Our Fellow Jammer in Need ~ Please Read

[hensod]

Id say visa.

[Suziemay]

UPDATE

TODAY IS THE DAY

I am transferring the PayPal donations over to my bank account (3-5 business day process) so that we can offer the most help where it's needed.

I have asked for John and Shawna's input of course but I'll put it all out here too

Most of you know the amount we have to work with
And you know what they need the most
(PM me if you'd like more info)
Sooo..

Its YOUR SHOW guys and gals...

how would you like to see this pot of gold split up

Grocery Cards?
Visa PrePaid Cash Card?
Utilities?
Other Suggestions?

OPEN for ALL IDEAS

and taking into account J & S' wishes, of course

I think it should go to them in whatever form will be most useful, so ask them. I don't think our input should factor in since we donated the money with the intent to help them out so we shouldn't put parameters on how they should be able to use it.

But since you are asking, my suggestion would be to do a gift PayPal transfer to them, rather than transfer to your bank account and then purchase a giftcard.

If you do end up purchasing gift cards, bear in mind that Visa gift cards take off a portion for fees. For example, I think a $50 gift card is REALLY only $44 or something like that. I like Amex giftcards for this reason, it's fee-less on the recipients, a $50 gift card is $50 but Amex isn't as widely accepted as Visa. Regardless, you will still pay a fee to purchase which seems like a waste. If they have the cash, they can just pay some of Shawna's medical bills or use it however they wish.

Thanks again for organizing

[hensod]

UPDATE

TODAY IS THE DAY

I am transferring the PayPal donations over to my bank account (3-5 business day process) so that we can offer the most help where it's needed.

I have asked for John and Shawna's input of course but I'll put it all out here too

Most of you know the amount we have to work with
And you know what they need the most
(PM me if you'd like more info)
Sooo..

Its YOUR SHOW guys and gals...

how would you like to see this pot of gold split up

Grocery Cards?
Visa PrePaid Cash Card?
Utilities?
Other Suggestions?

OPEN for ALL IDEAS

and taking into account J & S' wishes, of course

I think it should go to them in whatever form will be most useful, so ask them. I don't think our input should factor in since we donated the money with the intent to help them out so we shouldn't put parameters on how they should be able to use it.

But since you are asking, my suggestion would be to do a gift PayPal transfer to them, rather than transfer to your bank account and then purchase a giftcard.

If you do end up purchasing gift cards, bear in mind that Visa gift cards take off a portion for fees. For example, I think a $50 gift card is REALLY only $44 or something like that. I like Amex giftcards for this reason, it's fee-less on the recipients, a $50 gift card is $50 but Amex isn't as widely accepted as Visa. Regardless, you will still pay a fee to purchase which seems like a waste. If they have the cash, they can just pay some of Shawna's medical bills or use it however they wish.

Thanks again for organizing

+1

[SD48277]

I agree with Suzie May...forget what I said earlier.

[appie]

My opinion is to transfer the money in a way its fee free if possible,but its a great job done Jo...
Ill take my hat off for you and everybody involved in this awesome support for our fellow jammers in need..

In a world that seems so hard,things like this puts faith in my heart that if people care many boundaries can be broken and realy make a good switch in some troubled lives...

This group of awesome people realy care about eachother and proof of that its given everyday...

Be well everybody and keep up the good work to spread the jam and love and care all over the world..

10c Jamily 4 ever...

[StillHere]

thanks for the input everyone

i too am leaning toward a gift card or wire transfer

i was not sure how everyone else would see it though

you are all wonderful people here

i am happy to call you my friends

[Suziemay]

thanks for the input everyone

i too am leaning toward a gift card or wire transfer

i was not sure how everyone else would see it though

you are all wonderful people here

i am happy to call you my friends

Don't worry too much! You are doing a wonderful thing and I think everyone understood the money was going to John and Shawna and I don't think anyone will be too bothered by whatever form you choose to deliver the money.

If no one's said anything by now, I would say to feel free to do whatever you deem reasonable; we trusted you enough to send you the money, we will of course trust and support whatever you decide

If you want to be certain, post your plan with the money here, and give people a day or two to express any dissatisfaction. If you don't hear back, do whatever you feel is right! Or you can PM too but that seems to be lots of PMs you'd be sending.

[StillHere]

Page One UPDATED with all new names
If yours isn't there...all apologies..just let me know
Been a busy couple of weeks

[Jeanwah]

Thanks again for doing this Jo!!

