Final account for my pay-forward project (computer for Dinu)

Dear All,

After several problems, such as realizing that I had to obtain an international credit card in order to be able to move the funds in the PayPal account opened to collect the money for my ‘pay forward’ project (originally a digital camera and later switched to a computer) addressed to our dear Dinu; after having to ask the Bank to re-issue such card because of problems with my name and a few other obstacles, etc., I am finally in the position to present you with my account and forward the money to Dinu.

I want to remind all participants that Dave had access to the PayPal account I opened for this purpose, because I wanted him to be able to monitor the whole operation.

As grand total of USD1,578 were deposited into the PP acc. as a result of my seed sales.

Besides, one DG member (SN) sent me directly US$20 via regular mail.

Four members did not want to use PayPal and I addressed them to a DG member, to whom they sent their checks to be deposited by this member into the Paypal account, as follows: $26.00 from CF, $15.00 from KB, $25.00 from DK & $39.00 from RD. This adds up additional $105.

Therefore, the total incomes were:

$1,578 via PayPal (to which you have access for the details)
$ 105 via checks to be deposited into the PayPal account
$ 20 sent directly to me
$1,703

From the initial $500 I was able to draw from the PayPal account, in July I sent $150 to the same DG member to buy accessories for the Digital Camera that had been donated, spent as follows:

$21.17 Card Reader
$12.35 Postage & Insurance to Kashi
$ 6.40 PayPal Charge (sending $150 - $6.40 fee)
$18.87 Charger
$19.97 256 MB Card
$19.97 Universal Adapter
$2.99 Case Card Holder
$4.99 Sales tax
$106.71 total expense

which left $43.29 to be returned to the PayPal account.

Dave demanded from me to tell the whole truth, so with a broken heart I must tell you that neither the money left from the expenses nor the contributions via check have been entered to the PayPal account, which gives $148.29 total missing amount.

I used US$ 25.10 for ziplock baggies for the seeds and in late July I sent US$324.90 to Dinu’s friend Kashi, who lives in the USA and traveled to Mysore, India in August.

Therefore, this is how the initial US$ 500 were drawn:

$150.00 for accessories for the digital camera and shipment expenses
$ 25.10 for ziplock baggies to be deducted from my postage expenses
$324.90 for Dinu’s friend to take with him to Dinu
$500.00

A total of 64 postage payments were received on the PayPal account as follows (some people ordered so many seeds that I split them in two separate envelopes):

21 in June
33 in July
8 in August
2 in September
64
4 postages would have been obtained from the money sent via check
1 postage was received in October, to re-send seeds that had not arrived
69 postages, of which the last one corresponds to US$ 5, and 2 were sent via registered airmail ($4 each)

66 postages at $3 = 198
2 postages at $4= 8
1 postage at $5 = 5
$211 postage to be reimbursed to me

US$ 25.10 have to be deducted for the ziplock baggies I bought via PP
US$ 17.00 have to be deducted for the cash money I received via regular mail
US$148.29 *
US$190.39

* I feel responsible for having involved a third party in this project (to buy accessories and receive checks that should have been deposited to the PP account), so I will pay for the missing money

US$ 211.00 postage
( 190.39)
US$ 20.61 to be reimbursed to me

Therefore, from the $1,070.88 USD currently in the PayPal account, I will receive US$20.61 and Dinu will be sent US$1,050.27 (in addition to the US$ 324.90 sent before via his friend). Of course, from this total of US$1,375.17 PayPal will cut off its share, after all that’s their business.

If there is an Accountant among us DGardeners that would be willing to make this simpler and in a professional presentation, I would greatly appreciate the help.

Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to post them on this thread. I will answer to any enquiries, except for the name of the person that did not enter the money to the PP account. This is a very sad situation for me, because I think life facts led this person to act this way. I even asked Dave if I could make this account without mentioning the missing money and covering it with the postage, but Dave demanded the truth to be told. I understand and respect Dave’s point of view, especially because I wanted this to be a clear as spring water operation. Please don’t try to find out who it was. Let’s rejoice that the goal has been met.

One last request. I have checked the alternatives, and the best one is to send Dinu the money via a USD check. Since I do not have a Bank Account in the USA, I kindly ask for volunteers that would be willing to receive the money from my PayPal account, issue a check in USD and mail it to Dinu. Please dmail me privately if you would be willing to do this for Dinu (and for me).

