Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Lisa Fern on October 28, 2015, 3:16 pm
Thank you to all those outside Mexico offering to help out this special little town after Hurricane Patricia! Many efforts are already underway (which can be donated to right now as I will explain later in this message), and a flurry of inquires asking how to help are now on the message board. I was asked to act as liaison for the expat community should a substantial amount of cash donations come in. Today I met with the following folks— Paul Zuniga( local contractor), Lety Hernandez (Estudio Marmaya, architects), Enrique (Lydia’s Market)— and we came up with a draft plan that would use Paul’s bank account, with cooperation from El Pollo Materiales, and documentation by Lety and me), to get help to the people in need. I have also talked with Daniel Hallas, and Chely, local rep for La Huerta. Once things get rolling, we plan on using Facebook, as that is how most folks network here. Here are our first 2 steps: 1. Get a ballpark estimate of how much money might be donated so an efficient, transparent system could be put in place. 2. Get the word out about Operation Blessing, correct link is ob.org, an international organization that is currently putting on new roofs, and providing access to clean water. Step 1 - The only way I know to accomplish this to ask everyone reading this wishing to donate cash to let us know the amount they can offer. You can do this privately by email lisafernp@gmail.com , land line 315-351-5047, or cell 315-108-1606, or by using the white envelope. We will compile everyone’s pledged amount and go from there. Rough estimate is 1,000 families affected, $600 usd needed for each family. Step 2 - Judy H has posted information here already about Operation Blessing, an international organization here on the ground installing new roofs, and providing access to clean water. Please go to www.ob.org to see how you can donate to this effort. (See post by Judy H “putting new roofs on” but link given there is incorrect) We are also hoping to coordinate some kind of food relief, and Lydia’s Market has pledged to help. More later on that. I see people are also asking about STUFF they can bring as we are on the verge of tourist season. I personally do not have a list at the moment, but will see how things go after our first effort - money for construction materials, beds, basic needs.! Thank you for your generosity, and for your love of this beautiful place and its people! Respectfully, Lisa Fern Preschel | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Jeanne on October 28, 2015, 4:00 pm, in reply to "Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 174.30.33.185
Thanks so much for this coordinated effort, Lisa. I was getting overwhelmed with all the requests! Please let me know about the STUFF you might need. As Larry F said, WestJet already allows one bag per person for humanitarian efforts, and as you know, I'm working on Alaska Air as well. If anyone is interested in donating school supplies, which are probably even more needed than before, this extra bag is a good way to get them there! | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Lisa Fern on October 28, 2015, 4:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 189.164.105.249
I believe you can find a list of school supplies needed posted by La Catalina Foundation earlier on the message board. If you find it please start another thread on STUFF. Trying to keep this one about money donations.
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Posted by Alison on October 28, 2015, 4:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 69.113.228.70
Thank you Lisa! This coordination is what is needed and so appreciate your taking it on. I'll email you separately as well. Blessings abound. | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Larry F on October 28, 2015, 5:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 70.66.229.133
Thanks for getting the relief fund coordinated Lisa. Can we please get a confirmation on the relief support required? Your figure of 1000 families exceeds the population of La Manzanilla. At $600 per family, the total cost to provide support for restoration would be $600.000 US. Wow! | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Lisa Fern on October 28, 2015, 6:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla"
Thank you for flagging this Larry. The $600 per family was a ballpark suggestion from the group. I would like to clarify. Of course any donation will be gratefully accepted, and there is a great need here after the storm's devastation. If a small amount of cash donations come in, (lets say less than $5000 us), then Paul Zuniga, Lety, myself and possibly others can manage it pretty easily it through community connections to help those families in need. On the other hand, if say a total of $10,000 usd or more comes in from the many that have offered, then we feel obligated to create a more robust system that would be as transparent and equitable as possible. I hope this makes things clearer. I would be open to suggestions, but the locals asked me to take this first step to just get a sense of the amount we might be receiving. Thank you for your questions! | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Pablo on October 29, 2015, 1:37 am, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 96.50.100.213
This is great work you've done, Lisa. Truly fantastic news to see this kind of coordination with Paul Zuniga, Enrique, Daniel, etc. As you may have read in my other posts here and there on this subject, I completely support your approach. I've sent you a private email with some of my thoughts and suggestion about this process and how it might be streamlined. I'm sure you're probably being deluged under a 2nd hurricane (of email). Gracias...
