Jimmy  Darts

SB Mowing

Pattie Gonia

Little Miss Flint

Kalina Silverman / @makebigtalk on Instagram

The Dogist

Samuel Weidenhofer

Patriotic Kenny Foundation

Peter Bond

That Good News Girl

Ben Saunders - Flawless Cleaning

Flavor Flav

Ask Uncle Jack

Amy Jandrisevits

FowlMouthFarmer

Tess Bohne

Latonja and Taylor Richardson

Officer Richard Craig

John Wolfe

Khloe

<div>Nisi Shawl, a wise and wonderful writer of science fiction and fantasy, had a dream that there was a philosophical system described in a book called <em>The Five Petals of Thought</em>. In the dream, everyone in the world routinely consulted this book to help them overcome life's difficulties. Nisi has since written several science-fiction stories about this dreamed system and the thoughtful world it creates.
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<div>Now Nisi wants to write the actual book. Here, let them explain it:
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<div>“The book will be an artifact of this imaginary philosophical movement, and
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<div>will contain guided exercises and historical examples and all kinds of
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<div>good self-help content. It will be by turns hilarious and heartening, and
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<div>everybody I describe it to wants me to make it real. Everybody besides
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<div>my agent, I mean. They would have to sell it to a publishing house,
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<div>and they’re not sure they could.”
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<div>The pressure to conform one’s book to an easily saleable idea is a familiar problem for writers, and they resolve it in a variety of ways.
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<div>Nisi supports themself tenuously by their books and by lecturing and teaching writing. They are willing to spend time and energy on this project, but can't afford to do that without some financial backing. So this fundraiser as been created to enable Nisi's friends and readers to fund the book directly themselves. The reward for any donation will be an e-copy of the book when it is finished––and, of course, Nisi’s deepest thanks.
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<div>Can you contribute an amount that you won’t miss?
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<div>If you will help raise the money needed to write the book, Nisi will keep you updated with notes about the philosophy and bites (or nibbles) of the text, and will send you a copy of the finished e-book. If no publisher is interested, Nisi will publish it electronically.
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<div>Thank you so much for considering this. How about it?
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<div>Eileen Gunn
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<div>Please note:
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<div>I am a friend of Nisi's, and am sponsoring this GoFundMe for them. All money collected goes either to Nisi or to compensate Go Fund Me.
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<div>Photo of Nisi Shawl by Caren Corley.
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Help Nisi Shawl write the book of her dream!

<p>hello. My name is Teri Clarke and my partner John Grimm and I need your help. 
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<p>On Thursday July 16th, just four days after her daughter's birthday, my partner's kids' mom died suddenly at the age of 35. as you can imagine, the impact has been brutal. Her six-year-old son witnessed his mom's partner, then EMTs work tirelessly to revive her to no avail. The kids are in our full time custody now and we are being as gentle as possible with them as they navigate this new normal. 
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<p>Naturally, there is a ton of paperwork and phone calls involved with getting the kids settled at our home (which is a tiny camper) and to wrap up Persephone's (their mom) life. We are what they call the working poor and cannot afford to take days off to take care of everything. 
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<p>This is where we need your help. 
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<p>John needs to take a few days off to take care of the immediate needs of our family, but we cannot afford to go without pay. The goal is to cover John's check and make sure rent is taken care of as well as school supplies for the kids, as they are to start on August 10th. 
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<p>Arrangements are being made for their mom as we speak. I will update everyone when they are settled. 
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<p>Times are tough for everyone, so if you can donate, my little family and I will be forever in your debt. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing. 
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Support for John, Teri, and Kids After Tragic Loss

