S.M.I.L.E!’s 1st Annual Charity Fundraiser!

Fundraising campaign by Kenneth Mann
  • US$205.00
    raised of $300.00 goal goal
68% Funded
8 Donors

No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities

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S.M.I.L.E!'s 1st Annual Charity Fundraiser!!

Howdy there, fillies and gentlecolts!

And welcome to S.M.I.L.E!'s first annual charity fundraiser event! So about a week or so ago, we got the idea to try to put together a legitimate fundraising event, geared towards the Brony community which we operate in. Which, as I'm sure you can imagine, was a rather ambitious idea! Not only is this the first charity fundraiser event of this caliber centered in this community, but it's also the largest project that the S.M.I.L.E! organization has ever undertaken; and with only about a week to organize and run the whole thing! So with time being so very short, let us jump right into things!

The goal of this fundraiser is to raise proceeds, every cent of which (aside from GoGetFunding.com and Paypal fees [about 7% of the total donation amount]) will go towards buying toys which will be donated to the Little Egg Harbor, NJ, Toys For Tots program near the New Jersey Coast; to go to children affected by Hurricane Sandy. After the fundraiser wraps up on the 20th, the proceeds will be spent in retail stores such as Walmart, Target, and ToysRUs. Also, every attempt will be made to balance toy quality (nobody wants to receive a cheap, dollar store toy for Christmas!) with toy quantity, so that we might donate as many toys as possible while making sure they don't fall apart the moment they're opened. All the purchased toys will then be bundled together and hand delivered to the Little Egg Harbor Toys For Tots HQ, who will then take over in distributing them to the boys and girls who need them most.

The goal we're attempting to reach is $300 USD and we have only approximately 5 days to reach it; the final day that Toys For Tots will be accepting toys will be on the 21st of December. However, we believe this is a feat that our community, whose outstanding generosity we've witnessed firsthand on many occasions, can most definitely achieve. However, if the heartwarming thought of bringing Christmas to children, many of whom lost everything they owned in the devastation from Hurricane Sandy, isn't enough to get you to donate, we have a couple of fun little incentives...

 

S.M.I.L.E!'s Charity Raffle

At the end of the fundraiser, S.M.I.L.E! will be raffling off a couple of neat prizes which have been generously donated by members of the community. For every $10 that a person donates, they will be given a single entry into the raffle. So for example, if you donate $30, your name will be entered into the raffle 3 times; donate $50 and you get 5 entries. There will be no limit on the number of prizes a donor can win; however, each time a prize is won, the donor will have one raffle entry removed from the raffle, so that their chances of winning again will decrease. So for example, if a donor has 5 entries in the raffle and they win prize #2, then they will only have 4 entries when prize #3 and up are raffled off. The winners will be chosen with a random number generator. The prizes will also be tiered; certain prizes will only enter into the raffle once a certain, total amount has been reached by the fundraiser. The prizes are as follows:

 

Low Tier - Total Raised by Fundraiser Needed: $50          Status: OPEN!

  • Solaria/Princess Cadence/Nyx will change her Canterlot username to whatever username the winner dictates for 1 month (within reason).

Middle Tier - Total Raised by Fundraiser Needed: $100          Status: OPEN!

  • (x2 Available) 14 Day Xbox Live Gold Membership, to be delivered digitally.

High Tier - Total Raised by Fundraiser Needed: $200          Status: OPEN!

  • (x2 Available) Angie Cakes will make a custom painted pony sculpture, as dictated by the winner, and ship the final item to the winner. Example sculpture: Here.
  • BrianBlackberry will draw a colored, pony related piece of artwork, as dictated by the winner.
  • 1 Like New (opened but in perfect condition) copy of Halo 4 for Xbox 360, including original case and Double Experience code.

(Note: Shipping for physical items will be paid for by S.M.I.L.E!)

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to be entered into the raffle, you MUST provide an email where we can contact you, at the time of your donation. There is a box where you can enter your email on the donation page. YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER ON GOGETFUNING NOR PAYPAL. The raffle will take place some time before the end of December, 2012.

