When news of the earthquake first hits the airwaves this past week, I, like many others , gave a quick look up from my own concerns and tried to put it behind me as being out of my realm.
Other people’s problems, you know? You’ve got problems. I’ve got problems. We all have problems of our own so why should I put myself out to help people I will likely never meet in a country I will likely never visit?
To my shame, that self-serving part of me took over for the first days of this tragedy. I tried to avoid the coverage as if by not seeing it, it didn’t exist in my little world. But the scope of the tragedy made it unavoidable and as I watched and saw the suffering written in those faces, I realized that the worst day in my life would be a moment of relief for these folks.
I have been down to the last penny I had in this world. I have walked the streets of strange cities in desperation. I have been near the end of my rope.
But seeing a stunned mother sitting in front of a pile of rubble where her home once stood, with her four children dead underneath and no one there to help her get to them so she might see them once more and bury them, made me realize that my problems were insignificant by comparison. I had not known true need. I had not known true desperation. My rope was nowhere near its end.
The Haitian people are in true need and know all too well the meaning of desperation and loss. Too many are near the end of their ropes.
So what could I do that would be of some help to these people? At first, I gave cash to Americares, a relief organization that I have donated to in the past. They have had a long relationship, over 26 years, with Haiti and the local agencies there and less than 1% of my donation goes to administration and fundraising.
But it didn’t seem like enough. Cheri suggested I auction off a painting which at first, I resisted. There was a cynical part of me that felt that there was something self-serving in this, as though it would be perceived as promoting myself rather than a sincere effort to do what was best. But Cheri pointed out that this was a genuine way to raise more needed money using the only tools at my disposal, my paintings. Perhaps by rewarding the donor with an article of value they would bid higher and more money would be raised and in some small way we, the bidder and I, could be of more help together than separately.
So this auction started.
Here’s how it goes: If you wish to participate, you can bid on any of the paintings shown by bidding in the Comments section below or by e-mailing me at info@gcmyers.com . Bidding closes Tuesday January 19th, at 12 noon EST.
The winning bidder receives:
* Their choice of what organization receives the donation. For every $1.00 bid, a donation of $1.25 will be made.
* The painting they have bid on, shipped and insured without cost to them. The painting will be dedicated on its back to the winning bidder.
* A signed copy of my book.
* The satisfaction of knowing they have tried to make a difference.
So, if you wish to participate, please bid, and if you can’t, pass this along to someone you know who may be interested.
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AUCTION UPDATE
“Proclamation”
12″ by 16″ on canvas/ Value $1400
Current High Bid——- $ 1500
Current High Bidder– Eliza Schissel
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“Archaeology: The New Phoenix
8″ by 16″ on canvas/ Value $1450
Current High Bid——— $ 1000
Current High Bidder– Denny Springmann
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“New Day of Hope”
6″ by 10″ image on paper/ 16″ by 20″ frame/ Value $ 1000
Current High Bid———$ 500
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Current High Bidder- G. Edwards
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Thank You!
Redtree Times 