I just really wanted to express an extra and very sincere thank you for the many donations - and from the many new supporters this month. As always- the donations enable us to stay advertisement free and keep the forum updated, safe, and secure . There have only been 2 or 3 months in the last 2 years where donations were not adequate to meet all expenses in a month and have been a lot of months with a little extra, but this month is truly exceptional. It is particularly noteworthy the number of new supporters which is always nice to share the burden across many to make it last for all.
So far as this month or any month that we get extra donations- It is very very nice this month because the huge expenses in the last couple months of changing the forum software and the upgrades done to the server by a paid developer that specializes in Xenforo (our forum software) to improve performance and improve out ratings with google which ultimately will help many more people find the site due to better positioning in search results. These expenses had drained our savings and Freya had personally paid for a lot of the development work out of her pocket. We obviously prefer a small cushion in savings in case of an emergency or need for something to be fixed so the money is available to do that if needed.
The mobile app has now been sent to google play and the apple app store, so hopefully that will be available very very soon as well. While that was funded separately and is paid for the first year that will incur monthly maintenance fees after so having money set aside will make that easier in future months.
Aside from having a small savings for emergency what do we do with extra donations? They allow us to boost posts and do advertising on social media to help other people in need find us and find the help and support they need. It quite literally can save lives when we can make certain people that need help and do not have other resources are able to find us. It allows us to purchase additional software and features as needed or wanted to improve this site. It is allowing us to launch a second SF site after the first of the year - www.SuicideFacts.org - which will be aimed at teaching people how to deal with and help depressed or suicidal friends and loved ones- because it is not just us that need help, others need help in learning how to be better friends and supporters. It goes to a lot of things to directly help all the members here, as well as to help other people that need support so the donations are greatly needed and appreciated.
We set the monthly donation goal to reflect what is minimum needed to sustain the site, and any additional goes to making the site better and helping more people. Months like this really help a lot more people - and it does matter- and is greatly appreciated. So thank you to all that have donated already this month and to any that have over the course of the year. Also thank you in advance to any that donate later in this month. I do happen to believe our cause is as worthy as any other charity and saving lives has value, so thank you to all that show their support in that by donating. To those that would if they could- please accept my sincere thanks for simply supporting other members here as you are able with a reply to a post , a kind word in chat, or just sharing your story that may help others. While money is needed in this world, it is not the most important thing ever, and I have also been in the position in my life where yes, $5 would be a burden- so if donating is a burden to you or your family please choose to support our members here simply with your presence and do not be concerned about the money in any way, we have literally thousands of members to share the burden and your contributions in other ways are just as important.
So far as this month or any month that we get extra donations- It is very very nice this month because the huge expenses in the last couple months of changing the forum software and the upgrades done to the server by a paid developer that specializes in Xenforo (our forum software) to improve performance and improve out ratings with google which ultimately will help many more people find the site due to better positioning in search results. These expenses had drained our savings and Freya had personally paid for a lot of the development work out of her pocket. We obviously prefer a small cushion in savings in case of an emergency or need for something to be fixed so the money is available to do that if needed.
The mobile app has now been sent to google play and the apple app store, so hopefully that will be available very very soon as well. While that was funded separately and is paid for the first year that will incur monthly maintenance fees after so having money set aside will make that easier in future months.
Aside from having a small savings for emergency what do we do with extra donations? They allow us to boost posts and do advertising on social media to help other people in need find us and find the help and support they need. It quite literally can save lives when we can make certain people that need help and do not have other resources are able to find us. It allows us to purchase additional software and features as needed or wanted to improve this site. It is allowing us to launch a second SF site after the first of the year - www.SuicideFacts.org - which will be aimed at teaching people how to deal with and help depressed or suicidal friends and loved ones- because it is not just us that need help, others need help in learning how to be better friends and supporters. It goes to a lot of things to directly help all the members here, as well as to help other people that need support so the donations are greatly needed and appreciated.
We set the monthly donation goal to reflect what is minimum needed to sustain the site, and any additional goes to making the site better and helping more people. Months like this really help a lot more people - and it does matter- and is greatly appreciated. So thank you to all that have donated already this month and to any that have over the course of the year. Also thank you in advance to any that donate later in this month. I do happen to believe our cause is as worthy as any other charity and saving lives has value, so thank you to all that show their support in that by donating. To those that would if they could- please accept my sincere thanks for simply supporting other members here as you are able with a reply to a post , a kind word in chat, or just sharing your story that may help others. While money is needed in this world, it is not the most important thing ever, and I have also been in the position in my life where yes, $5 would be a burden- so if donating is a burden to you or your family please choose to support our members here simply with your presence and do not be concerned about the money in any way, we have literally thousands of members to share the burden and your contributions in other ways are just as important.
