Please contribute to the Boxer, Stubbs-Jones flowers fund

[imenja]

We want to send each of them at least a dozen roses. My ideal would be three dozen each: one red, one white, and one bunch of irises. We then include a card that says: Thanks to an American patriot.

Contribute here.

https://secure.greybeardhosting.com/usvip/Donate/

It's legit. Email myself or GregD (website developer) for info.

We want to thank these women for their courage. :loveya:

[GregD]

1. Folks, we hope you will kick in on this

A group of folks from the San Francisco Bay Area including http://www.insanereagan.com/, http://www.democraticrenewal.us/, http://www.usvip.org/, Silicon Valley for Dean and others have been holding rallys at Boxer's SF office. Each time, her staff have made a contingent of our representatives welcome to meet with with them.

I've proposed that a coalition from this working group will take the flowers and present them with deep appreciation, and certainly a note that the DU community thanks them.

At https://secure.greybeardhosting.com/usvip/Donate you can donate by credit card, or click the Paypal button and donate that way.

Please e-mail imenja or [e-mail] and designate that the donation is for Boxer or Stubbs-Jones or either. If we get enough money, we can do something for Conyers, etc. as well.

[imenja]

9. we will email a receipt for the flowers

we want you everyone have confidence that this is legitimate. GregD will email a copy of the receipt to those who request.

[garybeck]

10. just one dozen? c'mon let's flood them with roses!!

I think you need to set up a website that can handle more donations just for the flowers. there are lots of people that would kick in $5 or $10. that's a lot of flowers. I'd say after a few hundred dollars of flowers we should figure out if we could donate to her favorite charity or something.

[imenja]

13. if we get enough we will!

Man, I've been posting this all night. We haven't gotten that much. (maybe 130-150? not sure. GregD has the totals and he's gone to bed). The guy can take as much money as people have. It's a secure website. Give what you can, post a link on other forums, and keep it kicked!

[garybeck]

15. Can you do something on your website to signify a flower donation?

i mean,.... we need a website with a photo of boxer, some flowers, a statement of thanks, and a way to make sure your name goes on the thank you note, etcc... know what i mean?



it's going to take some work. this should be coordinated with the people that are setting up the thank you website. it should probably be on that site but it's going to take at least a couple days to get that set up so maybe you should order some flowers for just those two people when you get a bit more money and let's talk to the web site people in the meantime.

gary

[imenja]

16. email GregD

he runs the website. We are doing this tomorrow though, so I don't think he's going to want to redesign his site. Talk to him though. I'm posting. He's doing the web stuff.

[Califooyah Operative]

19. yea.

something on the site about what we're donating to would be good.

[GregD]

23. What are you looking for?

I'm going to ask you to trust me on this one please. I spent the past 18 months fighting for a solution to the voter-verified paper ballots by being webmaster for the original www.verifiedvoting.org, Rush Holt's www.counteveryvote.org, and I've helped with database work and hosting of www.votersunite.org.

After sacrificing half my income as a result of those efforts, I don't think my principals are going to suddenly have this 180 degree reversal so I can scam folks out of $10 or $20 bucks. Here's my business site www.greybearddesign.com if you want to check me out.

[Califooyah Operative]

54. done.

i gave 9 bucks cuz im poor right now. i trust you wont screw me, not that i have the money, hehe. thanks!

[GregD]

64. and thank you!

we just cracked $600. The goal to thank every "yes" is nearing.

[GregD]

28. Califooyah Operative

I did not initally understand what you were asking, but I'm going to leave both responses (to you and garybeck) standing.

I can't put a example of what we will buy, but you can be assured that Imenja and I will use good judgment - just as our legislators did yesterday.

[GregD]

26. I just read this

after replying to CO.

Gary, I don't want to make this a complicated process. Imenja has been looking at flowers, and in terms of the names who are going on the "thank you" - those are on the credit card transactions I am receiving (and will remain private in terms of this board).

I'd really rather not build a page and such, as the present goal is to raise the money, then see how many legislators we can send flowers to.

When we are ready to buy the flowers, we'll (Imenja and I) send a note to the donors to make sure there are no striking disagreements on the selection.

Cool?

[imenja]

140. flowers

:kick:

[GardeningGal]

43. I sent an e-mail through my isp since I don't have enough posts to

send through DU. I read a lot but don't post a lot.

Anyway.....another $25 coming your way!

[imenja]

2. pledge and then post indicating support n/t

[Mojorabbit]

3. I donated via cc

But I do not know how to email you with my name.
Edited to say...Never mind. I found the email link duh

[GregD]

4. mojorox!

OK, your kind donation took us over $100.

Folks, if we can do some huge bouquets I'm sure it will be appreciated. Let's do this!

[imenja]

6. Did you provide that info on the donation form?

If you did, he has it. If not, let me know and I'll email you to figure something out. DU paying members can email other members directly, but there seems to be a function where I can email you via my DU account to your private email--I think that's how it works. Let me know.

[emlev]

5. Flowers may not get to her--see message body

David Lytel of Redefeat Bush (redefeatbush.com), who clearly knows his way around the scene in DC, says in his message of this evening, about the idea of sending Boxer (specifically) flowers:

"Flowers are great, but they're somewhat troublesome on Capitol Hill since they no longer go directly to the place you send them but sit someplace waiting to undergo security screening, like every other object both animate and inanimate."

