is a site for lending for small businesses in the US, providing debt-based investment funding to qualified businesses with existing operations and revenue. Somolend has partnered with banks to provide loans, as well as helping small business owners bring their friends and family into the effort.

With their Midwest roots, a strong founder who was a leading participant in the JOBS Act legislation, and their focus and lead in the local small business market, Somolend has begun expanding into multiple cities and markets in the US.

7. appbackr

If you want to build the next new mobile app and are seeking donation-based funding to get things off the ground or growing, then check out appbackr and their niche community for mobile app development.

8. AngelList

If you’re a tech startup with a shiny lead investor already signed on, or looking for for Silicon Valley momentum, then there are angels and institutions finding investments through AngelList. For a long while AngelList didn’t say that they did crowdfunding, which makes sense as they have catered to the investment establishment of VCs in tech startups, but now they’re getting into the game. The accredited investors and institutions on AngelList have been funding a growing number of top tech startup deals.

9. Invested.in

You might want to create your own crowdfunding community to support donation-based fundraising for a specific group or niche in the market. Invested.in is a Venice, CA based company that is a top name “white label” software provider, giving you the tools to get started and grow your own.

10. Quirky

If you’re an inventor, maker, or tinkerer of some kind then Quirky is a place to collaborate and crowdfund for donation-based funding with a community of other like-minded folks. Their site digs deeper into helping the process of bringing an invention or product to life, allowing community participation in the process.

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So, I'm looking at how long it takes for a letter to go from my side of the US, to Maine, and it looks like it's 3 days. So, if I mail a check on the 21st, it should get to Travis on Christmas day.

I'm thinking it'd be nice to be able to get the money there by or before Christmas Day, as kind of a Christmas present/big thank you for all he's done here on permies to help so many people.

I kind of like the idea of it being a surprise (won't work if he spots this thread, LOL!!!) and it being something he can use for whatever he wants to spend it on--a new comfortable couch for him and his wife to sleep on, presents for his kids, donation to a charity, medical bills, whatever he feels best spending it on.

We could try using something like gofundme for him, but then it feels more official and less like a thank you, right? If everyone thinks paypalling me and me mailing a check is a good idea, I'll post my paypall account and we can get the ball rolling on this.

Do you think I should make a mention of this thread it in the dailyish? I don't want anyone to feel like they need to do anything, but I also don't want anyone really bummed that they missed out because they didn't check permies for a week during the busy holiday season.

Who would want to contribute and wasn't given the opportunity because they didn't know? In your wisdom, you can find a way to post it in the daily-ish and not pressure/guilt folks into sharing the love if they aren't able to.

Thank you so very much, Nicole!!! That's wonderful!

I think it's also a good idea to mention it on the dailyish. Something brief like "we're gathering together to celebrate what Travis gave to our community and giving a small gift to him as a symbol of our appreciation for his work and his tough personal situation. You're warmly welcomed to join us, if you'd like"

You can word it much better That's just my clumsy suggestion. However, even something as clumsy as my line would probably not IMHO make anyone feel they're obligated to give anything. At least I don't think so. (Well, I wouldn't, it's my line )

This is a wonderful idea Trace!

Nicole, can we start sending?  

I think I would like to send a card separately though and might use the address for the farm that I see on fb?

or do you think it could be nicer to have cards along with the donations?

I think cards are a great idea as far as an individual personal touch and plan to do the same.

I suspect if combined with the check, it would cause complications for Nicole who is being kind enough to put this together.

Nicole, maybe once you've got the money together you could let us know if we're close to a nice round number so we can top up a bit to get there. Round numbers are so much more satisfying.

I don't mind mailing cards along with the check. But, I know for Judith, it takes a long time for things to get from where she is to where I am. So, maybe we just try to time the arrival for the same day or two? So, if we want them to arrive on Christmas Eve, we all try to make sure everything arrives around that day, so it's one big happy surprise in in his mailbox.

My paypall is aaronalderman @ hotmail.com (without the spaces, of course). It'd be helpful to put a note on the  transaction saying, "For Travis" so I can spot them really easily.

If people want to mail me something to mail to him, PM me and I'll give you my address.

And, you guys are all awesome ♥

I don't mind mailing cards along with the check. But, I know for Judith, it takes a long time for things to get from where she is to where I am. So, maybe we just try to time the arrival for the same day or two? So, if we want them to arrive on Christmas Eve, we all try to make sure everything arrives around that day, so it's one big happy surprise in in his mailbox.

Nicole, I've got a check ready to drop in the mail to you within the hour I'll hold the card and maybe you can 'announce' here when you're ready to mail him something and we can all send at near the same time?  

Awesome Ms Nicole!!
May I suggest it arrive BEFORE xmas eve, so it can spent on gifts if they want?

We can do that, Pearl! I'm fine with sending the check when everyone thinks is best. I'm mostly the gleeful messenger

Something brief like "we're gathering together to celebrate what Travis gave to our community and giving a small gift to him as a symbol of our appreciation for his work and his tough personal situation. You're warmly welcomed to join us, if you'd like"

A daily like that seems appropriate. The message will reach more people. Some will certainly want to participate. My gut feeling is he has more important things on his agenda & won't see it.

p.s. ... a reminder that mail isn't delivered on Christmas Day.

Saw this in the dailyish. I'm in.

If you use paypal, make sure to check the box for sending money to a friend.  Otherwise Nicole will be charged a fee!

On the dailyish, would a date deadline need to be included to contribute? Just a thought. If it already went, just ignore me😉

Thank you so much for handling this!

Thank you for the knowledge Travis.

I wanted to keep you guys updated on how much we've raised, while keeping it a surprise from Travis in case he stumbles upon this thread. So, I made a PIE-Only thread to keep everyone updated.

If you don't have pie, and want to see the thread, just tell me, and I should have enough to give you and anyone else who contributed and has no pie.

Here's the thread: https://permies.com/t/98042/Travis-Christmas-Gift-Current-Total

Hey Nichole,
Just sent some money for Travis.
Could you confirm if you received it?
Thanks,
Greg

I received it and some other donations! I'll go update the total in https://permies.com/t/98042/Travis-Christmas-Gift-Current-Total.

Thank you!!!