It all started about 10 days ago with a letter from Chef José.
I put up a post and shared the letter.
I’ll let Subaru Diane take it from here:
A couple of weeks ago, WaterGirl posted the letter from Master Chef and All-Around Good Person, José Andrés.
His first sentence — “A million meals a day” — struck me and stayed with me. That is an extraordinary number, and José’s World Central Kitchen is doing extraordinary work!
I wanted to do what I could to help Chef José’s efforts for Ukrainian refugees and others affected by Russia’s invasion, so I asked WaterGirl if I could put up a modest BJ match to support WCK in Ukraine. Because, yeah, I’ve seen with my own eyes what Juicers are capable of doing when there’s a good cause.
So as of the moment this post appears, I’m putting up $1,500 in hopes that you crazy, generous Jackals will contribute to WCK accordingly. I will match dollar for dollar your donation in any amount up to $50.
A million thanks in advance to you all. I hope my bank account is $1,500 smaller by the time I go to bed tonight!
With love,
SD🇺🇦💙💛🌻🇺🇦
.
I know we just raised $25,000 for Nevada in 10 days, so the timing may not be perfect.
But Subaru Diane started by saying she wanted to match $750, and then a couple of days later she said $1,000, and now today she is saying $1,500. I figured I needed to put this up today before we have to stage an intervention! :-)
For SD, being able to do this is like Christmas, and it’s exciting. But no pressure. Just good people giving if they want, what they want, when they want.
Merry Christmas, SD!
VFX Lurker
In for $50. Thank you for doing this. 💖
SiubhanDuinne
@VFX Lurker:
Thank you!!
jonas
In for 50. Thanks, SD!
KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager))
I feel like a cheapskate only putting in $25, after I keep throwing $50 to the Four Winds (OK Four Directions), but I kept throwing money at them and now… You get the picture. I’ll do better next month. No big vet bills then.
HinTN
Subaru Diane, I thank you for pushing us to be generous. I’ve chipped in my $50 to support this great cause.
SiubhanDuinne
@jonas:
Many thanks!
indycat32
In for $250.
SiubhanDuinne
@KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager)):
Please don’t feel like a cheapskate! The vast majority of my online contributions are in increments of $25. I’m very, very grateful to you, and so will be hungry Ukrainian refugees.
OzarkHillbilly
@SiubhanDuinne: I’m poor. I need to focus my superfluous money, what little there is. I am doing some midterm giving and that’s where I’m at. Still I want to say thank you for this. It’s needed.
SiubhanDuinne
@HinTN:
Bless you! That’s great, thanks!
pat
OK, OK, OK. In for 50 bucks.
I might have done that the last time, but what am I saving this money for anyway, huh?
WendyBinFL
Happy to contribute $50.00! Giving thanks for Jose Andres, and SiubhanDuinne (Siobhan is my daughter’s middle name), and WaterGirl, and the entire Jackaltariat!
SiubhanDuinne
@indycat32:
WHOA! So generous! My very profound thanks to you.
mali muso
In for $25! Yesterday was my birthday so this is like a little present to myself. 🙂
indycat32
@SiubhanDuinne: No new fabric for me this month!
Yet Another Haldane
$50, boom! Thank you for the nudge!
TKH
In for fifty.
Thank you for getting the ball rolling!
MJ
In for $50. Thanks SD!
ljt
In for $25. Thank you SB.
frosty fred
And another $50.
surfk9
just threw in $25
SiubhanDuinne
@OzarkHillbilly:
I really appreciate your saying that. Kind words from one of my all-time favourite Jackals!
SiubhanDuinne
@pat:
Heh, my sentiments exactly! Thank you so much, pat.
OzarkHillbilly
@SiubhanDuinne: No, thank you.
James E Powell
In for $50 through ActBlue. They gave me a badge, but I don’t need no badges!
I had no idea that line had been parodied this much. Even by the Monkees!
SiubhanDuinne
@WendyBinFL:
Nice to share a piece of my nym with a piece of your daughter’s name. Thanks very much indeed for your donation!
Another Scott
Thank you SD, WG and everyone. WCK does amazing work.
In for $151.
Cheers,
Scott.
SiubhanDuinne
@mali muso:
What a lovely self-gift! Thank you, and hope you had a happy!
Joy in FL
Well, that match hit its goal fast!
I put $50 in anyway.
Thank you so much Subaru Diane <3
MazeDancer
$15 added.
(Ought we up the goal?)
SiubhanDuinne
@Yet Another Haldane:
@TKH:
@MJ:
@ljt:
@frosty fred:
@surfk9:
Thank you to every one of you. This is amazing, you guys!
SiubhanDuinne
@James E Powell:
Not even no steenkin badges?
Many thanks to you.
SiubhanDuinne
@Another Scott:
I’m constantly in awe of the work WCK and their partners do. Deep thanks for helping them continue their good work.
SiubhanDuinne
@Joy in FL:
Great, thank you! I’ve been so busy reading the comments, I haven’t even checked the thermometer yet!
David Fud
In for $50.
Spanky
Sooooo, I log on 45 minutes after this post goes up and you jackals have already blown past $1700.