Thank you all very much for trusting me and to Dave for letting me put my pay-forward-project in motion at Dave’s Garden.

Big hug,

Ursula

What a wonderful thing you and all those who became involved have brought into being Ursula! And, as one old song says, "One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch, girl".

--Ginny

Thanks for your kind words, Ginny.

I do not think of this person as a bad apple, just as somebody that took a bad decision while being under too much pressure.

Hugs,

Ursula

Ursula, thanks for sharing all the above info.

As for me, I had no doubt that fairness and honesty would abound in this wonderful surprise for Dinu. Ya done good! And you sure kept good records of every cent! I should hire you!!!

Shoe.

Thanks, Shoe.

I would love to work for you but in the garden, not with figures LOL.

Hugs,

Ursula

Ursula, you have done a marvelous job. BRAVA!!!! this must not have been an easy task, just by looking at your breakdown I can see that a lot of work, time, effort, coordinating and keeping track went into this project.
What a wonderful thing you have done for our good friend Dinu.
Thank you

Thanks, Pebble (blush).

I really enjoyed doing this. However, I have asked myself it this project was not somehow for egoistical(?) reasons: because I want Dinu more often on DG! LOL

Dinu's pictures and stories are such a delight that I can hardly get enough of them. I'm sure that each and every DGardener that cooperated buying my seeds share this feeling.

Hugs,

Ursula

Ursula
I too admire you for what you have done and the marvelous accounting you kept of all the money given. Dinu is indeed a treasure in our garden. :-)
Hugs&blessings ... elaine

Ursula:

This is a wonderful present for Dinu. One person who comes to mind from my area who could do this for you is PotEmUp, who is an accountant. He's been on DG quite a while and is well known in the areas in which he posts. You could probably get several great character references for him from other DG members. I know he won't run off with the rest of the money!

Marilyn

Ursula,

I think you did a great job. I have enjoyed knowing Dinu from DG and was sad when I read that he had to wait to get on a computer in his town. We are so blessed here that we sometimes take things for granite.

Thank you for reminding me of human kindness I'd say we need more of it.

Jeri

Ursula....You know that I am in your "cheering section"...as always!

Could some of us help make up your loss? I would be glad to contribute something. Jo

Ursula

I think that regardless of what happened you have done an excellent job of organising the whole affair. A congratulations is also in roder for all those of you who joined in with this venture, many hands make light work!

I agree with Jo, can we help to make up the shortfall in any way?

Wow, Ursula - your accounting is commendable. I am nowhere near organized enough to do like you did. God bless you, sweetheart. :)

What an act of kindness and you gave us all an opportunity to be part of your thoughtfulness, for this we thank you.

Judy

Line Dinu and I01, I too, have been the recipient of DG generosity and was so delighted to be able to participate in this project. I look forward to starting my seeds very soon and will think kind thoughts of you everytime I enjoy one of your lovely blooms!

(PS - Remember that Tiger in the Tank was full of lead!!!)

Thanks, Ursula. You have shown all of us how to share with others in a very special way. Your hours of work will be remembered each time I see the seeds grow and bloom. You have given us all a great gift.

Dear Elaine, Marilyn, Jeri, Jo, Baa, gardenwife, Judy, Sequee and bksmall,

thank you all for your kind words.

I had a lot of fun working on this project, but I am also happy/satisfied it is finalized LOL

Thank you very much to all my dear fellow DGardeners who offered to help me transfering the funds to Dinu. Since it was very difficult to chose among all offers, I finally decided to ask the first person that volunteered: George (PotEmUp) and the instructions were given PayPal last night. If everything goes smooth, Dinu should have the rest of the money early December.

The initial USD324 I sent via his friend Kashi are in Dinu's hands. After deducting the slice PayPal gets from each transaction and paying postage, Dinu should get around USD1,000 from the USD1,050.27 I transfered George last night. This makes a total of USD1,300 that will allow Dinu to get a fine computer.

Big hug to everybody,

Ursula

He should be able to get a nice setup with that amount of money. I can't wait to see more posts from Dinu, and to see those from his family as well. :)

Ursula,
I'm sorry things didn't go exactly as planned but am just so thrilled for Dinu. I can't imagine not having my computer. Even though I know you weren't in it for the praise ... hats off to you for organizing this. :-)
Hugs&blessings ... Elaine

George/PotEmUp is a DG treasure, isn't he? I know you'll be completely satisfied with his extremely competent assistance.

Marilyn