I don't think dead flowers are the message we want to send. To her, anyway. Maybe we should send dead flowers to others, and look for another idea for Boxer, Stubbs, Conyers?

[imenja]

7. I called her office

and they said the flowers would go through. Of course we thought about radiation and terrorism threats, etc. Her staff person in San Francisco thought it would work out fine if we used a florist rather than UPS or some similar mail service.

[woodsprite]

37. What about something for them AND their staff

like a bagel bash. Our local bagel company (Manhattan Bagel's) will do a bagel bash for offices. Tray of bagels, spreads, few chocolates and strawberries sprinkled throughout and pitchers of coffee. That for the staff with a bouquet of roses for Boxer and Tubbs would be special. That would thank them all. If there was enough money, you could even do the bagel bash for both their state office and the DC office.

I think we owe it to them :)

[imenja]

65. we want to get to as many yea voters as possible

All 34 if we can. Staff can enjoy flowers too.

[kimpossible]

31. Send to home office rather than DC?

I think the House and Senate both adjourned yesterday until the chimpauguration on the 20th. So they might not even be in DC today. Sending flowers to their regional offices might be the way to go.

[imenja]

66. right

Originally we hoped to send them today, but we didn't have enough money. So we will send them to their home offices this Monday. I called Tubbs-Jones and Boxer's office today. We will check in with the others, but I imagine most will be out of DC. It seems that the Gonzalez senate hearings are the only show in town now.

[imenja]

8. nominate for home page

Please! Wouldn't it be great to flood the Hill with flowers for our Democratic patriots?

[Mojorabbit]

12. kick

[garybeck]

11. we should send to all these people

House ---- YEAS 31 ---

Brown, Corrine
Carson
Clay
Clyburn
Conyers
Davis (IL)
Evans
Farr
Filner
Grijalva
Hastings (FL)
Hinchey
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones (OH)
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kucinich
Lee
Lewis (GA)
Markey
McKinney
Olver
Owens
Pallone
Payne
Schakowsky
Thompson (MS)
Waters
Watson
Woolsey

SENATE

Boxer

[imenja]

14. if we get enough money we will!

That would be ideal. Question is $$$$$.
Post this all over the place and keep it kicked so we can.

[GregD]

131. I've prepared a spreadsheet with all of their district office addresses

[GregD]

17. $163 and counting.

Who's in on this? These people did what we begged them to do, for once! We actually got them to flipping do the right thing. Let's let them know that DU loves 'em.

[joevoter]

18. We can also ask her for action instruction

[NoPasaran]

20. I donated $25 n/t

[imenja]

22. yeah!!!!!!!

[peekaloo]

21. done

:kick:

[GregD]

24. We have $253 as of this morning.

I'm going to look into a local florist here to see if we can get a nice arrangement that a group would hand deliver.

For Tubbs-Jones, and for Conyers, is there a group that would do the same for their local offices? Or should we plan on delivery by Proflowers or someone?

Who else wants in on this?

Greg

[rtd199]

25. MAKE THAT 278.00 I just donated 25.00

[Blue Pomegranate]

27. I just sent a PayPal donation.

And an email asking that it be split evenly between them. Thank you for this.

[kimpossible]

29. I'm in. Kick!

I just donated through your link. Thanks a lot for organizing this!

[GregD]

32. $299 so far!

keep it up.

[loritooker]

38. Greg, for expedience I'm thinking Proflowers for Conyers and STJ

That way it will get done quickly, even if the delivery may cost a bit more.

[NMRedGreen]

41. thanks for the Proflowers tip

look like a nice simple provider of flowers - if we raise enough, can we include some of their orangey roses in the mix?

and I'm all for Bagels for the staffs if possible, after all, I was the one who made the first "Bread & Roses" reference in the earlier thread. With cream cheese and lox, of course. I mean cream cheese and lox for the bagel platters, not the earlier thread. Oh never mind....

back to work, damn, I hate bein' my own boss.

[mattclearing]

30. She's Tubbs-Jones, isn't she?

Not to rain on your parade, because this is a wonderful thank-you.

[imenja]

35. Gosh, you're right. My Alzheimer's is getting really bad

Thank you for the correction. Imagine if we had addressed the card incorrectly.

[imenja]

36. evidence that I wans't always this bad. Like at 5 pm yesterday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=120&topic_id=27663#27760

[Mojorabbit]

33. kick

[dalloway]

34. just donated..kick n/t

[NMRedGreen]

40. added a few more bux

to my earlier contribution, with traditional 1 cent marker.

Looked at both House and Senate web sites, no activity planned until the 20th. So I suggest delivery to home offices. This gesture will be shared with their staffs, and after all the thousands of phone calls and letters and faxes we and so many others have flooded them with these past few days, would be nice to say thanks to them as well.

Now I'll go and see if I can find any information about their various campaign committees and how we can also make some contributions to those groups.

honey and sugar, we'll reward them with both.

[loritooker]

39. I just donated $25.

[NMRedGreen]

42. read what a dKos reader did

and the reaction of the staff:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/1/7/1587/90770

"In the front room of Senator Boxer's office there were three young women answering phones, who looked and sounded like they'd been through hell and back.  The one at the second desk stood up when she saw me come in, and I handed her the flowers, which got a big smile."

let's spread a few more smiles around

[imenja]

44. I'm with you there

I love that story. I agree that we should send flowers to Tubbs-Jones, Conyers, Jesse Jackson Jr., all the the yea voters if we can.

