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A True Christmas Story - Virtual Barn Raising

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Saving Tinkerbell's Home

A woman, with the login id of Tinkerbell, posted on a forum about internet marketing saying that she was losing her home. She did not ask for any financial help, just for people's prayers. But some other folks on the forum posted a call to others to raise the $7000 this woman needs by Christmas, so that she and her husband and six kids can stay in their home. It occurred to me that this is almost a virtual barn raising - though we are attempting to save a home, not raise a barn. But the analogy fits in that together we can do in a short amount of time, what one person or family could not. This lens is a tribute to the effort and a call for all who can to pitch in! Edited Nov. 14, 2011 This story is 2 or 3 years old now and therefore a lot of the links are no longer valid. But the story still is true and rings true. I will try to come back and take the links out, but leave the content. It is still a real Christmas story and worth remembering in this time when you never know whether your neighbor's yard may hold a foreclosure sign or an inflatable Santa on a motorcycle

Excerpts of the Post, Where this Story Begins

To understand why this post struck a chord with so many, it helps to read some of it.

Tinkerbell wrote:

I know I come here sporadically and I'm kinda a goof when I do show up...but I still kind of feel like I know many of you...like we're friends. At least I like to think we are...or even that we could be. Actually...I just need someone to talk to right now and I hope you don't mind me talking to you.

What you are about to read is personal, sad, and a bit shameful. Usually I don't make stuff like this public because I'm very shy and a very private person, but today I am making an exception because my family and I need your prayers.

In 20 days our house, our home, will be going up for sale. The mortgage is in foreclosure (the same as with a lot of other people right now). We are about to lose our home.

...

The original note, though sad, was anything but a 'feel sorry for me' or a 'please bail me out.' No, in fact, there was actually a note of reaching out, of trying to keep someone else from going through a similar crisis. Tinkerbell talked about her kids and their questions about where they were going to live and then she continues:

I know you might be thinking this is exactly what we deserve, for letting the payments on our house get behind, and you're right. I agree with you on so many levels. Every minute I spend thinking about all the things I need to get packed and ready to move I am haunted by the ghosts of a million "should have's", but with only 20 days left, and even though I keep hoping against hope, I know it's pretty much too late.

Too late -- that's a sad, sorry phrase and the feelings of despair and helplessness that come along with it are enough to completely destroy one's sanity, and that is why I am writing this now...so you don't do what we did. If you cherish your home at all, make sure you protect it first, before you do anything else.

No, the only thing that Tinkerbell asked for was prayers, in the last paragraph:

Anyway, I apologize for this long and personal post, but I just needed to pour some of this out to someone and hope that you will keep us in your prayers as we move through these next few weeks.
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You can click here to read the entire post.

The Response, A Post that Said: Tina's story touched me..

I really felt like I needed to do something to help her out.

So I have put together a WSO and I will donate all of the profits to Tina to help her save her family home.

As Warriors we have banned together before to help others out so let's do it again. Is there anyone else who can offer a service or product and give or share the profits with Tina to help save her home?

Come one Warriors - after all IT'S CHRISTMAS! It's the season for giving

Merry Christmas Everyone

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Here are some of the offers of assistance which Tinkerbell has received so far:List is continued below....

A Virtual Barn-Raising

Barn raisings are about a community coming together. They are living examples of how In a short amount of time, a large number of people can do for one family, what would be impossible for them alone. Saving Tinkerbell's home is the internet marketing community having a virtual barn raising.

This photograph of an Amish barn raising is copyright of Ian Adams. It is shown here with permission. For purchasing information, go to: http://www.ianadamsphotography.com

In granting permission for me to display the photo on this page, Ian Adams commented, "this photo is the most popular on my website, and it has been used in numerous books and calendars. To my knowledge, there has not been a barn raising in the Ohio Amish country for several years, and it was a rare privilege to attend the barn raising where I took the website photo."

Help Save Tinkerbell's Home, Give Now

Remember a Modest Effort by Many Can Have a Great Impact




Also remember that this is not a person who came looking for a handout. She is working very hard to earn money herself.

All gifts are appreciated.

More Special Offers -- Save Yourself Some Money AND Help Save Tinkerbell's House

So still more internet marketers are offering specials related to raising money for Tinkerbell's home

The following generous offers have been made:


WAIT....there's more

Actual Amish Barn Raising

Watch this barn raising and see what people working together can get done in 10 hours.

While the time-condensed aspect of this video makes it seem a bit unreal, the truth is that in 10 hours this group of people really did build a rather large barn. In the YouTube comments a few people asked why an Amish barn raising would have a motorized crane. The answer is that it was there as a safety measure and was never actually used.
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More Bargains for Givers

Here are additional bargains offered in exchange for a donation to save Tinkerbell's home

  • A video gaming site that comes complete with forum, blog, arcade gallery, some content, a couple of guides, and video gaming search engine. This site has 2 expensive scripts installed. 1 is for the search engine, and the other is for displaying feeds. Income from the feeds alone is over $100 per month. Selling because of lack of time to finish developing it due to changing the direction of my business last year. Asking price $500 donation to save Tinkerbell's home. Will include hosting package for 1 year. See the original thread for details of how to complete.

  • Firesale -- $37, but rising-- Learn to Pull In $100 Per Day Online (Or More) And Ditch Your Day Job In '09. This is an amazing package of goodies, donated by several Warriors, just for this hour-of-need. Most recently, the product, Extreme Conversions was added.

If You Like Real-Life Christmas Feel-Good Stories

Here are Some More

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Consider a Gift, No Matter How Small

Consider joining us in offering a hand to Tinkerbell to bring the spirit of Christmas alive.




Also remember that this is not a person who came looking for a handout. She is working very hard to earn money herself.

All gifts are appreciated.

Updates


December 26: Tinkerbell is offering her writing services. Between sales of writing services (up over $1000 already) and donations, the total around noon EST on December 26th was.....$3732.50

We have until New Year's Day to give this family a chance to stay in their home.

December 29: The total yesterday afternoon was $5,773.83.

Thanks to Amir Darwish who emailed his list about this effort, even though they might be irritated to learn that he is temporarily offering his Xtreme Conversions as part of the firesale package for $37, when most of them paid $97 for just Xtreme Conversions. But his email has brought supportive postings such as this one:

Anyone who does not own Xtreme Conversions, do yourself a favor and take full advantage of this firesale. I paid $97 for Xtreme Conversions and it's some of the best money I've spent online. Amir is being extremely generous by including it in the firesale. $37 for Xtreme Conversions plus a whole bunch of other marketing stuff....it's a real no brainer.

This family's Christmas was indeed saved and they remained in this home, though still, like a lot of families, struggling mightily to pay the bills. Those of us who participated in this online barn raising were glad to have taken part in a Christmas story, rather than simply watching them on TV.

Did You Miss Anything in this Real Life Christmas Story?

  1. Excerpts of the Post, Where this Story Begins
  2. The Response, A Post that Said: Tina's story touched me..
  3. A Virtual Barn-Raising
  4. Help Save Tinkerbell's Home, Give Now
  5. More Special Offers -- Save Yourself Some Money AND Help Save Tinkerbell's House
  6. Actual Amish Barn Raising
  7. More Bargains for Givers
  8. If You Like Real-Life Christmas Feel-Good Stories
  9. Consider a Gift, No Matter How Small
  10. Updates
  11. Weigh in with your thoughts about this virtual barn raising
  12. To Learn More About Amish Traditions and See More Beautiful Photographs

Weigh in with your thoughts about this virtual barn raising

p.s. Feel free to take credit for making a donation

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To Learn More About Amish Traditions and See More Beautiful Photographs

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