[$2526!] THE TIME HAS COME...THE THIRD ANNUAL HOLIDAY CHARITY THREAD IS HERE! I'M SEEING TRIPLE! TRIPLE THE SEED MONEY! TRIPLE THE BOOKS! TRIPLE THE FUN! 3 3

[mattn792]

Hello once again all, and an early happy holidays!  Welcome to my third annual holiday charity thread!  If you didn't see last year's thread (or the year before's), the idea for running this effort first came to me following the result of a gentlemen's bet I had made with @jaybuck43 in the fall of 2020.  Suffice to say he won, and I put up the seed money.  The plan was for me to send said seed money to the charity of his choice, but then I thought, "Why stop there?  Let's see if some more board members want to get involved, and we can send that total further north."  Year one, we raised over $1500 for two very worthy animal shelters.  And then last year, almost $2600  for the shelter that I adopted my rescue husky from last fall.

Here's a link to last year's thread if you'd like to check it out (which has a link to 2020's thread) -- 

So how'd the bet go this year?

I can't go 0 for 3, can I?  Turns out I can!  This year we used a certain November event as the basis for this year's gentlemen's bet, and though I finished a strong second, @jaybuck43 once again came out ahead.  So, seed money is my responsibility once again.  A task I'm happy to take up 

How much seed money?

Remember, I said I'm seeing triple!  So last year's $75...make it $250!  (Yes math majors, I know $225 is the actual triple of $75.  We'll call this triple-ish instead.)

Why am I seeing triple?

As you can read in the opening post for last year's thread, last year was a bit of a soft reset on my life that was brought about by the end of my practice marriage.  It was definitely for the best, and I came into 2022 happy and optimistic for what the year would bring.  Never did I think it would bless me THIS much!  2022 has brought me three nice windfalls on DraftKings, a renewed connection with my three immediate family members, a household with three pets, and soon enough, a family of three!  I first connected with the woman that I call the first true partner of my life in late January, and we haven't looked back since.  And come March, baby girl mattn792 will be here!  

Throughout the year I've stayed cognizant to share the good vibes around as much as I can, and hopefully this year's thread will continue that trend.  Dare I say...$3,000?

Before we get to this year's recipient, obligatory animal pics!

Who gets the money?

For the past two years, we've chosen animal charities for our recipient.  This time around though, both jaybuck and I felt strongly about donating this year's pledge pool to World Central Kitchen.  I had not heard of this organization until earlier this year when I was looking for charities focused on relief efforts in Ukraine to donate to.  WCK was one of the most highly recommended, and though much of their recent PR has been centered on Ukraine, their relief efforts are worldwide.  To fully read about their mission, please check out their website:

World Central Kitchen (wck.org)

Charity Navigator - Rating for World Central Kitchen Incorporated 
 

How does this thread work?

I'll be accepting donation pledges from anyone who wishes to contribute, starting from the time this thread goes live until closing next Saturday, 12/10, at 8 PM central time.  No money is due until the thread closes.

Pledges can be anonymous or public.  Anonymous pledges should be sent to me via PM with the subject line "2022 Holiday Charity Thread."  The only way a PM donation will not remain anonymous is if I receive the highest and/or 2nd and/or 3rd highest pledge via PM (more on that later).

Public pledges, please just post in this thread.

I will try to post the current top pledge amount and the overall tally on a daily basis, though due to some as yet undetermined work commitments for Monday-Wednesday, I may not have time to do so on those days.  I would say if you don't see something from me by 8 pm central and you'd like to do the pledge rankings and tally amount in my stead, please feel free.  I consider any pledge binding, so please Please PLEASE don't put up but not come through.
 

Is there a minimum? - No!  Please pledge whatever you'd like.  This is meant to be a fun little event to raise a few bucks for a great charitable organization, any amount is appreciated.  As I like to say -- It's not about the money, it's about the gesture.  Also, the amount pledged is the amount expected.  No fine print about "this pledge is per day of the week, or per mile" or anything like that.  A $10 pledge means that is the amount going to WCK. 