[imenja]

45. Stephanie TUBBS-jones

so sorry for the error. If I have these kind of senior moments now, imagine when I'm really a senior!

[Junkdrawer]

46. $25 more...

:kick:

[shireen]

47. donate to charity instead?

instead of flowers, why not donate to a charity or tsunami victims relief groups in their honor? just a suggestion ...

[imenja]

49. that's also a great idea, Congo?

That was discussed yesterday. It's possible for us to do both. I would suggest money toward a fund for the Congo or general relief funds for the Tsunami. Aid organizations have said that there is a great amount of funds flowing in for the Tsunami victims, but that the other "forgotten" tragedies are sorely short of funds.

[GregD]

50. We're on a roll - we just passed $500!

If you want to do something for all those that voted yes, I think it is possible.

Oops - meant to post this to the main thread.

I'm open to other ideas, but at this point I have about 20 people who wawnted to send flowers. Not sure if this is a good time to revise strategy unless there is a concensus.

[Greybnk48]

48. I just sent $50

I wish it could be more.

[BlackVelvet04]

51. Done.

Sorry it couldn't be more.

Thanks for handling this.

[GregD]

52. Uhh, the ladies are making the guys look like pikers!

DUers of the female persuasion are supporting this on a 10:1 basis!

[BlackVelvet04]

53. I think it's as important to say thank you

and a job well done as it is to complain when things aren't to our liking.

[GregD]

60. I was teasing. Don't worry about it.

[rdmccur]

55. Added 10 bucks

[shireen]

56. not just flowers

I'm not a big fan of sending flowers, it's a nice gesture but I prefer to see money going towards helping people ... must be a Democratic thing. :-)

If whoever's running this is willing to send most of the donations to a charity in honor of Boxer (and Tubbs?), and a smaller amount of money that would still buy a beautiful bouquet of flowers to Boxer (and Tubbs?), I'll chip in. If not, I'm going to make a donation to Doctors without Borders in honor of Boxer and Tubbs.

thanks!

[imenja]

57. What's the count Greg?

[imenja]

58. wow, just saw your post above

we'll have most of the yea votes covered soon!

[GregD]

61. $578 and counting!

[corbett]

59. Kick

[VTGold]

62. Done - thanks! Put lots of Xs and Os on the card!!

[JoMama49]

63. Done and kicked n/t

[mordarlar]

67. I wanted to link to this thread. We are tring to get action in one spot.:)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=262387&mesg_id=262387

Please join us

[imenja]

68. great. please see my question in your other forum n/t

[GregD]

69. $613!

[imenja]

71. awesome!!!!!!!!!

[Vektor]

70. I donated, and...KICK!!

What a great cause!

[shireen]

72. have fun with my $$$ :-)

Imenja, I just tried to email you by clicking that little email icon, but apparently, I don't have enough posts to send private messages yet. Hmmm ...

Anyhow, I just chipped in $20. Have fun spending it. :-)

cheers,
shireen

[BernieBear]

73. I gave 20.00

[GardeningGal]

74. kick for those that haven't seen it yet....nt

[KatieB]

75. Just gave 20

[MadisonProgressive]

76. I really want to donate, but

the site says:

"Your contributions will keep USVIP.org operating and breathe life into our future efforts."

How do we know this will go to flowers and not to their general operating funds - I'm confused!

[imenja]

77. good question

GregD runs a fund that works to correct electronic voting problems. That is the site we are using, and he has a spreadsheet keeping the funds separate. In fact, I think all the funds coming in over this weekend are for the flowers. He has promised to email everyone a copy of the receipts for the flowers. If you have questions, please email him through DU (GregD). I'm sure he will help assuage your quite understandable concerns.

[GregD]

78. Please be assured the money will be handled as promised.

See my post 23 above. I have no intention of disappointing anyone.

[Mojorabbit]

79. kick

[Adelante]

80. $25 via PayPal

I hope I'm not too late.

[GregD]

81. We'll cut this off soon. Anyone else?

We are just around $700, so that is not enough to send flowers to everyone that voted YES, but we can do several of them.

[Adelante]

82. Whatever you think best, but

Stubbs-Jones, Boxer and Conyers, if we can't send to all who voted yea, IMHO.

[imenja]

86. they are covered, other list here--help us choose

Since we can't send to all the yea voters, I suggest sending flowers to those at the press conference:

Boxer
Tubbs-Jones
Conyers
Jesse Jackson Jr
Shelia Jackson-Lee
Cynthia McKinney
Corrine Brown
John Lewis ?
Maxine Waters?

Help me out here

[Pastiche423]

88. Are you saying

enough has been donated to send flowers to:

Boxer
Tubbs-Jones
Conyers
Jesse Jackson Jr
Shelia Jackson-Lee
Cynthia McKinney
Corrine Brown
John Lewis
Maxine Waters

?

If not, please let me know and I will donate more.

Thank you and Greg for organizing this show of appreciation!

[imenja]

89. yes

We have over 700 dollars. The bouquets, with delivery, will be no more than $60 plus tax. Which means we can given to at least 11 people. I'm trying to figure out exactly who was at the press conference, because we thought that would be one way to limit it.

