I want to do a little crowdfunding.
Some great things can be accomplished using this money gathering tool. There are also a lot of not-so-great things being done.
A significant portion of the budget required to film the Corner Gas movie in Saskatchewan was raised in this manner.
I learned the funeral expenses for that little three-year-old Toronto boy who died of exposure were met through crowdfunding. In fact, this heart-wrenching incident led to family friends setting up an account to raise $20,000 to help meet the expected funeral costs. At last count, the fund had exceeded $173,000.
We have heard of people using crowdfunding so they can go on adventures or provide volunteer work. So on a purely charitable and emotional level, crowdfunding has a rightful place: use modern cyberspace technology to attain a financial objective so you can do good.
But what about the low lights?
Well, there was the mother who decided to crowd fund her child’s birthday party. It seems birthday party expenses are getting a little out-of-hand, and they apparently happen on an annual basis.
There are party favours to purchase and swag bags to fill for those who attend. In other words, the kids bring gifts and receive gifts. It seems professional entertainment has to be provided at these social functions too. Apparently kids don’t know how to have fun using their own resources, imaginations and a few props.
The one I heard about was ridiculous in scope and when I learned the whole affair was being carried out to help the kid celebrate a first-year birthday, I had to laugh. The kidlet in question will never remember a darn thing. But, I’m sure there will be professional photographs of the event to help remind her how much she was loved.
I don’t remember much about any of my birthdays until I turned 27. What does a one-year-old know outside of whether her diaper is empty or full? And even that is speculative until … well, you know.
Weddings are another over-the-top event that now cost tens of thousands of dollars and usually end up with a bunch of people resenting another bunch of people because of money.
So I want to do a little crowdfunding. My needs are simple so it won’t take you long to raise the required cash and forward it to me in whatever manner is used for crowdfunding.
I would like a 40-inch television. I know it’s yesterday’s technology, but then, so am I. I have a 32 or 36 inch screen. I would be happy with 40. I don’t need 60. I am not greedy, and I don’t need my birthday party funded by third-party investment counsellors.
I need a new parka. There is nothing wrong with my current parka, except it is now five years old and it’s a boring beige with a new zipper installed three years ago. If you can’t raise the funds, I’ll understand.
The bride gave me new gloves last year, so I’m good to go in that department. My winter work gloves I got through a beer promotion four winters ago. My winter boots are also well past their best-before date, in the event you raise more than enough for my parka.
Let me know how you’re doing, or maybe just keep it a surprise for my birthday, which, I suppose, you may fund in mid-April, if you insist. By then parkas will be on sale.
