[Sdpg] Flood Relief Update: Solar Living Institute -- Please Help, Hopland Ca

Fri Jan 13 11:44:09 PST 2006

  Flood Relief Update: $100,000 Still Needed 
$50,037 Raised to Date January 12, 2006 

  Dear Friend of the Solar Living Institute: 

As we reported to you Jan. 4, the Solar Living Center in Hopland, California,
was hit on New Year's Eve by the worst flood in the area in over 50 years. The
Solar Living Institute, our environmental education nonprofit organization,
resides on this site. While the devastation to the site, our projects, and
equipment are staggering, the outpouring of support has been truly inspiring.
We still need your help however. If you have yet to contribute or would
like to
increase your support, please take a minute now to
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.lyuvtrbab.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2
Fstore.solarlivingstore.com%2Ffloodfund.html>donate to help us recover.
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.enfft9n6.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.solarliving.org>  

The Good News... Over $50,000 Raised 

The good news is that we have had a tremendous outpouring of support. Over 260
people have contributed $50,037, or 33% of the $150,000 we need to replace the
damages to our projects and equipment. (Note: These damages are what was
sustained by the Solar Living Institute, the environmental education nonprofit
organization here at the Center that brings you sustainable living workshops
and SolFest each year.) Additionally, over 50 volunteers came to the Solar
Living Center on Saturday to help the Institute dig out of the mud, and we
have
another volunteer cleanup day scheduled for Sat., Jan. 21. If you can help,
please
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.nyuvtrbab.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.solar-living.org%2Ffloodvolunteer.htm>sign up.

Additionally, we are being loaned two to three trailers to house our interns
temporarily, and have been given a much-needed diesel truck. Thanks to
everyone
for their generous support!

(Note: The adjacent picture shows our team of volunteers last Saturday lifting
the frame of the intern dome, the only part that remains, and moving it to
another location.)

<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.lyuvtrbab.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%
2Fstore.solarlivingstore.com%2Ffloodfund.html>Please give generously to
help us
rebuild...
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.enfft9n6.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.solarliving.org>  

The Challenge... We Still Need $100,000 

We continue to estimate that a minimum of $150,000 in direct damages were done
to our nonprofit's projects and equipment, none of which are covered by flood
insurance. While we have raised one-third of that amount in a week, we still
need $100,000 to fully rebuild.

<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.myuvtrbab.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%
2Fwww.solarliving.org%2Fflood.cfm>For more information...
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.enfft9n6.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.solarliving.org>  

What Were the Damages? 

The geodesic dome that housed the interns burned to the ground, destroying
furnishings, the intern living quarters, the solar systems, and their kitchen.
Five vehicles were submerged and destroyed including an intern's car, two
Institute trucks and a van, and all of our natural building projects on site
were damaged or destroyed. Archives, tools, workshop and SolFest materials and
stage, furniture and personal property, and three Institute storage units were
destroyed. Rebuilding plans have begun, but we still desperately need funds to
accomplish the rebuilding in the upcoming months to be ready for SolFest on
Aug. 19-20.

<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.lyuvtrbab.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%
2Fstore.solarlivingstore.com%2Ffloodfund.html>To donate now...
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.enfft9n6.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.solarliving.org>  

Over 260 Have Donated - Over 40 Volunteers 

In only one week, we have raised $50,037 from over 260 individuals and
businesses
(<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.enfft9n6.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.solarliving.org>see our campaign progress thermometer), but much more is
needed to restore our educational projects and facilities.

<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.enfft9n6.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.solarliving.org>Learn more about our Flood Fund campaign...
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.enfft9n6.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.solarliving.org>  
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.enfft9n6.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.solarliving.org>  
A Special Thanks 

We would like to extend a special "thank you" to the following individuals and
companies who have each given $500 or more: Richard Jordan, Mark Juedeman,
Bion
Howard, Lisa Scales, Whole Foods Markets (Mid- Atlantic, Southern Pacific, and
Northern California Regions), David Linder, Thomas Marino, Ruth Ghia, Jason
Miller, Zhena's Gypsy Tea, Joseph Marino, Rudi Wiedemann - Biodiesel
Solutions,
PowerLight, John Roulac - Nutiva Hemp Products, Jeff and Vicki Oldham,
Nicholas
Harmon - Verilux, Inc., Dan Chiras, Jeanne Trombly, Paul Stamets - Fungi
Perfecti LLC, Steve Heckeroth, J. Holden, Tim Blair, and Doug Meeker.

Please Donate Generously -- We Still Need Another $100,000. 

<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.lyuvtrbab.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%
2Fstore.solarlivingstore.com%2Ffloodfund.html>Please consider giving as
generously as you can...

Thanks for your support!

For our Future,

John Schaeffer, Founder and President 
Bob Gragson, Executive Director 

email: <mailto:bob.gragson at solarliving.org>bob.gragson at solarliving.org 
phone: 707-744-1527 
web:
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=io4xyrbab.0.enfft9n6.q6bbuvn6.21513&p=http%3A%2F%2F
www.solarliving.org>http://www.solarliving.org 

Solar Living Institute | P. O. Box 836 | 13771 S. Hwy. 101 | Hopland | CA |
95449 

Santa Barbara Permaculture Network
(805) 962-2571
sbpcnet at silcom.com
www.sbpermaculture.org

"We are like trees, we must create new leaves, in new directions, in order to
grow." - Anonymous

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