Fund Raising for Al Kaplan: Buy a Tee-Shirt, the proceeds will go to all Al [Archive]

robklurfield

12-23-2009, 08:38

Some RFFr's have been posting to the "Al's in the hospital" thread that it might be nice to reprint the famous Al Kaplan tee-shirt or create a new one and make it available to anyone that wants one with the stipulation that it be sold for slightly over its actual costs with ALL proceeds going to Al directly to offset any ongoing healthcare costs he's likely to incur (those private duty nurses, especially the pretty ones fast enough to stay one step ahead of Al, are costly and health insurance being what it is here in the US... etc.).

I don't want to leave any names out, but thanks from everyone on the site to dcsang, FrankS, Bob Michael's, etc. for this great idea to help get our great friend Al restored to full health. Also thanks to the coffee mug brigade led by payasam and others.

If everyone pitches in just a little, we can probably help Al defray the costs of a sausy, mini-skirted home health care aid.

In all seriousness... at the holidays, a group effort can make a great deal of difference to a friend in need.

newsgrunt

12-23-2009, 08:43

can we make this thread a sticky ?

Bingley

12-23-2009, 08:49

I'm in for an Al t-shirt. XL. Who's coordinating ordering and payment? Al's been a most generous contributor here.

12/24/09 - Thanks, digitalintrigue, for setting up the alkaplanfund account at paypal.

raid

12-23-2009, 08:50

Let us know how to go about sending money in an ordered way so that things don't get confusing in the end.

Thanks.

XL t shirt

charjohncarter

12-23-2009, 08:55

Let us know how to go about sending money in an ordered way so that things don't get confusing in the end.

Thanks.

XL t shirt

Medium for me. And let us know. Or if you need help.

Carter

Nokton48

12-23-2009, 09:06

I'll take a large if it's black.
If not I'll be willing to donate some money.

From a few years ago:

cmdrzed

12-23-2009, 09:22

I'm in. How are we going to coordinate this effort? Someone needs to be in charge and handle all the money. Not to mention the transfer of funds to Al.

stnolan

12-23-2009, 09:22

I'm in for one. XL please

digitalintrigue

12-23-2009, 09:25

I'd be happy to set up a paypal account...

photogdave

12-23-2009, 09:25

Let's put someone in charge who is in touch with Al. Maybe that person can take the orders via PMs or emails.

scottwallick

12-23-2009, 09:40

Count me in as well. Just update us with the person/email to send funds, t-shirt size, etc.

rpsawin

12-23-2009, 09:41

Count me in..XXXL if available otherwise the largest size will work.

Bob

Ducky

12-23-2009, 09:43

XL for Ducky.

leica M2 fan

12-23-2009, 09:45

I'm still in for Large. Anybody here live in the Miami area or very close?

andersju

12-23-2009, 09:53

I'm in. L for me.

ymc226

12-23-2009, 10:01

I'm in for a M.

peter_n

12-23-2009, 10:12

From a few years ago:In the other thread, I said I thought James Mitchell took the picture as well, and this shot is why (http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2386302). I remembered this one because I have exactly the same Bonehead Ande monofilament fishing line shirt that Al is wearing in the shot that James took. I guess Marc shot the one that sold later...

fbf

12-23-2009, 10:14

I am in. A paypal account is all we need.

FrankS

12-23-2009, 10:20

Well, first we need to find someone with a large digital file of the picture that was on T-shirts before. We have Bob Michael's picture of Al that Bob has kindly said we could use as well. Perhaps a choice?

shadowfox

12-23-2009, 11:12

I understand the need for T-shirt if we want to have RFF members do an outside fund raising, but if we just want to help out Al, why can't we just send money via paypal? ('we' meaning RFF members).

BillBingham2

12-23-2009, 11:19

Let me know where and how. I'm in.

B2 (;->

Pickett Wilson

12-23-2009, 11:27

shadowfox, that's what I was thinking. Sending him the money directly would get far more to him then buying T-Shirts.

Dave Wilkinson

12-23-2009, 11:32

shadowfox, that's what I was thinking. Sending him the money directly would get far more to him then buying T-Shirts. and then the same could be done for other members that became ill too :)
Dave.

dcsang

12-23-2009, 11:35

Probably "either/or" - my suggestion, in the other thread, was to just "top up" the cost of the T-shirts (cost = printing + t-shirt + any shipping) and that "top up" would go to Al (or a charity of Al's choice if he does not see fit to take/want the funds).

Obviously, the more shirts we get printed, the less the cost would be based on any volume incentive discount that may be applied.

Cheers,
Dave

kermaier

12-23-2009, 11:40

I'm in for a Large.

Perhaps this run should be on black t-shirts to differentiate it from those of years past?

::Ari

mabelsound

12-23-2009, 12:00

I'm happy to help out Al however, but I also want a large t-shirt!

dcsang

12-23-2009, 12:01

I've sent the following email to Marc to see if he can either provide reprints or if we're going to have to figure this out on our own :)

Good Day Marc,

You don't know me but, of late, there's been much talk about Al Kaplan on
http://www.rangefinderforum.com since Al has recently (a couple weeks ago)
fallen ill and is in a Miami hospital ICU due to a heart attack.