[MadisonProgressive]

96. I think we need to hold out for flower for all that stood up

If we have enough now for 12 people, it will only be another few days to get the full amount, if we keep this kicked. I just donated $50 via paypal, and I put out a challenge to ALL DU'ers to just pitch in what you can. If everyone pitched in $5, we'd be able to fill the entire rooms with flowers!

[imenja]

100. Very generous!

:yourock:

[Mojorabbit]

83. kick

[Mojorabbit]

146. kick

[MelissaB]

84. In for $20

Thanks for doing this!

[imenja]

85. Awesome Melissa

:yourock:

[loritooker]

87. Wherever the delivery to Boxer goes, shall we call the media?

This may strike some as a disingenous impulse, but if the news covered it, I think it would show others a beautiful, dramatic statement that her actions mattered to many. Imagine it.

[imenja]

90. good idea

I know Boxer has gotten a lot of flowers. Her DC office told me the office was full of them. So that is something else we can tell the media. As a result, I thought it would be best to send only one bouquet to her, and divide the wealth pretty equally. We will be sending all of the flowers to the local offices because they are in recess now. Flowers will arrive on Tuesday.

[GetTheRightVote]

91. I would love to contribute, PM the details please ........

:mad:

I just love these ladies, they are the best of us, with strength and courage they stood up when others failed, they deserve so much more the flowers but they will do for now.

I am not going anywhere !!!

[imenja]

92. details on the initial post

but I also sent you a PM. Thanks very much!

[crispini]

93. I'm in for $10. donating now! n/t

[crispini]

94. The donation form is down...

I got a submit error when I pressed the button. I PM'ed GregD.

[imenja]

95. great, you can also use paypal

GregD will tell you how.

[imenja]

205. roses and tulips

[MadisonProgressive]

97. My Challenge to all DU'ers

I put out a challenge to ALL DU'ers to just pitch in what you can, even if it's only $5. We need to get flowers for all the patriots. Otherwise it seems very arbitrary regarding who receives them and deoesn't.

[imenja]

98. Good challenge Madison

We're not terribly far away from that goal. If everyone puts in a few bucks, we can send to all the yea voters.

[BigBearJohn]

99. Add me in

[GregD]

101. We're over $800 folks.

Flowers for 32 brave souls? Can we raise enough for all of the yes votes?

[mittenlandgirl]

102. here's some more

just donated thru paypal, wasn't sure how to earmark for flowers. let me know if you need info for that.

:thumbsup:

[imenja]

103. Thanks! And we know it's for the flowers

We're getting close! :grouphug:

[MelissaB]

104. How much do we need for all

of those who stood? If it's posted in this thread I missed it.

[imenja]

105. well, depends....

GregD is working on getting a discount from a client of his who is a florist. The florist is going to see what the best deal he could give us is. If we go through ProFlowers--a site and is pretty affordable considering--it would probably be impossible to send all 32 flowers: $1300-1700. (I thought it would be just over $1000, but I miscalculated. ProFlowers charges 40-50 a bouquet delivered, not including sales tax.) Right now we have something over $800. I could try negotiating a better deal with them, but we will first see what Greg's friend offers. I don't want to wait any later than tomorrow to order.

My suggestion was to send to everyone at the press conference if we can't send to all 32 yes voters. I need help remembering exactly who was there. A few posts above, I listed the names I recall.

[MelissaB]

110. Come on, guys!

Let's get enough $$ to send flowers to all of them.

:kick:

[MadisonProgressive]

115. I don't want to wait any later than tomorrow to order.

imenja,

Why the hurry? Couldn't we wait a day or two to get enough money for flowers for all the patriots? I personally will feel really bad if we have to arbitrarily select who gets the flowers and who doesn't. We must have close to $1000 by now and if we keep this kicked I can't imagine the rest couldn't be collected in a short period of time. After all, some people only come here every few days (some people unlike myself actually have a life).

Just think about it.

[imenja]

116. ok, but ...

you'll need to keep posting this and keep it kicked. People won't donate unless it's at the top of the page, and I can't be on DU much the next few days.

[imenja]

128. Read post 126 and tell me what you think n/t

[senegal1]

106. Done -- I also sent flowers to Boxer in the Senate on Friday

I vote in CA and I must of hassled her staff a zillion times. I was sooooo proud she stood up.

[imenja]

111. great, keep this kicked n/t

[buddysmellgood]

107. DON'T SEND FLOWERS UNLESS YOU WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR!

Flowers are great. I commend the effort. But please, please, send a letter to the editor of your local paper telling them WHY you sent flowers. Nothing thanks an elected official like ink in a paper. Use this effort to let people know about the courage of these patriots. Contributing money to sending flowers will make you feel good...but getting ink in the local paper will spread the word and make a difference.

Something as simple as:
I sent flowers to Congressman John Conyers Jr. and Senator Barbara Boxer yesterday and so should you. These modern-day patriots stood up for your right to vote. They exposed the cheats and lies in Ohio that rob our electoral system of integrity. Electoral reform should be Job One for congress. We simply cannot move forward in America with the cloud of illegitimacy hanging over our president.

[imenja]

108. sounds good Buddy

I will

[denese]

109. flowers and letters

I donated to the flower fund and bought some nice stationary to write my thank you letters and letters to the editor on.
I never buy stationary :)
denese

[GregD]

112. We have passed $900 now!

You folks are great.

