Help us get Thomcat a computer! (please keep this kicked)

[lizziegrace]

As many of you know, our dear Thomcat is leaving his job in a week or so and must go on permanent disability. His situation has deteriorated at an alarming rate and he is no longer able to work. He's got limited use of his legs and his arms/hands are marginal at times. He gets around on crutches and a power chair.

It will take 7 months and hearings to finally get him set and in the meantime, he'll be living on $700/month and whatever he can get from his retirement (thank you Wall Street). His computer tanked and I sent him an old laptop. It's not going to work. (not to mention he can't carry it and use crutches...)

A computer is a luxury for Thomcat financially as he will be unemployed. But emotionally, it's all he will have to keep in touch with the world. He loves DU and considers us his family. He needs this human contact.

The criteria for a computer are as follows:

Brand new desktop with warranty and extended in-home warranty (he can't take it anywhere himself for repairs)
Flat panel monitor or all-in-one unit (light and easily moved when he has to leave his apartment in the spring)
Webcam
Microsoft Office
Able to run voice recognition software
Built-in wireless

Possibly a new all-in-one printer/scanner/copier if funds allow.

I will pay to have someone come to his apartment and set it up and get it running.


Here's the link:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=[e-mail]&item_name=Computer for ThomCat&no_shipping=0&tax=0¤cy_code=USD">Donate here

CMW fixed the code. Thanks CMW... :)

Thank you everyone. :hug:


========================================================================================
Required disclaimer: The administrators of Democratic Underground havegiven permission for one discussion thread on this topic. Theadministrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding thelegitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission wasgranted by Skinner on 11/10/08, and the moderators have been notified.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. ~

:kick:

[AlCzervik]

57. Done.

[LeftyFingerPop]

2. Done. n/t

[lizziegrace]

3. Thank you...

:hug:

[LeftyFingerPop]

6. Lizzie...can you verify that it came through please? Thanks!

[lizziegrace]

11. Check your PM

:hug:

[jobycom]

4. I'm getting a bad code notice.

[Call Me Wesley]

7. Use this one for now until lizziegrace edits:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=[e-mail]&item_name=Computer for ThomCat&no_shipping=0&tax=0¤cy_code=USD">Donate here

[Call Me Wesley]

5. Check your PM. (nt)

[lost-in-nj]

8. I tried to donate

but it has a bad link.... :(




:hi:


lost

[lizziegrace]

9. Try it now

It works in preview... x(

[Dr. Strange]

10. I recommended.

Any chance the admins would let this go the greatest page?

[lost-in-nj]

12. Ok works now.....

Done

:hug:


lost

[lizziegrace]

16. ...

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. I am more than happy to help ThomCat!

He is one special guy!

Done.

Thank you for doing this, lizzie...

[lizziegrace]

14. I'd do anything for Thom

Thank you. :hug:

[skygazer]

15. Done and kicked

:hug: for Thomcat.

[Bunny]

17. Done. Thanks lizzie!

:hug: to you and Thom!

[jobycom]

18. needs more cowbell. kick.

[easttexaslefty]

19. Donated what I could

hope it helps..........hugs to Thomcat:hug:

[TZ]

20. Done,

I wasn't able to help with his wheelchair..I'm more than happy to help now.
Hugs to Thom...:hug:

[lizziegrace]

21. Lunchtime kick

:kick:

[Arkansas Granny]

22. Done!

[lizziegrace]

23. thanks everyone!

:hug:

[siligut]

24. I got your PM

Thank you.

[lizziegrace]

26. ...

:hug:

[siligut]

31. The check is in the mail!

No really :P . Thank you for your flexibility on this.

[av8rdave]

25. Done.

[lizziegrace]

27. ...

:kick:

[texanwitch]

28. Done.

Wish it could be more.

[LoveMyCali]

30. Ditto

but whatever I can do to help.

[mwooldri]

29. kick and done. nt

[jobycom]

32. How's this going?

(topical kick)

Doesn't look like a lot of posts. How's the collection going?

[lizziegrace]

35. Many who are donating are not posting

:)

DUers are amazing.

[jobycom]

36. Says a lot about feelings for Thomcat, too.

:)

[lizziegrace]

41. I talked to him tonight

he met with an elder-law attorney today and got many questions answered. He sounded more positive than he has in weeks and is so anxious to be back online with all of us. :)

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v4.1
==================



This week is our fourth quarter 2008 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
a completely independent website. We depend on donations from our members
to cover our costs. Please take a moment to donate! Thank you!

[musette_sf]

39. ## AFTER YOU DONATE TO THOM CAT ##

[Lavender Brown]

34. Thom's one of the nicest DUers

and we need him back here ASAP! :kick:

[Arkansas Granny]

37. Giving this a kick.

[musette_sf]

38. done!

we love our Thom Cat....

[DarkTirade]

40. Kick.

[Ellen Forradalom]

42. Done!

:hi: to ThomCat

[GardeningGal]

43. I hope waiting until Friday is okay.

I need to pay a few bills and get paid before I can figure out what I can afford.

