Alberta Brethren in Need

[franken60]

For anyone who doesnt know what is going on in Fort Mac today, a large bush fire has now spread into the city causing a 100% mandatory evacuation. there are a couple Cruiser Clubs which are being affected as a result.

included is a link to a GoFundMe page created by a former representative of the Toyota LandCruiser Association. All the info is in the description.

Any help is appreciated to get these guys back on their feet and out wheeling again.

Cheers

Click here to support TLCA Tarsand Toyotas - Fire Fund by Charla Downey

 

[PeeZed]

I know I may get lashback by saying this, but please take into account if you are considering donating that this will (1) be going into someone's personal bank account, (2) there is ZERO accountability to how this person spends/distributes the money, (3) and it is ambiguous as to HOW and WHEN this person is going to help "those in need."

From the website:
"I, along with members of our local TLCA Chapters (the Oil Country Cruisers, Peace Canyon Toyota Swamp Donkeys and Rocky Mountain Land Cruiser Association) are setting up this fundraising effort to help our fellow TLCA members rebuild their lives as they've lost so much today. Money will be distributed to members to help recover from this tragedy."

YES, there is great tragedy in Fort McMurray, no one is denying that. But what if every club member there lost their truck, lost their house, lost their pet, lost their job...what criteria is there that Charla Downey has stated that will make distribution of funds fair to the entire club(s)???

Again from the website:
"This person will receive your donation directly.
All payments are final and cannot be refunded.
Only give to people you know and trust."

It could be months before people even start to get their lives back together and move back to the area, so how will this person decide who/what/when/how much people from the club receive?

It is too ambiguous and I am sorry but I feel that this Charla Downey will be put under the microscope at the end of this and it may turn sour if he/she cannot justify how the money was spent.

If you want to help, then donate through a known emergency response organization such as Redcross or the like.

This is entirely my own opinion and I realize that it may come across as not very hospitable or generous, but I will not throw what little money I have at a person with ambiguous measures of accountability.

Sorry, but I couldn't not say anything.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Likely there will be many avenues to help the people of Fort Mac in the coming days/months. Some options will be more legitimate than others if someone so desires I'm sure. PeeZed makes a good point though, best to be aware of where your money is going and how it may be used.

 

[Deny]

PeeZed is right, only send money if you trust Charla or anyone really that you choose to support on go fund me. I do, she is very trustworthy and I sent a bit of my hard earned money on to her (and I don't like to spend any money if I don't have to, but thought it would bring me some good Karma since we too have fires around our house right now, as I am 7km away from an evacuation alert) because I know she will give it to the guys in the club up there that lost their homes. After I donated, I had a look at all the other causes on go fund me in my area and I had to laugh at a few, there are so many wack jobs trying to get money on there. One girl was trying to get money for a boob job, ha ha, really?

Sorry for my rant, I just wanted to discourage anyone from thinking that Charla is dishonest. Not trying to convince anyone to give, just backing up her character.
Cheers,
Deny

 

[Rigpig]

It's great to see the support and that people are being proactive in trying to help with this terrible situation. I also understand the need to be cautious, especially with online donations.

Charla has been part of the cruiser community a lot longer than the vast majority of people in our little club and is simply trying to help.
Her "significant other" is a very good friend of mine, as well as an avid "cruiser-head" and are/have been club members in several clubs in Alberta and BC for many years.

Ask/look around before you pass judgment is all that I can suggest.

 

[franken60]

no doubt guys, always be cautious in cases like this. I'm simply sharing a post that was brought to my attention by other group admins on Facebook who were also passing it along.

take it how you like, pitch in $5 or nothing at all. Seeing who the organizer is I trust this particular GoFundME.

Just thought I would spread the word to all, regardless of positions on the matter

 

[Ratpuke]

I know I may get lashback by saying this, but please take into account if you are considering donating that this will (1) be going into someone's personal bank account, (2) there is ZERO accountability to how this person spends/distributes the money, (3) and it is ambiguous as to HOW and WHEN this person is going to help "those in need."

From the website:
"I, along with members of our local TLCA Chapters (the Oil Country Cruisers, Peace Canyon Toyota Swamp Donkeys and Rocky Mountain Land Cruiser Association) are setting up this fundraising effort to help our fellow TLCA members rebuild their lives as they've lost so much today. Money will be distributed to members to help recover from this tragedy."

YES, there is great tragedy in Fort McMurray, no one is denying that. But what if every club member there lost their truck, lost their house, lost their pet, lost their job...what criteria is there that Charla Downey has stated that will make distribution of funds fair to the entire club(s)???

Again from the website:
"This person will receive your donation directly.
All payments are final and cannot be refunded.
Only give to people you know and trust."

It could be months before people even start to get their lives back together and move back to the area, so how will this person decide who/what/when/how much people from the club receive?

It is too ambiguous and I am sorry but I feel that this Charla Downey will be put under the microscope at the end of this and it may turn sour if he/she cannot justify how the money was spent.

If you want to help, then donate through a known emergency response organization such as Redcross or the like.

This is entirely my own opinion and I realize that it may come across as not very hospitable or generous, but I will not throw what little money I have at a person with ambiguous measures of accountability.

Sorry, but I couldn't not say anything.

Well, thanks for speaking up. As a long time mud member and cruiserchick I think I'm pretty honest and thank those, particulary @Deny and @Rigpig, for sticking up for my trust worthiness. I only found this thread now otherwise I would've replied sooner. Anyway, @PeeZed, you'll be relieved to know that EVERY SINGLE PENNY of the funds raised, minus Gofundme's administration fees but including $300 of my own money and $400 of Tyler's was handed over to the Tarsand Toyotas. They're still figuring out how exactly they want to use the funds given in support but I stand beside any decision they make because it's their decision to make.

Again, I want to thank all the generous people who felt it a worthwhile cause to contribute to. Your generosity has definitely not gone unnoticed. #Albertastrong

Charla
73 FJ55 / 76 FJ40 / 81 BJ42 / 89 BJ71 / 92 HZJ77
www.clunker.ca / www.chickworx.com

 

[cruiserpilot]

Good for all of you for helping out Charla. I meant to post on the Tarsands page, but as only a slight acquaintance of a
few of the people there in Ft Mac, my words just couldn't have done justice to the gravity of the situation. I hadn't read
PeeZed's comments, wish I had as I do understand his position. Charla and Tyler are almost their own charity, the number of times and the amount of
effort they have contributed is immeasurable, to clubs, events, world weary broken down travelers, makes me wonder how they
do anything else.
All I can say is I hope that the resident Tarsand people are all getting through it, and are okay.