[pacalo]

113. I gladly contribute $50 for the flowers.

I'd love to see everyone who stood up for the People to receive flowers. Thanks for doing this, imenja & GregD!

[GregD]

121. love the username

[JohnOneillsMemory]

114. Heck, nice gesture but...all that money could....n/t

[MadisonProgressive]

117. KICK

[MadisonProgressive]

118. Come on people - contribute!!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

119. I just donated! I hope there will be so many flowers they won't be able

to walk into their offices!

[MadisonProgressive]

120. Kick it Goood!

[Adelante]

122. Donated yesterday nt

:kick:

[imenja]

129. kick

[KatieB]

123. How to distribute flowers..visual overflow to Boxer's office

Just an idea - what if we bought something less expensive than roses and were able to create a visual overflow effect. Send them all to BOXER'S D.C. office with a note saying "to you and Rep Tubbs and all who voted yes." Thousands and thousands of bright flowers laid in her D.C. office lobby! Then BOXER (& her staff) could call her colleages and say ""You HAVE to come over here and see this!"

[imenja]

124. She's in CA until Jan 20

They all are. That's why we decided to send them to their district offices. I would have preferred a DC delivery so that other Senators would see it, but Friday would have been our only change to do that.
I spoke to the DC office on Friday, and they have received lots of flowers. How it works is the staff person is called outside to collect the flowers and bring them in. It's not right to ask this young woman to carry in 32 vases of flowers and then be required to distribute them. My guess is the others might not receive them.

[GetTheRightVote]

125. I gave so should we all .....

:)

[imenja]

126. Alternative: deliver in DC on Jan 20?

I had hoped to get these flowers to the congresspeople asap after the vote to thank them. Many seem to want to wait until we raise enough for all 32 yes voters to receive flowers. The congresspeople are now in their home states until Jan 20. Another possibility might be to have them delivered on Jan 20. The delivery in the House would be a mass one, to 32 members--red, white, and blue bouquets (they are beautiful, not tacky). If we have enough $$, we could send extra to Boxer to make a bigger impression. We get the media to cover the deliveries--a beautiful, patriotic photo op? What do you guys think? Anyone have media contacts in DC?

[marions ghost]

135. with all the hoo-ha in DC...

maybe it would be good to have them delivered the day BEFORE the inauguration? Just a thought.

Definitely I think all 32 yes voters should receive flowers. OK, it's a lot of money but when the anointed one gets to spend $50 million on his coronation...well, I think it's totally justified and a great idea. This is a special occasion (we can be frugal and just send faxes and cards from now on...)

Imenja can u post how much more money you are trying to raise?

[imenja]

137. money

Right now we have just over $1000. We have raised very little today.
We are waiting to hear from Greg's florist friend to determine what kind of a deal he could give us. If we were to pay full retail at Proflowers, we'd need a minimum of $1279.36 plus sales tax for the least expensive flowers. The bouquet I favor costs more, $49.99 + 9.99 delivery, but I would try to get a deal through proflowers if we went with them. We are buying in large quantity, and if all but one bouquet is delivered to the same building, we shouldn't have to pay full shipping charges.

Here's the one I like. I would ask them to put in some white flowers. I like the patriot theme of red, white, and blue. It would make a great photo op for the media.
http://products.proflowers.com/product/(cjfrlx55kennia45icfzxm55)/productdetail.aspx?pID=5395&lng=&CatID=oUSA&REF=HomeNoRefB&validAcc=&selectionTypeID=OUSA

[MadisonProgressive]

147. All they need to do is add some white ones - beautiful!!

[imenja]

153. yes! exactly my idea!

WE have to see if Greg's friend can put together something like that for us. I'm glad you like the red, white, and blue. I was beginning to wonder if it was a bit kitch. The flowers themselves are so beautiful though, it won't come off as tacky. Dyed carnations would be another matter.

[Laurab]

141. Great idea

No media contacts here. I'm going to up my donation, and post at the bottom to keep this kicked. I'm thinking a day later might be good - isn't that the day the King has his 50 million dollar party?

[Debbie13]

143. This idea is great. The House won't prohibit a mass of flowers being

brought in, will they? I agree that a public acknowlegement is the right thing to do to show support.

Do you want us to try to drum up some outside support for this fund?

[imenja]

145. Any additional help would be great

We are still short and the DU pool seems to have dried up.
I like the DC delivery too. Delivering to the local offices thanks the politicians, but a DC mass delivery will be seen by others as well.

[GregD]

148. Right now we are just short of $1100

I'm trying to get a deal on this froma client who is a wholesale florist, and I'm still waiting to hear from him about price.

But I suspect we need to increase the fund to get all 32 deliveries completed. So if you have the ability to widen the net in terms of people who will contribute, that will relaly help.

[shireen]

165. Jan 19

Someone else mentioned Jan 19, and I agree. They'll need it to sit through the Chimp's illegal coronation.

Also, if the press attends, it would be a nice little news pre-inauguration story.

:evilgrin:

[sunnystarr]

127. Kick

[BlackVelvet04]

130. kick n/t

[Debbie13]

132. Are you still taking money for the flowers? Great Idea to send to the

House. Might even get some publicity.


I see the link, but how do you specify the money is for the flowers?

[imenja]

133. it all goes to the flowers

but if you want to double verify, send a PM to GregD letting him know you name and donation. Please see my question a couple of posts above for how you feel about waiting until Jan 20 to send the flowers.

