All of us know someone who has been adversely affected in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Those of us in the Indie Beauty Community are no exception. In the midst of the devastation, one story stands out and I am asking for your help. Here's why:
This is a picture of the trash heap that was once the family heirlooms and personal belongs of IBN member Mariann Smith of Just Bubbly in Rockaway Beach, New York. Since the storm, Mariann has parted with nearly everything she cares about, including many of the feral cats she helps care for in her community. Her newly remodeled soap and cosmetics manufacturing studio was flooded out, rendering her holiday inventory a total loss.
The above photo is just a single image of the devastation in Mariann's life at this time. I'll share more later, including the picture of a full sized refrigerator that was moved by the flood waters from the kitchen and onto the dining room table. The insurance Mariann has does not begin to cover her losses, and federal and state assistance has yet to arrive in the area of Rockaway Beach where she lives. And of course, you cannot capture the images of mold that cover the items that had to be thrown out as a life saving measure.
I talked to Mariann last night, and through her tears, she kept saying: “We Will Rebuild.” She said it over and over again. And we want to help.
Here's how to join
the live Podcast Telethon on Monday, November 19 at 5pm ET:
I'll use my regular Indie Business Podcast page at Blog Talk Radio. At 5pm ET, please click here. Then just turn up your volume and listen in.
I'll be live with Mariann. Also joining us will be IBN member Marla Bosworth, who has been like a lifeline to the outside world for Mariann since the storm hit. You'll hear straight from the horse's mouth how your donation will be used and who is going to be helping Marian manage the money she uses to rebuild her life and her business.
We will not have the ability to take live phone calls, but you can leave a comment in the FaceBook status update window. You can use the FaceBook window there to share this with your friends now! Please make sure the box is checked to post to Facebook so you can help us share this opportunity.
Help Spread The Word!
Click here to Tweet this post and invite your friends to join us!
Help us spread the word! Right now, 135 contributors have donated $8,055 to Mariann. Let's take it up to $20,000. All we need is $11,945 — and we can do that by Monday evening! You don't have to wait until Monday either. Click here to donate now!
How Your Donation Will Be Used
The donated funds go straight to Mariann via her personal PayPal account, which is connected to a debit card that gives her immediate access to the money she needs to rebuild her life. (This is a change from the original post.)
Yes, I know it would be nice to receive a tax deduction and an accounting. I get that.
But this is a chance to help someone who needs help immediately, and in order to bypass the costs associated with all of the paperwork that so often keeps resources from getting to people who need them in times of disaster, we are creating this Podcast Telethon so you can actually meet and talk to the person who needs help, and hear from her how she will use the money you so generously donate.
After the Podcast Telethon, Marla and I will stay in touch with Mariann to make sure you know how your donation is used. We'll share what she buys to rebuild her life, including things she needs immediately:
a boiler, so her heat can be restored
a bed and night stand, so she can get some rest
lamps and light bulbs, so she can and keep herself safe at night
a refrigerator, so she can store the fruits and vegetables she loves to eat
gas, so she can get to and from her job as a teacher
… and so much more
You can join Mariann's Facebook Page to stay up to date on things, as she is able to post. She can't post much right now, but as time passes, and as we help her, she will be able to share more and keep all of us up to date on how our donations are used.
Thanks!
And remember to spread the word on Twitter — see below.
Click here to Tweet this post and invite your friends to join us!
Click here to Tweet this post and invite your friends to join us!
