Wish You
New Site United People, Makes Wishes Come True
By Rebecca Villaneda, Peninsula News
Thursday, November 6, 2008 12:21 PM PST
The concept is unique, generous and that of Steve and Julie Lins who want to bring people together the old-fashioned way.
“We want people to post their wish and have someone read it, be moved by it and help them directly, like the good old days when you walked down the street and borrowed a cup of sugar from your neighbor,” Steve said. “We want people to connect directly.”
Julie, who came up with the site’s name, said she wanted to fill in the gap between charitable organizations and people’s everyday needs.
“We created this platform — Sent From Ebove — for people to post their needs and, hopefully, people who see it will help them out,” Julie said. “I just thought if I was posting a wish and the next day somebody was able to help me that would be a God send, sent from ebove.”
The site is simple and both donors and recipients register with a screen name. Wishes are written and the giving begins.
To get the generosity flowing, the Lins teamed up with Harbor Interfaith Services in San Pedro to help people who are getting back on their feet. Requests fulfilled range from TVs and microwaves to toys and Target gift cards.
One of the site’s first success stories was that of Maria, a Harbor Interfaith client that became homeless in 2005. She lost custody of her daughter and later was diagnosed with cancer.
“She has just moved into her apartment and she’s been with Harbor Interfaith for a long time, but she’s breaking away from them,” Julie said. “So many people came together and furnished her apartment … She’s like the ideal example of what we want our Web site to be.”
Both parties can remain anonymous if they like, and the public forums help facilitate conversations.
“We’re sensitive to the needs of the people in need. We don’t want to embarrass anybody. If someone doesn’t feel comfortable posting their details publicly, we totally understand that,” Steve said, adding that the “thank yous” have been heartwarming and make the experience more personal and gratifying.
“[Donors] are ready to give some more,” Julie said. “Maria sent this wonderful thank-you letter to all the people that helped her through our Web site, and I got responses back saying, ‘I want to help the next family.’
The Web site also is equipped with a way to create an online community of any size, Steve said.
“What we envision is maybe your local elementary school creates a community on Sent From Ebove, or your local church or Boy Scout troop, or even a group of families that live on the same street — they can create a micro community so that they are familiar with the people in that community and get comfortable with asking and receiving help,” Steve said.
“We’re not trying to control this either; we’re just hoping that people will get help and whatever direction it goes, whatever wishes are posted, we hope that people can get some help,” Steve said.
While the Lins want to see all wishes fulfilled, they discourage sending money to limit fraud.
“We just ask that people use their common sense when giving money, but we prefer other ways of helping people,” Julie said.
There even was a college student who posted his wish to travel the world.
“That’s kind of the one extreme versus the family that just moved in and has no furniture, but we don’t want to limit folks,” Steve said. “Ultimately, our goal is millions of people helped.”
“In addition to trying to help people that aren’t directly in contact with those organizations, we want to reach out to those partners and hopefully bring together people in need and the donors,” he said. “We like to compare it to the local news story about a family struggling. You know, everybody hears this story and calls and helps this family. Well, our Web site gives people in need exposure.”
To make a wish or donate to Sent From Ebove, go online at www.sentfromebove.com.
To comment on this story, go to www.pvnews.com.
About the Author
I have created the newly launched website, Sent From Ebove.com(www.sentfromebove.com). Sent From Ebove is an online service that connects people in need to those who care and want to help.
Atheists, do you ever wish angels were real?
Assuming they’re sexy angels, like this one:
http://dark.pozadia.org/images/wallpapers/SexyAngel-771658.jpeg
She’s my wallpaper.;)
I know one angel in particular that I wished had wings.
Kuma
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
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