[GregD]

134. That's correct

Just let me know by sending me a PM, or responding to the confirmation e-mail the system sends out when a donation is received, and the money will go to the flower fund.

[MadisonProgressive]

136. kickity snickity

[Laurab]

138. Just donated

Thanks to you two for organizing this!

[imenja]

139. wonderful, please answer the question on post 126

[Laurab]

142. Just donated again

:kick:

[marions ghost]

144. ok I sent a small contribution via paypal

thank you all for doing this--

the florist ought to give you a good deal for this kind of quantity, let us know how it goes.

[MadisonProgressive]

149. KICK

[GregD]

150. kicking for boxer

[MadisonProgressive]

151. Where are the 60,000 members?

Darn it all, all we're asking for is 5 dollars from all DU'ers. If you can't muster up 5 bucks, then God bless you, but those that can plese do so ASAP. Time is running out and we need to raise another $1000 dollare. That's just 100 DU'er puting down 10 lousy bucks! Save that six pack and put it towards a good cause!!!

[mikelewis]

152. $10 more

[Laurab]

154. How's the fund today?

I donated twice, but if need be, I'll do it again. I really thought there'd be no problem raising the money we'd need.

:kick:

[Pharaoh]

155. OK I"M IN FOR 10 bucks

You drive a hard bargain madisonprogressive........

WE LOVE YOU TUBBS AND BOXER!

:dem: :dem: :dem:

[MadisonProgressive]

156. Thank you, Pharaoh!

We really need all the help we can get. Come on, people !!!

We atill need $500 .... Can I hear 5????

[imenja]

157. you've been generous

We're working out a deal with a florist. But keep this kicked so that others will contribute.

[Laurab]

158. will do

:kick:

[lady lib]

159. :kick:

[mikelewis]

160. kick

[imenja]

161. Please answer the question on #126

about a Jan 20 or 21 delivery.

[MadisonProgressive]

162. KICK

I think Jan 21 would be ideal. It wouldn't get lost in the crazyness and security of the inauguration.

[Pharaoh]

163. OK I'm in for 20 bucks more

How bought jan 19th , It may sooth them before the damned coronation....!!!!


:dem: :dem: :dem:

[marions ghost]

166. yeah I favor the day before

--gets it there well before the weekend and would be a plus just before the big event, to help lift spirits. Which I'm sure will be in need of being lifted.

[shireen]

164. kick it up

:kick:

:kick:

:kick:

[Blue Pomegranate]

167. Kick

:dem:

[MadisonProgressive]

168. KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK

[Pharaoh]

169. THE KICKENATOR

:dem: :dem: :dem:

[Der Blaue Engel]

170. I see this is kicked...but are you still taking donations?

Just want to make sure I haven't missed the boat. If you're still taking them, is there a final deadline?

Thanks!

[imenja]

186. still taking them yes

don't know what the final date is, but a donation very soon would help since we need to get the order in right away. At this point, we're looking at a delivery sometime after the inauguration.

[gkhouston]

171. inserts crowbar in wallet...

another $50 for our patriots... hope they don't have allergies!

Gina

[Pharaoh]

172. Imenja/greg

whats the count?how much more we need?


KICK
:dem: :dem: :dem:

[MadisonProgressive]

173. Yeah, how much booty do we have and how much more do we need?

[GregD]

174. Just over $1100

I spoke with my client who is a flower wholesaler. He can order (very) fresh roses from South America so they would be in Atlanta on Thursday 1/20, then they are sent overnight to DC (or district offices) for Friday delivery.

Because of the discount I am getting, I think we are close to being able to ship two dozen roses (a dozen each red and white) to each legislator. The roses will be shipped, in a box, wrapped in plastic. It will be up to each office to place them in a vase. (This packaging is necessitated because it's the only way FedEx can handle flowers.)

He tells me that getting blue flowers into the box will be difficult and costly. Iris are not available from the rose grower, and opening the rose boxes to add blue flowers brought in from another grower could double the price.

I also spoke to Boxer's office just now, and they have a lot of flowers. I could almost hear her rolling her eyes at the thought of "Oh Lord, more flowers! Where do we put THESE!" She suggested that the Senator will get to enjoy them if we send them to DC.

So what I am checking with my client on, and asking for your agreement upon, is this:

2 dozen roses (a dozen each, red and white) shipped to the DC offices. Boxer, 31 Congressmen/women, and possibly the House Judiciary office?

The alternative is to go back to the Proflowers idea. My presumption is that those are prepared locally (in DC), in a vase (as pictured in their site). But we will not get a discount, and we are far from being able to send something to all of our Representatives, so we'd either have to raise more money, or try to determine which of the 32 offices to send them to.

I'm open to either, and feel I am only here to facilitate your wishes. Let us know your thoughts please.

[marions ghost]

175. question...

I favor the red/white roses in boxes. I'm sure they have vases around. Oh well, it's kinda valentiny but that's appropriate too. All 32 should receive them. At this pt I would keep it simple.

Q: Does the wholesaler absolutely HAVE TO deliver them on a Friday? I just worry that they will be forgotten until Monday.
No possibility before the inaugural?

[GregD]

176. tough before the inaugural at this point

Since the flowers are being shipped from SA.

One idea, however, is to deliver on the following Monday.

[imenja]

177. Wow, that's getting really late Greg

How about the 21st? And what did Rene say about the options for types of flowers? See post 147.

