Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund – Why People Are Giving

Mark Mayer

“We gave in lieu of buying each other 28th anniversary presents–folks need help more than we need ‘stuff.’”

Jacqueline and Juliet of Westlake Village, CA

“My 10 year old daughter and her best friend asked if they could sell lemonade. They made signs, squeezed lemons, set up a table and earned $37 in one afternoon. They didn’t tell us their plan for the money they earned, but when it was done, they told us they wanted to donate it to help those in need that were affected by the oil spill. We went online, did a little research, found your charity and donated the money. Young people are very sensitive to the plight of others and want to help.”

Hillary Churchill

“I chose your charity because although I’m worried about the wildlife in the gulf, I feel like a lot of what we’re doing to fix it is fruitless. I’m more hopeful that GNOF can make a significant impact.”

Marsha K. Stringfellow

“I live in Texas but grew up in central Florida.  Most of my life was spent growing up on Daytona Beach or salt water fishing with my father and husband all through Florida and Galveston Ship Channel here in Texas.  Our oldest son was born at Eglin AFB in the early 70′s.  Most of my time was spent in Ft Walton Beach, Destin, Pensacola, Panama City as I went that way back down to Orlando from Ft. Walton Beach.  It breaks my heart to know that the pathway from Texas to Orlando shores has been destroyed with the oil leak.  I am appalled and angry that it took so long for our government to act on what I believe will never be the same again for our children and their children.  When I see our wildlife dead in the oil spill I cry.  It’s hard to explain unless you have lived on those beaches or seen the beauty of the wildlife how heart wrenching this is and the devastation will last for many years to come.  I love seafood and I can only hope we will one day be able to have shrimp and fish from this area again. I pray our children will be able to see what I have seen and done in my youth.   I only wish I could do more.  I will continue to watch and stay aware of what is going on and if BP keeps their promises and also to find a way to continue to give what amount I can to help.  My prayers are with the families whose livelihood is effected directly from the oil spill as well as the families who lost relatives on the oil rig.  This far exceeds any thing that we have had to deal with in the past and hopefully it will set guidelines for future oil exploration.”

Katie Swartz

“I decided to donate to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill fund because I have been saddened and disgusted by the oil spill’s impact on the environment and the surrounding communities.  I live in Portland, OR, and although I am far away, I felt like I needed help in the clean up and restoration efforts.  I chose the Greater New Orleans Foundation because I am confident that they will put my money in the most appropriate areas to affect both short and long term need.”

Jonathan Holborn

“I gave because I feel it is just as much my land and American livelihood being destroyed as it is for New Orleanians. Just because BP is taking its time to clean up or pay up, doesn’t exempt us from taking leadership. If mediocre Americans pay out of pocket to clean this mess, it should be a great insult to one of the most wealthy companies in the world.”

Cathy J. Sisk

“I donated to the fund because I love culture and people of Louisiana and wanted to do something, however small, to help.  My heart is breaking at the destruction of the livelihood of so many, the wildlife, and the greater environment, and I plan to donate something each week until the oil flow stops.  Keep up the good work.”

Amy Nowacoski

“Why did I give to the Greater New Orleans Foundation in response to the Gulf Coast oil spill? I did it to prove a point. The day I clicked the handy “donate” button on gnof.org, there was a raging debate on my FaceBook feed about people with mock outrage that there were no celebrity telethons to raise money for the spill. The comments were along the line of “We raise millions for people affected by earth quakes in foreign countries? Where is Hollywood and their star power giving money.” Everybody was up in arms, playing armchair commentator. When I suggested that if this was a cause they cared about, then host a fundraiser themselves. Nobody was taking action, everyone was just complaining and being out raged. So with a quick google search, I found gnof.org and in three minutes I took action. I don’t need a celebrity to tell me when and where I should donate money. Nobody does. If there is something you care about, stand up and take action for yourself. That’s how our country was founded, and that is part of what it means to be an American to me.”