As such, many of the forum want to help Al out by raising some funds
amongst us and we all caught wind of the T-Shirt you had made up some years
back via the Photo Net thread starring Melisa McKolay:
http://photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00BePt

The forum would like to engage you in terms of either a) getting your
approval to reproduce or reprint those T-shirts or b) determining if you
can direct us to, perhaps, a location where you had the shirts printed.

Our intent, as mentioned, is to reprint the t-shirts (or design a new
t-shirt) and distribute them amongst forum members to raise funds for Al.
It's sort of a "show of support" for a fellow forum member and, as I put
it, an online (and offline) photo icon.

Just let me know your feelings on this and if you could provide some
help/direction.
If not, no worries, and we'll make due with whatever photos forum members
have of Al in order to create a new t-shirt design.

Thank you and cheers of the season to you!

Sincerely,
David Chang-Sang
Memento PhotoWorks

So now I'll wait and see if anything comes back.

Cheers,
Dave

MCTuomey

12-23-2009, 12:20

don't really need any more tees, more than pleased to contribute. tell me which p/p acct.

Mr_Flibble

12-23-2009, 12:21

I said I'd take one in the other topic. Large will do.

Let us know when and where.

NickTrop

12-23-2009, 12:39

I'm in!!! Please pass along my well wishes to Al!

pesphoto

12-23-2009, 12:51

Im in for two!

faris

12-23-2009, 12:55

Count me in folks. don't need the tee, just let us know how.

best to Al.

fixbones

12-23-2009, 12:55

Medium for me.

brainwood

12-23-2009, 13:01

Large for me... best regards to Al.

let me know when and how to pay

Chris

digitalintrigue

12-23-2009, 13:05

OK I've opened a paypal account: alkaplanfund@gmail.com.

To skip having to eat fees, please send donations via the 'personal' tab as shown below, using existing funds (not credit card.)

FrankS

12-23-2009, 13:36

Just want to say, full credit goes to Greg (gbhill) for coming up with this idea originally!

robklurfield

12-23-2009, 13:36

That works for me.
I understand the need for T-shirt if we want to have RFF members do an outside fund raising, but if we just want to help out Al, why can't we just send money via paypal? ('we' meaning RFF members).

robklurfield

12-23-2009, 13:43

You've got contribution from me in the account. OK I've opened a paypal account: alkaplanfund@gmail.com.

To skip having to eat fees, please send donations via the 'personal' tab as shown below, using existing funds (not credit card.)

digitalintrigue

12-23-2009, 13:51

Two donations so far. Anyone want to assist on the paypal account, please feel free to send me a PM.

pachuco

12-23-2009, 14:55

So.... Are we doing the shirt or not? If so, I'm down for a large (and a coffee cup if that is possible).

Fenwick

12-23-2009, 15:00

Im in for a shirt
Small please

buzzardkid

12-23-2009, 15:19

Read this (http://photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00BePt) thread on Photo.net. It's got the email address of the guy that used to sell the shirts, he might be willing to donate his original shot.

I'd buy if it were a black shirt (XL), else I'll just put in some bucks to support Al's health care.

marke

12-23-2009, 15:26

If we do the shirts, I'm in for an XL.

Myabe photoshop out the cig on the original, put in a carrot stick, and include a caption that says: "Al's a (s)well guy!"

maddoc

12-23-2009, 16:07

I am in for a L size !

Fenwick

12-23-2009, 16:13

Im in for a shirt
Small please

Black would be nice

Pickett Wilson

12-23-2009, 16:24

Sounds like folks are as interested in getting a T-Shirt as actually helping Al. Fair enough. But the logistics seem daunting. How much is the plan to tack onto to the cost of the shirt to benefit Al? And who is actually going to make this happen? An individual is going to have to actually do the real world work on this.

dcsang

12-23-2009, 16:26

I've already started looking into this as well - once I track down the artwork that is.

Marc responded to me and stated that he's good with us using his artwork but another guy by the name of James Mitchell actually has the artwork and made the T-Shirts. So, I'm off to hunt him down.

Stay Tuned,
Dave

Fenwick

12-23-2009, 16:29

raid

12-23-2009, 16:31

Until then, send money as donations to the paypal account listed.

dcsang

12-23-2009, 16:35

Ok.. I've sent James an email and, based on his recent postings, he's active on Photo Net.

Now, as with Marc, we wait.

Cheers,
Dave

digitalintrigue

12-23-2009, 17:17

I have also emailed James.

dcsang

12-23-2009, 17:23

Ok..

I got an email back from James Mitchell.
He was unaware of Al's illness and would be happy to help out by producing the original artwork.

He's going to have a look around and see what he can find before he heads off for the holiday tomorrow.

Cheers,
Dave

cmdrzed

12-23-2009, 17:32

Excellent news. Good work.

paxnobiscum

12-23-2009, 18:59

I'm a newbee here on RFF - but when I started to read the forums I noticed Al Kaplan's inputs. Being an old hippie myself I liked his stories from the good old days. I think the slogan - Do it - by Jerry Rubin, might be the message to Al now. Get better to tell us more stories - just do it.

I'm ready to buy a X3 T-shirt if the picture shows Al with his Leicas as I think the original did - if it can add some funds to his benefit. I will be glad to pay whatever it takes and I know that the postages to Iceland will be costly.

