People have suggested to me that I put out a tip jar for my plugins. That’s been something I haven’t really embraced, to be honest. I’ve leveraged off of others’ code in quite a few examples though my main ones still add significant additional functionality in my humble opinion. I don’t have the traffic to require an enormous bandwidth bill, so running this site is like ordering a fancy coffee and a muffin once a month in terms of cost to me. And, to be honest, I don’t expect to get that much in the jar. It’s not that I think my readers or plugin users are cheap, I just don’t expect to be paid for the work.
Well, I’m putting one out but it’s not for me. I’m calling my tip jar “ColdForged’s Code For A Cure.” All of the money that comes into my account from this tip jar will be donated to the Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter of the ALS Association. It’s a tip jar for those of you who have downloaded my plugins in the past and found them useful. It’s entirely voluntary, they’ll always be freely downloadable and the amount received won’t affect my continued development of new and existing plugins or the amount of support I offer anyone.
I’ve mentioned a couple of times that a long-time friend and coworker, Michael Andrews, developed ALS two years ago and I figured this was a good way to do something to help though it will be too late for him. There are many people vying for your charity money and many worthwhile causes, but to me none of the diseases for which a cure is being sought is quite as cruel as ALS. For those of you that have never heard of ALS, here’s a bit of information about the disease:
- ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually lead to their death. Mike is currently confined to a wheelchair and only communicates effectively by typing.
- People with ALS have an average life expectancy of two to five years from onset. Mike has reached the two year mark.
- While the patient will eventually have no motor control at all, unlike some other similar diseases mental faculties remain intact. My friend is a very intelligent person and I ache to think of him imprisoned in a body that is failing him in every way.
- As if the mortality rates of the disease weren’t enough, due to the degenerative nature of the disease families are often left in financial ruin because the cost of care is phenomenal.
More information is available here.
Again, this is voluntary and I’ll not treat anyone any differently whether you do or do not donate. However, all donations will be graciously accepted and you’ll have my endless thanks. If you wish to donate, please click on the Paypal button above. Those of you that do can choose to have your name listed among those who have donated, or you can remain anonymous. That page will display the total amount received. Remember, 100% of the money that Paypal deposits into my account will be donated. There are no expenses beyond what Paypal charges — I’m not going to use the funds to run this site, buy computer parts, go to Tahiti, etc. — and I don’t need this money to survive. I just want someone to find a way to help these people, and every little bit can’t hurt. Click below to make a donation.
DO NOT USE MY PAYPAL ADDRESS FOR PLUGIN SUPPORT QUESTIONS! If you have questions about one of my plugins, ask in the comments thread of the plugin in question. Not only will I not respond to your email, I will likely ignore your questions thereafter in annoyance.
As a special gift to those that donate $5 or more, I will send a “Strike Out ALS” band shown below to those that provide me a valid mailing address in the comments of your donation or in an email if you ask for it in the comments (you can order your own bands here). This way you have something to show for your generous donation that you can wear or give to someone to perhaps get them thinking about ALS, one of the most misunderstood common diseases. Consider it my thank you gift for your thoughtfulness.
To those of you who choose to donate: thank you sincerely.