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Posted by Heidi on October 28, 2015, 8:23 pm, in reply to "Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 74.214.144.155
Please include me as a volunteer in the food relief area. I arrive on the 3rd. I have volunteered in our local food bank. I can set up a food pantry for my neighborhood at my house. That way they don't have to carry things too far. Just an idea. thanks Heidi | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Lisa Fern on October 29, 2015, 11:49 am, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 189.164.105.249
Donations Update: We have already received over $3500 in Pledges since yesterday, so the system is working!!! Since it looks like we will receive a substantial amount in donations, I am working on a way to use PayPal, and hope to get it ready to go by the end of today, if possible. People seem most comfortable with it. We want to make it as safe and easy as possible for folks outside the country to donate. The team will be meeting later today to continue developing systems to collect, distribute and document the aid. I will try to provide daily updates. In the meantime, please don't let La Manzanilla disaster relief slip from your mind! You can still let me know the amount you want to pledge, if you like. We don't want to slow momentum so are working to get the PayPal set up asap so you can just donate directly. A note on other types of donations: I am trying to keep this thread on the message board only about this cash donation campaign. We realize there are many needs, but at this point we need to stay focused. Once we assess the needs for each household, it may be that we will use the $$ to get food, or other basic needs. May I suggest that someone else start a new thread with info on what and how to bring down things/stuff plane or car? Thanks for your patience and support! Lisa | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by wendy joscelyn on October 29, 2015, 12:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 24.114.65.76
The"sewer" fund paypal account was in us$ which meant that Canadian donations had a double conversion cost by The time they reached mexico.(the bank wire cost wasgoing to cost $20cdn so there may be a better way.) So the paypal account should be able to receive or convert rither cdn or us dollars to pesos
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Posted by Lisa Fern on October 29, 2015, 12:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 189.164.105.249
Thank you for that Wendy! | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Rob L. on October 30, 2015, 8:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 174.3.83.46
On the new Pink - Donation Links Here - the Canadian PayPal amount you enter is stated in US$$ not Canadian$$. This would seem to indicate there are two (therefore slightly more costly) $$ exchanges taking place for Canadian pledges C$ -> US$ -> MXN Peso instead of direct from C$ -> MXN Peso The money is for a great cause, but be aware that for every US$100 you donate, approx. C$135 will be coming out of your Canadian account, due to current exchange rates! US$75 is approximately equal to C$100 at current rates. Please donate what you can. | ------------------------ Material Donations
Posted by Larry F on October 29, 2015, 12:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 70.66.229.133
As suggested by Lisa, I am starting a new thread on this topic, hoping that it can be used to exchange information on needed material suppies that could be brought to La Manzanilla by those coming down over the next little while. This would include: WHAT IS NEEDED Given that the biggest need right now is for construction materials, there is a limit as to what could be brought down by plane or car. As someone earlier pointed out, maybe cash is best. Someone down there right now may have a better sense of this. Regardless, there is little point bringing things down that have no known recipient. WHAT CAN BE BROUGHT DOWN Keep in mind that airlines have restrictions on what is allowed for humanitarian aid goods. For example, tools may needto be new and in original packaging. Items brought by car may have customs implications. SCHOOL SUPPLIES Lacking ideas for things to bring? Schools always need supplies and equipment, and lists of needs are available. Nobody has reported on the condition of schools after the hurricane, but one might assume there are new needs. Remember that schools receive very limited government funding.
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Posted by Alison on October 29, 2015, 1:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 107.77.76.112
I will use the bank transfer (sending later today so alert Paul). I don't use PayPal. Thanks again, Lisa. | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Lisa Fern on October 29, 2015, 9:54 pm, in reply to "Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" Edited by board administrator October 30, 2015, 5:56 am
Hello friends and supporters of La Manzanilla, Our mighty little group is now called "VivaLaManzanilla!" We have over $5000 US pledged so far, and a bit more that others have collected to add to that. I am happy to report that donations can now be made using June Nery's PayPal account. Thank you June! Please click the link below La Manzanilla Patricia Relief Fund You can also find the PayPal on her website, VisitLaManzanilla.com By tomorrow we hope to have this PayPal button installed prominently here on the message board. Thanks to Daniel again!! We also hope to get a PayPal account going in Canada by tomorrow as well, which will be more cost effective for those in Canada This should make it easy for everyone who has already pledged to make their donation. Now is the time to use the handy PayPal button. If you haven't made your donation as yet, please do! We want to keep the momentum going and the funds are greatly needed NOW for basic needs, like food and shelter. We are starting home damage assessment visits tomorrow and food deliveries for those families hit the hardest. We will be posting photos of those we are helping, and giving regular updates. Thanks for all the support and encouragement! VivaLaManzanilla!
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Posted by Pablo on October 29, 2015, 11:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 96.50.100.213
Lisa. Thanks again for your efforts and nice speaking with you earlier today. I took your advice and called June in Denver for tips on setting up a link for using my Paypal account in Canada for Canadian donations. Unfortunately, as June pointed out, the Paypal site is a bit messed up right now, so stay tuned. I'll contact you just as soon as I have success in this endeavour so you in turn can post to let all my fellow "hosers" out there know where to send their jar of loonies.
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Posted by Andy Morrow on October 30, 2015, 3:33 am, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 142.177.17.98
If you already have a PayPal account it couldn't be easier to donate. With the need to get a roof over people's houses getting funds to you quickly is critical. | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Pablo on October 30, 2015, 5:14 am, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 96.50.100.213
Absolutely agree Andy. With a PayPal account, it is dead simple. In fact, I just sent a "starter" donation to June via the link provided to see if there was any problem. Easy-peasy everyone... What Lisa was looking into me setting up was a Canadian PayPal account, as well as the one already provided, because I understand they can avoid a "double dipping" on exchange rates or something like that. If it works out that using my account for canadian donations will help, Lisa will post that new info shortly. Meantime, I don't think this should stop any other fellow Canucks out there from jumping in and using the link on Lisa Fern's post to send what they can. Time to turn those pledges into pesos, compadres! Viva La Manzanilla! | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Dan O'Dell on October 30, 2015, 10:08 am, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla"
When you get that Canadian PayPal going we will contribute. Best of luck. Glad nobody was injured or worse (as far as I have seen). | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Lisa Fern on October 30, 2015, 10:44 am, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 189.164.105.249
Please use the link now at top of the message board in neon pink. VivaLaManzanilla! has a PayPal button there. Also you can donate to Operation Blessing there as well. Thank you to all who have pledged and/or donated!!!!!!!! Canadian PayPal acct should be there soon! Thanks Daniel! | ------------------------Can Paypal works!
Posted by kushad on October 30, 2015, 12:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 24.108.54.129
Thanks for all the fforts to get it so easy to donate. | ------------------------Re: Can Paypal works!
Posted by LisaFern on October 30, 2015, 1:17 pm, in reply to "Can Paypal works!" 189.164.124.138
HEAVY RAINS MAKE SITUATION WORSE!!!!! There is flooding now and the beds, stoves, etc inside houses without roofs are now saturated and unusable! The area roads are closed, and we will not be able to get to the bank to withdraw funds till Tuesday possibly (Monday is a holiday). We will work with what we have on hand, and use Paul´s account at El Pollo to get materials. Right now we are trying to find out what are the immediate needs. We will be bring roofing material to those households that do not meet the specific criteria for Operation Blessing. Thank you for making your generous donations NOW!!!! | ------------------------RAINS MAKE SITUATION WORSE
Posted by LisaFern on October 30, 2015, 1:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal works!" 189.164.124.138------------------------Re: Can Paypal works!