Anonymous

“I donated because I feel that the plight of those economically affected by this disaster is being overlooked for a couple of reasons.  First, it’s not a natural disaster and second, people rightfully blame BP and think they should make good on all of the losses.  And while that’s all true, it doesn’t change the need of the people suffering economic hardship, and I trust your foundation to help them out.”

Mary E Kiewlich

“I gave to this fund because our disgusting Federal government is doing absolutely nothing!  Also BP is mishandling it and the President has done little or nothing to address this.  While people’s lives are being destroyed he parties!!!  It seems to me that the American people are the only ones that care and we need to step up to the plate and help one another.  It is a catastrophy of monumental proportions that is being ignored by the people responsible for it.  Governor Jindal is the type of leader we need more of in this country.  He has been hands on from the start.  Louisiana is very fortunate to have him as their leader.”

Victoria J. DeSalvo

“I gave to this fund because my heart aches for the animals affected by this disaster. With bodies of water spanning 70% of our earths surface we have to remember the vast world that doesn’t live on land. In addition to this catastrophe, climate change, pollution and natural disaster has contributed to the growing depletion of sea life. I feel like it is our responsiblity to be the voices of those creatures that are affected by our carelessness. Generations of man made distruction have impeded on the lives of the animals living below the earths sea level; since we can’t reverse our actions we must move forward to raise awareness and assure that problems like this won’t happen again.”

Susie Hall

“I’ve got friends in New Orleans who feel like the rest of the country doesn’t care what happens there.  I wanted to show y’all that we DO care.  Very much.  I was tired of feeling helpless about what’s happening in the Gulf, so I looked for organizations to give to.  Yours was on a list with other broader save-the-birds type orgs, and while those are very worthy, I wanted my money to go directly to the NOLA area. The scope of this disaster goes far beyond the horrifying ecological impact, and I wanted to make sure that the communities who need it the most get my support.”

Roberta

“This is such a catastrophe for all the people, wildlife, beautiful marshes and beaches. I wish I was in a positon to travel there and volunteer. Since that is not possible, I wanted to send the donation. God Bless”

Anonymous

“I gave to the fund because I appreciate and love nature, and I think that humans, particularly the industrialized, far too often consume the resources of the planet and ruin its landscape, rather than appreciating it in its organic state, and learning to live with it in equilibrium.”

Jessica Matzuk

“My company usually purchases gifts for our clients and speakers at our natural and healthy lifestyle products tradeshows, but this year we felt a strong need to help with relief efforts on the Gulf Coast.  This environmental disaster affects the world community environmentally and economically as well as countless animals, sea creatures, and plants that call the Gulf and the fragile ecosystems surrounding it home.  We hope that we can help do our part in the cleanup efforts on behalf of our industry.”

Anonymous

“I participated in this fund because the care and maintenance of the environment is also my duty and responsibility. To be able to provide for the earth’s healing and care for its people and wildlife is an honor and a privilege.”

Suzanne R. Sheppard

“On behalf of my company, a small business, we made the donation to help the small businesses and pelicans – the unintended consequences of this disaster.”

Julie Fitzgerald

“I am somewhat embarrassed it took me so long to donate.  Watching the news and seeing the double-speak being offered up by BP, I wish I could do more than send a donation.  My heart goes out to the people down there, and my heart breaks looking at the impact on the environment that they depend on and that we all benefit from.  This is hopefully the last environmental disaster that we will need to change the way we produce and use energy.  Thank you for setting up this fund and for running such a high-quality organization — I looked up how much of the donations actually go out the door to the folks who need them.  Please keep up the good work.”