<div>K is a poet, writer, former driver who is making a 2nd go at life after surviving multiple assaults, human trafficking and other personal tragedies. She refers to herself as KS while writing and goes out of her way to encourage friends and other writers to pursue their goals and dreams. Now K needs help and encouragement.
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<div>She worked as a driver full-time to support herself, and fund her education as a writer, to cover living costs like rent, insurance and food as well as writing conferences, and travel associated with her training. She began working as a driver, for the time freedom it afforded her to be able to travel as residencies became available.
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<div>She was injured twice in a year while working her full-time job as a driver. After the 1st injury and long, hard therapy sessions, K was able to go back to work to support herself out of necessity but not long after she returned to her job she was struck again, late at night, by an underage driver ending her ability to drive at all and transitioning to work from home has been slow to say the least.
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<div>Not fully healed from the 1st injuries nor fully recovered financially, she's forced to ask for help to pay for monthly rent insurance and food. The ask you see here is very basic which covers rent, and insurance, phone and food only. Over the last year, she's had to constantly prioritize rent over seeking the remainder of the medical treatment that she needs from the 2nd wreck.
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77458665_1704393219251330_r." width="100%" />
<div>Please help K (KS) to pay basic costs like rent, insurance, phone and food. This month she will also have an added expense of $150 associated with the wreck itself as she continues to fight to finalize the legal aspects of being hurt in this way.
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<div>All amounts are appreciated and accepted. As K says, the power of the community is amazing and don't let anyone think their little bit can't help.
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<div>Thank you for reading. God bless, please keep KS in your prayers.
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Battle to Survive as I Recover- Rent Food medical

<div>It has been a long and exhausting road for Caitlin Thomas and her parents, Lynne &amp; Michael. In 2022 we asked the community to support them as they went through numerous hospital stays as Caitlin’s Aicardi syndrome developed new and increasingly serious symptoms. The community stepped up in a huge way and it is because of those generous donations that Lynne and Michael were able to keep fighting for Caitlin’s quality of life and your help likely extended her time with us.
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<div>For over a year now, the Thomas family has spent considerable time in the hospital: undergoing surgeries and medical testing. Caitlin’s last stay was 36 days long and then she was discharged back to her home with no answers to her worsening symptoms. Just two days ago, they were forced to bring Caitlin into the ER and were readmitted to the hospital when her medication was unable to stop multiple seizures.
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<div>Still finding no answers, Caitlin is unable to breathe without medical intervention and is not responding to medication to control her seizures. To understate things dramatically, this is a very hard time.
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<div>The goal of this fundraiser is to help the Thomas’ cover the costs of the latest medical emergencies (especially as their insurance has recently denied multiple claims) and for Lynne and Michael to be able to put their entire focus on caring for their daughter without the added burden of scrambling to cover costs. If the worst should happen, then these funds will also support them through the grieving process and funerary expenses. All donations will go directly to Lynne and Michael (with the exception of GoFundMe’s fees).
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<div>Lynne, Michael, and Caitlin are well loved within science fiction and fantasy circles. Lynne and Michael are co-editors of the award-winning Uncanny Magazine. Caitlin is a familiar presence at SF/F conventions. Their family has touched countless lives. Let’s continue to step up and support these wonderful people.
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<div>Thank you for your support.
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Support Lynne & Michael Thomas

<div>The Autauga-Prattville Alabama Library board has <a href="https://bookriot.com/librarians-lock-autauga-prattville-public-library-in-protest-after-director-fired-by-board/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fired the library director</a>  for refusing to move or remove 113 books that they feel are "inappropriate". The rest of the staff did something heroic in solidarity with their colleague: they walked out, locked up the library, and said No to this unethical board action. Then, the board fired four more staff members. We need your help now to save this library from its own board and protect the staff in their stand for what is right. 
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<div>The EveryLibrary Institute is a non-profit charitable partner supporting the right to read, anti-discrimination efforts, and the people who work in libraries. Your donation will go to two big needs: We will defend the staff and support them during this trying time while also supporting the local campaign to end discriminatory library policies and reinstate staff. 
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<div>Our hope is to help stand in the gap while these librarians stand up for the right to read - and for everyone to be welcome at the library.
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<div>The EveryLibrary Institute is a Gold Rated charity on <a href="https://www.guidestar.org/profile/81-4351204" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GuideStar</a>  and has been the charitable partner for library crisis campaigns like the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-patmos-library-for-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Patmos Library</a> in Michigan, the <a href="https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/emergency_fundraising_campaign_success" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ridgeland Library in Mississippi</a>, and the "<a href="https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/halo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Help a Library Worker Out</a> " fund during COVID. Donations on this GoFundMe page are tax-deductible.
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<div>Book Riot's Kelly Jensen reports <a href="https://bookriot.com/librarians-lock-autauga-prattville-public-library-in-protest-after-director-fired-by-board/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in Book Riot</a> , "The library workers .. need to be commended. Not only did they stand up for the rights of every citizen to whom the library belongs, but they did so knowing their own livelihoods are on the line."
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<div>Help save the Autauga-Prattville Library and protect the staff by taking action now.
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Protect Prattville Library Staff and Patrons

