THE FUNDRAISER’S STORY

What started off as a simple Venmo fundraiser to raise $250 with Wyn Wiley matching $250 personally has now grown into a fundraiser $74,335.41 so far because YOU. SHOWED. UP.

$̶7̶5̶,̶2̶1̶9̶.̶4̶1̶ ̶ $74,335.41

$74,335.41 updated total after refunds were given for people requesting reimbursements.

I went from going to bed with a few hundred dollars in the fundraiser to waking up with over 5k in donations. I had no idea this would happen, but when people show up, I feel like it’s your job to show up too. So I did, and I tried to keep the momentum going and for ease, keep the Venmo open to allow a simple one click way to take action. What I was hearing from person after person is they didn't know where to donate and often get confused by the million steps it takes on organization's sites to donate so this was my way to offer a fast acting solution.

Then, i couldn't believe my eyes. 30k donated. This time not only were individual donors making incredibly impactful $1, $5 and $10 dollar donations BUT THEN the photography community and local small businesses started showing up in huge ways with match donations as large as $500.

WHAT NOW?

I want to share some news about where we are at along with some words on my actions and make a public apology to you all.

First and foremost, two giant thank you’s need to be made. First is to the Nebraska small business community whose match donations not only brought the support needed but echoed the challenge to donate. The next thank you is to every person who donated even $1. Your support is also the only way these funds were raised.

Now to my part, the first of which is to take full responsibility and apologize for my actions. While it was not my intention to center the relief efforts on me, it’s my responsibility to take that criticism and work on it through personal reflection.

In reflection so far, i want to apologize for not fully knowing the weekly caps Venmo places on giving/receiving donations. That is my mistake to not know in full detail. There has been a lot of discussion of the weekly limit of 2,999.00 and thankfully Venmo allows to link up bank accounts directly on the back end with a weekly pay out of 20k, a larger and faster option.

Moving forward, this will allow for 1. identifying one organization per week for the next four weeks and donate, on your behalf and 2. a chance to highlight each org every friday so that further donations can be made directly.

So, in the spirit of the original purpose of the fundraiser, I am committed to honor my word and make the first donation to the Santee Nation Dispersement Fund when their direct bank account has been confirmed by Venmo this week.

Sid Tuttle, Chairman of the Santee Tribe wanted me to share an additional “thank you” to each and every one of you have donated.

if you would like to make additional donations to the Santee Tribe, please do so at their GoFundMe.

Please check in weekly to see donation receipts posted and updates on each new organization announced weekly for the next 3 weeks.

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