Trevor Ricci

“I donated because I couldn’t sit around and watch BP or the Govt get their act together quick enough to fund the organizations that have already started cleaning up. I figured that since I can’t be there physically, I should donate instead…

Anonymous

As a native of La, my heart and soul will always lie with the good folks and precious landscape of the state of Louisiana”

David

“Of the charities doing great work in the gulf, yours took PayPal. The others, some much larger and well known required registration on their ‘secure’ site. “

Jake Doherty

“After being fascinated by the heritage and mythology of Louisiana, My (now) wife and I were married in New Orleans in May last year, whereupon we fell even further in love with area. We believe it is of the utmost importance to do everything possible to preserve the unique ecosystem of the Gulf Coast both to ensure the continued livelihood of those dependant on the ocean and to make sure that the history and heritage of this most magical area is assured for as long as possible.”

Katie McGlothlen

“(My fiancé and I ) both had family and friends in the Gulf Coast that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Neither of us can imagine the struggle the Gulf Coast Community is facing and will endure for years to come due to the BP oil spill.  We would just like to help in some way. Why not start our life together helping those in need?”

Nancy Haynes

“My closest childhood friend now lives in the French Quarter.  We grew up in North Carolina in the 1950′s.  Her 63rd birthday is this coming Sunday.  I could not think of a better birthday gift than to donate in her name to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.”

Kathe Grumich

“I decided to give to this fund because it is very important to me to support our area. I feel more a citizen of New Orleans than of the US. My heart goes out to all the fishermen whose livelihood is at stake. Also our coastline and wetlands are so important to us on so many levels”

Laura Hall

“Thanks for the email, and glad to help. I donated because I love they city of New Orleans and want to do all that I can to ensure that some of the things I love most about it – the seafood, the wetlands and the PEOPLE – get the help they need in the wake of this disaster.”

Sophie Nusslé

“I am a European lover of your beautiful Gulf Coast, I have several friends who live there and I am appalled by what’s happening. I wish I could give more, but times are hard. Wishing you all the best in your fundraising, I shall mention your efforts to others.”

Elizabeth Williamson

“Like so many news junkies, I’ve been bombarded by horrifying predictions about the long-term effects of this disaster. I am particularly concerned about post-Valdez legal precedents which may allow BP to get away with paying a fraction of the associated cleanup and medical costs. When confronted with a tragedy of these proportions, the only thing I know how to do is to try to support the people who are on the ground, and who have existing relationships with local residents.”

Linden Hilson

“I remember seeing footage of the Exxon Valdez oil spill when I was a child — it was devastating. The moment I found out about the BP oil spill, I knew I had to do something to contribute to the clean-up, and your fund seemed the most able to directly (and quickly) help with the recovery efforts.”

Carol Aiken

“I am just sick about this disaster…..I’m in tears when I see birds covered with oil or read about the fishermen who may lose their livelihoods. Louisiana is so beautiful, and this is just devastating. I had been searching for a good place to donate funds to, and yesterday received an email at work from the Southeastern Council of Foundations. Their email discussed the oil spill and referenced your foundation. Because I trust SECF and I know of your foundation, I trusted that my money would be put to good use so I immediately responded. I hope to be able to do more in the future. Thank you, THANK YOU, for all you’re doing to help with this crisis.”

Karen Monson

“My son was displaced his Tulane freshman year by Katrina, and I developed an emotional connection to the New Orleans area through the experience. He graduated May, 2009 and has stayed in the city because he loves it so. I feel badly that the area, once again, is experiencing another disaster and feel moved to help with a monetary donation. My heartfelt sympathy goes to all affected.”

Rabbi Michael Zimmerman

“…(T)he (Greater) New Orleans Foundation is to be commended for being the first and, as far as I can tell, the most effective agency to date directing its efforts to aiding individuals, communities, and ecosystems damaged by the oil spill. “

Butch & Michelle Wilhelmi

“My husband and I love to travel to New Orleans and try to visit every year…  We can’t imagine the impact this will have to wildlife in the area and beyond — as well as the people who live and work with and off the land.  We have to try to help organizations like the Greater New Orleans Foundation so that you have the funds you need to do the work that must be done.”