You guys are crazy, and I’m in for 50.
WaterGirl
@Spanky:
rotating tag!
Pinkpuppy
In for $50
Spanky
@SiubhanDuinne: Yeah, ditto here. I’ve been meaning to send them money, but it took a gentle kick in the ass for me to do it. Thanks! And Actblue makes it frighteningly easy for potential donors to part with their money.
WaterGirl
You crazy kids. I guess maybe I should raise the thermometer goal?
edit: I guess I’ll raise it to $5,000 and hope that we can give Subaru Diane a very Merry Christmas, indeed!
BruceFromOhio
In for $50 and I sometimes wonder if it was one of my comments many moons ago that saddled you with the Subaru Diane nick and whether that’s a good thing.
WaterGirl
@BruceFromOhio: It’s a very good thing because I can never recall how to spell her nym.
Miss Bianca
@OzarkHillbilly: That’s where I’m at too, right now, all my meager funds for donations going to midterms, but I am so grateful to SD and all the other generous jackals for their willingness to organize and fund other charitable giving.
I gotta increase my revenue stream, so that I can start giving more away.
Spanky
@WaterGirl: Me neither, but only because my fingers want to type the Irish spelling.
SiubhanDuinne
@WaterGirl:
Yes please!
I’ve tried to thank everyone, or will shortly, but damn! These comments and contributions are coming in so fast, I’m having trouble keeping up. So in case I somehow fail to name check you, let me just say that I really am incredibly happy to know that so many of you are stepping up for Chef José and his World Central Kitchen.
The match happened not only before bedtime, but even before I had time to pour myself a celebratory glass of wine 🍷 so off I go to do that thing!
WaterGirl
$25 in your honor, SD!
Gin & Tonic
I am very grateful for this and previous efforts from this community to help the people of Ukraine. I haven’t generally joined in because I have other, more direct vehicles for donating, but your generosity is moving. Because this one is organized by Subaru Diane, I’ll join in for $50.
SiubhanDuinne
@Joy in FL:
I am dumbstruck by how fast it happened. Jackals are amazing critters!
Thank you, Joy.
Omnes Omnibus
$25 from me.
Emma from Miami
In for $100. Wish it could be more!
Heidi Mom
In for $50.00.
SiubhanDuinne
@MazeDancer:
Thanks so much, MazeDancer (I’ve always loved your nym, BTW!) I think WaterGirl has upped it to $5,000 now. That makes me immensely happy.
SiubhanDuinne
@David Fud:
Thank you very much, David!
Spanky
Hey, WG. I think we’re gonna need a bigger goal…
SiubhanDuinne
@Spanky:
Hahaha, and thank you so much!!
SiubhanDuinne
@Pinkpuppy:
Aww, thank you very much! “Pinkpuppy” makes me want to reach through the intertubes and scritch your nym.
The Golux
In for $50. My son is a chef, so the great things Chef José and WCK do has extra meaning for me.
SiubhanDuinne
@BruceFromOhio:
That was you, was it?
Very grateful for your donation, thanks!
SiubhanDuinne
@WaterGirl:
Wow, thanks! And you did all the heavy lifting, too! Your organisational skills really do keep this place ticking.
SiubhanDuinne
@Gin & Tonic:
Bless you, G&T. I know anything that supports Ukraine is near to your heart. I’m very touched that you contributed to this thermometer as well as all the others that are priorities for you.
SiubhanDuinne
@Omnes Omnibus:
Thank you very much, OO.
SiubhanDuinne
@Emma from Miami:
@Heidi Mom:
So many thanks to you both!
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@OzarkHillbilly: I am in the very same boat, sadly. I gave a donation to World Central Kitchen at Christmas. I’m now giving what I can to the local food bank & a local political party I desperately want/need to win the next provincial election. Goddess bless those who can do more. Slava Ukraini!
SiubhanDuinne
@The Golux:
I can’t think of a better reason to donate! Thank you.
evodevo
$25 for the chef, bless him…AND SD, of course…
WaterGirl
Somewhere, some bookkeeper in Chef José’s employ is wondering what the hell Balloon Juice for WCK is.
DarbysMom
In for $25! Thanks for the nudge; wish it could be more.
SiubhanDuinne
@Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom:
I thank you for directing your resources to important local priorities. People in your community will get a good meal because of you, and hopefully good people will be elected to political office!
SiubhanDuinne
@evodevo:
He is amazing! Thank you, evodevo!
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@WaterGirl: Huh, I followed the front page link but my donation receipt says worldcntkitchen, nothing about Balloon Juice.
Avalie
Added $100
SiubhanDuinne
@DarbysMom:
That is great, thank you!
WaterGirl
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Interesting. I titled it Balloon Juice for World Central Kitchen
I imagine that reference is to the entire pot of money for World Central Kitchen. But their emails and their spreadsheet (I assume they get a spreadsheet like Four Directions and Voces do) will reference Balloon Juice.
CaseyL
Thank you, SD! In for $25.
SiubhanDuinne
@WaterGirl:
🤣😂
SiubhanDuinne
@Avalie:
Thank you so much, Avalie!!
