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View Full Version : Chris Vargas Torch Fundraiser.



Chris Vargas
03-29-2012, 09:37 AM
Im not sure if this is the right forum to start this thread in, or if this is even ok to do. If there is a problem with this from the admins, please contact me and let me know whats up.

If you dont already know, I was carjacked at gunpoint Monday morning around 12am. That same day was supposed to be my first day renting bench space at a local shop, and my Delta and about $3-400 in tools were in the car when it was taken. The car was recovered, but torch and tools are gone

I'm pretty sure at this point my torch and tools aren't going to be recovered. SOOOO... I hate to even ask for help really (im kinda a proud guy), but a few people have suggested starting a fundraiser. I really feel like everyone has been really sincere and supportive of me in this great glass community, so i figure a fundraiser seems like a good idea.

I don't EXPECT anything out of this, let alone a high priced delta, but if anyone is willing to help I will be sooo very appreciative.

So here is my best idea as far as setting up a fundraiser. I'm trying to at least replace my torch with at least a Mirage, so the closest I could get to the $1700 mark the better. This equals out to $85/person at 20 people. I dont ask that you donate $85, but I just want to show that this is an attainable goal.

I am looking for donations to my Paypal account (vargdogg@hotmail.com), or glass donations to my address (PM me for address), in which I will do the footwork to sell. Any tools that could be donated would be awesome as well, being as all of those were taken too. Donation totals will be updated in this forum daily.

Once I get back on the torch, I will be sending out a free Marble, Dish, or Pendant to anyone who has donated $85 or more. If you donate glass and it sells for over $85, I will also send you one of the free items.

If there is anyone who has some glass to raffle off or something, that would be awesome too. I'm sure that would bring in a couple of other people who wouldn't normally contribute.

I cant think of anything else at the moment, but if I do, I will be posting again. If anyone else has any suggestions for this fundraiser, please post or send me a PM.

Again, I EXPECT nothing from this. And even if this doesn't work out well, I still REALLY REALLY REALLY appreciate all of the concern and support from the glass community that I have received so far.

Take Care.

And for any skeptics (i dont blame anyone for being skeptical in this day and age), here is my news story carjacking story (http://www.ketv.com/news/30760658/detail.html)

Chris Vargas

LarryC
03-29-2012, 10:00 AM
Great idea, Chris. Caught you on LE.

Kato
03-29-2012, 10:31 AM
I'll ship a lil box of glass out your way as soon as I can :)

Mr. Wonka
03-29-2012, 10:41 AM
I'll be happy to send you some tools: Paddle, graphite pad, and an octagon reamer... I'll also throw in a bundle of assorted color.

Please e-mail me your info, and I'll have it in the mail by Monday.

Good luck my friend : )

Tom

EDIT: info@glass123.com

Chris Vargas
03-29-2012, 11:19 AM
thanks everyone! I really appreciate the help! here is the article by the way in case anyone is skeptical about the situation. carjacking story (http://www.ketv.com/news/30760658/detail.html)

Julian
03-29-2012, 11:44 AM
Can you send me your address please, Chris?

kilgroth
03-29-2012, 01:46 PM
I wish I had a torch I could unhook for you, but it is not the case right now. You would be welcome to come and camp out at my shop for a while if you need. 3 stations, lathe, usually plenty of kiln space.

daveabr
03-29-2012, 01:54 PM
If you need some cheap color to help make it through, let me know. I noticed you've done our ODDS sales before. Give us a call, and I can hook ya up with some good deals on ODDs to get on your feet again. I'd be happy to toss a box of scrap tubing/rod/color in to aid the process too.

drew1492
03-29-2012, 02:25 PM
Whats a paypal addy? I have no problem tossing $10 your way I know its not a lot but it all adds up.

Woops found it in the post vargdogg@hotmail.com

jr23
03-29-2012, 02:25 PM
You got skills bro why not just do the Iou thing and you would get a ton of peeps ready to shuck it out.

I see your work so I know you need a nice size torch.

But its prob hard for some of the folks out there to help buy a mirage whilst working on a cuda,lynx ect.

Totally trying to get you there faster. No bad vibes in this post just a idea

Chris Vargas
03-29-2012, 02:49 PM
You got skills bro why not just do the Iou thing and you would get a ton of peeps ready to shuck it out.

I see your work so I know you need a nice size torch.

But its prob hard for some of the folks out there to help buy a mirage whilst working on a cuda,lynx ect.

Totally trying to get you there faster. No bad vibes in this post just a idea

I totally understand man. The problem is I have only been on the torch for a year and 4 months, and only recently started making "ok" money. I feel my best and quickest option to getting me fully up and running again (without doing the IOU thing) is to take this job a friend is offering me until I can pay for my torch myself. But like you said, its going to take a decent size torch to do the things i do. I dont expect to reach the price of a mirage with this fundraiser, but any help I do get is going to help me get back on MY OWN feet quicker. I will still be WORKING to reach my goal, and I will not strictly be relying on everyone to just give me freebies. I do not like asking for help, but like I stated, a few people suggested a fundraiser, and I thought it might help out. I hope you dont feel as though im just some bum trying to take advantage

Chris Vargas
03-29-2012, 02:51 PM
Aside from that, Thank you all who have contributed and all who made any sort of offers to help me out. I wish you could all see the support and messages I have received. I cant stress enough how great the glass community is.

Greenhorse Glass
03-29-2012, 06:20 PM
I've got little to spare right now but I've got at least $10 for ya man. For your short torch time I have faith in your skills and want to see you burning again over on the Q buddy.

-kutz

2wheeler
03-29-2012, 06:53 PM
I will upgrade my offer to lending you my redmax w/ premix & marver until you get a GTT... Or i'll send you twenty pendants. Let me know which you want and pm me your address.

Chris Vargas
03-30-2012, 10:53 AM
Thanks so much to everyone who is helping me out. A big shout out to everyone who has contributed... (not all of the people are members of this site)

Elizabeth Dauch - $10
Joy Munshower - $100 (this is not a close friend, but a fan of my work. its amazing there are people like this out there!)
Icarus - $25
drew1492 - $10
Greenhorse Glass - $10
My step sister Molly - $100

Total monetary contributions totals to - $255

There are also others who committed to helping with glass donations for auction/raffle, and tool donations as well. Shout out to those people as well!

LarryC - donating fumed marble (was the first to contribute besides family, thank you Larry!)
Pam Pitts - donating glass
Deb Terry - donating glass
Mr Wonka (Tom) - donating tools
Kato - donating glass
Suzuki - donating 20 pendants
Headin' To Hertel - donating oil unit
Chase Reeves - donating glass

And also a shout out to Dave at ABR, for offering special deals on glass to help me get on my feet. Once I can get back to melting, Ill be contacting you Dave!

Thank you SOOOOOO much everyone who has contributed! This is a great start go getting me back on my feet.

Dont forget, anyone who donates at least $85, or a glass donation that sell for $85+ will receive a free marble, dish, or pendant from me!

MUCH LOVE TO ALL! GOD BLESS

Mac Maestro
03-30-2012, 11:22 AM
I don't think we can let people start their own fundraisers. It's happened before, then we get a bunch of copycats, and this place becomes a tool for beggars. Sorry to be a downer, but this needs to be wrapped up quickly.