Let’s just start by saying that my “welcome back” to TSTO Addicts was a little rocky (as in having an effigy of me thrown down the 500 foot cliffs of Dover onto the rocks). I deserved your mistrust…as those who knew the history, knew that I was a complete jerk to Alissa while I was a “competitor” after starting out as a contributor here. It is a long story…and thankfully, as has been stated several times, we both buried that hatchet (because Riley told us to), and life has been pretty darn sweet every since.
But, there was that lingering doubt by many (and stated publicly on occasion) that I was going to “ruin the site” by “writing about things other than TSTO” and trying to “guilt trip” people into donating to our work in Uganda. Again…I get it…I was the interloper, and the outsider, who was darn lucky to be here at all.
But, with the tacit support of Alissa, I ventured once again into trying to help Addicts be “more than just a TSTO info site” while doing something that mattered in the world. And I quite frankly, was scared to death that it would unravel all of the work I had done to prove that I had indeed seen the error of my ways…and was grateful for Alissa’s support.
As it turns out…this community not only blew my mind…but broke all of the fundraising records for any project in regard to funds raised in the shortest time. And even more amazing, the comments of support you sent were simply overwhelming.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at these…
This is just a sampling of some of the comments left on GoFundMe. Most of the donors wanted to be anonymous, so I am not publishing names…
- From your tsto addicts friend. Thank you for you kind, caring and life giving work
- Water is life – let’s get this going.
- You are right – TSTO addicts can be more. This work you do is important and I fully support you.
- Sorry I cannot give more at this time, but I also know that small donations add up, and I wish you success with your campaign. Hopefully other TSTO Addicts also donate to this worthwhile cause. Everyone in the world has the ability to make a difference…thank you for being one of them!! Take care and have a lovely day! : )
- I always want to give to the wonderful people at TSTOaddicts. So I am so happy that I can give to this wonderful charity. Thank you for pulling us together Pat.
- Grateful there are people such as you making the world where those in need actually receive that help. Well done Patric! PS: nice to spend money on something of actual value versus donuts
- Good luck and God bless!
- Saw your post on TSTO Addicts. Wish I could give more – good luck and thanks for your work on this.
- Wish it could be more. Thanks for all you do to make the World and Addicts a better place (even if you still don’t appreciate the Patriots).
- Keep doing great things!
- What a great project, Patric. I’m happy to give up some donuts to support your cause.
- With all the crazy happening right now I cherish this opportunity to do something useful
- Let’s build it!!
- NO Donuts for me!!
- Hey Patric! Longtime lurker on TSTO Addicts and this is the first time I’ve ever felt the need to interact. The world needs more folks like you. Nice job, man, and THANK YOU!
- Keep up the good work.
- Loved your work on TSTOFriends. Like it even more on Addicts. Keep up your great work, both with the game and more importantly, life. Glad I can contribute to a worthy cause.
- Better late than never!
- I’m glad to see how well the project is going. Keep up the great work!
And then of course, there were loads of wonderful comments on the actual Post Here on Addicts… (JosephineKicka$$’s comment made me cry…seriously!).
To say that I was shocked…humbled…and more than a little remorseful at having doubted the caring hearts here on Addicts, would be an understatement. Deb found me sitting on the couch…tears streaming through a crazy smile, when we hit the goal–in the shortest time in the history of our work in Buyijja. These goals often take weeks…and weeks…with LOADS of cajoling.
This. Was. AMAZING!
NOW THE FUN STARTS…
You will all be witness to just how fast and efficient our methods are, when it comes to “getting things done!”
I wired the money to Emma (Emmanuel, or project manager) Thursday (after the 2-3 days it takes to get the money to our account from GoFundMe)…it will take 3-7 days for it to hit the FriendsOfBuyijja bank account (good old Uganda banking). He will order the tank, and set up the installation…and we should have a completed, operational water tank/rain collection system in place well before the end of May…if not sooner.
Compare this to every other donation you have ever made (short of helping someone on the street with $20). This is exactly WHY we do, What we do, and How we do it. All of the money is put into action immediately…we will watch the process happen (yes, I’ll post pics and video), and you will get to see your donations in action.
In a world where some forms of diplomacy come with a price tag that is in the millions/billions/trillions with mixed results…this is a chance to create real change, in a manner and timetable that is even more efficient that sending people and supplies to Uganda (if you have ever tried to get something through their version of government/customs you know what I am talking about).
