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Costacat
| Monday, January 19, 2004 - 9:36 pm
Abby... email me at sue underscore heim at msn dot com... I'll give you my PayPal account name. If ZM can get down here, we can do a lot of stuff for her. And, if Ginger doesn't need THINGS, I can put all the money into a cashier's check for her.
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Slothkitten
| Monday, January 19, 2004 - 9:42 pm
This thread for Ginger is giving me such a warm feeling for this place and all of you! Over the past few months of lurking/semi posting I've seen time and time again everyone coming together to help a person who needed some support. ((((TVCH)))). I dying to send Ginger something ( and you're right Spy, she'll need everything ). Thanks all you brainstormers . . I'll keep checking for news on Paypal, etc. The first thing I had to replace after my fire were toletries and make-up . . only buying the basics, it was still close to a 100.00 ! At Walmart! Oh, and had to buy a suitcase to put my new belongings in. When you have nothing and have to buy EVERYTHING, it adds up fast.
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Lancecrossfire
| Monday, January 19, 2004 - 9:46 pm
I was a firefighter for 7 years--saw a few people lose everything. Sigh--what a helpless feeling. It really hits folks hard--at least the ones I was involved in first hand were sure hit hard.
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Abby7
| Monday, January 19, 2004 - 9:53 pm
costacat, i just sent you an e-mail. ETA: costacat...the e-mail was returned. i don't think i understand your address as you typed it (sorry, i'm slow that way).
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Costacat
| Monday, January 19, 2004 - 9:54 pm
Haven't got it yet Abby... I'll keep checking.
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Slothkitten
| Monday, January 19, 2004 - 9:56 pm
Misting up at the thought of the firefighters. So strong and mighty doing the dangerous job of the fires . . so gentle and kind to the numb, shocked survivors.
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Abby7
| Monday, January 19, 2004 - 9:57 pm
see my edited post, costacat...sorry, the underscore may have been what confused me (besides being so scatterbrained right now). you could e-mail me first...check your folder.
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Costacat
| Monday, January 19, 2004 - 10:02 pm
. <grin>
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Abby7
| Monday, January 19, 2004 - 10:05 pm
okay, costacat...sent you another.
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Costacat
| Monday, January 19, 2004 - 10:12 pm
Abby and I are gonna sorta wait and see what Ginger wants, and if we can get a group together here in San Diego. No matter what, we're gonna do something together (or put it all together -- either a goodie bag or money or whatever). If anyone else wants to get together, I'd love for y'all to come down here. No one ever comes to San Diego! <hint hint> <grin> At any rate, if Ginger wants $$, I've got a PayPal account and can collect money, if y'all want. I can't wait to hear from Ginger. Girl, I hope you're doing well. You've GOT to be feeling this massive rush of love heading your way!!
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Seamonkey
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 5:06 am
I'd come to SD with Z-mom I know everyone wants to do something NOW. Some good points have been made: Sending any items that aren't for immediate use/consumption may require storage space she doesn't have at the moment. When she can list immediate needs, then those who want to box up a tangible "thing" can spring into action. Gift cards.. I was just reading that one must beware of expiration dates. Some gift cards actually go down in value on a schedule and eventually are worthless. So.. gift cards are great but again should be purchased when Ginger is ready to use them. I'm sure cash/paypal account would be handy immediately. I love the idea of the shower. Oh and maybe a Moderator could be sure to archive these threads so that when Ginger has a computer set up again she could download them just to read again.
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Goddessatlaw
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 5:24 am
Count on us to do whatever we can to help. Colossus lost many of his belongings and most of his personal history in a fire several years back, so he sends Ginger much empathy. Ginger, I hope your friends and family in New York are providing much love and support while you get back on your feet. We'll be waiting for you to check in and hoping your spirits are on the mend.
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Ddr1135
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 5:24 am
I think waiting for Ginger to respond to what she needs is good. We will all be able to help in the short term needs, intermediate needs and once she is finally in her own home again. After speaking with my MIL yesterday (who lost everything in a fire last week), she also echoed the sound advice that has been given by Lance and Sea above. While she's homeless, she's not in any hurry to replace things. She's living in her daughter's home. MIL's has not gone shopping at this point for clothes. We've gone out and gotten her the basics and she is quite content with that. She is still processing what was in her home that was lost. Yesterday we spent some time digging through the three boxes that were saved looking for a gold necklace that her deceased sister had given her years ago. She was so excited when we found it in a charred jewelry box. My sil and I have decided to give her a "fire" shower once her new home has been built.
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Costacat
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 6:48 am
Yay Sea! If it works out, we can have a big old shopping spree here! In fact, if it turns out Ginger needs some housewares, we could even do a trip to the Viejas Outlet Mall!! (A thought... of course, we'll wait to see what Ginger wants us to do!) Hopefully, we'll hear from Ginger today. There are some essential items that she'll need... toiletries, underwear, outerwear. Stuff for her cats (litter, bowls, toys, treats). I don't know how much she was able to grab as she dashed for safety.
