We Get By With A Little Help From Our (Anonymous) Friends...

Sometimes I stumble randomly upon things that bring both chills and tears to my eyes...here's my recent find: ModestNeeds . It is a website that was started by a guy in 2002 (I think...my memory is sooo bad and I just READ this information!). He set up a "grant" site on line where people could put in applications for assistance with things like medications, rent money, etc., and the site would review the applications, accept donations, and "grant" small amounts of money to those in need. Since he first began the website, it has grown into a several hundred thousand dollar "grant" giving machine!

Of course, I was at first skeptical. It's my nature. :-) I read about the program online in some twiddly AOL News post. Thoughts like, "fraud", and "online theft", rolled around in my brain. So, I went to the site to check it out.

After reading for over an hour about the program and doing a bit more online research regarding the financial nonprofit status of the organization, I decided to check out some of the applications for "grant" money. The first one I clicked on had a Seattle address (all identifying information is kept anonymous for privacy purposes) and I scrolled down to see what some poor soul in Seattle might be needing a few hundred bucks for. After all, the applications are carefully screened for authenticity, so I doubted the request would be from some silly Microsoft bloke who just lost his job and couldn't afford to continue his HUMMER payments (there are financial qualifiers for the applicants, who must submit several forms of proof of identity, income, status, and need). I was immediately hooked...the application read as follows:

Co-Pay For Electric Cost to fully fund this application: 750.00 Modest Needs Points

I have MS and have been using a manual wheelchair to get around for the past 2 years, after I became unable to walk.However, at this point I can no longer use a manual wheelchair due to extreme weakness brought on by this debilitating disease.I applied for an electric wheelchair through Medicare over a year ago and am finally getting this important equipment.Unfortunately, Medicaire is only paying a portion of the cost, leaving me with the remaining balance.At this point I no longer have savings and my monthly income will not cover this expense.I hope that you can help me with the remainder of the cost for this very necessary piece of medical equipment.Thank you.

I highlighted that first line for a reason..."I have MS".

After sitting for a few minutes to collect my thoughts and dry my tears, I immediately signed up to be a donor, electronically transferring a small stipend to this anonymous person. I now believe Divine Intervention brought me to this website and I was SUPPOSED to find this MSer's application. And now, I'm telling YOU about it.

Please understand I am NOT highlighting this experience as a means of receiving some sort of "kudos" or slap on the back for being a giving person...as a matter of fact, if you choose to comment on this post, I would request you leave OUT any references of that nature. We ALL do what we do when we need to do it.

Instead, I'm telling you about this site because I personally think it's a WONDERFUL grass roots means of giving. I'm also telling you about this site because it appears to be a WONDERFUL grass roots means of receiving. I know there are several who read CHEESE and have MS who are barely making ends meet...either because of medical costs, unemployment, Medicare falling short, or sudden illness/disability. And when we are IN desperate financial times, we sometimes forget it is OK to ask for help and to receive. If this description fits you, I encourage you to check out http://www.modestneeds.org/ and see if you might qualify for a "grant" to meet an immediate need.

There are also those of us with MS out here that remain gainfully employed and basically doing fine financially...and some of us are looking for more places to send our giving dollars to BESIDES the National MS Society. If this description fits YOU, give the site a looksee and decide if it is something you feel fits your giving needs.

Oh, and one last thing (for the perpetual skeptic and paranoid, such as myself)...I do not KNOW anyone from ModestNeeds.org...I have received no financial GAIN from writing this post...and I have no INVESTMENT in what you personally do with your time and money (or lack thereof)!

Sometimes it's just the *right* thing to do...

**HIGHLIGHT**
I just checked back on the ModestNeeds.org site less than 12 hours from my first discovery of it and the above mentioned "grant" for the person with MS needing the power chair HAS ALREADY BEEN GRANTED!!!! YEAH!!!!! What a great world we live in...
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**SECOND HIGHLIGHT**

Friday 8/8/08 PM

Once again, I just peeked in on the ModestNeeds.org site and found this "testimonial": August 08, 2008

Dear wonderful people who care,

I have waited 15 months to get the motorized wheelchair. I am touched by your donation and cannot thank you enough for your kindness and generosity. I have many difficult hours in a day but there are times like this when I feel blessed because of people out there willing to help when life gets tough.

With warm regards,

**Name deleted for privacy**

Now THAT is giving AND receiving in action!!!

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