Help Impacted Tahoe Donner Staff During COVID-19
Donation protected
All funds to benefit Tahoe Donner staff, on whom COVID-19 has had a devastating impact. Amenity closures and stay at home orders have resulted in staff furloughs, leaves, and reduced work hours, among other changes that mean loss of income and ongoing uncertainty.
As a grassroots group of Tahoe Donner homeowners, we created the Tahoe Donner Staff Appreciation Fund to raise and distribute funds as a “thank you” to help Tahoe Donner full-time and part-time staff who have been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. We hope every homeowner, guest, renter, or friend of the Tahoe Donner community will join us by making a contribution of any size that fits the budget.
As donations have arrived, so have a few questions. We’ve added a brief FAQ at the end of this message, and a brief update immediately below, in bold.
Our original goal was to raise $25,000, and after the first weekend it was clear the fund was well on its way to exceeding that goal with fewer than 200 donations. It was also clear we aren’t the only ones who appreciate our Tahoe Donner staff, and care about their families.
Meeting the original goal amount would have meant a few hundred dollars to each of the eligible employees, and every dollar helps in a crisis. But we would love to make an even bigger difference to the staff who make a big difference in our community, by exceeding the original goal by whatever amount donors care to give.
Although many Tahoe Donner homeowners and friends have donated generously, there are many more who haven’t gotten around to it yet – they’ve been busy taking care of homeschooling, transitioning to working from home, and other “shelter in place” activities.
We want all Tahoe Donner homeowners to have a chance to say “thank you” to our staff, no matter the size of their gift to this fund, so the fund will continue until donations stop or staff returns to regular work.
Appreciation matters. As Tahoe Donner homeowners ourselves, we know that you, like us, have said “thank you” countless times to staff at our restaurants, amenities, and association offices. You’re probably grateful, as we are, for those who labor behind the scenes to keep the physical facilities and activity programs running like clockwork and looking great.
We often give tips to acknowledge great service. Nobody has to give a tip, but we always do. We know it makes a difference to the person who receives it, and it makes us feel good to help them. Right now, with COVID-19 changing every aspect of everyday life, those positive feelings are needed more than ever.
Your donation today will help impacted staff during these uncertain times. It could help pay some of the rent, or reduce the grocery bill. For sure, it will show staff that they are valued by the Tahoe Donner community who are contributing to this fund.
No expression of appreciation is too small, and every donation will help ease some of the burden of uncertainty at this difficult time. The GoFundMe campaign is not a 501(c)3 charity (not possible in this situation) so contributions will not be tax deductible.
Staff impacted by COVID-19 operation changes at Tahoe Donner can easily opt-in to receive funds from this campaign. Distribution will take place in two phases: the first within a few weeks, and the second a few weeks after that. Donations will be accepted for a month or two months, as this fund is intended to meet just immediate needs as impacted staff adjusts to the current changes.
We will share updates on social media and through Tahoe Donner communications. You can share with your network of friends and neighbors, as well.
Tahoe Donner staff helps make this the wonderful community where our families enjoy living, visiting, and playing. Through our donations, we can express our gratitude to staff who have been impacted by COVID-19. We can make a greater difference together than we can by ourselves.
FAQ
Q: Who’s behind this fund?
A: The Tahoe Donner Staff Appreciation Fund was started by a grassroots group of Tahoe Donner homeowners that includes Jim Beckmeyer, Suzanne Boyette, Marie Colbert, Jim Colbert, Michael Fajans, Nan Meek, Cathy Ravano, and Michael Sullivan. Jim Beckmeyer works with the management team on distribution. Suzanne Boyette reviews communications. Marie Colbert orchestrates online administration, and with Jim Colbert is responsible for the accounting. Jim Colbert and Michael Sullivan handle the banking. Michael Fajans is our liaison with community organizations. Nan is “the organizer” on GoFundMe, chief copywriter, and liaison to Tahoe Donner communications. Cathy Ravano reviews bank records and prepares the final accounting. The entire team meets almost daily via online conferencing, emails even more frequently, and appreciates everyone who thanks Tahoe Donner staff by donating to this fund.
Q: How are donations to this fund being spent?
A. 100% of the funds donated will be distributed to the furloughed part-time and full-time Tahoe Donner employees for whom this fund was established.
Q: How will the money be distributed?
A: To distribute funds in a way that is equitable, each distribution will be divided equally among the eligible furloughed full-time and part-time staff who opt-in to receive funds. To make the distribution of funds as timely as possible, we will process the first distribution of funds by check after eligible staff opts in by April 17. We expect to make a second distribution a few weeks later, thanks to the continuing generosity of our community's donors. Everyone’s participation in the fund is both voluntary and confidential.
Q: Will distribution be need-based or proportionate to income?
A: Distribution will be made in equal measure to furloughed part-time and full-time employees who opt-in to receive them. Because these funds are not a scholarship or a grant, they are not need-based. Because they are not part of a compensation plan, they are not proportional to income. They are an expression of appreciation, a gift in time of need, from our Tahoe Donner community to the furloughed part-time and full-time staff we value so much. The distribution could be nothing other than an equal way of saying “thank you”.