How do I send you my pledge money? - Fee free method would be appreciated by either PayPal F/F (no one is making money here, so this shouldn't violate their rules), Zelle, or even paper instrument through snail mail.  However, I will take PayPal G/S too, and I'll cover any fees.  Again, nothing is due until the thread closes.  Upon closure, I will send out a mass PM to everyone that made a public pledge that contains all of my payment info (PayPal, Zelle, snail mail address if needed).  Anonymous pledgers will be provided the same info on an individual PM basis.

Do you have references? - Absolutely!  PM me if you need any, and also check out the threads from the past two years.

Will you post proof of donation? - You better believe it.  A spot will be reserved on page 1 to post the donation receipt.

So I see you gave away a few things last year too, is that happening again?

Of course!  And I'm seeing triple!  So...three books (to start, odds are I'll add in at least one more as the week goes on).  Check out the next post in this thread for the specifics.

I will ship my books insured USPS priority to the winners, and I will cover the shipping cost.

BUT WAIT, there's more!  Both @BuscemasAvengers and @DavidTheDavid have made contributions to our prize pool, so the top 5 pledgers this year will walk away with a little something in hand.

Awarding of the books is solely based on the top five pledge amounts received, regardless of amount.  Again, no minimum, top pledge could be $10, or $1000, we shall see!  Top pledge gets their choice of book to take home, runner-up pledge picks next, etc.  If by chance a member chooses to pass on their pick, we keep on moving down the list.

--Also an important point on donor books:  Other members often participate in one of two ways -- putting up a book as a prize in this thread, or by running their own sales threads with the specification that the funds will be donated to this thread.  For tracking purposes in terms of pledging, in instances where a book is sold outside of this thread and the proceeds donated, the sale price will be credited as a pledge from the member who put up the book, not the member who purchased it.

Note:  As always, me and jaybuck ARE NOT eligible for the books.

 

And because this is a charity thread, pledges can absolutely be increased at any time should someone desire to do so.  If you feel like chasing any of the books, go for it!  And since @SkOw typically tries to buy the entire thread outright, be ready for a bidding war if there's a particular book you're chasing!  Just no pledge decreases please 


I believe I have covered everything, but if there's any questions about this thread, please PM me.  I will post any Q&A that will benefit the thread as a whole.  Also, if anyone has any suggestions, comments, or anything else for this thread or possible future ones, please send those along as well.  

Now let's get the tally climbing!  And spread the word!  Tell your friends, family...even people you don't like!

 

Edited December 19, 2022 by mattn792

[mattn792]

First book up is  Amazing Spider-Man 63.  I’d call it a 5.5 from a quick once over.

Claimed and re-donated by @Muno42

 

Next we have an 8.0 blue label copy of the iconic Wolverine Limited 1, with white pages and a custom label no less.

claimed by @SkOw

 

And third up is Superman 69.  Fun prankster cover hailing from the Golden Age.  About a 2.0.  Though detached, the cover is in great shape, and the interior pages still look fantastic.

claimed by @143ksk

 

@BuscemasAvengers has once again graciously donated to our prize pool, this time with a high grade Beast adventure 

claimed by @greggy

 

And @DavidTheDavid's contribution, with the description he provided -- "This is from the first print run. It is like new. This is a major contribution to the artform, in my humble opinion, from Nate Piekos of Blambot! It includes the stickers and cheat sheet originally included with it. Piekos is an established letterer in the comics industry, and he created this guide book to share his knowledge. Anyone with a bibliographical interest in comics or a desire to learn lettering would do well with this."

 

And in celebration of hitting the $2k mark, a reader copy of Incredible Hulk 182.  Cover detached, with part of back cover missing.

Edited December 16, 2022 by mattn792

[mattn792]

With all pledge funds in hand, I've sent out our first donation to WCK in the amount of $2,350.  Receipt (sans my address):

Please pm me if you need a copy of the official pdf.

Donation receipt number 2, consisting of the funds raised with the re-auction of the Wolverine LS 1.

And donation #3, consisting of ASM 63's $50 sale price and a privately received $26 contribution.

Edited December 19, 2022 by mattn792

[mattn792]

Even though we aren't doing an animal charity this year, we've had far too much fun exchanging pics and funny anecdotes about our furry friends in the past, so why stop now?  Please post away at your leisure!

