Newsletter donations

Hi guys
 
Back at my desk now after being in Achill for the last ten days.  The break was nice, but the charity weighed heavily in my mind, so I can't say I am entirely revived.  In fact, I have another cold, and I am normally never sick, and I've only just gotten over that last dose.  I think it's the stress of trying to manage the charity's finances.  I was hoping when I got back, that there would be a nice stack of donation envelopes waiting for me (since the newsletter went out to 600 people two weeks ago) that would restore my vitality and give us some funding, but sadly, two weeks later, all that has come in is one donation for €50 from Amber's granny, and two direct debit mandates for €21 and €50 per month respectively.  We're not exactly going to be saving the world with that. 
 
Up in Achill, I got about €200 from my cousin's piggy back race and from another donor, and another lady who is a fashion designer in Dublin donated €100 through our website, so this is all very much appreciated, but it's just not enough to sustain an organisation of our size.
 
Contrast this with the summer newsletter two years ago, when €55,000 came in.  The costs of printing the newsletter, including graphic design, printing, postage and stationery, come to almost €2,000, and that's before Amber's time in writing it and proofing it.  My time at least is free.  So we have managed to make another big loss - we had the flag day in June which was a financial disaster, and now this.  It seems that our fundraising efforts seem to be costing us money, not earning it.  And it's not like it was a crap newsletter - everyone says it looked great and it was very readable.  But people just aren't spending on anything if it's not an absolute necessity.  And now interest rates are going up.  It seems like there is a never-ending trickle of doom and gloom on the news these days.  I can understand why people won't donate to charity if they are afraid they will lose their jobs or houses etc. 
 
But it is very demoralising.  So much work and effort went into the newsletter, and to get such a dreadful response is truly depressing.  I know that people are on holidays at this time of the year, so maybe a pile of envelopes will flood in the door in the next week or two, but I won't be holding my breath. 
 
I don't mind working my ass off for four years for no personal financial benefit if at least we are transforming people's lives in Nepal who are desperately in need, but to work your ass off and get no money in, and try to run programmes in Nepal and pay staff and suppliers in Ireland on fresh air, that unfortunately seems to be my lot at the moment.  I'm good, but miracles are just not part of my skillset unfortunately, so guys, could you please send us a miracle, or saving that, a few bob when you get a chance? You may think your lot is bad, but it's 100 times better than the poor people we work with who can't feed their children. No one in Ireland watches their children dying of starvation and disease while they are helpless to do anything about it.  And Dear Lord, could you please end this recession and endless drip of bad news that has people so negative and fearful and afraid to spend money on anything other than the bare necessities?  I think we all need a break and some love.  A big hug at the very least.  But preferable a miracle please.
 
With love
Nicky