For those who have not come across Re|shelter before it is s a non-profit, charitable 501(c)3 organization founded to address the urgent need for housing alternatives for people with environmental illnesses such as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), sick building syndrome (SBS), and electrical sensitivity (ES).
Co-founders Julie Genser and Julie Laffin have made it their mission to address the current housing crisis and high rates of homelessness and suicide within vulnerable populations affected by disabling environmental sensitivities.
Current Re|shelter activities include activities include fundraising, awarding housing aid grants, facilitating the design and construction of healthy homes and communities, and using the arts to promote awareness.
I never cease to be amazed at the generosity of spirit and shear will of the "two Julies" to support those with environmental illness (EI) and manifest tangible benefits in their lives. I therefore wanted to do my part by posting this blog entry to make sure as many people as possible know about the Re|shelter auction and the work of the organization in general.
This is the first major fund-raising event undertaken by Re|shelter and will take the form of a Holiday Auction on eBay, to be held between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2011. The auction will benefit their planned Housing Renovation Grants program which you can learn more about here.
Right now the organization is asking for in-kind donations of items which will be auctioned off on eBay during the Holiday Auction itself. Writing on her support website for EI sufferers, Planet Thrive, Julie Genser gave the following list as examples:
- Bottles/cases of expensive wine;
- Tickets to sporting events/Broadway shows/Vegas shows;
- Tickets to 92nd St Y lectures, etc.;
- Autographed sports paraphernalia (e.g., jerseys, baseball bats, golf balls);
- Designer handbags, shoes, clothes, etc.;
- Spa packages;
- Bed & Breakfast weekend getaway;
- Collectibles;
- Signed art/photography prints and books by famous artists/photographers ;
- Artwork (paintings, drawings, lithography, ceramics, craftwork, etc.) by successful artists ;
- Furniture ;
- Saunas ;
- Air purifiers;
- Water purification systems ;
- Refurbished (non-toxic) travel trailers appropriate for those with environmental illness;
- Beautiful craftwork – quilts, weavings, ceramics, etc. ;
- Fine jewelry ;
- Precious gems ;
- Kitchenware (Vitamix, Blendtec, Cuisineart, Le Creuset, etc.)
- and smaller ticket items
Julie points out that items do not all need to be suitable for those with EI as it will be the general public bidding for them on eBay. All donors will receive a tax-deductible receipt and free advertising on the Re|shelter homepage. If you or someone you know is able to contribute product(s) to the auction, please fill out this form and email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than November 11, 2011. If you are unable to donate products but would like to support the re|shelter cause with a tax-deductible monetary contribution, donations can be made at: reshelter.org/donate. For more information on re|shelter’s important mission and their Holiday Auction 2011, please see the following links:
re|shelter homepage: reshelter.org
auction info: reshelter.org/auction
facebook page: facebook.com/reshelterauction
About: Matthew Hogg ("Maff")
Diagnosed with M.E./chronic fatigue syndrome aged only 11 years old and subsequently associated illnesses including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Despite his own struggles he has constantly sought to educate and support others suffering from such "invisible illnesses" through his website, The Environmental Illness Resource. He fully recovered from MCS using his own approach and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutritional Health.
