UPDATE
We know John and Mary are not asking for any assistance.
This post is not from them, nor am I setting up any public funding site nor am I asking anyone to do so. We have actually taken down several that were put up.
But the email below came out of conversations between me, Susan Benigas (Executive Director of ACLM), Howard Jacobson, and the many emails, calls, message and posts we have been getting from all the people whose lives the McDougalls and the McDougall program have touched and who want to help.
The following went out in an email to the membership of the ACLM this week. I worked with Susan on this.
Dear ACLM Members,
The fires in California have been devastating for many, including Dr. John McDougall, a founding member of ACLM's Board of Advisors. John and his wife, Mary, and their daughter, Heather lost their homes in Santa Rosa, CA and all material possessions. They have asked for no assistance, only saying that they are grateful to be alive and that the work they do will not be interrupted.
Even so, many in our ACLM family have been touched by John and may wish to send a gift to help him and his family navigate the difficult weeks ahead.
John McDougall is a fighter; no doubt about it. Even fighters need safety nets and friends who step up to the plate in times of need.
For anyone who would like to offer assistance to John and his family, you may do so by sending a check directly to:
Dr. McDougall’s Health and Medical Center
PO Box 14039
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
During our conversations about this, I thought Howard Jacobsen said it best when he said to me,
"I see this impulse as much more informal and organic than a gofundme. This is really for us, for those of us who have been touched by John's work, and want to reach out as friends and neighbors and fellow humans and say, "here's a helping hand."
When my mother died, I didn't "need" anyone to cook me food or come over and massage my back. I had the resources, technically, to pay for prepared meals and a massage. What was so healing about these gestures is that they were spontaneous, appropriate to my needs and likes, and motivated by an impulse to be of service.
That's what I'm hearing from your latest email, Jeff. If I lived near John, I could bring him a casserole or a spare Instant Pot. Since I don't, I have to rely on other gestures.
Even though the McDougall's are not asking for any help, if you want to offer a helping hand as a
"friend and fellow human", you can send a check to the above PO Box.
As we know, Dr McDougall & Mary, Heather and Tiffany are not the only ones who have been impacted. We also know Keith Smith, our webmaster also lost his home and all other material possessions. If you want your donation to go to anyone involved specially (John & Mary, Heather, Tiffany, Keith), you can make the check out to that person.
There have also been quite a few other emergencies over the last few months from the impact of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, the N CA fires, the Las Vegas incident, etc, all of which have generated a great need and opportunities to give and continue to do so. However, in todays news cycle, these things fall out of the news fairly quickly, while the damage and the need continues on for many weeks, months and sometimes a year or more.
In that light, here are some ways to help in regard to the N CA fires and the other recent tragedies.
How to Help Those Affected by the California Wildfires
Here are some highly rated charities helping relief efforts
By Anthony Giorgianni
October 19, 2017
https://www.consumerreports.org/chariti ... wildfires/The Best Ways to Help in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
Give to charities that are in a position to help
By Anthony Giorgianni
Last updated: September 14, 2017
https://www.consumerreports.org/charita ... -and-irma/How You Can Help Hurricane Victims in Puerto Rico
There are several charities you can donate to that are working directly on relief efforts there
https://www.consumerreports.org/charita ... erto-rico/How to Donate After a Natural Disaster
Tips to make sure your dollars are well-spent
https://www.consumerreports.org/chariti ... -disaster/Thanks
In Health
Jeff