Please send me a PayPal addres when all is set and done - and I will make a transfer without delay.

Best regards

Petur, Iceland

smiling gecko

12-23-2009, 21:16

i would like to order an "al" t-shirt in xxxl. will place my order when "how-to-pay" info is available.

breathe, relax and enjoy.

happy trails,
kenneth

RangerRay

12-23-2009, 22:01

Al has given me some great advice on this forum in the past. If there's anything that I could help with, please advise. +1 on the T-shirt.

James (DC)

12-24-2009, 04:27

I'll be looking for the original artwork for the two Al T-shirts today. The first one in 2004 was a shot by Jonathan G. on Photo.net. The second one was the shot you've been referring to by Marc Williams. The company I used to create the two shirts only did photos on white. Perhaps someone could research another company who could do a gray or black. I'll look in my storage. I may even have a few shirts left over from the 2004 and 2005 era. I am all in to help Al. He is a very good friend of mine. Thanks to David and Robert for alerting me to this. I don't check the postings in this forum enough.

robklurfield

12-24-2009, 04:59

Quoting below from digitalintrigue, who kindly took the reins and set up a PayPal account.

Anyone wanting to contribute without the t-shirt can simply send money per the details below. Feeling bad about commercializing this, I already ponied up a few shekels. I'll buy a t-shirt if we can get all this together... sure looks like we will with all the gathering momentum here thanks to many industrious site members. Way to go guys/gals. You can put your money where your heart (or mouth) is without waiting on the shirts. Presumably the same account can used when the t-shirt project comes to fruition.

I'm off to visit family without any computer access until Monday, so best wishes to all for the holiday!

From Digital Intrigue's post somewhere earlier in the thread...
OK I've opened a paypal account: alkaplanfund@gmail.com.

To skip having to eat fees, please send donations via the 'personal' tab as shown below, using existing funds (not credit card.)
Attached Thumbnails http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75626&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1261605868

pesphoto

12-24-2009, 05:15

sending donation now, thanks for setting it up. Will also b buying a tshirt.
Al, if your watching were all pullling for you!

dcsang

12-24-2009, 05:34

As we move forward with this (Thank you James for looking into the artwork, DigitalIntrigue for the PayPal account and all who are interested in one way or another), I would hope that Mukul can verify if Al "needs" these funds.

What I mean to say is, if Al does not want or "need" the funds (if they come from the t-shirts or from donations), is there another option for what we should do with said funds? I think we would ask Al what he'd like to do but if he does not want/need the funds and does not want to make a decision as to where the funds should go, should we look at a particular charity?

Cheers,
Dave

pesphoto

12-24-2009, 05:37

i say lets see what Al would like to do with it ,and even if its a charity Im sure he will have ideas where to send it. My opinion is lets let him choose. Or we could just buy him a load of film :)

scottwallick

12-24-2009, 05:56

Just sent in my donation to alkaplanfund@gmail.com and a note for a L shirt. Keep us posted with what is done with the funds, how Al is, et cetera. Thanks. :)

kermaier

12-24-2009, 06:48

Just sent in my donation to alkaplanfund@gmail.com and a note for a L shirt. Keep us posted with what is done with the funds, how Al is, et cetera. Thanks. :)

+1 on all counts.

::Ari

James (DC)

12-24-2009, 07:03

I found the original artwork for the second shirt (Marc Williams photo) on an old computer. To whom should I send it? I have both the tiff and the jpeg.

dcsang

12-24-2009, 07:08

I found the original artwork for the second shirt (Marc Williams photo) on an old computer. To whom should I send it? I have both the tiff and the jpeg.

James,

That's AWESOME!!

Send it my way: david(at)chang-sang(dot)com

Cheers,
Dave

James (DC)

12-24-2009, 07:12

David, the artwork is on its way.

digitalintrigue

12-24-2009, 07:19

FYI there have been over ten donations and several hundred dollars raised so far.

payasam

12-24-2009, 07:29

Here is one possibility for a mug. The photo is by a Jonathan Graham, and I found it on Photo.Net (a lower quality JPEG is also in JG's Pbase gallery).

Someone in the US, preferably in Miami, will have to handle the money side. I am uthappam AT gmail DOT com.

[edit] Whether or not Al needs funds, he may look at straight donations as demeaning charity. I suggest that the funds be held by the person collecting them until Al is able and available to say what he wants to be done with them.

If the money does not go to Al, it could form the corpus of a fund that would award an annual prize, the Al Kaplan Prize, to the best picture from an RFF member under 25. Just an idea.

sevres_babylone

12-24-2009, 07:38

I will definitely be in for a t-shirt (L) when they are ready.

James (DC)

12-24-2009, 07:43

I found a large jpeg of Jonathan's early Al photo. I'll forward that one to David as well.

gb hill

12-24-2009, 07:44

Dan Bayer who started the kodachrome project & a member here did a run of T shirts back in the spring for the K project. The shirts are grey & are Hanes beefy T's which are durable.
He choose the grey because they are the exact grey on an 18% gc card & we can meter off out bellys if we need to.;) Of course this will be a more expensive shirt so I don't know what the cost would be but I think I paid around $30 for my shirt which a certain part went to help Dan out. Just throwing it out there for those that don't want a white t shirt. What everyone is doing is great! This is why RFF is the best! I hope after these holidays are over I hope to contribute monitarily. It's a bit hard when you have family members out of work.

dcsang

12-24-2009, 07:55

James,

Thanks for the artwork - I'll have a look once I'm @ home.

