Rules and etiquette regarding a "blade drive" or a non-financial fundraiser

[Wulf]

A friend and fellow BFC member recently started a deployment with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and mentioned in an email to me that they are a bit short on gear - specifically knives and multitools. He's only been over there about a month so far but has already gone through two multitools that failed him due to heavy use. Unfortunately replacement is difficult as his Brigade Commander put knives and multitools on a "block list," apparently in an effort to save money. Moreover, they don't have a PX out there nor can they get any quality gear in any of the local markets so they're pretty much out of luck in securing good edged tools. Therefore, to help address this shortfall I thought I could enlist the help of some fellow bladeforums members to gather up used but serviceable knives and multitools that we can then ship out to the soldiers. I figure that among us we probably have plenty of knives that have fallen out of our EDC rotations but can still serve a soldier well in daily use. BFC members who would like to contribute could send their old knives to me and I'd package them up and ship them out to the APO. Maybe I could also try to get some photos back from the soldier that I can post online to show people that their donated tools made it to their destination. I'd also like to emphasize that I will neither solicit nor accept any financial donations - just knives and multitools that people would like to put in the hands of soldiers serving their country overseas.

But before I go and do anything I want ask moderators whether this type of activity is allowed on Bladeforums and, if so, what kind of rules and protocols I should be aware of. Any guidance on this front will be very much appreciated as I don't want to cause any problems for the forum or its moderators.

Thanks in advance

 

[Morrow]

Here is the posted rule...

Solicitation:
Asking a member to click on a link, subscribe to a channel or website, donate money or goods, or “Like” a page on Facebook is considered solicitation. Our members should not be subjected to this type of spam especially under the guise that they may win something. Spark (Site Admin.) does occasionally authorize solicitations for carefully selected causes. Persons seeking such an exemption MUST apply to Spark and MUST wait to receive that authorization before making any such posts.


I would send Spark a PM with a link to this thread. He needs to make the decision on this.

 

[Balldboy]

Subscribing for outcome.

 

[Wulf]

Thanks Morrow - I will PM Spark

 

[Wulf]

No response...

 

[RevDevil]

Email him

 

[Spark]

At this point I'm pretty burnt on doing drives for anyone because too many scamming d-bags have taken advantage of people's good will. Hence the "no solicitation" rule. If I personally know someone who needs help, that's one thing. Random people asking for handouts is another. I hate to be like this, but too many people keep getting burned.

 

[Wulf]

I appreciate your thoughtful and courteous response, Spark, and will work through alternative channels to help the soldiers procure the tools they need.

For the record, though, I've been a member in good standing on this forum for over 12 years and, as I'm sure many others here can attest, I am neither a "scamming d-bag" nor a "random [person] asking for handouts."

Thanks again for your consideration.

 

[Blues]

I'm sure you can appreciate that Spark's remarks are not directed at you personally and that it is impossible for Spark and the moderating staff to vet either the members proposing a blade drive or fundraiser, or the legitimacy of any such enterprise. (Even when the proposing member's intentions are good there is always the potential for issues/abuse on the part of the individuals or organization receiving the funds or items for distribution as the case may be.)

Also, it is unfortunate but true that over the years we have seen a few folks with previously unimpeachable reputations turn out to have less than stellar ethics. (It happens in all walks of life...I was no stranger to such in my profession, unfortunately.)

For that reason it is best (in the long run) for this site and its members if we stick to what we do best and allow folks to pursue these avenues privately or via alternate means.

Thanks for your understanding.