[Chief Broom]

I vote for a giant check hand delivered by Jo.

[StillHere]

I vote for a giant check hand delivered by Jo.

I wish I could...I would do it in a heartbeat if I was closer!


see below

[StillHere]

First amount sent to John & Shawna this morning via my PayPal (long story). Some small amounts left to clear (e-checks: 3-5 business days for PP) and then will be sending that along too.

The card is almost finished and will go out Monday (I hope) so if anyone has any more thoughts to add to it, now is the time.

Your generosity speaks multitudes about your souls!

YOU ALL ROCK MY WORLD!!

[Katyz]

Jo...You are amazing putting all of this together. Love, hugs and smiles to John and Shawna xxxx

[dottles]

Thanks for organising Jo, and I truly hope it helps John and Shawna smile xx

[paysonites]

Good afternoon everybody,

Sorry it took so long to get on here. We had an appointment down in Phoenix with a infectious disease doctor. Everything went well and Shawna's been given a clean bill of health as far as the heart goes. Her Cardiologist still wants Shawna to wait near two months for her heart to strengthen before heading into surgery.

Shawna and I have been doing a lot of thinking since Friday. What we've come up with is we are some of the luckiest Pearl Jam fans in the world. It's one thing to have the music to hold onto. It seems their is always a PJ song for any moment or circumstance that comes our way through this life. This band has been there for us in more ways than we could of ever imagined or comprehended.

You see, this band has created the most incredible fan base on the face of this planet. Nobody seems to understand or grasp how phenomenal this really is. Our world has been completely broke apart by all of these surgeries and hard times. Surgery after surgery after surgery. It seems to grab at the soul within and leave its melancholic mark. The first few years through my three back surgeries I still somewhat felt like superman. Get it done, heal and move forward. Whatever hit I took it was okay because my family was okay and we had made it through. A little worn but still things were going to be okay.

When life took a turn for the worse and it came after my wife. Everything immediately changed. Nothing was easy anymore. Three major surgeries and three major infections. Our lives were torn apart. Lack of this and lack of that. Yes, she almost died twice but her will to live outweighed anything that was in store for her. I felt like I was dieing over and over again. With each great circumstance came another great pain she had to go through. It was the hardest thing we will hopefully ever have to do again. It got so bad that our world had changed. Immersed in this new life of survival. Any friends we had had long deserted us so we thought.

Here out of the brinks of total wreckage came this Calvary of relentless loving people singing there own tune.
Not having a care in the world except for of us. Shawna and I.....We were the top priority...We were what was important. The tears that have fallen through this year are of gratitude and astonishment. There was no way we could of made it through alone. The depths of depression and anguish were within a mear footstep but you wouldn't let that happen. You wouldn't let us fall that way. No matter what was going on in your life. You stopped and took the time to show us the light and that the sun would rise another day. Well our friends it did. We have made it through the worst of it all. Thanks to a loving, caring, selfless group of people we call Jamily.

There are no words that could even start to express how much we appreciate everything that you have done for us. To be honest about things. When Shawna was at her worst and I was sleeping only 3 hours a night I had plenty of nights that I won't even talk about. All I know is the people...Whether you are from Greece, France or the good ol' U S of A. We had all walks of life fighting for us to make it through. The PM's of just lyrics from a Pearl Jam song or a simple just checking in...meant the world to us.The support from nurses that didn't even really know us was incredibly uplifting. The questions asked and the long thought out answers that only could come from Jamily is breath taking.

Our road is not over but in a sense we feel that it as just begun. New found strength to help in making it through. Believing in our dreams again..GOALS..PJ concerts on the horizon. This is all because of the will to live, the will to love and a group of individuals that united for some fellow fans who believed in the music and believed in life. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and our souls. You are the true inspiration. You are the reason this band continues on. Without you things would have been a lot different. With you our world is a better place.

Thank you for everything that you have done for us. We love you and look forward to the day when we will join you at another Pearl Jam concert. May life bring you all of the joys that you have brought to our lives.

Your Friends and greatest fans..
John and Shawna Pauley

P.S. A special thank you to a most incredible person. None of this would have been possible without the love and devotion of this wonderful lady. Stillhere Thank you so much for all that you have done for our family. You are a true inspiration of how humanity is supposed to be. We love you Jo....