Hmm.. I'm looking for an online place to create the T-Shirts because that would be the "easiest" but I think, perhaps, it may be easier to do "offline".

It'll take a bit of time to research this me thinks.

Cheers,
Dave

James (DC)

12-24-2009, 07:56

If I remember correctly, the shirts I did back in 2004 and 2005 cost me about $15 each for the small runs and $10 for the larger runs. I sold them to cover the costs plus $5 for priority shipping and $5 to cover all of those that we gave away for free. I never did make the money back, but it was a lot of fun. If the shirt is going to be sold to raise money I would recommend that the people donating add at least $20 to the cost of the shirt, so that Al gets something from the proceeds.

James (DC)

12-24-2009, 07:58

David, I sent you both jpegs, but the Marc Williams photo tiff is 25 megs, and my e-mail will not send that size file.

payasam

12-24-2009, 08:03

FrankS just sent me this photo, which Al had sent to gb_hill. It is a small file, but I shall see if can be resampled without losing much quality. One option would then be to have each of the two photos on opposite sides of the mug. The cameras, though, may be too small to be recognisable.

payasam

12-24-2009, 08:12

James, you could try to send the TIFF zipped, or else make a high quality JPEG of it.

James (DC)

12-24-2009, 08:21

I sent the high quality jpegs of both shirt photos to David. I'm not sure that the tiff is worth the trouble, as the jpegs both made very nice shirts. But I have the tiff if we need it.

dcsang

12-24-2009, 08:23

Mukul,

I've got a copy of the Jpeg - it's 1 MB - resizing it to 225 DPI will get me an 8x9" image for the T-Shirts. It should print "ok" but I'm still researching where to get the shirts done.

Cheers,
Dave

gb hill

12-24-2009, 08:32

I sent the high quality jpegs of both shirt photos to David. I'm not sure that the tiff is worth the trouble, as the jpegs both made very nice shirts. But I have the tiff if we need it.

The image on my shirt looks fine so I think there will be no problem. Since I have a shirt a coffee mug from Mukul would be great! I'm in for a mug if it comes to fruition.

James (DC)

12-24-2009, 08:37

I'd send the tiff zipped, but I have my work laptop, and they didn't put a zip program on it. No adminstrator priveleges on my own laptop...

payasam

12-24-2009, 08:43

The "uprezzing" seems to have worked all right. Original is 2400 by 900 pixels, the size I have been using for mugs.

[edit] Dave, I'll check if my mugs place does tee shirts also. Indian production costs are relatively low.

FrankS

12-24-2009, 09:04

I'd go for a mug with both pics on it, one on either side.

dcsang

12-24-2009, 09:06

Sounds good Mukul !!

Cheers,
Dave

kshapero

12-24-2009, 09:12

Don't need a shirt but happy to Paypal some $$ for Al.

faris

12-24-2009, 09:48

Folks, I do not get this screen esp. ' gift ' box. any suggestions.

thanks.

OK I've opened a paypal account: alkaplanfund@gmail.com.

To skip having to eat fees, please send donations via the 'personal' tab as shown below, using existing funds (not credit card.)

Benjamin

12-24-2009, 10:06

Best of luck with what ever you decide to do, and bests' to Al. I'll take one for sure!

Merry Christmas, Benjamin

cjm

12-24-2009, 16:17

I sent some money to the paypal account digitalintrigue opened. Count me in for a Large t-shirt, preferably the original design of Al with the cigarette hanging out his mouth.

Al, hope your doing well. :)

payasam

12-24-2009, 16:45

I've ordered a mug, and on Monday I should be able to post pictures of the finished product.

pesphoto

12-24-2009, 18:49

From Al's blog:

"Al remains in the hospital, comfortably recuperating. Your messages are appreciated. Thank you." Al's son Jonathan

victoriapio

12-24-2009, 19:42

Sent some funds this Christmas Eve night. Merry Christmas Al. If the mug works out I'll take one, otherwise a pure donation.

payasam

12-25-2009, 04:00

The place where I have mugs made is http://www.itasveer.com/ and I have found their work prompt and satisfactory. For tee shirts, look at

Prices: http://www.itasveer.com/prices.do#section03
The present rate of exchange is around 48 Indian rupees to the US dollar.

Sizes: http://www.itasveer.com/prodTee.do
I do not know how these relate to US codes. 1 inch is 2.54 cm. approx.

iTasveer quoted rates for shipping mugs out of India which were far too high, so I have had them sent to me and have then sent them out myself at much lower cost, even after I pay a small sum to the man who goes to the post office. [edit] I am willing to do the same with tee shirts.

Traut

12-25-2009, 05:46

I sent a some $$ this morning via Robert's paypal for Al, but I still want to buy a shirt.

If you can pare a few $$ sen Al a gift. It might help is psychological outlook.

Thanks and Merry Christmas.

