UPDATE: THE FUND RAISING HAS ENDED.

I want to raise money to send some children with cancer to a summer camp. We only have three months to do it.

Yes, I’m crazy, if you have been here before you already knew that. I want YOU to help me. Are you crazy, too? Let’s get crazy together for a good cause.

Last summer, I got caught up in a project to make 140 afghans to give to children with cancer who would be attending a summer camp called Camp Sanguinity. It’s associated with Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. I wanted each afghan to have 48 squares, with each square made by a different person. That project is called Share A Square. If you’d like, you can visit the site and see some of the beautiful squares people have sent from all over the world.

The response was tremendous! I got more than 10,000 squares (enough to make many extra afghans to give to children who won’t be at Camp Sanguinity). I am amazed at the generosity and the outpouring of love.

A few nights ago, I had a dream. In that dream, we (that’s you and me) raised enough money to pay the registration fee for every child at Camp Sanguinity this summer.

I know I’m dreaming, but I want to try to make it reality. After seeing the response from the Share A Square project, I believe that we can make this happen. Let me tell you what I have in mind, and you can give me some feedback on how we might get this done.

First, let me say that it costs about $150 to send a child to camp. For a family touched by cancer, that’s an expense that is difficult to afford. But, if those children get to go to the camp, for one week out of their life they get the chance to just be a kid. Forget about cancer for a week and have some much needed fun. The $150 is money well spent, as far as I’m concerned.

There are 140 children attending the camp, so I’m talking of raising $21,000 by June.

People, I dream BIG.

I know it sounds like a lot, but break it down. I’m betting it will be easy for me to sweet talk 15 people into donating $10. That’s one kid down, 149 to go.

Could you talk 15 people into giving $10?

I’ve taken the first step. I spent three hours yesterday with Stephen, at Bank of America setting up an account. I called the IRS and got a TIN number for a charitable account. Then, we worked to get it arranged. That account is set up totally separate from my own bank work. The money that comes into it will be reported to the IRS via the TIN (not listed as “income” for me).

Actually, I’ve taken two steps. I contacted PayPal to see if I could set up a charitable account with a badge for people to click to donate. I haven’t heard back from them yet. When I do, IF they will allow it, I’ll put a PayPal button on the sidebar so you can find it. THIS CAN”T WAIT. We only have three months.

Until I do, if you are moved to donate (and can find your checkbook, an envelope, and a stamp), you can send a check to me to deposit. Make it out to:

DO NOT make the check out to me!!

I’ll deposit it into the account.

You might have some questions. I know I would.

• Is it tax deductible? I don’t have a 501C3 status, but the account is set up with the government as a “charity.” In two or three weeks, they will send me the paperwork, and I can send you a copy of the form they give me. Ask your accountant, if tax deductible matters to you.
• What happens to the money? It will sit in that checking account until June, when the bank will issue a cashier’s check to Camp Sanguinity. I do not have any checks. I can’t write a check on the account. I’m the trustee, but that money is not mine.
• Is this some kind of scam? Absolutely not. I couldn’t scam you if I tried, because you could find me! I wouldn’t scam you, because I believe in this cause.
• How in the world do you think you will get that much money? I’m gonna talk and talk and talk. I’m going to approach the local newspaper. I’m going to ask some businesses to give matching grants. I’m going to trust that YOU will help.
• Why are you doing this? Because I can. I can’t give you a reason. I don’t have a child with cancer. It just touches my heart.

• Bloggers, will you post about it?
• If you are part of a “social network,” will you please announce it?
• If you aren’t a blogger, can you tell people about it? Just tell 15 people and ask them to donate, it will be your good deed for the day.
• Grab your checkbook RIGHT NOW and write a check for $10 (or whatever you can afford)
• Are you part of a group or an organization who might help?
• Can you give me some more ideas?
• Anybody want to design a button or badge we can use for this?

So, tell me. Are you with me?