Float Pen Collectors Remain United... despite the recent events that have rocked our global community. I have received countless emails and messages from collectors around the world expressing their concern and best wishes. I am pleased to say that our floaty family is safe and standing strong.
I do not normally contact collectors in between issues of Float About, but this warranted a bulletin. Since September 11th the members of our group have written checks, poured dollars and cents into numerous charity collection boxes, and of course... donated blood. Now we are asking ourselves, 'What more can we do?' There is still so much more that needs to be done. I have a few floaty possibilities.
Lupita Vargas, of Topline Products, Inc has entrusted me with 50 World Trade Center float pens (pictured right). I am honored. Lupita knows that I will do my best to ensure these pens find their way into hands of collectors, not dealers. It seems the perfect opportunity for float pen collectors to unite in a charitable venture. The pen features a little red helicopter that floats up and down over the WTC. This is the pen that was sold in the gift shop.
50 of the WTC pens will be sold for $10 each. Proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross. Why $10? It is a price low enough that we can all participate. It is high enough that if all the pens are all sold, we can donate $500 to the cause. It is also a fair market value for such a special memento of American history. This is an exclusive offer to collectors on my list. There will be a strict limit of one pen per collector/address. Shipping charges will have to be applied. You already have the WTC pen? Then I ask that you please refrain from participating in this offer to allow your fellow collectors a chance to get one of their own.
Many of my collectors do not have Internet access. I will be holding on to 20 of the WTC pens for a week or so to give our International and snail mail folks a chance to get some pens too. When the pens are sold, paid for and safely delivered, any remaining WTC pens will be offered on eBay with all profits to be donated.
10/05/01 NOTE... if you are reading this bulletin for the first time, the WTC pens sold out within the first four hours after this bulletin was posted. The other NYC pens pictured below are still available. Please read on.
I really want to get that donation... check up to $1,000 so I have a second offer. Obviously any pen that currently features the World Trade Center Towers will be revised. These are pens that you may have overlooked or like the WTC... you assumed they 'would always be there'. Future versions will surely reflect the forever-changed NYC skyline. I have three such pens available.
Helicopter over NYC skyline
King Kong munches on an apple
while cruising under the Brooklyn Bridge
Double Decker bus afloat over NYC backdrop
These pens will sell for $5 each. $2.50 per pen will be donated. Once again, only one pen will be sold per collector/address. Stock on the above designs is also limited, so a third option is needed if we are to make the $1,000. I will donate 35 cents of every pen sold from my pen list beginning now through midnight on October 14th. The average pens sells for $3.50 so that is 10%. The only pens excluded from that offer will be the WTC and three NYC pens above. Like you, Bill and I have been donating to many groups. I only wish I could afford to do more.
My pen list includes many NYC, DC and pens with a patriotic theme. Almost immediately after the event I began getting inquiries from total strangers hoping to purchase such pens, often in quantity. I knew these pens would be destined for eBay. I prefer to put these pens in the hands of MY collectors. I am pleased to be in a position to offer you these pens at a nice price, but the icing on the cake is generating funds for donation.
The donation will be made to the Red Cross on behalf of Float Pen Collectors United. The check will be accompanied by a list of each and every contributor. Therefore, payment and donations must be received no later than October 19th. That will allow time to create a webpage with the names of all contributors for issue #32 of Float About. Amounts contributed by individuals will not be publicly announced, only the names of donors will be listed.
I can already anticipate some of your questions. Let me address them one at
a time.
Yes... you may donate money to the cause without placing an order.
Yes... you may add an extra donation to any order.
Yes... you may order ONE of each of the NYC pens.
My standard shipping rates and terms apply to all
orders.
All offers good while supplies last.
Feel free to contact me if I neglected to answer any of your questions.
Important notice... Bill and I are doing an art fair in Yellow Springs, Ohio the weekend of Oct 12-13. Our housesitters are not expected (or paid enough) to handle business in our absence. Email, mail and messages are arranged chronologically and will be handled on a first-come first-served basis upon our return.
As a nation, we have already lost so many ... to this tragedy it's hard to imagine what we will encounter in war. Manhattan and the Pentagon will rebuild and be better and stronger than ever. We can never replace or repair the lives that have been so carelessly destroyed. Many of our fellow collectors have dire concerns about a family member or friend that may be called-to-arms. Our future seems so uncertain. In truth, it has always been uncertain. Every day we knowingly and unknowingly face danger and yet we go on. Like a natural disaster, this event reminds us of our vulnerability.
Unlike a natural disaster, this event was intentional. This tragedy truly transcends horrific. In our zeal to attain justice we must be sure the innocent are spared. Revenge isn't even remotely related to justice. If we are a nation united in hate and fear the entire world is in peril. Freedom can only flourish when humanity and peace prevail. While the powers-that-be around the world move forward its' citizens must get on with life. Please be kind to one another. Enjoy life. Embrace your family, friends and the little things that bring you happiness.
Lupita... Thank you for
making all of this possible.
Floating strong in the USA...
Diana
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