HT

smiling gecko

12-27-2009, 18:20

i'm in for xxxl.

rphenning

12-28-2009, 17:15

those shirts are baaaaad. which one can i get? id be down for a xl.

dcsang

12-28-2009, 17:32

Those look good Mukul but shipping may kill us.

900 Rs to ship to the U.S. = $18.75 US for the first T-shirt and then $9.75 US for each additional T-Shirt

To Canada is about the same price.

370 Rs per T-Shirt = $7.70 US per printed T.

Add to that the shipping of $204 USD (if we order 20 T-Shirts) - each T-shirt ends up costing $18 USD from start to finish.

That's for shipping to the U.S. - Canadians will be a different cost because the shipping costs are different.

We do a top up of $5 per t-shirt going to Al - or perhaps more if people feel so inclined - maybe make each T cost a total of $30 USD (includes shipping) .....

Logistics may be difficult as well.

Hmmm.. let me stew upon this.

Dave

The place where I have mugs made is http://www.itasveer.com/ and I have found their work prompt and satisfactory. For tee shirts, look at

Prices: http://www.itasveer.com/prices.do#section03
The present rate of exchange is around 48 Indian rupees to the US dollar.

Sizes: http://www.itasveer.com/prodTee.do
I do not know how these relate to US codes. 1 inch is 2.54 cm. approx.

iTasveer quoted rates for shipping mugs out of India which were far too high, so I have had them sent to me and have then sent them out myself at much lower cost, even after I pay a small sum to the man who goes to the post office. [edit] I am willing to do the same with tee shirts.

raid

12-28-2009, 17:46

The $30 was my estimate from the start.
Unless we have something far more econmical in North America, what Mukul has offered sounds fine to me.

back alley

12-28-2009, 17:49

30 bucks with 5 going to al...

great idea but i wonder if al could use the $30 more than i could use a t-shirt?

digitalintrigue

12-28-2009, 17:53

I have some buddies in the shirt business (they designed and printed shirts for the last Santana tour.) I can get prices, seems to me the shipping is a killer, a more local option may be preferred so less goes to the shirt and more to the fund.

Thoughts?

raid

12-28-2009, 17:55

I agree with Joe here. We actually agree sometimes on some issues!
A recovery gift that is sent to Al directly will most likely cheer him up if it is in the form as "We want you to buy your own gift, Al. We love you, and we care for you and we know that you don't need the cash, but you know best what will make you happy".

FrankS

12-28-2009, 18:00

robklurfield

12-28-2009, 18:14

I agree with Joe, Raid and FrankS.

While I'd love an Al t-shirt or coffee mug, we have to remember why we're doing this. I put some money in Robert's Al Fund paypal account already to go directly to Al without getting a shirt out of the deal. If the economics and logistics of shirts and mugs doesn't make sense, I suggest anyone so moved should make whatever contribution they can right into the account.

We can deal with t-shirts later or even exchange the art amongst ourselves as an iron-on DIY project. I was happy to send $20 knowing Al would get all of it. I'd gladly pay $30 or 35 even for Al's image on shirt or mug, but the $20 with no shirt or mug is better for everyone -- keeping with the spirit of giving, especially for our intended beneficiary. If Dave or others can figure out how to do this, I'm in and I'm delighted. If not, I still want to help Al.

I can't remember who in which of these threads had the idea of starting a kind of perpetual fund to help not just Al, but any other RFFr's in need from time to time. I think it's a great idea.

If we went with the iron-on DIY option, the project costs are virtually nothing, as the art can be sent electronically. Anyone who makes a donation of any amount can have the art as recognition of their donation. Al or others in need get all of the money. Perhaps this will make everyone happy. I guess we'd need permission from the owners of the images for this method rather than what we already discussed. You can buy iron-on media nearly anywhere you buy inkjet paper. We still get to have fun and show solidarity. All of the money goes where it needs to go. And no one needs to take on the responsibility for managing t-shirt orders and sizes and shipping ... etc. Just a thought. Sorry for rambling.

FrankS

12-28-2009, 18:29

It has been suggested previously, and I wonder if it isn't so, that Al may be embarrassed by outright charity, and would prefer to raise cash with a T-shirt and mug sale.

digitalintrigue

12-28-2009, 18:36

How about Cafe Press? A basic Cafe Press shop is free, people can order shirts or mugs or many other items, and Cafe does all the work, charges the credit cards, handles shipping to the customer, etc. A price would be set above cost and all the proceeds go into the fund. People could also donate directly as they are now. This negates the need to print in bulk, and have someone donate time for shipping/mailing, etc.

pesphoto

12-28-2009, 18:42

ive made a mug thru cafe press, so easy and inexpensive, more money could go to Al

raid

12-28-2009, 18:45

It has been suggested previously, and I wonder if it isn't so, that Al may be embarrassed by outright charity, and would prefer to raise cash with a T-shirt and mug sale.

I have seen this suggestion, Frank, and I accordingly said that it should be presented in a way that simply is allowing Al to buy his own gift. It is a gift and not charity.

scottwallick

12-28-2009, 21:14

How many shirts are we talking about? My sister-in-law will be in Delhi visiting friends for a week, then is stopping over in Kathmandu for a family visit for another week or so before returning to New York.