HinTN
@SiubhanDuinne: I toast your wine with my sip of scotch. Thanks again for reminding us that there’s a great big world out there.
SiubhanDuinne
@CaseyL:
No, thank you!
WaterGirl
Looks like we will hit $5,000 – but I will not be updating the goal beyond that.
Thank you, SD, for your generosity!
greengoblin
In for $100.00.
PHinSD
I’m in for $25
Wolvesvalley
Well, it looks like the response to SiubhanDiunne’s match has been so swift that her match has been met before I had a chance to take advantage of it. So I am matching my own $50 by putting $100 in the kitty.
This was a wonderful idea!
SiubhanDuinne
@HinTN:
Like this?
🍷🥃
Spanish Moss
In for 100.
SiubhanDuinne
@WaterGirl:
Beyond my wildest dreams!
James E Powell
On behalf of jackals who are short at the moment, I tossed in another $50 because I’ve been there and no doubt will be there again.
dexwood
In for 50. WCK is the one organization we regularly contribute to. SD is one of my favorite commenters here. Obviously, I’m not alone in holding her in high regard. Well done Juicers. Well done SD.
SiubhanDuinne
@greengoblin:
@PHinSD:
@Wolvesvalley:
Thank you, thank you, thank you one and all!
SiubhanDuinne
@Spanish Moss:
You’re wonderful, thank you!
Laura Too
@SiubhanDuinne: I am so inspired by your warmth and generosity! Thank you for making the world a better place. I donated $50.00, such a nice gift you’ve given. Hugs!
Lexiltucky
In for $50. In addition to their work in Ukraine, WCK was there early on when the floods went thru Eastern KY a while back. They do good work.
Thanks to SD for getting us all started here today !
SiubhanDuinne
@James E Powell:
That is very generous of you! The phrase “pay it forward” has become a bit shopworn from overuse — but it’s still a great concept, so thank you very much for putting it into practice.
SiubhanDuinne
@dexwood:
Those are very kind words. I’m glad you feel as I do about WCK. Thank you for donating tonight.
Spanky
$4936 …
Reverse tool order
+50
WaterGirl
And it just rolled over to $5,011.
You guys all rock!
Spanky
Five grand in 104 minutes.
WaterGirl
@Spanky: 50 bucks a minute!
SiubhanDuinne
@WaterGirl:
OMG. Amazed and in tears of gratitude, I am.
MazeDancer
@SiubhanDuinne: And I yours!
AxelFoley
Not gonna lie, that’s how I pronounce it in my head. 😂
Forgive me, SiubhanDuinne, but I always wanted to ask you how to properly pronounce your nym.
Laura Too
@AxelFoley: I remember a long time ago my Uncle saying it was how his auto correct would spell it. I’m sure it was that way for a lot of people.
sxjames
I saw an article (probably on BJ) about WCK just after the invasion in February, and for the next couple of months donated $25 dollars/month. However, due to life in general I kinda forgot about it and haven’t donated in a while. Thanks for the swift kick in the pan… err, gentle reminder of how worthy WCK is :). Anyways, just chipped in $25 dollars.
HinTN
@SiubhanDuinne: Works for me! I’ve been out enjoying a summer shower that simply materialized. The late afternoon sun created a rainbow in the approaching mist, which was coming from the southeast. I attribute it to your good energy.
Leslie
Way late to this party, but I don’t mind. Another $50 in the pot for WCK and the amazing work they do. Thanks, SD.
frosty
I’m in for $25. Thanks for doing this, SD.
OzarkHillbilly
You know, It’s nice being a small part of this Balloon Juice thing.
Joy in FL
@SiubhanDuinne: We jackals are crazy in a most excellent way : ) And today, you are leading the pack to do a most excellent thing!
ghost cat
Just donated $25. Thank you SD!
eachother
In for $50.
🍺🍷
Ksmiami
Added 100. Still think Russia needs to be altered.
M31
in for $25, what a great organization
arrieve
In for $25. I’m always happy to add a little more to Chef Jose. Thanks so much SD.
mvr
In for 25.
stinger
In for $10 — excellent cause! Thank you, SiubhanDuinne! (I’ve missed the match, but happy to help kick the total up over $5K a bit.)
Trine
I’m late to the party but I chipped in$25 for Saint Chef Andre. TY SD! ❤️
planetjanet
I put $50 in the kitty. It is one of my favorite causes. I had the privilege of being the beneficiary of his work during the goverment furlough. The food was delicious.
Andrya
I’m in.
Almost Retired
@Wolvesvalley: Ooooh, I like that concept! “Self-match,” since by the time I got here, the match was over. So I’m in for $100, by matching my own $50, or something like that. I tried to get my wife to be an outside double donor, but she generally rolls her eyes at all things Balloon Juice. Her loss.
StringOnAStick
I’ve been meaning to contribute again to WCK; in for $100.
Tehanu
In for $25; I need to renew contribs to several other causes but I’m very happy to give to this particular one. Nothing is more basic than feeding people.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@SiubhanDuinne: 100000 thanks!😁
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@James E Powell: ^^ty 😘
kalakal
in for $25.