<div>My name is Andre Gardner but you might know me as LP Kindred, the Chicagoan-Angeleno speculative fiction author, editor, teaching artist, podcaster at Just Keep Writing, and cocoa-founder of Voodoonauts. 
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<div>Long story short, I was fired from my job as a server in the week following Thanksgiving. I was with the company for the past 7 years and haven't been unemployed in more than a decade (minus covid closures). This shocked the hell out of me, tbh. 
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<div><br />
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<div><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1rem;color:inherit;">I am taking the firing in stride. I've talked to a lawyer, I'm applying for jobs, and I'm taking this as a sign from the Universe that I need to pour more into my creative career. </span>
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<div>I'm embracing this transition but my credit card minimums, rent, and phone bill aren't as patient as I am. 
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<div>My expenses are as follows:
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<div>$1000 for rent to maintain housing
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<div>$100 for my phone bill to answer calls from people trying to hire me
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<div>$100 for credit card minimums 
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<div>$100 for internet to look for more work and access unemployment insurance
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<div>I'm only asking for as much as I'll need to get through December. I should have a pay check or an unemployment check by January, but I know all process will be slowed with the Holidays only moments away. 
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<div><br />
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<div>I hate asking, at all, and especially during the holidays. I just 
</div><img class="m-text-editor-image" alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77047305_1702252229455961_r." width="100%" />
<div>know I can't be a productive creative, let alone a subsisting human, without this support. 
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Surviving the Holidays after Wrongful Termination

<div>Hi everyone,
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<div>I'm Rhonda, also known as R. S. A. Garcia, a speculative fiction writer from Trinidad and Tobago.
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<div>Last December I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent an urgent mastectomy on my right side. I've just completed 8 cycles of chemotherapy in September. Because I'm BRCA2 positive, my doctors recommended I do preventative surgery, including a mastectomy on my left side and eventually reconstructive surgery.
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<div>However, this past week, the doctors found some worrying signs of endometrial cancer and have recommended a full hysterectomy, in addition to the other procedures. The recovery time required and the need to do reconstructive surgery means that I don't expect to be able to work again for another 6 months to a year.
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<div>I was let go from my job when I had my surgery. Since then, my sister's has been covering all our household expenses but we now find ourselves in a difficult situation.
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<div>I only got a permanent job in 2018 after years of part time employment. During the pandemic, my bosses reduced my salary to less than half of my contract to keep the company going. In 2018, there was an earthquake which did some damage to our foundation, and my bedroom. In the middle of my chemo, our bathroom started leaking water into our house and foundation, forcing us to spend thousands to repair it, which we were only able to do by maxing out our credit cards. The house inspection after found we have significant water damage to the foundation, and we have been cash strapped for so long our house needs repairs, to the roof (which leaks in my room), electrical and flooring.
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<div>We kept hoping I'd be able to get back to work and then we could get a loan, but my sister is now in a short term job with no paid leave available. She doesn't qualify for any loans and with me not working, we have no options. It's just the two of us now. She takes care of me and the house despite working a demanding full time job.
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<div>My medical costs are mounting with a minimum of two surgeries planned for the next six months and potentially as many as four. The results of my biopsy on November 25, will determine the next phase of my treatment. We're already in debt and have liquidated our insurance policies to try to keep afloat.
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<div>So we're asking for your help.
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<div>Whatever you can give, even $1, will help.
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<div>Donations will be used to pay for a combination of my medical expenses that are not covered through my the public health system, home repairs and living expenses while I'm recuperating.
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<div>Any money we make beyond funding will help my sister to be able to take a few months off work to care for me, or even allow us to hire some part time help.
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<div>My good friend and professional colleague, Arula Ratnakar, will be handling this Go Fund Me on my behalf. She will collect the funds into her account and then forward them to me via international wire transfer. We've already tested this and it went seamlessly. 
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<div>The money will be used in the following manner:
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<div>Medical Expenses for 4 Surgeries: $50,000
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<div>Repairs to My Home: $15,000
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<div>Living Expenses for a Year: $8,000
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<div>Fees (Wire Transfers etc.): $2,000
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<div>Thank you so much for your support.
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Help R. S. A. Garcia Pay for Cancer Expenses