 

Trustworthiness

Now, we know we're coming a little bit out of left field with this whole thing and the Internet isn't exactly known for its trustworthy individuals. As well, it's highly likely that most people still haven't even heard of the S.M.I.L.E! organization or the few projects that we've done. So with that being the case, many folks are probably going to ask themselves, "How exactly can I trust that this isn't some kind of a scam?" The very best answer we can give is, "With as much transparency as we can provide."

We want to be an open book every step of the way to our donors and to those considering donating, so that we might be able to minimize any doubt or uncertainty as to our intentions as much as possible. So we're gonna try to keep you updated with darn near everything, short of our vital personal information! So lets go over some of that information straight away:

Who is S.M.I.L.E!? - The S.M.I.L.E! organization is a group run and organized by members of the Canterlot community. Our ultimate goal is to improve the Brony community in any and every way we possibly can. Our organization is currently only a couple months old, yet we've already accomplished a couple of grand projects, such as Manestream's Bridal Shower, The S.M.I.L.E! Birthday Department, and Artax's Birthday Shower.

 

Fundraiser Project Head - Heading this charity project is Fawkes (a.k.a Kenneth L. Mann Jr.): former member of the Canterlot board and unflinching member of the community. Fawkes lives in Ocean County, New Jersey, which is the county where the Little Egg Harbor Toys For Tots program is located. He will personally be responsible for purchasing the toys and delivering them to the Toys For Tots dropoff location and he will be available nearly 24/7 throughout the duration of the event to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. His contact information is as follows:

  • Skype: blackfox8787 
  • Email: [email protected] 
  • Cell: 732-995-3241 (Text messages only, please)
  • IRC: Esper, Channel: #canterlotcentral

 

Communications between Fawkes and the Little Egg Harbor Toys For Tots program:


Current Toy Collection:


These toys have been donated personally by Fawkes (alternative link to picture).

 

Paypal Account Used

 

One Tiny Snag

Now, there's one little problem with trying to run a fundraiser and needing access to the funds on the same day it's set to end. As anyone who has used Paypal or has tried transferring funds knows, it isn't instantaneous. It takes about 3-5 business days for any funds to be transferred from Paypal into a bank account. We obviously don't have 3-5 days to wait, since the toys need to be delivered by the 21st. So we've come up with a solution which we think might be acceptable and we hope you think so too. We're gonna try our best here to make this sound as unshady as possible:

Being that funds are going to be needed ASAP in order to buy the toys, Fawkes will use his personal savings in place of the fundraiser money, matching the amount raised by the fundraiser, to purchase the toys. Once the toys are all purchased and delivered on the 21st, the fundraiser proceeds will replace the funds spent from Fawkes' own pocket. So for example, if the fundraiser raises $100, then Fawkes will go out and spend $100 from his personal savings on toys, deliver the toys to Toys For Tots, and then transfer the $100 in fundraiser proceeds to his personal bank account to replace what was spent.

But in order to give a bit more credibility and trustworthiness to this plan, Fawkes will make the toy purchases by $50 increments. In other words, every time the fundraiser reaches a $50 benchmark ($50, $100, $150, etc.), he'll run out to the store and buy $50 worth of toys using his personal funds. Then as proof of the purchases, he'll scan and upload the receipt(s) and he'll take a picture of the toys bought, and then update this fundraiser page with both. THEN, after the fundraiser ends, the toys have been delivered, and you've all seen multiple proofs of purchase, the fundraiser funds will be transferred into Fawkes' bank account, with accompanying proof that the money spent equals the money raised. As well, a letter of acknowledgement will be requested from the Little Egg Harbor Toys For Tots coordinator, acknowledging that they received the toys donated, thanks to the generosity of the community.

