Giving back to the reef- a penance of sorts

[Chucker]

Random thought popped into my head, and I thought it might merit a post....

I'm sure plenty of you watch The Simpsons, and recall Homer's swear jar. In an effort to quit swearing, he must deposit a quarter into the jar for each offense.

Why can't we apply this concept to livestock husbandry? Instead of shrugging your shoudlers when you lose a frag, fish, shrimp, or other critter, why not put a dollar into a critter jar? Once a year, clear out the jar, and send a check for the amount inside to your reef charity of choice. Your money will help save the reef twice- once by serving as a reminder how you can improve your husbandry technique, and again by giving a monetary donation to a place where it can do some direct good.

Suggestions, comments, and candidates for charity are welcome!

 

[Mouse]

Erm 1 jar in 1 year, how many mistakes do you intend on making??? Mind you from some of the people i have seen in this hobby, bring it on!!!

I like Homer, whenever it all gets too much for him he sings that little song about how he wants to live at the bottom of the sea, what a sound geeeza!!

[ October 15, 2001: Message edited by: Mouse ]

 

[tazdevil]

cool idea, but one question- does anyone know of any reef charities (i'd rather not give to a charity that I thought was for reefs, and then find out my money went to Usama Bin Laden or worse

).
Thanks for any info!!

 

[Mouse]

You can get credit cards that make a donation every time you use them. And the best thing is its the bank that makes the donation. And even better than that you get a credit card with a fishy on it. Im sure Visa would know

 

[chris_h]

I didnt know there was a reef charity.

 

[DontYouJustWish]

Most of us would qualify as charity cases

[ October 15, 2001: Message edited by: DontYouJustWish ]

 

[Anonymous]

Kevin, excellent idea!
...my only criticism comes not of your idea, but of your example: $1.00 per loss isn't much. I doubt most hobbyist plan on/or actually lose enough stock in a single year to make that add up. Then again, maybe some do. I would consider a steeper loss fee, but of course its up to the individual hobbyist.

 

[tazdevil]

ok how about these payment parameters:
you make 25,000-75,000 per year:10$ per loss
75,000-125,000/yr: 25$ per loss
125,000-250,000/yr: 50$ per loss
250,000-500,000/yr: 100$ per loss
500,000-1,000,000/yr: 250$ per loss
1,000,000 on up: 500$ per loss (quit whining, you can afford it)! This is a good idea, but I ask again, where can we donate?

 

[Anonymous]

I hope it's not something I have to 'retro' because I'd need to take a second mortgage out on the house...

Peace,

Chip

 

[esmithiii]

Taz- I am sure Marx and Lennin would be proud of you...Maybe it would be better if for those who make LESS than $25K that we give them $10 for every loss they have...

Chucker- good idea. I do something similar, though. For every purchase I make, $30 goes for dinner or something else for my wife. It keeps me married!

 

[Spikehs]

Is there really a credit card for marine life?...if there is one like that or similiar, can someone post the link cause i have been tying to find it and cant, thanks.

 

[White-Queen]

taz....what if you make less then that per year? *sniffle*


And as far a reef charities goes...I'm starting up a new charity called, "Help a Poor Student Build a Reef" charity.
What do ya' guys think?

 

[bowfront]

I like your idea. Here are a few sites that would be happy to take our money.
http://www.savenature.org/home.html http://www.reefrelief.org/ActionAlert/action_alerts5.html

Maybe those of us that can afford it should cough up replacement value of critters lost. Hmm...lets see that still comes out to less than $5 this year for me.

 

[tazdevil]

OK it was just and idea, if you want to pay less, go ahead!! But, when/if I fail and cause the death of one or all of my specimens, I actually would donate more, not as a penalty to me, but as a way to further the research so these deaths get further and further apart. Happy reef/fo/fowlr or whatever type of tank keeping you do to all!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

I would say that if you lose a critter you should donate back what you paid for it before you buy something else. Kill a 30$ brain coral. Donate 30$ back.

Glenn

 

[White-Queen]

Interesting idea! I like it.

*grin*

Angela <><

 

[Mouse]

I like Rovers idea, eye for an eye. The credit card for those of you who showed an interest is a WWF card by Visa. Thats the World Wildlife Fund, not the World Wrestling Federation, all though one of their cards would be kinda cool. ooooooh yeeeeeeaaaa, Hulk Hogan is da man, even if his films do suck.