A lot has transpired since that day in December 2010 when I
published that first post. There’s the Workbook, the ImmortalAlcoholic Facebook
page, the OARS F&F Group, my book The Immortal Alcoholic’s Wife and I never
felt my work was complete.
There is still a lot to do. I believe I’ve only touched the
tip of the iceberg. The membership on the OARS F&F Group is growing daily.
With our numbers increasing the Facebook format is making it difficult for
people to maintain a string of conversation without getting confused. We need
our own website.
Several OARS members met in person last month to have a live
meeting. It turned out to be extremely helpful to them and they are looking
forward to future meetings. It was a simple get-together in a restaurant that
was reachable by everyone. Besides sharing stories, they laughed and enjoyed an
evening outside the chaos. We need more live meetings reaching more caretakers
who need support and camaraderie. Imagine meeting someone face to face who truly understands where you've been -- or possibly knows where you are going.
All of this leads to me believing that the time is NOW for
me to begin the quest to turn OARS into a non-profit organization. This
non-profit organization will provide support, education, live meetings, maintaining
an independent website, and other resources to the friends and families of
alcoholics in general. While I have always focused on the caretakers of
end-stage alcoholics, this would be open to anyone inside the chaos.
I know there is Al-Anon and I believe they help many people.
Unfortunately, there are many people that Al-Anon just doesn’t seem to fit.
This is especially true of end-stage alcoholism. There is room on this planet
for many different support progams.
At one point in time, I would have been able to fund the
cost of becoming a non-profit on my own. But, since I’ve retired and Riley now
has special needs, the funds are just not available to defray all the costs of
filing paperwork, securing an attorney and accountant, and just simply getting
things set up. The current members of OARS have banned together to initiate a
fund raiser, but that won’t generate money for quite some time. We need this
now.
Below you will find a link to a fundraising site that I have
set up. This site allows me to accept donations from interested parties. Please
be aware that because we not yet a non-profit organization these contributions
are considered to be GIFTS.
It is not in my nature to ask anyone for money. When/if I
do, it is an extreme emergency and not just a frivolous request. These gifts
are not for me personally. They are expressly to facilitate an organization
that I believe will help many, many people.
Please join me in my next step in my journey. Please support
me in turning OARS F&F Group into a non-profit organization. No amount is
too small. Everyone can help me in reaching my goal. On the right side of the
screen you will find a link to the funding website. Click now and join the
cause!
Thank you…
Linda