Problems I see are (1) this is in March/April, (2) she'd be limited by weight as to how many shirts she could transport, and (3) not everyone wanting a shirt will be in New York, so again we have to mail things.

If each shirt weighs < 175 g (an 'average' weight according to The Google) then I could probably ask her to carry 20-25 shirts.

Another if. If there is a group of NYers wanting shirts, we could keep those separate for said pickup. Something to consider.

thomasw_

12-28-2009, 22:00

I have been hoping and praying that Al has a quick recovery! I am encouraged by the note on Al's blog by his son Jonathon.

This is a good thing to do for Al, whether it is just a straight donation, or a donation linked to some sort of "Al Kaplan Paraphernalia".

I think the best thing one person or a group can do for another is to lift his spirits. If this is so, I think Al would get a damn big kick out of many of us RFFers wearing the "Al Kaplan T-Shirt" or sipping from an "Al Kaplan Mug" :P

I believe he'd smile at some of the threads on RFF highlighting the Al stuff. And that is not a bad medicine.

Gadge

12-29-2009, 02:31

FrankS

12-29-2009, 05:11

Hi guys

I am in for a T shirt/donation

It seems to be getting a bit confusing though so here is my big idea.

Why not just ask for a donation to the payal account of a minimum amount?
Anyone who ponies up gets the Al Kaplan artwork by email! Then they can buy what the hell like they like and just put the artwork on it.

As the meercats say .....Simple tsssskkkk

Here is one that does Black T's ...

http://www.yourdesign.co.uk/index.php/personalised-clothing/tshirt

Obviously Mugs etc are available.

Gadge

Great idea, Gadge. Everyone could look after their own purchase and shipping from the most convenient location/printing business which offers the quality, colour, and products each individual would like.

This is like the energy crisis we are facing. The solution is the cumulative effect of a whole bunch of small decisions/actions of energy conservation by individuals and numerous small scale renewable energy initiatives at the home or community level, not another nuclear or hydro mega-giga-project.

payasam

12-29-2009, 08:49

dcsang: "Those look good Mukul but shipping may kill us."

I had said, Dave, that iTasveer asked far too much for shipping. I can get them and then send them -- individually -- by the regular postal service, which costs far less.

If this is to be done, it must be done systematically. We need to know:

1. Printed area (width and height) on a tee shirt.

2. The relation between US sizes (for example, XXL) and Indian ones. Best to work in centimetres or inches.

Gadge

12-29-2009, 11:03

<Great idea, Gadge. Everyone could look after their own purchase and shipping from the most convenient location/printing business which offers the quality, colour, and products each individual would like.>

Exactly that Frank.

If no-one else agrees then I am still for a T shirt but it makes it very difficult to arrange with some wanting black, some wanting a mug etc, some people in UK or India or wherever

Art work by email and sort it out your self seems much easier as long as James agrees for his artwork to be used in that way? Plus it regulates how much Al gets per donation as a minimum.

Who needs all that effort. All we need is a Paypal account and agree a min amt per donation.
Ehhh voila.

Gadge

PlantedTao

12-29-2009, 11:19

For what it is worth, I agree with gadge... as long as you can get the original artist to allow this method, then it makes the most sense and will generate the most charity w/o major hassle.

digitalintrigue

12-29-2009, 11:33

This is the way it would work with Cafe Press. If someone wants a mug, they order a mug. If they want a shirt, they order a shirt.

This requires no effort of any RFFer to box and ship or keep track of orders, etc.

Cafe Press charges a nominal fee for this, we would add an amount on top of their fee, which would be how the fund would generate.

Anyone who wants to just donate without getting a mug or shirt can just send paypal to alkaplanfund@gmail.com.

If this is ok with everyone, I can set up the Cafe Press store, I just need the artwork.

payasam

12-29-2009, 11:34

I'll send my simple design for a mug to anyone who asks for it. The high quality JPEG version is 489KB, too large to be put on this thread.

robklurfield

12-29-2009, 11:37

This is great. We should all be pleased at the way this community effort is evolving. Hat's off to all those contributing time and good ideas to this effort.

This is the way it would work with Cafe Press. If someone wants a mug, they order a mug. If they want a shirt, they order a shirt.

This requires no effort of any RFFer to box and ship or keep track of orders, etc.

Cafe Press charges a nominal fee for this, we would add an amount on top of their fee, which would be how the fund would generate.

Anyone who wants to just donate without getting a mug or shirt can just send paypal to alkaplanfund@gmail.com.

If this is ok with everyone, I can set up the Cafe Press store, I just need the artwork.

scottwallick

12-29-2009, 19:11

If this is ok with everyone, I can set up the Cafe Press store, I just need the artwork.

I think this is a good idea. It's direct and outside of the initial setup, doesn't require someone doing leg work and shipping and negotiating, etc.

Whoever has the artwork, please pass it along to digitalintrigue so this can get setup.

Thank you, sir. :)

dcsang

12-30-2009, 05:11

I've got the artwork - I'll pass it along later today (at work right now)

Feel free to email me your email address and I'll fire it your way :)
the(dot)nexus(at)gmail(dot)com

Cheers,
Dave

This is the way it would work with Cafe Press. If someone wants a mug, they order a mug. If they want a shirt, they order a shirt.

This requires no effort of any RFFer to box and ship or keep track of orders, etc.