<div><b>This is an ongoing fundraiser, so each month the goal will be raised to reflect the new amount needed for that month. Thank you for your understanding.</b>
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<div><br />
</div>I'm Shameka, a Black disabled mother of two wonderful kids. I've been unable to work for many years, and throughout that time, my husband has been our sole breadwinner. This past July (7/08/2021), he suffered a massive heart attack plus stroke (his third stroke overall) that rendered him unable to work, also. We have survived since then on meager savings and the generosity of others.
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<div>I filed taxes on my own for the very first time in my life last year, hoping to recieve the advanced child tax credit, and everything seem to be right, but I never recieved the advanced tax credits. Then this month (January 2022) I went to the IRS website to see what had happened, and I found out that my 2020 taxes that I filed last year were incorrectly processed as 2019 taxes. The E-file website that I used to file won't help me fix the error, and I can't get through to a person at the IRS who will help me.
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<div>I'm not going to be able to get the tax credits at all, and I'm almost out of money. My husband still isn't able to do the kind of strenuous construction work he did before his heart attack, as his meds render him barely functional for long periods each day. He is heavily involved with local activism, and the non-profit organization he works with was approved for a grant that is supposed to be used partly to pay my husband a minimum wage that would greatly assist us in our survival, but the grant money hasn't been sent to the organization, and no one knows when or if it will actually arrive. At this point, my family has nothing to rely on or fall back on.
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<div>Our rent was increased by a hundred dollars, starting this month, and the city has increased the price of water usage by an exorbitant amount. That, along with all our other bills, weekly grocery shopping for two kids, plus my husband's absolutely necessary medications, places our monthly income needs at approximately $2063 per month. A fundraising goal of $30000 for the entire year, would cover all that, plus leave room in case of another medical emergency.
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<div>I really have no other choice than to fundraise for our continued survival. If there is any amount you could spare toward this goal, or if you are able to share this fundraiser among your networks, my family and I will be forever grateful.
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<div>Thank you so much for taking the time to read and consider our needs.
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Another Year of Survival

