Get the word out....

I have many outlets via social networking that have been incredibly influential over the years. Regarding my last post on support for the Joplin, MO tornado victims, I have tweeted, tumblr-ed, flickr-ed, facebooked, blogged and pretty much nagged all of my friends to help spread the word. Now I'm putting it to the test.

In my efforts to support the individuals who desperately need help, I've discovered a few things. In the event of natural disasters, there are a lot of creeps out there. Looters, con artists and scammers are abundant in the news lately. People claiming to raise money for relief and disappearing, others taking personal information of others and selling it, some claiming to have found missing individuals and posting flee information and even people offering to help with the clean up and stealing what little some of the tornado victims have left. Hearing this literally breaks my heart and makes me want to help more.

First and foremost, I want to calm any fears immediately that I might be taking in any of the profits off my support poster sales and keeping them. I've personally opened an account in my Pay-Pal so that the money doesn't transfer to any of my personal accounts. I've also decided to completely document the donation presentation process along with providing a list of those who helped contribute.

I've pre-purchased the supplies to produce a total of 100 posters to be sold at $20 a piece, which would result in two $1,000 donations, a grand total of $2,000. As of three days into my journey to reach this goal, I've sold 15 posters, two of which are being sent internationally!

This is the part that I'm putting to the test. It has become my mission to sell at least all 100 posters. I can't do it alone. I need your help with putting the word out and asking everyone (yes everyone) to step up and help. I'm not asking all of you to purchase, because I know some are giving in so many other ways.

I am asking as a friend, an acquaintance, a complete stranger. If you don't do anything else, then help spread the word about this cause. Take a few minutes to tweet, facebook, tumblr, email or reblog about this cause. If thats all you do, then you are still making a difference. You're putting the word out. You will be a part of something. This could be big in a good way, and I'm asking you to help make it so.

I know there is good in people. I see it from time to time. Prove to the individuals who are hanging on to hope by a thread that there is so much good that we can mend that thread.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE TORNADO VICTIMS

UPDATE 5.28.11: I've also edited my website to add to the coverage.

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Please Support the Victims of Joplin, MO

It seems like every time I get a chance to post on here lately it happens to be something totally random and not very... I'm grasping for straws to find the right word here. I feel like I haven't really promoted my hands on art as of late (?). That still doesn't seem right. I feel I'm neglecting this thing honestly. I feel like I was swooped up into the working world again only to get carried away with getting caught up and my time became less open.

Its times like that when something occurs. Something so surreal that it pulls you back down to reality with such veracity that you realize even though life is a highway, there are many rest stops and scenic routes you really shouldn't pass up. No, I am not talking about the rapture. My screeching to a halt moment happened to be Sunday, May 22, 2011. If you have been watching the news, then you'll probably know that I'm speaking of the Joplin, MO tornado.

I've lived in Missouri my whole life, so this really hit close to home. I have lots of friends in that area, and one of my oldest friends had a very close call. I found myself completely sucked into the news and media coverage about the whole situation. I soon found myself connecting with people I had never met and wishing them the best in finding loved ones and getting shelter. I couldn't believe how upset I had become over the entire situation. I wanted to do something. I almost drove down to volunteer, but I couldn't find the sound of mind individual in me to prepare for what I might actually see. Plus, I knew they already had their hands full of individuals who were already showing up left and right.

This still didn't deter the feeling that I wanted to do something. I decided to put my skills to use for good. Below you will find a link. It will direct you to my Etsy shop where I have four separate color posters for sale. They all have the same design; they all feature a poem written by Langston Hughes, titled Still Here. Hughes was born in Joplin, and this poem seemed nothing less than fitting for the situation.

This here is the important part. I'm taking all of the proceeds from each poster sale and donating them equally between the Red Cross and the Salvation Army efforts for Joplin. All that I ask of you is simple. I don't expect everyone to purchase a poster, however if you don't, what I would ask is that you share it. In that, I mean tell your friends, tell your co-workers or even post it on Facebook or Twitter. The more exposure the better. I don't plan on profiting off this in the least. It just my way of making an effort to something that has affected so many people around me and so many people I know.

So please, help me to make a difference, because if a lot of people pull together,

the impact could be amazing.

Etsy Shop... Please be sure to note there are four different color options.

4.21.11

4.21.11
Originally uploaded by Bigfoot Creative KC

Via Flickr:
I can't take credit for this shot. Its me posing for a work photo. I was taking everyone elses, so when I had the camera turned on me, of course I screwed up the focus and my head was all burry. But, this was such a great focal point anyways, I decided it shoud get a mention. Thanks to My awesome 'cube-mate' Angela for shooting for me!