Cafe Press charges a nominal fee for this, we would add an amount on top of their fee, which would be how the fund would generate.

Anyone who wants to just donate without getting a mug or shirt can just send paypal to alkaplanfund@gmail.com.

If this is ok with everyone, I can set up the Cafe Press store, I just need the artwork.

James (DC)

12-30-2009, 05:13

Scott, I sent the original artwork to David (dcsang). Either he can distribute the images or, if people want, I can when I have the time to do this. Let me know.

nonot

12-30-2009, 06:56

I think Cafe Press is the easiest and most cost effective way possible. If it made sense to send these things from Canada, I can call in a favour from my friend's merchandising business. Whatever is ultimately decided, I'm in for 3 shirts and maybe a couple mugs.

digitalintrigue

12-30-2009, 07:01

I emailed Dave, should have the artwork shortly and will set up the Cafe Press shop...

There have been 18 donations totaling $593.39 USD made to the alkaplanfund@gmail.com paypal account.

Gadge

12-30-2009, 07:11

Cafe Press route sounds ok to me if that seems easiest to everyone else.

I took a look on their web site and can't see how you buy a shirt that someone else has setup the artwork for but I am sure that you know what you are doing and will provide a link or instructions.

Can you try and make sure that goods can also be ordered from cafepress.co.uk for members in the UK please.

Cheers

Gadge

robklurfield

12-30-2009, 08:16

To those who've been contributing to the Al Fund, after sending a message of condolence, I also sent a message to Al's son Jonathan asking if he and his sister Elena would like us to contribute the funds in Al's name to his favorite charity. He gave an awful lot of himself to many of us. It would be good karma to pass along some of that love. As Al's blog showed, he was very active in all kinds of community affairs, so I'm sure there would be at least one organization he would have liked us to help in his name.

For those who made contributions, please post your opinions here. I will post any reply I get from Jonathan Kaplan. We can all confer later on how best to honor Al.

wjlapier

12-30-2009, 10:22

Doing a little reading on Al's blog like I often do, and came across this page:

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_archive.html

Scroll down to Weds Jan. 25th, 2006

I like the Silver Is Better design. What chance is there of getting a T with that design? Either way, I'm in.

Pickett Wilson

12-30-2009, 10:36

Absolutely. Send it to one of Al's favorite charities.

kermaier

12-30-2009, 10:40

Sure, send the money to one of Al's charities.

Bingley

12-30-2009, 10:43

wjlapier

12-30-2009, 10:52

Absolutely. Send it to one of Al's favorite charities.

Yep, good idea.

robklurfield

12-30-2009, 11:43

A good friend of Al's, who has apparently been maintaining Al's blog during his illness, has contacted me and said he would being speaking with Al's kids at the funeral and would pass along this offer and get back to me with their thoughts.

robklurfield

01-01-2010, 16:07

Hi Robert,

Just to let you know, I gave the family a printed copy of your email and they will get back to you.
As you can image, it has been a severely traumatic time for them, not only in reacting to the sudden events,
but also for getting necessary arrangements put together, etc., etc.

Rest assured they are deeply appreciative and well aware of the kindness of the RFF group and postings.
Jonathan has your e-mail address and will be contacting you directly as things get sorted out.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Jon

George S.

01-01-2010, 17:49

What about still printing the T-shirts with Al's picture on them and under the photo put
something like:
"Our Friend
In Memoriam"
I would like something like that to remember him.
And we could still add a few $$ to the cost and either give it to Al's family or to his charity.

digitalintrigue

01-01-2010, 18:00

For those who want to order a shirt or mug, the Cafe Press link is http://www.cafepress.com/alkaplan

The store has been set up with the James Mitchell 'Silver is Better' shirt.

The prices set in the store at this time will not generate any funds, they are the standard Cafe Press base prices.

Anyone who wants to specifically donate to the family (funds will go to the charity of their choosing), can do so by sending a 'personal' payment via paypal to alkaplanfund@gmail.com.

Please use the 'personal' tab and use existing paypal funds (i.e., not credit card or bank draft) this will avoid any fees being deducted from the donation.

robklurfield

01-06-2010, 19:46

Al's son, Jonathan, e-mailed me this evening. As soon as he gives me permission, I will post a copy of his message. Briefly, he and Al's family are all touched by the outpouring from from the RFF community. The tributes and condolences from members "moved us to tears."

As one would expect, the family has a lot on their plate in terms of things they need to manage beyond their grief. Jonathan presented a couple of options that I'll post as soon as I hear back from him.

I'm only playing messenger here, but my guess is that the donors would be happy to see any of the options used as best suits the family's needs and their sense of Al's wishes.

robklurfield

01-07-2010, 19:01

From Al's son last night. Please post your thoughts in response to his suggestions.

Robert,

Thank you for writing. Jon passed on your email to me last week after my father's funeral. I know he loved the rangefinder community and undoubtedly will miss it as much as he will be missed by the other members of the forum. I know I have been moved to tears many times this week reading the condolences and tributes on RFF.

Regarding the funds, let me present some options for you to decide:

1. My father did have insurance but undoubtedly there will be co-pays and outstanding bills. We are not yet sure of what they will be.

