Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you! THANK YOU!
I posted yesterday morning asking if people wouldn’t mind sending some money my way to help me get to this summer’s Empowering Women Through Secularism conference here in Dublin. I wasn’t expecting to receive much- I know that lots of us are low in cash these days and I’d never want to presume. I figured, though, that if I got enough to cover half of the cost or so, that I could come up with the rest myself.
What happened next left me astonished. And overwhelmed. Those pics above? Those are my overwhelmed faces the morning after. You should’ve seen me last night.
In a matter of hours, you wonderful readers responded not just with donations, but with reblogging, RTing and sharing my post and, well, with words that had me blushing cherry-red. I have no idea how I lucked out so much with my readers and followers. But damn, I did.
So here I am with an entirely unusual problem. I now have all of this extra money, and I want to do something worthwhile with it. I think it would be ungrateful and inappropriate of me to, say, blow it all on a fancy new set of bearings for my roller skates. (I’d pretend the thought never crossed my mind. But I’m only human. Of course it did)
I see this money as being for two things: the Tea Cosy, and supporting women and secularism.
I’ve wanted to transfer the Tea Cosy over to wordpress.org for several months. With a self-hosted blog I’d have far more freedom to do what I like with this space- to include more and different kinds of features, to play with how the site is put together. WordPress.com is a great place to start a blog, but I’ve been feeling a little frustrated by some of its limitations recently, and it seems like time to strike out and give the Tea Cosy a home of its own.
I’d like to use the extra money I’ve been given to do that, and if I have any left over, I’ll donate that either to this summer’s conference or to another secular & feminist cause. I’d be happy for any suggestions you have in that regard, and I’ll let you know what ideas I come up with.
What do you think? I feel both grateful and delighted with all of your generosity, and that I want to use this money in a way that benefits all of you, as well as me.
Let me know!
And, if I haven’t mentioned it enough times yet? THANK YOU! You’re all, as we say here, a shower of ledgebags.
I’m one of the donors, although I only gave a tiny amount because I am skint (like most people!). I think it’s your choice what you do with money, pretty much. If a different host for your blog is what you want, go for it. If there is money left over, again I trust you and think it’s only right that choice is yours. I live in England, I don’t know much about grassroots groups in Ireland, I have in the past donated to “women on the waves” – the ship which tries to provide abortions for women living in countries where such an option is denied to them. I’ve also donated to Rape Crisis before. Both are good and worthy places to give money, but perhaps you’d know of some smaller, even less funded groups which could do with a boost? I say do what feels right to you, and whatever happens don’t let it become as source of stress or angst for you. I’m really happy you raised enough to attend the conference and wish you all the best in all you do.
Thank you! I’m skint myself so I know how much it can mean to give a little.
Y’know, one of the groups I have massive admiration for these days is the Abortion Support Network, who help women pay to travel to the UK to access abortion services. I’d really love to be able to donate to them, because I’d know the money was going directly to provide for women who really need it, and because I know that they’ve been able to negotiate with abortion providers to get reduced rates for women who need it.
I’d love to donate to the ASN. Anyone have any strong feelings either way? 🙂
Whoot, well done you and to everyone who donated, RT & reblogged. I look forward to your coverage of the event. ASN are a worthy cause imo.
ASN sounds absolutely perfect! Yay 🙂
Oh yay, I’m so glad you get to go! I too think you should do what you want with the money. I donated a little myself. I think your idea to move your blog and donate the remainder is a great idea. ASN sounds like a great place to send that excess money to.
Good luck and safe trip!