 

In Closing

The goal of this fundraiser is to give our community an opportunity to spread a little holiday joy and happiness to those less fortunate; to brighten the holidays of boys and girls who have had to deal with tremendous loss and heartache over the past two months thanks to Hurricane Sandy; to show them that despite how cruel and bleak the world can be, there will always be a ray of genuine good hearted human kindness to help dispel the storm. A message that is all the more vital after the horrendous tragedy in Newtown.

Our little community is going on two years old now; for two years, we've explored the lands of Equestria together, laughed and cried together, and helped each other grow into better people. Some folks have said that our community isn't what it used to be and that its seen its golden age pass long ago. We however believe that our golden age is still yet to come; and come it shall. With every act of kindness we carry out and every decision to do what is good and right, we, as a community, grow closer to reaching that golden age. And nobody can make it come about but you, the community.

We understand that it might take a small leap of faith for you to trust in our intentions, but we're willing to make every attempt we can to erase any doubt there might be; and if there's any way specifically that we can do that, please let us know. So we ask you now to join us in taking one more step closer to making our community everything it can be. Join us in showing the world just how generous and caring Bronies, and our little community specifically, can be. Even if you can only donate $1, it would go far towards brightening the holidays of a boy or girl who has experienced great loss over the past couple of months. So lets take a step in the right direction. Together.

 

Note: This fundraiser isn't being promoted through any major or minor services. ALL we have is this fundraiser page and all you mares and stallions out in the community! So the ONLY way for word of this fundraiser to spread is with YOUR help! Tell your friends, tell your family; share it on twitter or facebook; go outside and scream it at the top of your lungs! Time is severely short, so every person you share this fundraiser page with will GREATLY increase the chances of reaching our goal. So please, share our link!

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Administration of Canterlot.com is in no way, shape, or form involved with this charity fundraiser event or with the S.M.I.L.E! organization. Both this fundraiser and S.M.I.L.E! itself are entirely run, organized, and coordinated by members of the community. As well, this project is in no way associated with Canterlot.com, the web forum, and as such, this project shall not be advertised or promoted on the Canterlot.com board or through the services provided by Canterlot.com. Please direct all questions and concerns to Fawkes, the Fundraiser Project Head at [email protected].

Rewards

1 Entry into Charity Raffle

1 Backers

2 Entries into Charity Raffle

2 Backers

3 Entries into Charity Raffle

0 Backers

4 Entries into Charity Raffle

2 Backers

5 Entries into Charity Raffle

0 Backers

6 Entries into Charity Raffle

0 Backers

7 Entries into Charity Raffle

0 Backers

8 Entries into Charity Raffle

0 Backers

9 Entries into Charity Raffle

0 Backers

10 Entries into Charity Raffle

0 Backers

Organizer

Feb 05

The Raffling of the Charity Raffle!

Update posted by Kenneth Mann at 04:51 pm

Sorry for the major, month-long delay with finally getting this up and together. A huge thank you once again to everyone who donated!   The Winners: Prize #1 Aria Name Change: crp_dudePrize #2 14 Day XBL Pass: crp_dudePrize #3 14 Day XBL Pass: PlomaxPrize #4 Sculpture by Angie Cakes: ImaginationPrize

See update
0
Dec 21

Fundraiser Wraps Up with $205 Raised in 48 Hours!!

Update posted by Kenneth Mann at 09:03 pm

Fillies and gentlecolts, after a mere 48 hours of active fundraising, we have managed to raise a grand sum of $205.00! We weren't quite able to reach the total goal we wrote down, but looking at the circumstances, we think 2/3rds of the way in only 48 hours is a. . . . .

See update
0
Dec 19

First $50 Mark Reached! Rapidly Approaching $100!

Update posted by Kenneth Mann at 10:00 pm

We're ecstatic to announce that we've passed the $50 mark and are now only $15 away from reaching the $100 mark! That means the Low Tier of the Charity Raffle is now unlocked! And as promised, Fawkes has gone out to purchase the first batch of new toys! The agreed. . . . .

See update
0

Donors & Comments

8 donors

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US$205.00
raised of $300.00 goal
68% Funded
8 Donors

No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities