ALS Update; I Still Need Your Help; Money Contributions From 22 Countries!

In case you missed it, back on April 2, 2012 I reported My Wife Joanne Has ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease.

In that post, I announced I was running a raffle for the benefit of the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Please read the post if you have not yet seen it.

Many people have asked for an update, so here goes.

Raffle ticket purchases and contributions have come in from 22 countries around the world.

Countries Making Donations

1. Australia
2. Belgium 
3. Canada 
4. Chile
5. China
6. Estonia 
7. France 
8. Germany 
9. Ireland 
10. Japan 
11. Luxembourg 
12. Mexico
13. Netherlands 
14. New Zealand 
15. Norway 
16. Panama 
17. Singapore 
18. South Africa 
19. Spain 
20. Sweden 
21. Switzerland 
22. United Kingdom

Approximately $209,000 has been raised so far of which $9,000 has been cash contributions, not raffle ticket purchases.

In addition, two corporate sponsors have kicked in $10,000 each. Sitka Pacific was a corporate sponsor (half mine) and GoldMoney was a corporate sponsor.

Given half of raffle ticket proceeds go to raffle winners, and half to the Les Turner ALS foundation, the approximate total raised for ALS research is about $130,000.

The Les Turner ALS foundation is thrilled with those results, but I am disappointed. I have about 46,000 subscribers to my blog feed, but a mere 997 raffle tickets have been sold as of Sunday.

I never expected to sell the allotted number of 30,000 raffle tickets, but the state of Illinois required us to pick a number so I purposely picked a high one. However, I did hope to raise $1 million in lottery tickets, half going to ALS research.


Over the years many people have asked me to put up a tip jar. I refused. I have always thought the best information is free. That philosophy has served me well. I have never asked for anything, but I am asking now.

If information from this blog, for free, 4-5 posts a day (for 7 years!) has made you money or kept you out of trouble, then please consider purchasing a raffle ticket or making a donation.

If times are tough, and they may very well be, then please consider a cash donation of $10 or more. Every bit helps.

Checks

To make a cash donation by check or money order, please send a check or money order to
Lacey Wood 
Mish Campaign
Les Turner ALS Foundation
5550 W. Touhy Avenue, Suite 302 Skokie, IL 60077
847.679.3311 (Main)
Any questions, please call the above number.

Credit Card

You can make a donation or purchase raffle tickets by credit card on the raffle site.

Some people did not like entering the information fields required, however, the purpose is only to ensure the foundation knows how to get in touch with raffle winners.

People move, phone numbers change, and email addresses change. It's as simple as that.

Those who do not like disclosing personal information on a form (the site is secure) can send a check or money order for tickets or to make a donation.

Corporate Sponsors

I am also disappointed in lack of response from corporate sponsors. Where is Google? Apple? Sony? I emailed all three.

So a big tip of the hat to  GoldMoney for stepping up to the plate.

If you wish to buy a raffle ticket or make a donation, please click on this link to Support the Les Turner ALS Foundation.

Thanks
Mish

Addendum:

Counting the US there are 23 countries now

As of Thursday 5-17-2012 the updated total is $273,759

• Donations $14,931
• Tickets $236,800
• Corporate Sponsorships $20,000

Les Turner gets half of ticket sales so the direct benefit to Les Turner so far is $154,331

Some people did not like entering the information fields on the raffle site. The purpose is only to ensure the foundation knows how to get in touch with raffle winners. People move, phone numbers change, and email addresses change. It's as simple as that.

Those who do not like disclosing personal information on a form (the site is secure) can send a check or money order for tickets or to make a donation.

Thanks
Mish