A Request for Help and a New Whistle Giveaway

Whistle
1

I have asked Dale about this posting, and he has agreed to allow it.
Thank you, Dale. Anyone who wants more detail can email me and I will do my best to provide it. Here goes:

I have a friend in New Zealand who very recently lost her mother, and is now going in for heart surgery for a problem (mitral valve) discovered while she was caring for her. Although she can get the operation through the national healthcare program, she will need aftercare for a substantial period of time, which is not taken care of. This lady has been out of work due to health issues for some time, and although she has relatives, they live quite a long distance away and are unable to help much. I am helping her all that I am able, but it is beyond my capabilities to provide all the care she will need.

I have set up a fund for her aftercare on PayPal, and am asking the generous people at Chiff and Fipple to donate to it. Some of you will have already received an email from me about this. Everyone who donates will receive a “Thank You” if you will leave an email address. Further, I will sweeten the pot in this way:

For every $10 you donate, I will put an entry in a random drawing for you, the prizes, two of them, will be two sets each of two whistles, one soprano BrassySinger and one PolyBrass Low Whistle, in keys of your choice. There will be two of these sets given away in a prize draw on May 16, 2005. The value of these whistle prizes is about $100US each.

To donate, go to PayPal and do a Send Money to maorilady@gonemissing.us – I am administering the fund, and I will make certain she gets every cent.

If you would prefer to donate by check, you may mail the checks to Serpent Music, PO Box 644, Lawson, MO 64062 – be sure to write “donation” on the check, and make it payable to Serpent Music. If you do mail, please be sure to email or PM me to let me know you’ve done so.

Thank all of you in advance. I know this group of people, and I know you will be generous with this lady. And best of luck to everyone in the prize draw!
Thanks again!
Bill Whedon

2

Again, I consulted Dale before posting. I have a couple of new things

First and foremost, the status of the fund.

At the end of Day 1, we are at $80US.

Thanks for the generosity! I am upgrading the account to Premier so that people can use credit cards. It will take a couple of days to get the bank account set up and hooked in, but you can go ahead and use them now, they just will hang about until the account is validated.

Secondly, I want to make sure that your generosity doesn’t go unpunished, so I’m adding a retroactive bonus:
Anyone who donates $20 or more will receive a metallic red soprano D Sweet Polly whistle, post-paid, absolutely free. Please be sure to put your mailing address in the PayPal or other donation.

**I wanted to toss this information in since I just now found out. The prognosis for care need is 26 weeks, and the cost is predicted to be around $300NZ per week (about $220US). Pretty formidable, indeed. And I don't want you to think that I'm just looking for $10 and $20 - heck, at that rate, every dollar is going to help, so please donate what you can, and thank you!**

From this point forward, the status post will be just the status..

Again, thanks to everyone who has contributed, and who will. I wish you the best of luck in the draw!
Cheers,
Bill Whedon

3

Be sure to read the 2nd post if you haven’t already! :slight_smile:

9PM CDT on Day 2
Your generosity has brought it to $110US
Thanks! Chiff and Fipple folk are the best! :slight_smile:

4

this is the third day of the fund, and we took a little drop-off but I know you folks will come through!

at 10:30PM CDT April 21, the fund stands at $110US

Today, I completed hooking up the new bank account, and sent them some requested travel money to get home from Hamilton. She’ll be going back up there soon for the op. I’ll keep you posted on the status every day.

Don’t forget to read Post #2 if you haven’t already! :smiley:

Thanks again!
Bill Whedon

5

At 9:30PM CDT April 22, the fund stands at $110US.
Well mother and daughter are back in their home town now, prepping for another stint at hospitals. They have to wait for an OR slot, and that’s probably going to happen about mid May.

Please read Post #2 if you haven’t already…
Thanks!
Bill Whedon

6

At 11:30PM CDT April 23, the fund stands at $110US.


I’m just building tone bodies now. Hey, when you donate, if you’d like a Brassy Polly instead of a Sweet Polly (the Brassy is louder, takes a bit more air), I’ll build either head. Just let me know. And folks, I’m not taking a single cent of this money. The Polly whistles are my gift to you for being kind, as are the two PolyBrass Lows and BrassySingers.