[GregD]

179. I posted what I know at this point.

Still waiting to hear from him on my latest note.

BTW, post 147 refers to a bouquet that as shown costs $59 delivered. Adding white ??? will add to that cost.

We can have them delivered on the 21st, but as the poster noted, they may sit there for the weekend. If they are delivered on Monday the 24th, they will be enjoyed all week. Or order the Proflowers assortment, but for 32 offices we need $1900. Right now, we're almost to $1200.

As I mentioned, I'm just facilitating the fundraising effort. I don't want to over-influence what we buy. I'm OK with whatever anyone wants to do.

[imenja]

180. I'm not suggesting we use proflowers

I was hoping you could ask if he could get us something like that. White flowers could be substituted for flowers in that bunch rather than adding more.
Edit: Sorry, wrote this before reading your longer post above.

[imenja]

181. sorry, I missed the longer post

Thanks for the info.

[marions ghost]

183. I was gonna suggest that

Monday the 24th would be better than the 21st they might actually not be lost in the whirlwind surrounding the coronation, and would be there all week. Not sure timing is so crucial as long as the message of support for their action on Jan 6 is clear. It actually might be nice pick-up in the "back to work" aftermath.

Just trying to offer suggestions--I know how hard it is to coordinate a group gift--have done it more than once. You guys are doing a great job.

[MadisonProgressive]

198. I agree that the timimg isn't that crucial - It's the thought that counts!

[mycher]

178. Flower Fund

Just donated $10 through PayPal--hope it's not too late.

Cheryl Dunn

[imenja]

182. I can also look into a discount with proflowers

Since we are ordering in such large quantity and delivering to a only two addresses, I can't believe they wouldn't give us won.
My main concern with your above description is not having a vase. The congressional offices will not likely have vases on hand.
I would imagine that Proflowers, like FTD and others, uses local florists to deliver.

[senegal1]

184. I suggest that with Valentines Day coming up Roses will go up

in price so its worth getting it done no later than that monday you are suggesting. I think red and white sound fine. I wouldn't worry about a vase. I've worked in several government offices and they usually have something around that will do.

[imenja]

185. that's good to know

I guess that would especially be true for Boxer's Officer, where they have been receiving lots of Flowers. Red and white is nice. I was hoping for something blue too, to emphasize the patriotic theme. Still, Greg's friend is giving us a good deal and we should probably take advantage of it. I'd like to know what others think.

[GardeningGal]

191. My vote is for Greg's client

I think it's a great choice. I love roses and I don't think it's important to get blue flowers. I also like the idea of delivery on Monday the 21st.

Are you okay on donations? I get paid tomorrow and could ante up again if necessary.

[imenja]

192. see post 188 for another option

[imenja]

194. I think so

Greg will know for sure

[marions ghost]

187. another reason why Monday delivery might be good.....

to imply "renewed efforts"--looking beyond, not competing with--the coronation. The following conference is going on in DC and the
legislative offices could get visitors:

Lead Group in Movement to Challenge Ohio's Electoral Votes Plans Summit to Address "What's Next"
WASHINGTON -- January 11 -- Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) will meet with hundreds of activists from across the country in Washington DC on January 21 -23, 2005 to discuss election reform and other progressive plans for 2005 and beyond. Key leaders of the movement to contest the 2004 Presidential vote will convene a panel to discuss the lessons learned. In the audience will be hundreds of activists committed to PDA’s 9-point electoral reform package, which calls for:

[Der Blaue Engel]

188. While this isn't ideal...

...I thought I'd let you know about a place I ordered flowers from for my handfasting (wedding) ceremony. I just thought of them because I ordered 8 dozen deep red "black baccara" and white "cream prophyta" roses, which is very similar to what we're talking about here.

http://www.mnmrose.com

They are wholesalers in Israel. (I'm not aware of them having any political connections, but one never knows.) They offer beautiful roses at unbelievable prices; the more you order, the cheaper they get. 64 dozen roses would probably be less than $650 (including shipping, via FedEx). They would not, however, be delivered with vases, and in fact someone would probably have to separate out the individual dozens from cartons. (A job I would be happy to help with, except I'm in San Francisco...but maybe people in the area could volunteer?) They require 7-days' advance notice.

It poses some logistical problems, and they don't have anything blue, but the price is amazing.

Just a thought,
Betty

[imenja]

189. Wow, those prices are amazing!

How was the quality?

[Der Blaue Engel]

195. The red ones were absolutely gorgeous

But the white ones had a slight green tinge to the tips. Those (the "cream prophyta") were also a little on the small side, but they were still good quality roses, and they were very fresh. (They have a 100% guarantee, but I didn't bother to request replacements since it would have been too late to be of any use.)

The roses look a little bedraggled when you take them out of the box at first because they're packed very tightly, but after an hour in water with the included rose food, they were nice and perky, and they stayed fresh for over a week. I still have most of them, dried and hanging about my apartment. :)

[imenja]

196. I guess I opt for Greg's source. What do other's think?

if the roses will be better quality. Still, it looks like a great source to keep in mind. What do other's think?

[kimpossible]

190. Red and white roses with a blue ribbon?

The wholesale deal for two dozen roses each sounds great. And I agree that it's almost certain that every office will have a vase. Especially doing this a week or so after Valentine's Day - there will be wilted flowers being thrown away and leaving empty vases sitting around.

