Love on Ottomatic

Please join us for the third annual “Otto” inspired Santa Crawl in Southern California. We will meet at 12 Noon on Saturday 12/10 at the Falkner Winery, in Temecula, CA. From there we will take the Santa Vans throughout the wineries until the last winery closes! If you are on a different schedule just show up…and meet us along the way. Remember “What happens in the Vineyards – Stays in the Vineyards” So expect Chaos!

Message from Rick Marshall:

I just made a loan to someone in Afghanistan using a the site that was set up by Otto’s sister, Lita. The group is called ‘Team OPS’ – the website is kiva.org

Why did I choose Afghanistan?

Because I want to provide hope and economic opportunity in a region where I believe lack of opportunity and hope for the future has led to an upsurge in Muslim fundamentalism. An upsurge in the subjugation not only of women – but all those with different beliefs or backgrounds.

But you could choose just about any poor nation on the planet.

Go to the team URL: http://www.kiva.org/team/team_ops

It states: “We loan because: Change in the world can only happen one step at a time. We all can make that difference.

About us: Otto Schutt touched so many people in his lifetime. It is now up to all of us to give back in his name. Give Thanks!” - Lita Tabish, Ott’s sister.

Team Since: Nov 24, 2008

Under the ‘Community’ Tab, you can also search for ‘Team OPS’ at :www.kiva.org

You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business – like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks.  Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent – and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back – and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly. I have been receiving ALL of my payments on time over the last 6 months and just ‘re-loaned’ some of my original principal.

It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty – using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they’re using it for.  And most of all, I know that I’m helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in honoring Ott’s legacy and continue changing the world – one loan at a time.

After all, it is Christmas – and if not now – when?

If not you; who?

It is time to Give Thanks!

Rick Marshall , Member of ‘Team OPS’

Please pass onto the countless number of ‘friends of Ott’ that I have missed.

This quick note has been a long time coming and as long as it took for me to do it, I didn’t want another day to pass without a Thank You for making SnowCamp the most successful one we ever had. Because of you we are donating $2,500 to Girls 2000.

The biggest thanks goes to Ms. Kerry Lange, who wouldn’t let me cancel when I felt overwhelmed. She said people would step up and you all did. Kerry continues to remind me of Otto with her vision and commitment. Much love, respect and gratitude to you “CSC”.

Dae, Donger, Mace and all of the DJs. Thanks for your contributions to sound. You took care of everything without a hitch and made the music the last thing anyone had to worry about, Otto trained you guys well, lol. Two of the cops were very cool and said, “At least you’re playing good music”. Chris you are solid!

Indra, Kyle and Karl…Booze! Busted the hell out of our alcohol budget in a way that everyone appreciated. Otto would drink to that!

Sam and Shab. Otto wasn’t much on food prep at SnowCamp but I remember a conversation we had last year about how you two always remain functional and reliable both in manning the dance floor and feeding the masses. Thank you is two for all that you do year after year.

Katherine, Robert, Gayle and Cathy. Thank you for sacrificing time on the slopes to prep for the party. Decor is the red headed step child of SnowCamp but it sets the tone and makes the party each and every year. Thank you for making it happen this year.

Not sure who handled clean up but I’m sure Eric, Cathy, Gayle and Carmel had a hand in it. Thank everyone for keeping it clean. We put down a $1,000 security deposit that we forfeit when the cops come. We just got this money back because we were able to argue how good we wuz because you all pitched in. Good little campers aren’t we?

Thank you all for the individual contributions that made for another successful year. I’m sure I’ve missed some important names but I know we as a community feel the love and appreciation for what you did. Our gathering in Tahoe will allow the kids of Hunters Point to take a break from the trials of gang life and abuse by providing a day trip on a ranch in Marin. Might not sound like much to us, but 100% of these kids have lost someone to gang violence. Every minute they spend away from the daily trials gives these kids hope for something more. Give Thanks!

Thanks again for the good times and good work. Otto lives through you.