Shhh.. it's a secret!

Shhh, don't tell anyone!

I'm in private groups! On facebook! And just about everyone else I know is too! OMGZ! OH NOZ!

Yes, there are several people who have come together in a "secret, private group" on facebook. (Actually, there are several groups! *gasp!*)
We came together because we all saw what was happening. We were fortunate, I guess you could say, enough to see all the venom that had been spewed, and all the deleted posts.
2+2 was adding up to 4.

We never formed any group until we had all been black listed and banned though, just for the record (And hey, a thanks for that, because I've been able to make some amazing friends thanks to this AND I found a love for blogging!!).  All those months that he claimed there was a group trying to bring a4cwsn down? I have no clue about any of that. Neither does anyone I chat with.

Yep, we compared notes so to speak, and still do, actually.
Really, though, the only way you know you've been lied to is to compare stories with someone who's talked to the same person about the same thing.

We will never stop trying to piece the puzzle together that is a4cwsn.

And yep, we have all spent countless hours on google after our kids have gone to bed, or are taking a nap.
Heck, some of us have spent countless hours on the phone too!

Really though, when you're curious about something important, you research it.
To us, it's important to highlight the half truths and misrepresentations that have taken place.  As we've said, we don't want people to be scammed, or hurt.  Of course, your opinion of this, is yours to make. It's your opinion.  I'm also not going to sit here all day and try to convince you.

I will promise you however, I will search all that I can, and I will share it with the investigator, and I will share here on this blog.

And yep, that conversation Gary James posted on my blog this morning, absolutely did take place.
The 50/50/50 tour ended at the end of November. We hadn't contacted any developers then.
We also never told developers not to follow through on commitments made.
We did not contact developers until long after he had posted (numerous times) that he had secured apps for the iPads.
We haven't exactly been quiet about contacting developers though have we??

And really, how many developers does a4cwsn follow on twitter? Lots, right? They can easily see the storm that's been going on for months in their twitter feed.

I do have to say, that seeing a private conversation that took place on facebook posted on my blog is a little strange.  It's kind of like going out for dinner with a group of friends, only to realize someone recorded your entire conversation and posted it all over the interwebz.

Do I really care? No.  He's been using the same lines from that conversation for months to try and intimidate us all on twitter.

So yes.  There are several secret, private groups on facebook.  And yes, they're secret so that they are not searchable on facebook.
So what?

I bet even a couple of you who are reading this blog, will go to some secret group somewhere and discuss this post. Oh Noz! How scandalous!

Dear App Developers- An Update

First I'd like to take this opportunity to send a huge 

THANK YOU!!!!!!

To the Developers who took time to contact me. 

Secondly, to the update piece.  I had a member of the 50/50/50 iPad group get in touch with me. She wishes to remain anon and I need to respect that. 

She sent me screen shots of all the apps & app codes.  Far too many for me to edit and include in one post. It would be overwhelmingly pic heavy. 

So, what I did was crop out the name of the apps, and put them all together in one picture.  I will include several of the edited pics from the group with the codes as well just to back up what I'm saying is true.  

Please note the sections that are blacked out are done so for privacy reasons. 

  

Linky-do for previous post. 

Dear App Developers

Dear App Developers,

Recently a facebook page & website, A4CWSN, completed a 50/50/50 tour.  50 iPads, 50 children, 50 states. Well, this turned out to be 48 iPads, 48 children and 48 states (Utah & South Dakota do not have children who got iPads).

Before this tour started, you were approached.  You were asked to donate to the cause.  You were asked to donate money (and were urged to donate at least $100 if not more) and you were asked to donate codes for your apps so that these iPads could be "loaded" for these special children. Some of you went above and beyond and even donated iPad(s).

A4CWSN created a private group for the winners of these iPads, so that the codes could be given out.  If codes were not used within the group, they were quickly given out on the main A4CWSN facebook page.
Some people had children in hospital when codes were given out, and some just aren't online much. Some didn't check the group often enough.

The following photo, A4CWSN boasts about how awesome and amazing these iPads will be for our special children.

The following series of photos are of shout outs with thank you's from A4CWSN for donating codes to the campaign.