[lizziegrace]

48. Absolutely

I probably won't order the computer until Monday or Tuesday.

:hug:

[mwooldri]

44. Kick and question...

... OK getting a computer, but how about the online connection? Will he have wifi he can "borrow" reliably?

[lizziegrace]

88. He has a cable modem.

No cable tv. This will be his entertainment. :)

[SeattleGirl]

45. I hope to have some money soon, to help Thomcat!

If not with the computer, then with getting voice activated software, because I know that will make things so much easier for him.

Please tell him hello next time you talk to him, lizzie!

And thank YOU for doing this for him.

:loveya:

[JenaLaw]

46. from Thomcat - quick message

Hi all!

I spend a lot of time with Thom on weekends etc...just wanted to let you know that he is really excited~ like a child waiting for xmas lol!

He misses everyone over here very much. I copy threads and email them to him so he can read them at work...then he fills me in on the background stories of everyone who is posting in the tread. Feels like I know everyone all ready ;-) HOPEFULLY the old, brokendown computer will be out of computer ICU sometime in the next week...hopefully...

I want to add in, but will not have any extra funds in the checking account till about mid December...is that too late?

Jenna

ps...still can't pm here...Lizzegrace (or anyone who wants updates) can you email me on my direct email: jenalawrence at aol dot com ? THANKS

oh, and someone on an older thread (can't remember who) was asking about Thom and myspace. He deleted that account as he was not really using it. BUT hopefully when he is back up and running again he will be on facebook...it is one of the demands of his infamous house elves...we may tie him up and create the profile for him...think they just want to tie him up again...

[lizziegrace]

47. Hi!

Thom said I needed to meet the house elves. :-)

I talked to him last night and he sounded hopeful for the first time in a long time.

I think he'll need something computer-related in December. I'll let you know.

Thank you so much for being there for him. I worry about him a lot.

:hug:

[PeaceNikki]

49. Can you share what the goal amount for this effort is and how close/far you are?

Thanks!

:hi:

[lizziegrace]

50. The amount raised will determine the computer

We've raised exactly $1000 so far. The voice recognition software, word processing software, a trackball mouse that is easier for his hands and a headset for Skype must also be bought. Also, the extended warranty and in-home setup. He's also got an ancient printer and a printer/scanner/copier is on the list too.

:)

Hey stranger! Let me know if you want to meet for drinks or coffee this weekend. :hug:

[PeaceNikki]

51. Cool!

:)

I wish I were in a position to help. Single mom, skin of my teeth, winter heating costs... all that. :(

The good news is that the desktop prices now are great and there are some "holiday deals" that you can find. If you need help picking out a system, I can offer up my professional opinion and get some industry discounts, etc.

I think we should do something this weekend for sure. You free for lunch Saturday?

[lizziegrace]

52. Yep.

PM me details for Saturday.

:)

[LynneSin]

53. Just so you know, I got my Office 2007 legally off of Ebay for $129

Most computers come without office or limited office on it. I'll PM you the name of the Vendor for the software if you need to get a copy for him.

[lizziegrace]

54. I'd appreciate that

:)

[Fleshdancer]

73. actually....

If you need any software lizziegrace, please PM me first before purchasing. I may be able to save you the expense.

[lizziegrace]

55. Lunchtime kick

the extended warranty and other adaptive devices (to accomodate his disabilities) are pushing the price up.

:)

Thanks everyone!!

[jobycom]

56. Hm. Maybe we should stop kicking this?

:rofl: Maybe not.

[mwooldri]

66. Na... kick this thread until it's stuck at the top. nt

[Lil Missy]

58. .....

:kick:

[InvisibleTouch]

59. Giving a kick! n/t

[Arkansas Granny]

60. Kicking this again.

[suninvited]

61. kicky kick

will donate tomorrow when I am at work and have a faster connection

[lizziegrace]

62. Thanks!

:hug:

[Breeze54]

63. I just got a used computer on Craigs List with

Dell Experion (SP?) with Windows XP Professional

Flat panel monitor ... ;)

Webcam but I have a digital camera that will do the same job.

Microsoft Office Works but Open Office is free and just as good! ;)

I have FREE Anti-Virus Avast! It works beautifully!

And it came with Firewall software installed besides what Windows has installed.

Able to run voice recognition software (Mine talks to me when my downloads are finished!) Freaky! :P

Built-in wireless (that's a given.) Mine has a net card ready to go. What he needs is a wireless adapter.

How's he going to pay for DSL or High Speed?

I got the 'bundle' from Verizon... Phone (free to call all across the USA included),
High Speed Internet and Direct TV) for $89.00 a month!

Not to shabby but I'm still waiting for the equipment from Verizon..... it's been 2 weeks now... :argh:

I hope he gets a brand new one but try Craig's List, if all else fails.

There are some good people and good deals there. ;)

[suninvited]

68. What the hell?

I pay $115 a month for my cell phone alone through Verizon.

[Breeze54]

70. What the hell?

My son has Sprint and pays $39.95 a month for his cellphone.

