Gamers Charity

It was exactly one week ago from the time I write this that I was already placing vendors on a few other shards, and I was shocked to be holding roughly 10 Million Gold in Donations.

Seven Days ago I heard fireworks outside my window, and was doing very well on drinking my bottle of Vodka. Seven days ago, I could not have foreseen this :

Tonight's Spreadsheet with final Totals

Let's talk about this.

I hope you reviewed the spreadsheet. Well, all you need to do is scroll way down and look at the totals. We, the players of Ultima Online, have collected $488 Million Gold. We have sold on Ebay and recieved direct donations in the amount of $1,620.58.

The Ultima Online Community has pulled together more than many of us have expected, I think everyone is as surprised as I am. I think many are surprised how hard I have worked to keep it going. I don't see it as hard work, I see it as getting the job done.

Anyway. When I started this, I thought it would go no higher than $100 or so, and I was going to say "I will match the donations". I'm glad I didn't - I'm sorry but I don't think I will be able to afford this when it's all over.

I also said I would be doing it alone, but it got way too big. If anyone didn't read the Staff section yet, Brekkee is my Staff Member. She can accept Gold and Items on any shard. I hope to have her somewhat in gear when I go on vacation simply to maintain vendors and collect stuff because I don't think she wants to deal with the huge task of Ebaying.

Speaking of the ebaying - Mission Fish was a pain to setup the first time but there is a way to easily relist items. I love how it's working out. Kudo's to Ebay for setting up such a process.

Now the sad things. I have met a great number of people in the UO Community. I am very proud of all of us, but I have as you can assume, received many Emails. Some are praise, some are questions, and some are testimonials. Not all make me smile, some have downright made me break down some - and remind me like a cold hard brick to the forehead that this isn't about how much gold we raise, how much publicity we get, or who donated the most. This is about helping others - others we have never met.

One email is from a Red Cross Volunteer, who saw me in the news or web who was amazed at the idea of mine and how hard we all worked to support what her people do. She could not help us out - as she was packed and ready to leave to go over there to help. She is going exactly where our donations are going - I hope fate treats her well.

It was late one night when I was told the story of a young girl trying to donate some gold - one who lost four close friends...or family members in the disaster. She heard what we all were doing, and wanted to help in every way she could. Our money goes to people like her friends and family she has lost.

My daughter is six years old. She saw me mentioned on TV, and she sees me collecting stories on the internet about me. She wanted to know why. On the drive to school I explained best I could for a 6 year old that over 100,000 people - more than she could count - lost all their homes. It's not accurate - but she is six and this is good enough to convey it. I told her I was gathering money from other nice people and sending it over there to help them. She asked when our family was going to visit them, and help build the new home with the money I've raised. I was at a red light. I broke out crying lightly, knowing the only answer to that question was there are no homes to build for those 100,000 people.

There are a few other emails, and stories, but those are the most touching to me. Those are the emails and stories that make me stay up to 4 in the morning working on this - to make sure I keep all my paperwork in order - and to try and fix all my issues with the legal system. I can't quit doing this for the Ultima Online Community - and I am here till it kills me.

I'll do my job and add some auctions tonight...

You guys and gals know what needs to be done.