Posted by LisaFern on October 30, 2015, 1:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal works!" 189.164.124.138
HEAVY RAINS MAKE SITUATION WORSE!!!!! There is flooding now and the beds, stoves, etc inside houses without roofs are now saturated and unusable! The area roads are closed, and we will not be able to get to the bank to withdraw funds till Tuesday possibly (Monday is a holiday). We will work with what we have on hand, and use Paul´s account at El Pollo to get materials. Right now we are trying to find out what are the immediate needs. We will be bring roofing material to those households that do not meet the specific criteria for Operation Blessing. Thank you for making your generous donations NOW!!!! | ------------------------Re: Can Paypal works!
Posted by Wendy Joscelyn on October 30, 2015, 8:29 pm, in reply to "Can Paypal works!" 66.49.138.7
The Can Paypal does not work. All it does is convert $cdn to $US. Where does this money end up?? Surely we want a conversion to Pesos preferably in Melaque. | ------------------------Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!
Posted by Wendy Joscelyn on October 30, 2015, 8:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal works!" 66.49.138.7
Sorry the heading on my last post was meant to be an alert that it is not the conversion CDN$ to pesos as planned. as per my other post and also rob L's comment | ------------------------Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!
Posted by Pablo on October 30, 2015, 10:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!" 96.50.100.213
Folks, I apologize and am not sure why the Canadian Pay Pal link looks like it does. Here's the link I established and forwarded to Lisa and it seems to work just fine: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=pablot%40shaw%2eca&lc=CA&item_name=La%20Manzanilla%20Patricia%20Relief%20Fund%20%28Canadian%20donations%20only%29¤cy_code=CAD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donate_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted I've asked Daniel to look into why the link he posted up seems to have this glitch with USD being specified. Hopefully it will be fixed soon. Thanks to all who pointed out this issue | ------------------------Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!
Posted by Pablo on October 30, 2015, 10:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!" 96.50.100.213
Well I don't know what's going on. If any of you tried the link I just pasted in to my previous post you'll discover like me that it's still showing US funds. And yet if I paste the same link into an email, you get a website with CAD funds just like I set it up. Mysteries abound. If anyone wants the link, hit my white envelope and I'll email it to you (and then you can forward to one and all). Again, bear with us while this glitch gets solved - hopefully soon. I can tell you that I've already had 3 donations regardless amounting to $475, so I'm much encouraged. | ------------------------Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!
Posted by Lisa Fern on October 30, 2015, 11:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!" 189.164.105.249
Thanks for setting this up for Canadians Paul Heels. And thanks to all from the north country who have already donated. (Ahem, you are way behind the US donors however! ) Hopefully we will get any glitches worked out soon. Thanks for your patience.
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Posted by Andy Morrow on October 31, 2015, 5:22 am, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!" 142.177.123.210
There are likely a few Canadians in the original US funds link like myself. The banks will always make money on currency transactions. Charities have administration costs. Focus on the good the donation is doing and the quickest way to get funds to where they are needed and give! | ------------------------Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!
Posted by Pablo on October 31, 2015, 6:38 am, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!" 96.50.100.213
Good point, Andy. I myself donated a "starter" sum to the original US funds link myself, before trying to establish this CAD funds link as requested by Lisa. The no. one focus of the group trying to make this all happen is exactly that: getting as many funds down there as quickly as possible. Money is really starting to flow into the US account I understand, so very nice to hear. With luck this trickle will turn into a torrent, once the Canadians open up their wallets. After all everyone is in such a good mood up here having just elected a new prime minister... Oh... sorry, very indelicate to use the above water metaphor in light of recent events on the ground there... | ------------------------Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!
Posted by Kim on October 31, 2015, 12:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!" 216.86.122.161
why does "pablot@shaw.ca" appear at the top of the Canadian pay pal? | ------------------------Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!