And if you don’t want a whistle, just say so, and I’ll auction yours on eBay and donate the proceeds. I’d love to have to make a few hundred! :slight_smile:

Thanks for your kindness,
Bill Whedon

7

At 11:30PM CDT April 24, the fund stands at $110US.


I believe in the generosity of the members of Chiff and Fipple, and I thank you for it in advance.
Cheers,
Bill Whedon

8

Aw, c’mon… I want to hand out some red whistles! :smiley: You want a different color, just say so! :slight_smile:

At 11:30PM CDT on April 25th, the fund stands at $110.

Thanks,
Bill Whedon

9

I am smiling a lot right now. I was able, through the kindness of some more of you wonderful people, to give my friend a bit of a nice surprise…

At 11:30PM CDT on April 26th, the fund stands at $235.00US

Already being used to do some prep for the big trip, largely due to the kindness and generosity of Chiff and Fipple people.

Thank you!
Bill Whedon

10

My friend sends her sincere gratitude.


At 11:30PM CDT on April 27, 2005 the fund stands at $235.00US


Thanks to everyone! :slight_smile:
Bill Whedon

11

Just a reminder that you don’t have to have a red whistle. I can do them in any color. Just pick one from the website and tell me.

At 11:30PM CDT on April 28 2005, the fund stands at $235.00US

Thanks,
Bill Whedon

12

I got paid today, and sent a token your way.
Blessings and good wishes to your friend.

13

I would like donate to your friend’s cause but I just don’t feel I can trust you. You seem to turn almost every post into an advertising campaign for your whistles. How do I know your friend exists?

14

I find this post unwarranted and offensive.

It’s a bit of a leap between self-promotion and dishonesty. I don’t suppose your own attitude is affected by your relationship to another whistle maker? Maybe you’re a bit jealous? (Innuendo is a nasty thing, isn’t it?)

One of the first things I noticed when I started reading C&F was how Bill Whedon, among other whistle makers, actively promoted the work of others. In fact, his [u]Links Web page[/u] has links to three other makers, as below:

Stacey O’Gorman’s Alba Whistles are, in a word, FANTASTIC!

Dan Bingamon’s Jubilee Music Instrument Co. has some of the most unusual tinwhistles you’ll ever find!

John McHaffie makes gorgeous whistles from a combo of aluminum and copper - great looks, great sound!

Just a few days ago, he mentioned his McHaffie [u]here[/u].

I trust Bill fully, and I’ve sent a little donation, myself. Keep it up Bill. :thumbsup:

15

Is there away for us without PayPal to donate?

16

Darwin…we are both entitled to our own opinions, that was mine. This is my last post on this subject.

17

Well, we are making a dent at least in the cost of food and generally staying alive and warm while waiting to go in hospital. Thank you all. In reply to the question about non-PayPal, you can send a check or MO to the Serpent Music address PO Box 644 Lawson, MO 64062. Please be sure to make it payable to Serpent Music, and mark it “Donation” and to include your name and address and email, whether it’s a dime or a dollar or whatever. Encouraging words are also solicited. We want to thank you for your kindness.

At 11:30PM CDT April 29, 2005, the fund stands at $305.00 US

That’s really amazing, and very kind of the people who have contributed, and those who want to but cannot. I am proud to be associated with the people of Chiff and Fipple. You humble me.
Best wishes,
Bill Whedon
(edit) sorry, I got flustered and forgot to remove the signature line.

18

I have been cautioned about responding to the post about lack of trust, but I want to say that Hils has pointed out something that I overlooked. I’ve been removing my signature line from these posts, but leaving my avatar, which is in fact a little sort of “billboard”. That’s not my purpose here, and I thank you for pointing out the negative impression it gave. I have changed it with the logo for my little music group since it’s kind of pretty. We’re pretty new, and still having a lot of fun at it, but keeping good fiddlers is really hard! Too much competition from groups that can pay.
Again, thank you.
Bill Whedon

19

At 11:30PM CDT on April 30 2005, the fund stands at $305.00 US

Thank you for your continued interest and support.
Bill Whedon

20

I still don’t have a schedule for hospitalization, but my friend’s daughter has said that she’ll keep me informed as soon as it’s supposed to happen.

At 11.30 PM CDT on May 1, 2005, the fund stands at $305.00 US

Thank you for your help, and for the many kind words I’ve received and passed on. All is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill Whedon