Edited December 3, 2022 by mattn792

[mattn792]

And for a little added fun, any net proceeds from this DraftKing's line-up for tonight will be added to the pledge pool.

 

[143ksk]

I'll go $100 for each of my dogs...

[143ksk]

Dog #1

[143ksk]

Dog #2

Edited December 3, 2022 by 143ksk
More pictures

[143ksk]

Dog #3

Edited December 3, 2022 by 143ksk
More pictures

[jaybuck43]

On 12/3/2022 at 4:21 PM, 143ksk said:

Dog #2

I’ve never seen a dog hate their life and love it so much at the same time  

[143ksk]

On 12/3/2022 at 3:50 PM, jaybuck43 said:

I’ve never seen a dog hate their life and love it so much at the same time  

Are you suggesting that she doesn't like her doggiesaurus outfit?

[THE_BEYONDER]

On 12/3/2022 at 4:56 PM, 143ksk said:

Are you suggesting that she doesn't like her doggiesaurus outfit?

Looks about as stoked as my guy was when I first strapped on a pair of Doggles...

But he loves to stick his head out the window when driving, so it was get him a pair or take away that joy.

After the first car ride, he was totally in....

His name is Markus, and instead of getting a new toy today....he’s pledging $30

 

 

[DavidTheDavid]

I will donate this book to the thread. I hope that it's allowable as it's something that normally would belong in Mixed. I will pay the cost of shipping in the United States.

This is from the first print run. It is like new. This is a major contribution to the artform, in my humble opinion, from Nate Piekos of Blambot! It includes the stickers and cheat sheet originally included with it. Piekos is an established letterer in the comics industry, and he created this guide book to share his knowledge. Anyone with a bibliographical interest in comics or a desire to learn lettering would do well with this.

Edited December 4, 2022 by DavidTheDavid

[THE_BEYONDER]

On 12/3/2022 at 6:37 PM, DavidTheDavid said:

I hope that it's allowable as it's something that normally would belong in Mixed. 

Being a charity thread, could this not be moved to CG?

Edited December 4, 2022 by THE_BEYONDER

[DavidTheDavid]

I will pledge $10 in addition to the book donation above. The World Kitchen is an excellent organization and has done incredible work in Ukr.

[mattn792]

On 12/3/2022 at 6:06 PM, THE_BEYONDER said:

Being a charity thread, could this not be moved to CG?

I’ve always put it in G/S/B because of the prize books being offered, and we’ve done pretty well in here.  For now I say, if it ain’t broke.  

[THE_BEYONDER]

On 12/3/2022 at 8:54 PM, mattn792 said:

I’ve always put it in G/S/B because of the prize books being offered, and we’ve done pretty well in here.  For now I say, if it ain’t broke.  

[mattn792]

On 12/3/2022 at 5:37 PM, DavidTheDavid said:

I will donate this book to the thread. I hope that it's allowable as it's something that normally would belong in Mixed. I will pay the cost of shipping in the United States.

This is from the first print run. It is like new. This is a major contribution to the artform, in my humble opinion, from Nate Piekos of Blambot! It includes the stickers and cheat sheet originally included with it. Piekos is an established letterer in the comics industry, and he created this guide book to share his knowledge. Anyone with a bibliographical interest in comics or a desire to learn lettering would do well with this.

I’ll add this to the prize post tomorrow morning, thanks so much!  

@DavidTheDavid - I'm having trouble seeing the pic on my PC.  It comes through on the phone just fine, but I wasn't able to copy and paste the image from my phone either.  

Edited December 4, 2022 by mattn792

[mattn792]

On 12/3/2022 at 3:07 PM, mattn792 said:

And for a little added fun, any net proceeds from this DraftKing's line-up for tonight will be added to the pledge pool.

 

Verdict on this one...not the best.  Nunes and Diakiese...yikes.  Stay home next time.

HOWEVER, I did end +$135 on the night, so let's add another $25 to the pledge pool from tonight's winnings.

 

[mattn792]

And let's try another bet, net proceeds to the pool if we win 

 

 

UPDATE:  Monday morning has arrived, and this one didn't do so good 

Edited December 5, 2022 by mattn792