Running Total: $291.83

Thank you, R.R., for your cash donation!  I've forwarded your sweet message to Mary.

Running Total: $271.83

Another 2 Amazon sales... $16.69

Running Total: $255.14

Those Amazon sales just keep ticking along in the background... thank you, Wall-E & Beverly Hills Chihauhau.

Running Total: $234.62

Our first cash donation!  Thank you so much, Maya, for responding to my call for help for Mary.

In seeing the little reduction in donation amount due to Paypal fees, I have decided that for any cash donations, I will pay the Paypal portion myself so that the full amount of your donations will go to Mary.

Running Total: $184.62

Received another $45.94 from eBay sales, after fees... shipped off three more tidy little packages to strangers who are supporting Mary & getting cute duds at the same time!

$138.68

$138.68 is how much we've raised so far from sales on eBay & Amazon, after eBay fees, Amazon fees, paypal fees and shipping costs.  Sheesh!

I'm looking to add more fundraising directions, as this is less profitable than, say, working more hours and just donating some of my earnings.  I do want to try to create a bigger base of support for Mary than just what I can afford, so will continue to direct my efforts towards spreading the word that she needs help.

Selling on Amazon

Donated DVD's and books have already started selling on Amazon!  In less than 48 hours, 5 have sold.  Very satisfying.

eBay Listings

OK, I'm finally posting some items to eBay!  It's pretty labor intensive between photographing and posting (as a friend warned me), but I'm hopeful that things will sell.  I'll keep adding to the postings, but for now, here's a link to what's for sale so far:
http://shop.ebay.com/rufusopolis/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25

Donations

I just added a donation button on the left in case anyone is moved to donate cash.

I also welcome other fundraising suggestions if anyone has an inspired idea or has had success raising $ in the past.

I'll post a running tally of how much we raise once ebay/Amazon sales begin and/or we receive $ donations.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your interest.

Getting Rolling

My first idea for raising money to help Mary was to ask a small circle of women friends to donate items that I will try to sell on eBay or Amazon. I've had some sweet feedback and will start gathering "stock" next Tuesday night.  Fingers crossed for big sales!

Just now, I began shopping through my house looking for things I can try to sell.  Funny how things I haven't worn/used lately but still felt attached to are easy to let go knowing they might help.  Feels good.  So far I've gathered:
8 pairs of pants
2 pairs of shorts
1 jacket
6 skirts
2 shirts
1 dress
4 purses
2 pairs of shoes
1 necklace
1 pair earrings
1 brooch
1 pair shoe clips

Derek (my husband) has offered to donate some DVDs and is fully supportive of my using the second room as storage room/order fulfillment center.