Posted by Daniel H on October 31, 2015, 12:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!" 189.164.116.68
Pablo and Lisa acked me to put that there for those wishing to use Canadian, they are having problems. Its ok to use. | ------------------------Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!
Posted by Pablo on October 31, 2015, 5:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Can Paypal Does NOT works!" 96.50.100.213
Daniel old boy. I see you updated the Canadian Pay Pay link, but nothing has changed, dude - it's still in US dollars. I sent you an email pointing out how that little piece of code seems to get inserted on the 2nd line of the Purpose when that piece of code should be changing the currency format. How to change that is beyond me, but I'm willing to bet this is the issue. I'm going to call PayPal now and see if they know how we might fix this. I've already created this button/hyperlink 3 times with same results, and there's nothing complicated about how that's done, just a few clicks. Hang on to your cash a little longer, canucks, while we sort this out. We are trying hard...
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Posted by David Dagoli on October 30, 2015, 8:53 pm, in reply to "Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 174.7.129.38
A suggestion for Canadians to donate: you can use e-transfer through your online banking to send CDN$ to us through our e-mail address: dagolis@hotmail.com. There is no charge. We are arriving to La Manz on Nov. 4. We will bring pesos down, and can convert CDN to pesos when are in La Manz as well. We will pass along all the money to Paul Zúñiga. | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Rob L. on October 30, 2015, 9:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 174.3.83.46
Thank you David. That will make it easier for many wanting to donate in Canadian funds. Wishing you all the best as you repair your place. Thank you to all who have been try to figure out how to receive or send money down to help out. See you in early December. | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Pablo on October 31, 2015, 6:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 96.50.100.213
June and I just figured out (well, more June actually) how to get the Canadian link for donations to work. See the new posting string above: http://members5.boardhost.com/lamanzanilla/msg/1446331958.html We will see if Daniel can move this link to the other neon pink highlighted page that he set up for donations. But for now, spread this link far and wide. Sorry for the delays, amigos. No excuses now, verdad? Break out your wallets, hosers!! | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Pablo on October 31, 2015, 6:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 96.50.100.213
Update no. 2 - Daniel has now corrected the Canadian donations link on the main donations page, so todo es bueno... | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by Wendy Joscelyn on November 1, 2015, 3:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 66.49.138.7
I have sent an etransfer donation via dagolis@hotmail.com before I read that the other systems were working. The etransfer was also fast and easy and only $1.25 | ------------------------Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla
Posted by lyn on October 31, 2015, 9:56 pm, in reply to "Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 75.106.61.119
What a very quick and easy link! Thanks June et alia L | ------------------------DONATION UPDATE VivaLaManzanilla
Posted by Lisa Fern on November 1, 2015, 10:22 am, in reply to "Re: Important Info on DONATIONs directly from La Manzanilla" 189.164.98.206
Thanks to the love and generosity of those who cherish this little village and her people, Viva La Manzanilla has received over $7,000 US dollars ! Our small local group is meeting again at 1:00 pm, so there will be another update with more news this afternoon. There was a bit of a delay with the flooding and Monday's bank holiday to get our funds deposited, but the group has been working these past few days using a small amount of cash on hand to bring roofing material and food to several families in need. Thank you to the wonderful expat community!! Here we are your friends and neighbors More later... | ------------------------Re: DONATION UPDATE VivaLaManzanilla
Posted by Wayne Smith on November 1, 2015, 4:44 pm, in reply to "DONATION UPDATE VivaLaManzanilla" 174.6.117.111
I just made a donation using the Canadian Link to PayPal and it seems to have worked! | ------------------------Re: DONATION UPDATE VivaLaManzanilla
Posted by Pablo on November 1, 2015, 6:46 pm, in reply to "Re: DONATION UPDATE VivaLaManzanilla" 96.50.100.213
Yes, the Canadian donation link does work just fine now, Wayne and I did indeed receive your generous donation. Gracias señor Smith and to all our other contributors to date. Viva La Manzanilla! | ------------------------
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