<div>Indigenous climate activist, artist, musician, and father Jacob Johns was shot in the chest this morning, Sept 28.2023, during a No Juan de Oñate statue peaceful prayer ceremony in Tewa territory (more commonly known as Española, New Mexico). Jacob put his body between women and children when the shooter charged towards the altar. Jacob prevented the shooter from harming women and children. The shooter attempted to fire again but his gun jammed preventing him from committing a mass shooting of indigenous peoples while they were in prayer and ceremony. He was air-lifted to a hospital in Albuquerque, and had surgery. The shooter, who was wearing a red MAGA hat, is in custody of tribal police. We ask everyone to please pray with us that he survives this surgery and doctors have’ the strength and wisdom to help him.
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<div>Jacob, who is Hopi and Akimel O'odham, has dedicated his life to Indigenous and climate justice. He is a skilled muralist and speaker, and specializes in non-violent, peaceful “artivism”. He has a teenage daughter, she and his other family are currently flying from Washington State to Albuquerque New Mexico to be by his side.
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<div>This inspirational man has put his life on the line over and over again to make a better world for his fellow humans, and now he and his family need your support to recover from this terrible hate crime. As you can imagine, being a climate activist is not lucrative work to readily afford major life-saving surgery. We are humbly requesting your donations to help cover his recovery, his medical bills, and to help support his family needs during what will likely be a very lengthy recovery period. This comes just two months before Jacob will be leading an Indigenous Wisdom Keepers Delegation at COP28 to advocate for Indigenous solutions to climate change. Please pray with us for his recovery and donate if you can.
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<div>Links to his work are below:
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<div>- Free The Vote Mural: <a href="https://landscouncil.org/news/free-the-vote-mural" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://landscouncil.org/news/free-the-vote-mural" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://landscouncil.org/news/free-the-vote-mural</a></a>
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<div>-COP28 Indigenous Wisdom Keeper Delegation <a href="https://www.backbonecampaign.org/cop28more" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.backbonecampaign.org/cop28more" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.backbonecampaign.org/cop28more</a></a>
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<div>-Jacob’s Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/studio_1_eleven" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/studio_1_eleven" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/studio_1_eleven</a></a>
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<div>Links to further details about the incident are below:
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<div>WARNING, CONTAINS FOOTAGE OF SHOOTING:
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<div>NDN Collective Instagram post -
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<div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxwYjeAJu4m" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxwYjeAJu4m/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/p/CxwYjeAJu4m/</a></a>
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<div><a href="https://www.abqjournal.com/news/man-shot-during-juan-de-o-ate-statue-rally-in-espa-ola/article_946dcd3c-5e2d-11ee-9363-97e4e793df8a.html#1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.abqjournal.com/news/man-shot-during-juan-de-o-ate-statue-rally-in-espa-ola/article_946dcd3c-5e2d-11ee-9363-97e4e793df8a.html#1" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.abqjournal.com/news/man-shot-during-juan-de-o-ate-statue-rally-in-espa-ola/article_946dcd3c-5e2d-11ee-9363-97e4e793df8a.html#1</a></a>
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<div>UPDATE: Jacob has just come out of his first surgery, we will keep everyone updated as we move forward.
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Help Jacob Johns Recover from Terrorist Shooting

<div>Hey folks. Teri Zin, a lyrical writer; beloved member of the science fiction, fantasy, and horror community; and aspiring teacher, needs some help. She's just started working on her MFA in Creative Writing Pedagogy this semester at Lesley University, and she's been just loving the intense care and detail the program is challenging her to bring to her study of the written word. She wants to bring that intensity to college kids of her own as a professor one day. And that day isn't too far off. She's just got a year and a half left after this semester, and already has a job waiting for her when she warps up.
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<div>But she's got to get there first. Life has been doing the thing it's always been so good at (even more so in recent years) and yanked the rug out from under Teri just as she was getting started. She has a scholarship to cover her tuition, but tuition doesn't keep a roof over a head or food in a belly. Unfortunately, a big source of funding she was counting on to cover the daily bread and shelter has dried up, and she needs some help covering her housing and other costs for the next stretch. And she's going to have to drop from the program if she doesn't get that help.
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<div>If there's one thing we can do, all us weirdos and dreamers in the speculative fiction, it's imagine a future, or a world, or a reality where things are better. So let's imagine a world where this Bram Stoker-nominated and This is Horror Award-winning writer of many great short stories; this author of the deeply lush and gorgeous novella <em>Flowers for the Sea</em>; and this human who the world is richer for having in it, can catch her dream and help bring more writers into this world. And then let's stop imagining it, and make it so.
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Help Teri cover a shortfall while she gets her MFA

