New York Blog: July 31, 2011
Every day at the crack of dawn, 6am, I get up and read the New York Post – they have a good sports pages, opinion columns, and Page Six. When I get my fill of local and national news and gossip, I turn my attention to another part of the world we’re I’m doing my best to make a difference providing aid. Here’s how our NGO, Burma Relief, did last week.
Unfortunately, I was unable to conjure up a cash match for Morgan (“Super Size Me”) Spurlock’s pledge of $10,000, so he graciously agreed to make a $5,000 donation. He’s a good guy. Stepped up big time.
As our Sept 19th fundraiser – “Burma Captured, In Images and In Spirit” – quickly approaches, one of our food sponsors dropped out, so I’m hunting and gathering to find a food caterer for this important event at the Friars Club. If you know of anyone who can provide buffet style food – one dish for 100 people, they would be helping a very worthy cause. Fortunately, I made some progress in finding alcohol sponsors.
On another front, we planted the seeds for two online marketing campaigns, and placed ads on idealist.com seeking a pro-bono publicist (badly needed) and board members committed to helping Burmese orphaned refugee children. We’re also looking for a pro-bono accountant, so please send any good numbers crunchers our way.
While on the subject of accountants, I completed our 2010 990-N form with a little help from the IRS. (Thank you to the phone support people who work there!).
Finally, I set up a Burma Relief Facebook page for our September 19th event. I emailed the staff at the Mao Tao Clinic, in Maesot, Thailand requesting testimonials from the kids whose life-saving heart operations we funded. Want to show our supporters how their donations have made a huge difference. On our homepage, I’m going to replace my mug with pictures of these happy and healthy kids!
And, as usual, all of us at Burma Relief send our best wishes to Aung San Suu Kyi!