Archive for the ‘Microcauses’ Category

Dollars for Dawn

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

It’s a frozen Friday in Madison, WI, as I make an urgent visit to SMART Motors Toyota.  My Prius was overdue for service anyway, and my left front tire was dangerously low on air.  In the waiting room of the service department, the assistant service manager brings me an update.  The tire had a non-repairable nail puncture, and since there is a blizzard outside I agree to two tires for better traction.  Ka-ching: $300. 

This unexpected expense hurts, but my wife and I are both employed and tax returns and a bonus are on their way, so this is really just a minor inconvenience.  For millions of Americans who have lost jobs or have otherwise been negatively impacted, however, unexpected expenses can have much more serious consequences.  GoHuman’s partnership with Belief for Relief allows us, and you, to help such people… like Dawn Lane, for example.

Dawn is a hard-working mother in Rocky Point, NY who is the sole provider in her household, holding two jobs in order to support her family. Dawn budgets carefully to meet monthly expenses, like many families in America who have no choice but to live paycheck to paycheck.  With monthly expenses rising and household income decreasing, her car broke down. Dawn can’t afford to fix it, so it simply sits in her driveway while she struggles to get to work in the middle of winter.  Belief For Relief Inc. has approved her request for $1,500 for car repairs, but Dawn is on a waiting list until more funds become available.

Dawn’s car is GoHuman.com’s third MicroCause.  You can contribute directly, or assist her by getting friends to sign up at GoHuman.com.  We’ll donate $1 to Dawn’s car repair for each new registrant who mentions Dawn or Belief for Relief. So what are you waiting for?! Let’s make a difference together.

Thanks for the pic Chris (click to read the story).

The Gran’ Scam of Things

Saturday, February 12th, 2011

One of the driving ideas behind GoHuman has always been, well, going human. Creating a online marketplace where blind leaps of faith aren’t required, because faceless transactions have been replaced by opportunities to do business face-to-face with individuals of integrity in your own community.

I’ve recently had the pleasure of producing a film, The Gran’ Scam of Things, that examines these same ideas.

GSOT_Still2It’s a colorful comedy whose main character, Gladys Weiss, is a vibrant elderly woman whose first experience with e-mail (and her Spam folder) leads her straight into the welcoming arms of an international crime ring.

It is a lighthearted comedy, but it also has a poignant message about online scams and elder financial abuse.  The film’s trailer can be viewed here.

There’s an important scene in Gran’ Scam which takes place in a bank, and we were lucky enough to be able to film it on location at a branch of the Los Angeles Financial Credit Union.  We specifically chose to partner with LA Financial because they represent the very best of what credit unions and community banks offer.  Namely, a financial services version of bringing business back to the local level, where new school technology and solutions are embraced but without losing sight of old school ideals.

The Gran’ Scam of Things was completed in late November, but we are currently raising funds to be able to screen the project at film festivals.   A successful festival run will allow the film (and its message) to reach its fullest potential and widest audience.  If you’re interested in supporting the film in this effort, and picking up some pretty great swag in the process, visit us here.

Thanks for reading, and hope to see you at the movies!

GSOT_poster


Bon Voyage to Sunshine

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Sunshine’s parents report on GoHuman.com’s Valentine’s day Microcause:

Beloved Friends and Family around the world!  Thank you for your prayers for our precious, much loved and only child Robert Omid aka. Sunshine.

8 years ago we learned of a wonderful therapy program which was beyond our reach until GoHuman.com helped us launch a global fundraiser.  My beloved cousin and her family in Sydney, Australia organized a hugely successful fundraising evening.  Donations from $1 to $6000 surpassed the original goal of $14,900, to also cover needed car repairs and travel costs.  We’re now leaving on a 3 day trip from Wisconsin to Massachusetts.

Our first destination is Chicago as today is a Baha’i Holy Day, the death of the Beloved Bab in Iran in 1850.  In memory of my beloved father, martyred with 3 other Baha’is in Qazvin on July 9, 1982, I have been asked to chant at the Mother Temple of the West in Wilmette, tonight, Friday July 9; at 12:30 p.m. public Devotions in Commemoration of the Bab’s Martyrdom.

We’re honored to start our trip this way, and hope and pray with all our hearts and souls that our precious son’s life will change during this intensive treatment program.  We, his parents, will also be trained, so that, God willing, we can continue treatment after our return.

You will all be in our humble thoughts and prayers at the Temple in Chicago, and we ask for your prayers as well

With utmost love and gratitude; Shohreh and Robert
Sunshine’s grateful parents

The Moldenhauers visit the Franssons

The Moldenhauers visit the Franssons