I’m the strange uncle that comes over for Thankgiving, hogs all the sweet potatoes, then falls asleep on the couch and snores during the show you wanted to watch. You know, the one nobody can quite remember exactly who he’s the brother-in-law of? But he’s always there, and you cover for him because he lets you sip his beer when your folks aren’t looking, and always has a Payday candy bar in his parka pocket that he lets you steal before dinner, which your mom said would ruin your appetite but never did.
And brings scotch, you forgot brings scotch!
I am late reading this and skimmed through it. Donations still needed? I have PayPal and I know how to use it…
Not for my family, thank you so much for the offer though, we are so overwhelmed as it is. Thank you so much for the thought though!
Speaking of which, are there any requests for VegasDope07?
RyJae, you realize of course that you have made more people feel better about the world than they did a few days ago? Like it or not, you were an agent of action, which a number of us needed. Sometimes it’s nice to see that we can make a difference. So make sure your kids get extra hugs along with the trampoline and the lights and a dinner out. They’ll probably not understand why, but the hugs are from all of us.
Sorry, I forgot to add myself to the ‘pay it forward’ group.
Hope your kids have a great time on the trampoline! 
T
And your $100 Canadian dollars was appreciated. But if you had only given $10 more it would have made it to an even 20 cents. 
RyJae, I agree, you don’t get the money back from the bank then make a donation. Pay your bills, get the good quality trampoline for your daughter, get something nice for your boy too, then when you see someone in need in the future, pass it on. Frankly, working for HFH is more than enough in my view to pay forward.
red hatted lady, if you decide you want to stick around, post in this thread and someone will pick up your subscription if you can’t afford it. We have been doing it since the board went to pay.
Giving money is less important than giving something of value. In your case, you needed money (and due no fault of your own), but “paying forward” by volunteering labor to Habitat For Humanity or some other worthy charity is at least as worthwhile as all of the contributions made here.
And recognition again to Rick for taking action and accepting the burden of coordinating the donations, which turned out to be a non-trivial effort, and convincing RyJae to accept assistance. We all owe him a bit of thanks for giving us the opportunity to help out someone in a time of need. He’s a goodfella in my book.
Stranger
I just found this thread, linked from another. I’m sitting here with tears rolling down my face, feeling like a super geek… but a warm and fuzzy super geek.
I know your emergency has been diverted, but I sent a few bucks anyway, and you can’t stop me–so there! 
I’m glad the necessities are covered, so put mine towards having a nice dinner out with your family or something, m’ay? And as with the others, I don’t need it back, just help out another neighbor when you can.
I love the Dope!
The money was donated with no strings attached, RyJae, probably not just from me but from everyone. So spend it where you need it, no guilt, no worries. Especially if you’re spending it on your kids. And definitely get something special for your son, too.
I’m reminded of when the Amish children were killed last year, and faithful customers at the local Amish markets wanted to donate. The Amish generally don’t accept charity, but they made an exception in this case because, as one man put it, “We don’t want to deny people the blessing of giving.” So believe me, what you’re feeling is in some part shared by all of us. Being able to help your family was as much a gift for the givers as for the receivers.
Stranger nailed it as usual. Paying it forward can be volunteering at HFH. Or it could be shoveling snow for a senior citizen neighbor (This is something I am not familiar with, in California we keep our snow in the mountains where we can visit it if we wish), or giving someone that is troubled a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen.
I had a boss that used to talk about handling the mission. As in can you handle the mission? What did he mean by that phase? He meant that if something needed doing, that became the mission, and it was our job to handle it.
So RyJae, handle the mission.
I thought you were bring the McDuff 27 and the Glen Livet 22?
RyJay,
Hey, if your daughter’s needs lie outside of the range that some other person’s needs might lie, that doesn’t change the desire of the folks on this board to help you, and help her with what is needed. And the fact is, that joy of living is also a human need. Have joy.
Me, I’m late for the party, and don’t even get to send anything! (Yet I feel confident in telling you to go ahead and spend the money. It’s your money now.) The fact is that I can tell you will be looking for a chance to get yourself “even” with the world. But, you know, the folks at the SDMB are generous, really generous. I have seen several iterations of this particular facet of our community. ( I got to give away a computer, and turn a paperweight I didn’t want into a guarantee that a valued member would continue to post!)
Feel good! Use the money, and take to heart the undeniable fact that you are a valued member of a very fine community.
Tris
P. S. If things don’t go smoothly on the bank front, please do let us know, there are a number of us who missed out, and would be happy to make sure that the real needs are taken care of.
T.
I just want to use my first post to say WOW, you people are awesome!
Well worth the price of admission, no? 
I think a good example of how to pay it forward is to eventually do something like what Rick did. He’s a genuine Hero in my book.
But can we stop all this talk of “We’re a family”? There are several Dopers here who I have major crushes on. Y’all are making me feel like the skeevy uncle.
Can I sit on your lap, Uncle Todd?
Cousin Rick, can you open a window? Suddenly I’m feeling hot. :eek:
Well whaddayaknow it didn’t cost me a penny.
Typical. I do all the work, and you want to climb in his lap. :rolleyes:
[Rodney Dangerfield]No respect, I get no respect[/RD]
Ms. Pumpkin welcome to the boards. Our little corner of the net is a little different than most. We like it that way. A word of warning, watch out for silenus. He is liable to show up for a family gathering at your house, drink scotch and fall asleep on your sofa.