Supporting Each Other

Well, money is always a welcomed way to help, i guess - be it in direct transaction or through a purchase here on the site (wich has the positive side effect that it pushes the artist a bit higher in the search - wich might help, too).

First, I love your post and your train of thought Iris. it shows how much you care and we need more people like you.

Having said that, my guess is that most that need support don't ask for financial support, nor do they want too. they still have their pride. You can offer financial support in a private message or some kind of behind the scene action, which seems more honorable to me and less "invasive" for the ones in need. It already takes a special person to post what they post. No need to go publicly beyond that.

Forums like this are great for morale support. Just the fact that they function as an outlet to vent, get things of your chest, cry, laugh, spill your emotions or your guts, or just a place to gather your thoughts and feelings seems a great help for many. Just writing them down is like organizing your thoughts and that alone is a big help for many.

I truly love people who do all that on a forum like this because it means they haven't lost their faith and trust in humanity yet. These people have a lot of love inside them and replies to that, function like mirrors that replaces loneliness and fear with a sense of unity and harmony and that is beautiful

Rudy, I love what you said. In the past, I've wondered why some of the regulars here decided to expose their personal stuff to strangers on the internet. Since then, I've come to realize that this is a safe place to turn when life events become so stressful that it's hard to think straight . Whenever I've reached out, I've been overwhelmed by the kindness and support I've received.

Some of you have privately messaged, or publicly offered, to help offset travel expenses. I was crying like a baby because you don't know me, and undoubtedly have problems of your own, but still were so willing to take time to listen and offer thoughtful and practical help.

Even if I had decided to travel, I couldn't have accepted financial help from anyone here because I felt that it would turn my post into a blatant play for money. Nevertheless, it moved me to tears to know that when I'm in a crisis I have the privilege to be uplifted by the most supportive community I've ever known.

Contrary to what some might believe, people are inherently good and the ones who realize that are truly blessed

Yeah I think many are good in many ways. Some of those on here that are doing quite well could put an affordable order in

Besides this community, I belong to another community that established a foundation to help out members in dire situations

The following is a segment of the transcript of the story on NPR

"WEISSMANN: Years ago, she fell off a stage and twisted her ankle. Good news. By the time she got back from the ER, her fellow performers had passed the jangly hat and raised like $2,000 for her. She was touched. But later, she found out that not everybody got the same charity. There was another family whose daughter got sick, and no one had stepped up to help them.

DUPONT: Because I was popular. I was 22. I was cute. I had a stage show. People came up with money for me. And yet this artist and family didn't get any money and had to leave. It was not fair.

WEISSMANN: So the Rennies, as they call themselves, took their informal spirit of charity and made it official. They call it RESCU Foundation, a way to raise money and give it to whoever needs it the most at Renaissance fairs around the country. The fundraisers turned out to be the easy part. Rennies have a ton of imagination, and they came up with a clever way to use it. Carol Black is one of RESCU's founders. She says they would pick up worthless items at a thrift store and then auction them off with a story.

CAROL BLACK: We auctioned off a broken wooden dish strainer as the Gutenberg paper dryer, and it went for $150 because of the story.


Now it's me talking

At every show I do now, has an in-house auction, where we all donate a piece of artwork...which keeps the foundation viable

By the way, RESCU offered me monetary help after Hurricane Sandy, I declined, with a thank you

I love what happened here during Kathleen's crisis, yes......for her spirit, and her post about 'getting there'..and the response from many,
it all helps......

I've been asked why I attend here, this very special place, and did not answer honestly. Why? Because the question itself was a challenge
to admit a weakness in me..........and a snub on the Forum.........
what an admission that would be, and so untrue.

But, I am not deterred......and admit my need to communicate with like minds, and caring "artlings".

How many here have seen people they know go through difficult times and felt so helpless. Giving help is a way society helps to cope.

Perhaps, I am selfish not to ask if the person wants the help. I am afraid they would turn the help down. I have supported many fundraisers and started others. Much what Roger mention in his post has been done among artist groups in Europe. Those groups understand that artists very often don't have the traditional safety nets and build one among themselves.

It is certainly not a new idea. Could something be set up within FAA like this where people can donate $1 to such a fund?

Emotionally,,this place rocks..I am touched by the honesty this place has..Some of us dont come around often, but most people here have great intentions.

in my quick analysis of artists. there is a strong sense of belonging to a group that seems to want to help each other here..

Not the same when I meet artists in galleries. Well not always the same. I will say there are two types of artists, ones that a full of themselves and are arrogant and the rest of us..like to help when we can.

I would never ask the public for help. Especially with a go fund me page etc. Not that there is anything wrong with it, if someone needs that type of assistance. But its not for me.. I had to spend 17 k on a funeral but would never ask for $. It will put a financial strain on me but thats life for me.. I will figure it out and as my mantra goes, "everything has a way of working out". It really does for most people. Well i believe that..

I asked for help raising money 4 years ago. People were amazing. But I'm not proud and I needed it to save a life. I'd do it again!

Abbie, asking for help to save your pup's life is something I'd do as well. I've considered asking for help with Edsel's medical costs because it's a huge monthly drain on my SS, but no amount of money will cure diabetes. I'm just pounding sand. The best I can hope for is to continue keeping him happy and comfortable for the rest of his life. So far, so good.

That said, there's a huge difference between asking for help to save the life of a loved one (furry or otherwise), and asking for gas money to take a road trip.

I did come here asking for help because I was too emotionally wrapped in the situation to be objective. If it hadn't been for the thoughtful responses I received, I'd still be a basket case. I will always be blown away by the generosity of those who offered to help cover expenses, but I am equally touched by everyone who uplifted me with their sound guidance and empathy.

I see it this way a lot of people giving a penny can add up and not cause anyone to really miss it. If that penny goes to a good cause and helps someone that is karma doing its job.

Iris, I think that's a wonderful idea. I've helped several times when I was earning a pile but almost always gave to people I knew well. And I've only given when I saw a dire need, and when they didn't ask.

I once helped a friend after she'd lost her job and was about to be foreclosed. I made it clear that it was not a loan. I could afford to help and was happy to do so. She eventually got back on her feet and then some. She found a new career teaching art in prison.. One day years later I noticed one of the coolest sculptures she'd ever created, collecting dust in her back office. Mind blowing piece! She saw me looking at it, jaw dropped, and whisked it off to her kiln to burn off the dust. Then she carefully packaged it and presented it to me. It still holds pride of place in my home. I could never have afforded to buy that piece, so feel that my gesture was returned ten fold.

Great story Kathleen. Reminded me of my food styling days when I often I spend so much money on food assignments to get more than one free turkey around Thanksgiving at the local store. Friends of ours had just bought their first home. Much like any real estate closing, they ended up with unexpected closing cost and had not a penny left for food. Not aware of their situation I used my extra turkey and other farm stand produce to give to them as congrats to your new home gift. That helped them bridge the time until they had their next paycheck. You never know how some little gift can make such a massive difference.