This place continues to amaze me. A worldwide community, brought together by a silly ‘lil game…with people who understand the power of “Being More!”
I am forever changed by this event…and simply can’t begin to thank you all enough for your support.
For those of you who “missed out on the fun,” we are starting our next round of funding for school supplies and books (our core mission to the children of the school). You can find information at www.FriendsOfBuyijja.com
You. Guys. ROCK!!
Was that effigy wearing pants, or was it pant-less?
Just wondering…..
When 🎼. The moon’s 🎹 thrown 🎷over 🎻 the 🎺 white cliffs 🎼 of 🎹 Dover 🎼……
Patric, thanks for the opportunity to help. I’m glad I was able to do so.
Patric, I read your writing over at TSTO Friends and chipped in for Buyijja projects a few times. I followed you over here and was happy to see your post about the water tank project, leading me to break out my wallet again. One of the reasons I can’t resist giving is how open and accountable you are with the Buyijja projects. We know why the money is needed and where it is going. We get timelines and pictures. You have even made your contact information freely available to anyone who wants it. That transparency is so appreciated and is really heartening. Thank you for everything you do to help this community across the world, and to bring people together in doing so.
Well thanks!! I have been on the board of others… and donated to many… and it always bothered me how much went to admin- or just went into a general fund. I like showing donors the efficiency of the system. Identify a problem… and solve it!
Way more fun.
So glad that you took a chance and brought the project in Uganda to Addicts and that our community embraced it! Looking forward to seeing the photos, but I’m also just happy to know that more people in this world will have access to clean water. Thanks for caring enough to help people half a world away and for giving us the opportunity to participate!
It’s my pleasure… and I love that we not only resonated with this community, but did do in record time!
I’m glad them poor people have some more money, let’s make a new goal of like £5000
I’m never really sure about your comments…but what is amazing, is that even if this was meant to be snarky, I think it’s a great idea! Think what we could do with that!
The good news is, “them poor people” will have a start at basic necessities…that can’t be a bad thing.
I’m so happy to hear this! The Addicts community truly is awesome. I can’t wait to see those progress pics.
ps. I read this at work and started to cry. The generosity made my heart swell 2 sizes bigger. ☺️
LOL…a Grinch you are not!
Well between water for kids, and the Nigerian royalty with suspiciously odd curiosity about my personal finances, my online buck had to go somewhere. Keep up the work you do.
LOL! Glad we could get you to point our way…that Nigerian Prince has been around forever!
May the Easter 🐇leave you a golden 🍳 and all his droppings be 🍫😊
Maybe EA is following the White House lead and Easter will happen Mon.
Sure. Why not? A Mir a lago Easter?
This was a beautiful comment. I am going to print your message, and read it out to my family. Dude, you rock…and congrats on your water campaign in the above article.
Thanks much! Gave a wonderful day!
As the “wise programmers at EA” appear to have lost the spirit of Easter…or anything that represents the message that so many religions offer in the way of giving unconditionally (as you have all done with this project), I offer these quotes. I am not a “religious person,” and have had an “interesting” relationship with organized religions of any kind. But, there are great words to be found in every religion, as well as from those who have chosen to make helping others their life’s work.
Luke 6:27 – “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”
Romans 12:9-10 “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” – Kahlil Gibran
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
“By the accident of fortune – a man may rule the world for a time,
But by virtue of love and kindness – he may rule the world forever.”
– Lao-Tse
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. – Buddha
Unconditional love really exists in each of us. It is part of our deep inner being. It is not so much an active emotion as a state of being. It’s not ‘I love you’ for this or that reason, not ‘I love you if you love me.’ It’s love for no reason, love without an object. Ram Dass
“Be the Change You Wish to See In the World- Gandhi
Those who offer gifts of unconditional love, to those who least expect that love, receive the greatest gift of all…
–CrankyOldguy
I thank all who helped in this first Addicts project…but also thank all who have allowed it to happen through your grace and acceptance. There is no way to know how every act of unconditional love can change the world…only that it changes the giver and the receiver for the better.
No Patric, thank you. I feel most fortunate when life has me cross paths with people like you. God bless you and all who work with you and the people in Uganda who are fortunate to have someone like you that gives of himself the way you do. (((hugs)))
Thanks!! Have a wonderful holiday!