2. We are currently in conversations with some charities about some sort of scholarship in his memory. Nothing is definite, but this could be an option as well.

3. We are planning on hosting a memorial service for my father in North Miami in late January (details forthcoming to his blog). This money could also go to underwrite that celebration of his life and work.

Let me know what you think. As you may have guessed we are still sorting out a tremendous number of things while dealing with our own grief over his passing.

Thank you for your condolences and for your friendship to my father.

Jonathan Kaplan

raid

01-07-2010, 19:08

I suggest to honor Jonathan's wishes.
In the end, it is meant for Al's memory.
The RFF community is doing well in what it is doing.

35mmdelux

01-07-2010, 20:48

Wow, I'm still trying to get my mind around this. I had planned on stopping by on my way to Central America.

robklurfield

01-08-2010, 18:52

Go to this thread for details:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84475&highlight=celebration+kaplan

A Celebration of the Life and Work of Alan Kaplan Jan. 30. 2010

Please join friends and family of Alan Kaplan as we gather on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 7pm to honor his life and work.

Griffing Adult Center
12220 Griffing Boulevard /NE 3rd Avenue
North Miami, Florida 33161

dcsang

01-08-2010, 19:10

I've completely lost where money should be sent - I've been away and totally forgot to send funds - It's not too late is it?

Dave

digitalintrigue

01-08-2010, 19:13

It's never too late. :)

alkaplanfund@gmail.com (use 'personal' option/gift to skip the fees.)

wjlapier

01-09-2010, 05:51

Me too; just got back in the country myself a couple of days ago.

I just sent some money to alkaplanfund@gmail.com - if the t-shirt thing works out or not, it's all good.

Recieved my tshirts from Cafe Press yesterday. I like them.

dcsang

01-10-2010, 09:07

Eeek.. is it alkaplanfund@paypal.com or alkaplanfund@gmail.com

I just sent it to the first address and not to the gmail address!!

Dave

raid

01-10-2010, 09:18

I sent $35 or so to the paypal fund for Al. It is fine whether I get a t shirt or not.

digitalintrigue

01-10-2010, 09:26

@gmail.com :)

Oops. You should be able to retract it.

dcsang

01-10-2010, 09:32

Already retracted - will wait for the PayPal account (and bank account) to be updated before sending the funds to the gmail address :)

I also ordered a shirt via the Cafe Press link.

Cheers,
Dave

robklurfield

01-20-2010, 09:05

It's been a little while since anyone has posted to this thread. I think it's time that we wind things up and pass the funds onto Al's kids. I know the digitalintrigue (Robert) has been kind enough to manage the PayPal account on behalf of all those who donated and that he'd like to wind this up. So...

If anyone who made a contribution to the fund has any thoughts, ideas or objections (rants, delusions (dilutions, too), etc.???), speak up now so that we can give Robert the go-ahead to pass the money to the Kaplan family. See earlier in this thread for Jonathan Kaplan's ideas.

I personally think we should let the family decide to do what they wish with the funds, since that was the intent we had before Al passed away and they know best what they need and what he might have wished. I will certainly suggest that, if they opt to make a donation somewhere, they do it "in the name of Al's many friends at Rangefinder Forum." It's not a lot of money, but I know from my little contact with Jonathan that they family is touched and appreciative.

Thanks to everyone who joined in on this effort with ideas, money, etc. and to Robert for being good enough to play banker for us. If you're still in a giving mood, there's plenty of opportunities to contribute to some trusted organizations helping out in Haiti.

I'm proud to be on a forum with so many good, kind souls (not mention great photographers and an occasional curmudgeon or two ... miss ya, Al).

Rob

robklurfield

01-25-2010, 13:06

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4304240357_896bc36ba4_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4304239997_eb984bc729_b.jpg

MPerson

02-03-2010, 02:37

Well it took 19 days - lost in the custom's black-hole at Heathrow airport - but here's mine on the darkroom bench. Maybe we should all don them and take a self-portrait on the anniversary this year.

http://www.filmus-monochromus.org/linked/2010-02-03-d2-L1060689.jpg

Gadge

02-09-2010, 12:39

Hi guys

Has the collection been passed over yet?
If not then just to say I agree with the ideas expressed above by robklurfield
(eclipse).

Gadge

payasam

02-09-2010, 16:16

I am troubled by an unrelated -- nothing to do with fund raising -- matter and can't think of another place to say this. On 19 Jan I posted two A.K. mugs: one to Robert Jagitsch and the other to Jonathan Kaplan. Neither has spoken of getting his mug, which would be all right: but neither has answered my message of enquiry either.

robklurfield

02-09-2010, 18:05

Received this evening from Al's son Jonathan:

Hi Rob,

I hope you are well. I wanted to check-in with you regarding the money
collected for my father by folks on RFF. Our family has established a
scholarship for photography students in my father's honor at Barry
University in Miami Shores. If the forum is agreement, we would
appreciate that the money collected so far be directed to Barry for
the scholarship. Additionally, I have posted information on my
father's blog about the scholarship and ways to contribute. I would
appreciate if you could alert people on RFF to this opportunity to
honor my father's memory.

Thank you again for all of your help and concern for my father.

All the best,
Jonathan Kaplan

IF ANYONE has any objections, speak now or forever hold your peace.