Who's been 'snowing' you?

Check out Verizon's website. They have 'deals'. ;)

[Starry Messenger]

64. kick for the night owls. n/t

[Flying Dream Blues]

65. Done! and kicking...nt

[SallyMander]

67. Aww, lg, you are the sweetest!

Kicking and donating in a minute... :)

[Robeson]

69. Can you check paypal? It's not letting me donate through them...

...keep getting a go back to the original page and try again message.

[lizziegrace]

72. I'm not sure what to do

I get the screen, but unless I try and donate, I can't test it. You can donate to the email address [email protected] if that would be better than going to the special page.

Let me know. Also, you can snail-mail something. PM me if you want an address.

[Midlodemocrat]

84. Same here. I didn't even realize until tonight that this was a fundraiser for Thom

and I want to contribute, but it won't let me. Weird because my DU donation went through fine.

[FloridaJudy]

71. I just kicked in a little

And am kicking this thread as well. Give our best wishes to Thom - one of the nicest Du'ers around.

[MissMillie]

74. How are we doing so far?

I'm eager to have Thom back.

(You should see the blanket I'm making him.... my son has threatened to steal it.)

[Bullwinkle925]

75. DONE & DONE!!

kicked

[gmoney]

76. "The Chip In!"

Good to see you're watching out for him... my best to Thom!

[lizziegrace]

79. I love it!!

:)

So will Thom.

[LynzM]

77. Done!

:) Thanks for organizing, dude...

[redqueen]

78. Thanks for setting this up.

I don't get paid tomorrow... but I'll chip in bright and early. :)

[Pierre.Suave]

80. Kick

for Thom

[Ellen Forradalom]

81. Kick

:kick:

[NewJeffCT]

82. kicked for Thom

I'll see if I can dig up a few bucks, too.

[racaulk]

83. Done!

Thank you, lizziegrace, for organizing this for ThomCat. I hope he gets a great computer out of this! :hi:

[Arkansas Granny]

85. Are we getting close to reaching the goal yet?

[lizziegrace]

86. We're getting close.

I'm pricing the voice recognition software, the computer, headset and a mouse that he can use with limited hand strength. I've also got to call and find a company to set it all up when it comes in.

It needs to be completely set up and ready to go when Thom sits down in front of it. :)

It will enhance his life so much.

Oh, and his last day at work is November 28th. The computer will be delivered the week after when he's home.

:hug:

[flvegan]

87. Kick!

[Haole Girl]

89. Done

:kick:

[JenaLaw]

90. a late night kick

just got home from visiting with Thom...sends hellos and hugs to everyone over here...and many thanks.

now, time for some much needed sleep. Tonight's commute between Staten Island NY and Fairfield County CT took about 4 hrs...a new record ;-) Will be worshipping the Almighty Coffee Maker at work tomorrow (today?)

Jenna

[lizziegrace]

91. We'll keep this running until the 20th

He's trying to work through the 28th and I want the computer to arrive and have someone set it up the first week in December.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed so far.

:hug:

LG

[GardeningGal]

92. For anyone having difficulties, I think I figured it out.

You have to enter the amount you want to give and then click on the update totals button. Then it will allow you to log in to your account. I tried a couple of times before I figured that out.

[Haole Girl]

94. Yeah...

it took me days to figure that out! lol

[yellowdogintexas]

100. I have to wait until next week, but there will be something.

This is a wonderful project.

[mwooldri]

101. Sadly this thread dropped to Page 3.

Let's try this one again. Mark.

[Robeson]

103. You're right. That's what I finally figured out...

...:thumbsup:

[I Have A Dream]

93. Kick. nt

[GardeningGal]

95. Kick n/t

[Left Is Write]

96. kick for TC

[coyotespaw]

97. Kick...

[BlueIris]

98. THOMCAT IS HOT!!!

Yes, I know he doesn't swing my way, but I thought I'd just throw that out there, anyway.

[SeattleGirl]

99. I'll be able to help in a few days!

Hang in there, Thomcat! We loves you! :loveya:

[Iggo]

102. Kick.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

104. Kicking it for ThomCat!

I've been wanting to kick this thread forever, and finally I get to do it!

:kick:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

105. And yet another...

:kick: for ThomCat!

[yellowdogintexas]

106. back up. How is the fund drive going? I can put something in next week

after payday.

[lizziegrace]

108. I've got enough to get the computer ordered

still a little short on peripheral adaptive aids and installation. PM when you plan to donate.

:hug:

Thank you!

[yellowdogintexas]

109. will do! nt

[FloridaJudy]

107. Kicking for Thom

That sounds like the name of a video game.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

110. We are overdue for a kick for our ThomCat!

:kick:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

111. we need an update...

:kick:

[Arkansas Granny]

112. Yes, I'd like to know if we are close to reaching our goal.

[SallyMander]

113. Kickalicious!

:*

[RetroLounge]

114. Kicking for Thomcat!

:hi:

RL

[MissMillie]

115. KICK!!!!

:kick:

[Arkansas Granny]

116. Kick!