I have answered all the PMs that have been sent, and all the emails.
How much are we trying to raise?
Good question. When I started this thread, I wanted to make sure that the lights stayed on at RyJae’s house. I think we have achieved that, plus some.
I traded e mails with RyJae last night. He was unsure about accepting our generosity. I think after the scamer, and then the bank both kicked him in the teeth he is having a hard time getting his head around the fact that a bunch of strangers wanting to help. I can understand this. I know he is grateful for all the caring that has been expressed both in this thread, and the other one.
I know RyJae was up very late last night, so I don’t expect to hear from him for a bit yet.
I am overwhelmed by the response to this thread. I have never been so proud to call myself a doper. Thank you all.
Rick
Obviously the Dopers know that the lights need to stay on at RyJae’s house this month, and until that nasty business with the bank and utilities gets sorted out. Aren’t Dopers the best people?
There is no words to explain how this thread makes me feel, the first email from a Doper I replied thusly
Next thing was an email from Rick apologizing for starting this thread without asking. He and I exchanged an email, I explained to him a bit more about who I am and what my family is about.
I’ve never experienced some of the niceness, the love, the understanding people are displaying in this thread, in my email.
I cannot say or even hope to convey how thankful I am that people are here that care to the degree to help out someone that you don’t know. Rick sent along some of the comments, everyone of them meant something to us.
To be in the position of needing help, is not somewhere I wanted to be in my life ever, and won’t be ever again.
To pay back this is something I would love to be able to do, when the bank sorts this out I will repay in kind to them or another person/cause of there choosing.
I had our son reading this thread, the other thread and the emails. He’s young but I wanted Ryan to see the two sides of life. And the two very different kinds of people who inhabit it. And also why his parents where so upset the last few days. I admit I’m an emotional wienie, always have been, hit a toad once on the road and cried, but this overdoes everything.
Thanks for everything, everyone, I wish words could say just how much you’ve made my heart blow up with pride in the dope, and pride with the people.
I’ve been ripped off before by people I thought I could trust and it really hurts, moreso than losing the money. But easing the financial burden does help. My thoughts are with you and your family. RyJae.
Speaking strictly for myself, I’d prefer that you use what you need to get out of this financial hiccup, hold onto the rest until you’re securely back on your feet, and use the remainder and whatever else you you feel you need to repay to help someone else or give to a worthwhile charity. (My only restriction on that is do not give money to the United Way; pick a charity that you know will use the money appropriately and effectively.)
I’ve been in dire financial straits before with no one to turn to, and live in morbid terror of being there again. To offer a small token of aid to someone else in such circumstances is a karmic stain remover.
::: Grumble:::
I didn’t realize how much work this was going to be when I started. I am putting this altogether in an Excel spread sheet to make sure I don’t screw it up, since I am a member of the SDMB fucking morons club.
RyJae and I have been in touch via e mail, he does not have paypal, so I am going to my bank today to get a cashier’s check. I will FedEx it today for tomorrow AM delivery.
For those of you sending me snail mail checks, I am including those amounts in the cashier’s check above.
for those non-US dopers that contributed, I will be absorbing the paypal fees as part of my contribution.
I agree. I understand the urge to pay us back, but I wouldn’t have sent the money if I couldn’t afford it. Pay my portion forward if you must do something with it after getting on your feet.
Agreed. I only sent what I could afford and have no intention of seeing that money again. I’d much rather see whatever you don’t need after the bank pays up go towards helping somebody else than have it come back to me. Besides, it’s such a pleasure to give to others. Why would I want you to miss out on that experience?
You\'d better be careful. Keep this up and you will have too many Heaven points to join us in the SDMB group handbasket to hell. And, then you\'ll be stuck in Heaven all by yourself
Stranger When I first got an e mail from RyJae he was not inclined to accept our help, as he did not want to be asking for help when it is his job to support his family. He felt like this whole mess was his fault, and he had to get out of it by himself.
When I wrote him back I explained that he was not asking, we were offering. I told him that if it helped, he could consider this money a loan that he could pay forward to someone else at a later date when he was in better shape financially. This appears to be the approach he is taking.
I totally agree: pay it forward. I sent what I could because I understand that we can’t always predict how things will go in life, and sometimes we all need a little help. That’s what a community is for, and this is a wonderful community. I’m so proud to be part of it!
I am putting this altogether in an Excel spread sheet to make sure I don’t screw it up, since I am a member of the SDMB fucking morons club. 