Here's a list of apps that actually went out and the number of codes that were given.
(It should be known, I have had this list confirmed by members still in the group. There is also a previous blog post about these app codes- Linky-do, she has since been removed from this group, because of the exchange that took place. I have listed the app, the # of codes and the value of the app if purchased, you will however find, that the value does not come close to what was promoted by A4CWSN)

• Smart Apps 4 Kids.com 
• Look in my Eyes Steam Train 2 or Restaurant or House 
• 2.99/app
• Ocean House Media
• The Berenstain Bears Play a Good Game 
•  5 codes -- 3.99/app
• The Berenstain Bears Faithful Friends 
•  5 codes -- 3.99/app
• Just for You 
•  10 codes -- .99c/app
• If I Ran the Zoo 
•  9 codes -- 1.99/app
• When I Get Bigger 
•  10 codes -- .99c/app
• The Foot Book 
•  10 codes -- 1.99/app
• PictureBook 
•  46 codes -- .99c/app
• ChoiceWorks 
•  23 codes --  14.99/app
• Puzzingo 
•  10 codes -- 1.99/app
• ABC Shakedown Plus 
•  4 codes -- Free
• ABC on the Go 
•  4 codes -- 1.99/app
• Let's Bead Friends 
•  4 codes-- .99/app
• Tap Times Table 
•  8 codes -- 1.99/app
• Math Plus Minus 
•  8 codes -- 1.99/app
• iLiveMath Farm Fresh 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLiveMath Animals of Asia 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLiveMath Botany 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLiveMath Winter 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLiveMath Animals of Africa 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLiveSpelling Mammal 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLive Math Ford Cars 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• My PlayHome 
•  46 codes -- 2.99/app
• Mary's Little Lamb or Jack & Jill 
•  23 codes of each -- 1.99/app
• PicPocket Books - Dinosaurs 
•  15 codes-- .99/app
• Sonoflex 
• 3 codes -- Was gifted when on sale for .99c
• iBaby Button
•  was made as a free app for one day
• Puzzingo 
•  was made as a free app for one day

Unfortunately, we have come to find out that all that has been promised has not happened. There is a long history of half truths and misrepresentation's that has taken place here. 

Not every single person of this 50/50/50 group would have gotten each app, as you can see, there were limited numbers of each app code. Let's pretend for a minute that they did though.  That would make a grand total of $82.76 in app value.  Add in the cost of the 16gb iPad2 (no 3G) ($499 + tax = approx $528) and you have a grand total of $82.76 + $528 = $610.78. (The total would be different if Sonoflex hadn't been bought on sale, the total app value would be $181.77, and the total iPad value would be $709.77, which is still a significant difference from the value given and quoted & promoted by A4CWSN)

I recently spoke with Lois Annette Smith. She very graciously donated 3 iPads for this tour.  This is what she had to say when we talked about the apps that were to go on the iPads.

"I remember when I donated those iPads, feeling good that they were getting all those apps, because if a family cannot afford the iPad, there is a good chance that they cannot afford the apps. It really breaks my heart."

I am urging you, the app developers, to make good on your word to those who missed out on being able to get these apps that were promised to these parents and children.

They are not greedy for seeking what was promised to them (as has been implied, and said by a4cwsn when people have asked about promised "prizes").
Also, I hope you understand, that no one is faulting the developers here. You are a bystander caught in the crossfires unfortunately.
You were told one thing, and sadly, something else altogether has taken place.

In future, it might be wise for developers, and organizers to create an email database and have developers contact winners directly with the codes for their wonderful apps, so that hopefully a situation like this can be avoided.

If you would like to right this wrong that has been done, please contact me, and I will put you in touch with those who did not get their promised apps. If you do contact me, please know that it will be done with 100% complete confidence. No one except you, myself and the iPad recipient will know.

UPDATE:

Earlier today I was contacted by a member in the 50/50/50 iPad group.  She sent me some really great screen shots.  Too many for me to post.  I have from those screen shots created one picture that lists all the apps that the 50/50/50 iPad recipients got.  Of course, the fact remains that not everyone got every app. There were limited number of codes available and only a few of the apps were there enough for everyone to get the app.  In this photo you will find the complete list.

Knowledge is Power!

Charity fraud & scams happen on a daily basis. Here are some simple things to be mindful of before making a contribution or donation to any organization or charity.

The bottom line here is: Ask questions. Lots of them. If an organization/charity refuses to answer them, I feel confident in saying with almost 100% certainty that it's a scam. 

There are tons of organizations and charities that will willingly provide you with any and all information & documentation that you request.

Learn how to protect yourself & your hard earned money.

I'm going to post some links for Canadian side of things, and the American side of things.