If they can't put in blue flowers with the red and white roses, how about a blue ribbon? Can they either tie a blue ribbon around the whole bunch, or else put in a blue bow attached to one of those little plastic sticks so that it can be put into a vase with the arrangement?

[imenja]

193. a blue ribbon would be nice

See post 188 too

[MadisonProgressive]

199. I say go with the white/red roses - a blue ribbin would be nice tho

[imenja]

200. if others think it's okay, we can ask Greg to order them ASAP

[z-man]

197. Isn't the orange ribbon representing the fight

for Democracy? Just a thought.

[GregD]

201. ok, here is the latest

I checked with Rene, the florist. Here is where we are at:

12 white roses, 12 red roses, 1 or 2 stems of a BLUE filler flower (for your inauguration motif) Price is $30 per 2 dozen bouquet Price to FedEx $15 Total $45 per order

So if we ship to 33 offices (Boxer, 31 CongressCritters and the House Judiciary Dems office) we need $1485.

Right now, we are just over $1200. Could we have a few more donations, please, to get us over the hump? Once I have the balance, I'll go ahead and place the order.

Thanks,
Greg

[imenja]

202. other deal?

what was the other deal Greg? Can we go with what we already have without the blue flowers? Or if we reduced the roses to 18 rather than 24?

[Laurab]

203. I say Greg's deal, less roses maybe?

Most offices can find vases. Also, reducing the roses to 18 should make difference enough so that we could add something blue. If not, just go with the red & white maybe? Even a dozen would be good, with a blue flower/flowers or ribbon. It's more the thought I think than the quantity.

I would have thought fed ex could give some type of deal with most of them going to the same address?

Anyway, I'd be willing to donate more, but first I'd like to see what you decide. Not much more though, because my paypal account is low.

I'll check in later tonight and see what's decided.

:kick:

[imenja]

204. yeah, I was wondering about the shipping too

That's the part that seems expensive to me.

[imenja]

206. What's the lastest news on the flowers?

[GregD]

207. We raised the entire balance - we're good to go

I posted this thread earlier today, and we took the balance (after netting out the Paypal and merchant account fees) to $1506.

The order can be placed right away, though we have until tomorrow to meet Rene's scheduling needs.

I have placed a spreadsheet at www.usvip.org/docs/FlowersForDemocracy.xls which has all of the addresses. If someone wouldn't mind checking my work, we can all be assured that the correct addresses have been included with the order.

Anyhow, I guess the next question is whether someone wants to compose a brief thank-you note. If we have that ready in the next couple days, we can mail it to the florist, and ask Rene to include our note with the shipments. Would someone be willing to make some sort of pretty letterhead for this?

[imenja]

208. that's awesome!

I'd be happy to write a note, but I don't know how to make a letter head. Perhaps someone else will post expressing some expertise in the matter.
How do you plan to allocate the extra funds?

[GregD]

211. Any progress on the note?

Any particular sentiments that people would like expressed?

I sent the address list (not yet proofread by anyone but me) to Rene, the flower guy, and asked him to proceed. Also e-mailed everyone that donated to let them know we were proceeding with the order. Will send everyone some evidence of the purchase once I have that in hand (some time next week.)

[imenja]

212. note

I didn't see a need for anything elaborate on the note. This is the sort of thing I had in mind:

To an American Patriot,
With thanks for your courage on January 6 (or)
With thanks for your courage on January 6 in defense of democracy.

Signed: How shall we sign it? Members of Democratic Underground? Should we give ourselves another name? Including everyone's signature would make too long of a note.

Suggestions?

[Lisabtrucking]

218. I didn't see tubbs name on the list. n/t

[imenja]

209. Let's work on getting press coverage

Does anyone have media contacts in DC?

[shireen]

210. kick

:kick:

[imenja]

213. Note accompanying flowers: Feedback please

This is the sort of thing I had in mind for the note accompanying the flowers.


To an American Patriot,
With thanks for your courage on January 6 (or)
With thanks for your courage on January 6 in defense of democracy.

Signed: How shall we sign it? Members of Democratic Underground? Should we give ourselves another name? Including everyone's signature would make too long of a note.

Suggestions? Ideas for improvements?

[GregD]

214. kick until the flowers are delivered

[imenja]

215. have you closed off contributions on your website?

We wouldn't want people contributing when we don't need anymore money. Will you be spending the extra money on flowers for Boxer? I recall you're saying you had about $100 more than we needed.
Donna has written a very nice note. I expect she has emailed you the shortened version by now.

[GregD]

216. correct, no more donations needed

We are not nearly $100 over, probably $20 or $30.

I've not seen the shortened note. You good with it?

[imenja]

217. yes, it's nice

[GregD]

219. Good job ladies - thanks

[Mojorabbit]

220. Any update?

[eowyn_of_rohan]

221. When were these delivered? Any feedback?

I was gone for about 10 days, and would love to know what (if any) response there was from the recipients. Thank you.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

222. HAVE THESE BEEN DELIVERED?

I am going to keep kicking until we hear the delivery details

[greenmutha]

223. Maybe start a new thread asking?

I know I've read complaints from people whose computers can't handle such long threads. (And they might not look to see what you've posted, thinking that it's just requesting more money.)

Just a thought. ;-)

[eowyn_of_rohan]

224. Good thought. Thanks

I'll do it