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Kaili
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 7:10 am
Right, for a lot of things you first need to have somewhere to pit them. Except cash. Also consider friends/family Ginger has there may have spare stuff to give her. My cousin just got divorced and her new apartment was half furnished with stuff her dad had in an extra room. There's so much though. I was just looking around and I really don't think that I have a lot of stuff but: a camera, CDs, plantscute little things from other people that I either can't replace or it wouldn't be the same if I replaced because they were gifts, pictures, etc... I just can't even imagine. I've thought about it before (what would I grab for) and I think when it came to getting out, there's not actually a lot I would take with. I don't know what I would do about my fish... Anyway, I like gift certificates and PayPal. I think they're probably the most useful things to have for this, besides that they're small and easy to store. I wonder if a store would set up an account for a person somehow where we could all put cash into one account and she could just go get it? Or- DUH! Don't banks do that? For privacy, it could just be called the Ginger Fund or something like that so just the bank knows her name but knows where to put money that's sent.
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Faerygdds
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 8:22 am
That's what I was thinking Kaili -- Paypal can deposit directly into a checking account. If she doesn't want to give us personal info (which is understandable), why can't someone (I'd volunteer -- or costa since the lead has been taken) set up a checking account at a separate bank that's national and then send her the check card. Then she'd have access to the money collected, she'd be able to shop anywhere she wants anytime she wants -- even online! Or she can open her own checking account and then when she gets a chance she can connect the paypal account to it. Or there is an option on paypal to get a paypal debit card that taps directly into the funds on paypal! No matter how we go with this I'll be glad to help out. 
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Schoolmarm
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 9:22 am
Ginger just emailed with an update! She has found a new placee to live three blocks from the old one. She is overwhelmed with our generosity. She is online only for a moment, but will be calling Costacat to get help in setting up a paypal account. She thinks that the Target and BJs ideas are great. She will need some time to sort things out and let us know what she needs. She didn't have time to read through ALL of the messages, but we have moved her to tears. She will let us know what she needs as she, herself, gets it figured out. The good news is that her sister is getting an apartment in the same building. More later, I've gotta teach.
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Slothkitten
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 9:35 am
Thank you, Schoolmarm ! Great news on the new apts. for Ginger and her sister. Thank you Costa, so much for helping to set this up. I'll keep checking on what to do. ((((Ginger)))) thinking of you today.
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Costacat
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 9:35 am
Great news, Schoolmarm! Thanks for the update!! A PayPal account is a good choice, since the money can go directly into her account. And she doesn't need to give out personal information... in fact, she could create a Hotmail (or other free) email account to use with her PayPal account, and then just give us that email addy. I'm glad she found an apartment so close to home. It will be less of an adjustment for her to live in her neighborhood. And convenient if they let them in to gather up the things that survived (note that a LOT of stuff will survive a fire in someone else's unit; a lot of stuff really is waterproof!). As soon as I have a better idea of how Ginger wants to handle PayPal (or Target or BJs) I'll let y'all know.
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Faerygdds
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 10:02 am
Thanks for the updates!!! I am so glad she already found a place! We didn't mean to make her cry though! Hopefully they are happy tears!
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Herckleperckle
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 10:21 am
YAY!!!!!! I am so happy for Ginger for finding a place so quickly. That concrete change alone must be buoying to her. Also glad her sis will be in the same building. How wonderful!! All the better for us planners, too!!!
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Seamonkey
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 12:19 pm
That's really good news. I look around and there are too many things.. the cat is first and foremost..
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Costacat
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 12:43 pm
Great news!! I just got off the phone with Ginger, and she now has a PayPal account set up. In fact, I made the very first donation!!! (Actually, I wanted to make a donation anyways, but I wanted to test and be sure we could send her money before she "confirms" her bank account.) Her PayPal account is ginger1218@aol.com. Anyways... First of all, Ginger is very appreciative of all the outpouring of support she has received. After talking, she thought that a PayPal account (for cash), and gift cards from Target and BJs would be the best bet. For Target gift cards, we can go two ways: e-giftcards or regular giftcards. The e-giftcards can only be redeemed online, but that is OK with Ginger as she can shop online. For those of you who don't want to do an e-giftcard, I was thinking about having you guys send them either to me (and we'll include them in the box with ZM's afghan) or... Maybe to Maris? And speaking of Maris... Maris, didn't you say you were a member of BJ's? If you are, and since it's easiest for a member to get a BJ's giftcard, how d'ya wanna handle that? Email me at sue_heim@msn.com and let's figure this one out! Ginger thought that a gift registry would be a bit too difficult now, since that would mean she would have to go "shopping" at the store. So while it was a good idea, the giftcards are a better one! Ginger is set for about a week or two and has no immediate needs that must be met. She has been allowed to get back in to get small personal items (clothing, photos) but everything else will have to wait until she can move back in. She is still trying to figure out exactly WHAT she will need, but at least we can start helping her with what we can now. For those of you who aren't sure how to make a PayPal payment, you have to have a PayPal account in order to do so. If you don't have a PayPal account, let me know and I'll see if we can't figure out something else (maybe you can do a Target e-gift instead?). Holler at me if you have any questions (I'll stick my email addy in my profile for few weeks so y'all can find me). And for what it's worth, I am SO GLAD to be able to help Ginger! I know it's very difficult for her to accept help, because she is such a giving person. But I also know she would be there in a flash if any of us needed help.
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Maris
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 1:08 pm
I am not a member of BJ's but I do know you do not have to be a member if you purchase the gift cards directly at BJ's which have locations on the east coast (http://www.bjs.com/locations/). To be honest, I am not comfortable with anyone sending me anything, primarily because my post office stinks and I have had a lot of mail misdirected or never received.
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Herckleperckle
| Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 2:03 pm
Would a Paypal account cost me anything? If so, how much? I would prefer to give her cash. If there is another option for getting a cash gift to her, let me know. Thanks for all your hard work!! 
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