<div>Hello. I am C. L. Polk, and I am looking for a way to heal.
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<div> 
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<div>If you've heard of the Averse Childhood Experiences Scale, I tick 9 out of 10 of those boxes (and the 10th is only technically unticked.) I got my first mental health diagnosis the moment I was considered old enough to get one. I have lived with trauma, depression, anxiety, and low tolerance to stress, and I have spent most of my life trying to do something about it.
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<div>Therapy? I know her. I kept trying different doctors, medicines, and techniques. Decades of this healing work has helped. I've come a long way, especially after finding a doctor who has shared my work for almost 15 years. He's the one who guided me from deep depression and near-total hopelessness to waking up one day saying, "I'd like to write something." I went on to publish a fantasy trilogy and a standalone novel, something I could hardly dream of. I won awards. I'm nominated for a few right now.
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<div>But problems I thought were handled came back tougher than ever. But he'd made some practice changes on his own, and told me about his work at the Newly Institute, where they treat people just like me. It's a month of intense therapy methods in a Monday to Friday daytime setting that includes multiple techniques to root and reset the default mode of my thoughts that see disaster and failure. We want to literally change what I say to myself in idle moments, and what I believe when I take on new challenges and experiences.
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<div>They use many methods, but the most important is psychedelic-assisted therapy with ketamine. I've been researching this for months and it's impressive. But it's not covered under our health care, so it's expensive. Five figures, expensive. And because therapy would be my job for the month, I need to come up with living expenses during the treatment.
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<div>So I'm asking for your help.
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<div><strong>tl;dr: I want to go to the Newly Clinic to do psychedelic-assisted therapy for my treatment-resistant mental health issues, and if you want to help, I'm so grateful.</strong>
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help cee change their mind

<div>Hi this is Jordan,
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<div>There isn't a lot to say about this beyond the cold hard facts. Insurance companies are predatory scum. And our previous company fucked us. My partner Jess has been going through the painful process of getting braces so they can have a sinus surgery that they need for NON-COSMETIC HEALTH REASONS (not that insurances recognize them as that despite it being needed for...breathing? Living? ) We started the braces process while at a previous employer and everything was fine (as fine as ridiculous copays can be but we were handling it, it was in the budget) cut to Jess transitioning to a new career that requires a six-month training/back to school period in which that insurance would lapse. But no problem we hustled ass and found ourselves temporary insurance to cover that six-month period. All fine right? Nope, the previous insurance when they saw that it had lapsed and since they consider the whole life of the braces to be one long ongoing procedure even <em>if we were handling the remaining payments on our own</em> decided that they would <strong>go to the orthodontist and rescind all the years of payments they had covered leaving us owing THE FULL AMOUNT TO BE BACKPAYED.</strong> So yeah shady as fuck. And probably not legal. But seeing as we are on the bottom end of the economic spectrum we don't have the finances or mental, emotional wherewithal to fight this. So instead of trying to raise funds for lawyers and fighting this which would drag out and we would still be having to pay it in the meanwhile we are just, paying it. And we could use your help. Yes usually this just becomes a huge piece of overwhelming debt when this happens to people like us who cannot just pay out of pocket but with platforms like GoFundMe it doesn't have to. So if you can help financially we are unspeakably grateful. And if you can't DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT we definitely understand that place, even if all you can do is share this fundraiser it would mean a lot. And yes asking for help is embarrassing but being kept in a financial hole and helpless is how all these companies keep us down and I hope when YOU have a need like this you don't let our inbuilt acculturated shame of asking for help keep you from doing so. We are only weak if we sit in the dark alone, together we can support each other and somehow...somehow in the words of John Darnielle "Stay alive, just stay alive"
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<div>tldr: our insurance company fucked us by rescinding past orthodontic payments that we now owe in full
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Help Dig Us Out of A Insurance Fuckery Hole.