I'm going to start with Canadian, because well, I'm Canadian, and quite frankly I think we rock, eh.  (I do love my igloo.)

Linky-do for above article

Canadian Linky-dos:
How to protect yourself from charity scams & fraud & warning signs to watch out for. 

• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do

American Linky-dos:
How to protect yourself from charity scams & fraud & warning signs to watch out for. 

• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do
• Linky-do

Of course there are tons of other links on the web with information.

Again, the bottom line: Ask questions. Lots of them. If an organization/charity refuses to answer them, I feel confident in saying with almost 100% certainty that it's a scam. 

We are fortunate to have information at the tips of our fingers these days.  We can search for just about anything.  Don't be afraid to use this tool to your advantage.  Also don't be afraid to contact the organization/charity and ask them questions directly, or ask them to mail you information.  

Don't be afraid to donate. Just be educated on where and how your money is being spent. 

Help Save Bethesda Centre

I'm going to step away from my regular soap box today, and blog about something that should touch all of my readers hearts (Yep, even the GJ supporters- well, probably not the personal side of things, but the overall gist, I think you might feel compelled to help, or at least I hope so anyway).

The Bethesda Centre is located in London, Ontario.  It's a group home run by the Salvation Army, for young at risk teen moms (and moms to be). It doesn't just serve girls in the London area.  In fact, while I was there, there were three girls from Windsor and one from Chatham.

Right now, they are in SERIOUS danger of being shut down.

They provide the girls with not only a safe place to live, but an education, health care (an OB comes to the centre to visit and see the girls), as well as a list a mile long of life skills that these girls need to learn.

Some of the skills that are taught include

• Cooking & meal planning
• Time management
• How to care for their babe
• how to bathe
• how to dress
• how to feed
• how to bond
• Responsibility
• Respect (for themselves and others)

Of course, this is just a short list. They also provide the girls with an entire host of real life experiences as well as an education.  They have an onsite classroom, and an onsite child care facility so that the girls can continue attending school.

I was 18 when I found out I was pregnant. 6 months pregnant by the time I moved into Bethesda.  You see, my son's biological father wanted nothing to do with us, and I had no where to go.  I lived for a month in a homeless shelter before I moved into Bethesda.  The program director, Cherilyn, was almost like a mother to me during this time.  

Normally, their cut off age is 18, but under certain circumstances, they will take us older girls in as well. 

Cherilyn was with me when I gave birth to my son.  She held my hand, encouraged and supported me.

Not just through my labour and delivery. During my pregnancy and in the months and now years to follow.  

You see, I still visit Bethesda, I still talk with staff from Bethesda.  I take my kids old clothes and gear, and donate it to them, so that they can pass them on to the new girls who live there. 

The student who was there while I was there, actually acted as doula for the birth of my last son, Martyn.  

Of the girls that lived at Bethesda at the same time as I myself, there are only 4 that I haven't stayed in touch with.  

The others I talk with on a fairly regular basis. 

(All of the above photos were taken in my independent living apartment that was onsite.)

Bethesda wasn't just a program for me.  It was home.  For me and Matthew. 

You see, Matthew has always had sensory issues. From the time he was born.  He would scream and scream and scream.  He hated the sound of the vacuum.  Bethesda was given tickets to see Disney on Ice, ya, we didn't actually end up watching the show. I stood in the hall way with Matthew while he screamed because of the lights and noise.  Of course, Cherilyn spelled me off a couple of times, so I could at least see part of the show.  Or what about that time we went to the circus when he was just a few weeks old, he slept during the show, but he screamed for hours (and hours) that night when we got home. 

They supported me through all of this.  They taught me coping skills and techniques to deal with it. They showed us love and compassion. 

I moved into Bethesda a scared and lost young woman.  I moved out a capable young mother.  I have no clue what I would have done without Bethesda.  

If Bethesda Centre closes, it will be a significantly huge loss to the community. There is no other place for these young at risk girls to go. 

Please consider LIKING this facebook page (linky-do), and signing this twitter petition (linky-do) and showing your support.  

These young girls and their babies need us.  They need this home.  

Here are two other blog posts about this that I have come across so far. 

Linky-do, and another from one of my best friends that I met at Bethesda (pictured above holding Matthew- sitting on a couch, and they're looking at each other), Linky-do

Here is an article in the local paper with comments from citizen in the London Area

Linky-do

(those Bethesda babysitters were amazing!)