As a grassroots group of Tahoe Donner homeowners, we created the Tahoe Donner Staff Appreciation Fund to raise and distribute funds as a “thank you” to help Tahoe Donner full-time and part-time staff who have been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. We hope every homeowner, guest, renter, or friend of the Tahoe Donner community will join us by making a contribution of any size that fits the budget.
As donations have arrived, so have a few questions. We’ve added a brief FAQ at the end of this message, and a brief update immediately below, in bold.
Our original goal was to raise $25,000, and after the first weekend it was clear the fund was well on its way to exceeding that goal with fewer than 200 donations. It was also clear we aren’t the only ones who appreciate our Tahoe Donner staff, and care about their families.
Meeting the original goal amount would have meant a few hundred dollars to each of the eligible employees, and every dollar helps in a crisis. But we would love to make an even bigger difference to the staff who make a big difference in our community, by exceeding the original goal by whatever amount donors care to give.
Although many Tahoe Donner homeowners and friends have donated generously, there are many more who haven’t gotten around to it yet – they’ve been busy taking care of homeschooling, transitioning to working from home, and other “shelter in place” activities.
We want all Tahoe Donner homeowners to have a chance to say “thank you” to our staff, no matter the size of their gift to this fund, so the fund will continue until donations stop or staff returns to regular work.
Appreciation matters. As Tahoe Donner homeowners ourselves, we know that you, like us, have said “thank you” countless times to staff at our restaurants, amenities, and association offices. You’re probably grateful, as we are, for those who labor behind the scenes to keep the physical facilities and activity programs running like clockwork and looking great.
We often give tips to acknowledge great service. Nobody has to give a tip, but we always do. We know it makes a difference to the person who receives it, and it makes us feel good to help them. Right now, with COVID-19 changing every aspect of everyday life, those positive feelings are needed more than ever.
Your donation today will help impacted staff during these uncertain times. It could help pay some of the rent, or reduce the grocery bill. For sure, it will show staff that they are valued by the Tahoe Donner community who are contributing to this fund.
No expression of appreciation is too small, and every donation will help ease some of the burden of uncertainty at this difficult time. The GoFundMe campaign is not a 501(c)3 charity (not possible in this situation) so contributions will not be tax deductible.
Staff impacted by COVID-19 operation changes at Tahoe Donner can easily opt-in to receive funds from this campaign. Distribution will take place in two phases: the first within a few weeks, and the second a few weeks after that. Donations will be accepted for a month or two months, as this fund is intended to meet just immediate needs as impacted staff adjusts to the current changes.
We will share updates on social media and through Tahoe Donner communications. You can share with your network of friends and neighbors, as well.
Tahoe Donner staff helps make this the wonderful community where our families enjoy living, visiting, and playing. Through our donations, we can express our gratitude to staff who have been impacted by COVID-19. We can make a greater difference together than we can by ourselves.
FAQ
Q: Who’s behind this fund?
A: The Tahoe Donner Staff Appreciation Fund was started by a grassroots group of Tahoe Donner homeowners that includes Jim Beckmeyer, Suzanne Boyette, Marie Colbert, Jim Colbert, Michael Fajans, Nan Meek, Cathy Ravano, and Michael Sullivan. Jim Beckmeyer works with the management team on distribution. Suzanne Boyette reviews communications. Marie Colbert orchestrates online administration, and with Jim Colbert is responsible for the accounting. Jim Colbert and Michael Sullivan handle the banking. Michael Fajans is our liaison with community organizations. Nan is “the organizer” on GoFundMe, chief copywriter, and liaison to Tahoe Donner communications. Cathy Ravano reviews bank records and prepares the final accounting. The entire team meets almost daily via online conferencing, emails even more frequently, and appreciates everyone who thanks Tahoe Donner staff by donating to this fund.
Q: How are donations to this fund being spent?
A. 100% of the funds donated will be distributed to the furloughed part-time and full-time Tahoe Donner employees for whom this fund was established.
Q: How will the money be distributed?
A: To distribute funds in a way that is equitable, each distribution will be divided equally among the eligible furloughed full-time and part-time staff who opt-in to receive funds. To make the distribution of funds as timely as possible, we will process the first distribution of funds by check after eligible staff opts in by April 17. We expect to make a second distribution a few weeks later, thanks to the continuing generosity of our community's donors. Everyone’s participation in the fund is both voluntary and confidential.
Q: Will distribution be need-based or proportionate to income?
A: Distribution will be made in equal measure to furloughed part-time and full-time employees who opt-in to receive them. Because these funds are not a scholarship or a grant, they are not need-based. Because they are not part of a compensation plan, they are not proportional to income. They are an expression of appreciation, a gift in time of need, from our Tahoe Donner community to the furloughed part-time and full-time staff we value so much. The distribution could be nothing other than an equal way of saying “thank you”.
Organizer and beneficiary
Nan Meek
Organizer
Truckee, CA
James Colbert
Beneficiary