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<p class="p1" style="line-height:normal;"><span class="s1">ON BEHALF OF THE OKORAFOR FAMILY: <br /><br />Our dear sister, Ngozi Okorafor, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. She is survived by her 8-year-old son Chinedu Okorafor. He was the light of her life!  </span>
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<p class="p1" style="line-height:normal;"><span class="s1">Not only was Ngozi a fierce public advocate of truth, justice and love but she was an equally fierce and loving mother. Ngozi and Chinedu were inseparable and anyone who knew her, understood how special their relationship was.</span>
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<p class="p1" style="line-height:normal;"><span class="s1">As we look for ways to honor Ngozi’s memory and continue her legacy, we feel one of those most central ways is by providing Chinedu with the best life has to offer.  </span>
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<p class="p1" style="line-height:normal;"><span class="s1">The untimely passing of Ngozi presents both financial and emotional challenges to Chinedu. Let us show our support by providing donations to Chinedu which will go towards his day-to-day requirements, education, emotional counseling and all his future needs.</span>
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<p class="p1" style="line-height:normal;"><span class="s1">We sincerely thank you in advance for your support.</span>
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<p class="p1" style="line-height:normal;"><span class="s1"><a href="https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/batesville/200749710"><a href="https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/batesville/200749710" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/batesville/200749710</a></a><br /></span>
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A Future for Chinedu

<div>My good friend Kristen is about to lose her home because of her long-time abuser. With no family she can turn to, she’s reaching out to others to try and get out from under the terror and strain that’s nearly destroyed her. As long as I’ve known her, Kristen has been a remarkably selfless person, always helping others in need whether through direct action herself or helping to signal boost on social media. We know her work has helped countless others and we now hope you’ll be able to show her the same in return.
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<div>Kristen had already been a full-time family caregiver since the age of 16 but after a major trauma event left her with PTSD around age 32, the parent she had been caring for began to overtly abuse her verbally and psychologically. At 45, she had a major heart attack and knew she had to get out before her living situation killed her. She’d already been hard at work on extensive trauma therapy as she prepared to exit her abusive home but when the Covid-19 pandemic happened, everything quickly started to fall apart. As if things weren’t difficult enough, Kristen recently discovered that her abuser has substantial debts that now fall to her to pay—debts they had been hiding for decades.
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<div>I’m aiming to help Kristen get the financial assistance she needs to secure her safety and give her space to heal both physically and mentally. She was incredibly close to closing a major, hurtful chapter in her life when this other terrible situation presented itself and it has financially ruined her. Any help you can give makes a huge difference, especially when Kristen has to be prepared to vacate her home by the end of October. The funds raised will be used to cover:
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<li>Medical expenses including recent emergency/hospital care for another suspected heart attack and ongoing recurrence of cardiac symptoms
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<li>Paying to secure movers on short notice
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<li>First and last month’s rent plus the security deposit for a new place to live
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<li>A bed and other home necessities
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<div>Here is a note from Kristen herself: “Please know that whether you are able to help or simply share this, it is appreciated more than I can ever express in mere words. I am devastated right now and trying to survive my abuser's parting shot. I believe this is the only thing I can do to keep from being unhoused. You are making a very real difference in my ability to do that, by supporting or sharing this campaign.”
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<div>Thank you.
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Help Kristen Survive and Heal from Longterm Abuse

<p>Hi, my name is Kelley Taylor. I am starting this fundraiser on behalf of my brother-in-law Matt to help cover living expenses for him &amp; my sister and their three children.
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<p>On August 9th, 2021 Matt went to the emergency room in Bismarck and was admitted to the hospital while tests were being run to determine the cause of his severe stomach pain, difficulty eating, and weight loss. He had been dealing with these issues for a few years sadly, but had received no extensive testing or appropriate diagnosis from his doctor, aside from being diagnosed with esophagitis and sent home with antacids in 2019.
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<p>While admitted to the hospital in Bismarck this August, doctors did a CT scan, endoscopy, ultrasound, and a procedure to drain over 2 liters of fluid out of his abdomen. The results of these tests suggested that he had cancer and he was transferred to Sanford Hospital in Fargo for more extensive imaging and biopsies.
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<p>The doctors in Fargo performed another endoscopy and further biopsies, and confirmed that Matt has Peritoneal Carcinomatosis which originated in his stomach and has spread to his liver, gallbladder, soft tissues, and body cavity, and that his cancer is at stage 4 and is terminal. He is currently back at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck.
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<p>As you probably know, Matt has been successfully running his own contracting business after having taken over the family business in 2012. Unfortunately, he’d been experiencing abdominal pain and fatigue over the last year, limiting his ability to work. He has been primarily surviving on his savings to help pay his living expenses.
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<p>To intensify matters, his wife, Kaycee, lost her career in property management earlier this year which she held for 12 years, thus losing her and Matt’s life insurance policies, in addition to no longer having access to paid family medical leave. She had just started a new job weeks before Matt was admitted to the hospital, but was asked to resign after explaining to them that she needed to prioritize her family and be by Matt’s side at the hospital.
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<p>As you can imagine, this situation has placed unimaginable stress and financial strain on Matt and Kaycee, both of whom have worked hard their entire adult lives only to find out how quickly one can become at risk of losing everything.
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<p>It is certain that Matt will not return to work, and it is difficult to say when Kaycee will be able to find a new job while she is providing care for Matt and emotional support to their three children through this unimaginable tragedy.
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<p>Please consider contributing to this fund so they are able to cover their expenses while they navigate these next several months.
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Expenses for Matt Boehm & family

<p>Hello gracious people I'm fundraising for my nephew and his family. Frazier is one month old and has a heart of gold. They're a family of 13 and he is the newest member. They recently had a house fire and lost everything. The emotional loss is hard enough, alongside that they lost everything but a few bags of clothes, his car seat, and his baby bag. Can you imagine having newborn with only a week's worth of clothes no way to get money to buy anything? Family photos, clothes, food, hygiene products, feminine products, toilet paper are all gone.  On top of that no there to live. I and God are asking you to bless them with something. every dollar counts to rebuild their life from the bottom. Thank you we love you. 
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Rebuild baby Fraziers home

There are some people whose quiet loving energy lights up any room they’re in. Who when you’re down are able to lift your spirits with their smile. Who heal, and give, and love unconditionally with their whole being.<br /><br />My Aunt Laura is one of those people. During one of my lowest times she nursed me to health, helping to mend my broken heart with her gentle, patient nature.  Some of her friends might be familiar with her science fiction works, and she still writes under her byline Laura J. Mixon, as she’s able. <br /><br />My Aunt is the nurturer, the caretaker and the hostess. She is not one to ask for help and getting her to accept it is not an easy feat.<br /><br />Aunt Laura has been silently battling Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a/k/a ME or ME/CFS or chronic fatigue syndrome and due to this illness she had to leave her engineering job several years ago.<br /><br />This is a rare and under-researched condition that has impacted her ability to work and generally function. Stress exacerbates the symptoms of ME and as her medical bills pile up and debt increases, her condition worsens.<br /><br />My hope is that we can raise enough funds to cover her medical bills and help with repairs to their home as she and science fiction writer Steven Gould, her husband (my amazing Uncle), are selling their house. This would help ease a tremendous amount of pressure for Aunt Laura and her family so she may focus on healing.<br /><br />The first $3,400 will enable Aunt Laura  to pay off existing medical bills, and an additional $2,600 will cover upcoming additional medical expenses. The remaining $14,000 will be used to make repairs prior to sale and moving expenses. <br /><br />They will donate all additional funds above the needed amount to <a href="https://www.omf.ngo/mission-vision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Open Medicine Foundation</a> , a non-profit that serves as an open-source clearinghouse and a source of funding for top researchers worldwide, who are working collaboratively toward a cure for ME/CFS.<br /><br />Thank you for considering this request. May you be happy, safe and healthy!

Laura J. Mixon

Laura J. Mixon

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