After the post I made last night, I got a flood of e-mail, and obviously there was a lot of public discussion too.

We were very happy to see that you all seemed to concur that a great use for the donations many of you offered to help keep the Bonaire WebCams running was to solidify the Internet connection for the system on Bonaire.

In terms of a way of showing our gratitude, a number of you made a very valid point, namely that while you would love a t-shirt, you would not want it to detract from the donation - and it would. Our cost for such t-shirts, before even shipping them out from where ever they would be made or getting them to Bonaire, would be between $6-8 (depending on size - we prefer Hanes Beefy-Tees).

As such, we'd like to offer an intermediate solution - we can send our individual sponsors the heat transfers (those were printed some time ago) to take to their local custom Tee shop to get them applied to whatever size t-shirt they want, and then they could also have whatever Sponsor phrase they want applied (e.g. "Addicted Sponsor", "Desperately Seeking Return Ticket", etc.) We were thinking one set (front and back) of heat transfers per each $50 sponsorship contribution. Heat transfers would only be available to sponsors and not for sale to anyone else. If you all think this is a stupid idea, please let us know!

In any event, we would still like to list you all on a special Sponsor page on the Bonaire WebCams Web site (tell us explicitly if you don't want to be listed).

So, on to the next issue - how to make your sponsorship donation...

Two options:

1) Send a check to:

Caribbean WebCams, LLC
101 W. Main Street, Suite 820
Norfolk, VA 23510-1694

2) Make your donation via PayPal to info@caribbeanwebcams.com (this way you can use MC, Visa, AMEX, and maybe even Discover). See http://www.paypal.com for details.

In either case, please indicate your mailing address and whether you would like the heat transfers mentioned above, and if you do not want to be listed (by name only) on the Sponsors page.

If neither of those is possible, as a last resort we can accept a cash donation on Bonaire, but would prefer not to for accounting and tax reasons.

Please note that as Caribbean WebCams, LLC is a for-profit company (although it's never made a profit) your donation is not tax deductible (thanks Greta for asking that question).

I think that covers everything. If you have any questions, please go ahead and post them here, or if it's a private question drop me and Dan a note via info@caribbeanwebcams.com

Thanks again for all your support!

Jake

I like the heat transfer idea: not a big cost to ship, either.

I like the heat transfer idea as well....will be making my contribution soon!

Jake, I will be send a check Jake. As I already have a nice (still clean) webcam shirt, I think I will make a transfer with the words "Lucky Addict" to the front of it.

Being on the page after you receive my check is fine.

Tom

Sending heat transfers is NOT a stupid idea, Jake. It's a great alternative! Are they going to be mailed from the east coast (Dan) or from Bonaire? Probably cheaper if from the east coast.

I've sent "thank you" emails to WannaDive & Eden Beach!

Thanks for noting that the donations are NOT tax-deductible. I'm going over to make my contribution right now!!!

Just sent my paypal payment!!

Just sent my payment too!

Just sent $100.00 as promised. Good job on saving the Bonaire Wed Cams!

Just sent $100.00 as promised. Good job on saving the Bonaire Web Cams!

Check going out end of week - emails of gratitude sent to the new sponsors.

Thanks again!

Carl and Patty

Congratulations, Jake, Dan and LInda! Great work. This is terrific news. I will be mailing a check to Dan today for the $200., as promised. I will place a smile inside the envelope, too.

The heat transfers are a great idea and cost saver. Good thinking!!

Again, thanks for your hard work and efforts....I know Gibi's will be a wonderful celebration tonite! See you soon. Carole and Joe

Sponsorhip Money = $100
T-Shirt for Heat Transfer = $12
Your happy mug in the webcams = PRICELESS!

Count me and my wife Kathy for $100. I did not pledge staying at the resort that would sponsor the webcams since I already made commitments to another resort, but I will bring plenty of patronage to Bongo's. Thank you very much guys! Coach Izzy

We have just sent payment to Paypal!
YAAA-HOOO!

Transfers are cool! & BonaireWEBCAMS rule.
Paypal works for me.

Just sent my $50 thru paypal!!

Hope everyone had a great time celebrating at Gibi's tonight! Just wish I was there!

YIPPPPEEEEE Thanks for all your time and effort to SAVE THE WEBCAM... Paypal is busy tonight.. my $100 should be there as well.. have a joyous time at Gibi's

We had a very nice time at Gibi's and there was cheering when the new WebCams home was mentioned :-)

I think we'll be sending the heat transfers from Massachusetts. Dan & Faith - are you ready with scissors and envelopes? ;-)

Jake

Jake, I will use paypal, and I'd be very happy to receive a heat transfer instead of a t-shirt.
Denise

paypal sent, first time I've used it
- very easy :-)
Denise

Heee Haw...knew my buddies would come through. Checks in the mail Jake. I know what I'm doing this weekend....I'll hollar at ole Bob and Bart.



Our good friend Bart at WannaDive



and crazy ole Bob from WannaDive

\image(hank}

Henk, great guy....great barkeeper



Can't believe I don't have a picture of Jose or any of the Domingo clan (will fix that this July), but for you future supporters....here's the few from the balcony.

Great thinking Jake! I love the heat transfers idea
I'll send the money 2night!

Great job Jake I am so happy. I will be sending my donation when I get paid on the 15 of the month.

Jake, I'll send my donation at the end of the week. Thanks for all your hard work. We are all very happy about the this.

Donation sent via paypal, hope it arrives!

Jake - donation just sent via PayPal - added the address for the heat transfers!!! Great idea on the jus the heat transfers !!!

Great job on setting this up!!!

Great job, Jake. Thanks for all the hard work in ensuring the web cams would continue. I will send my contribution in mine and my son's names because we will both be there on Saturday with a large group from Tucson, AZ. It will be my son's first time to Bonaire, and I know he will be as addicted as I am. A great big thank you to all other individual sponsors who "stepped up to the plate". Carl and Derek McDaniels

OK, after unsuccessfuly donating through pay pal...the check is in the mail today Dan!

Done my payment through paypal, succesfully (sp?)

Just got my confirmation letter from Pay Pal.

Thanks for helping the ignorant one (me) Jake.

Tom

Tom, your not ignorant...I was just frustrated after 45 minutes of setting up an account, then not finding the right place to go to GIVE THEM MONEY!! LOL!...Really, check IS in the mail

Thanks for all the support guys! We've been seeing a lot of PayPal donations come in, and so far all of you who indicated you sent something via PayPal appear to be accounted for! I apologize in advance for not being able to individually reply to all of you!

The heat transfers, which we have stored in Miami, are being shipped up to Dan's office in Mass. tomorrow, and should be there next week sometime. He's having his office staff take care of logging everything and sending the heat transfers out. May be a week or two before you see them. Just to correct one misconception - the heat transfers are of the four cams on and the Bonaire WebCams logo on the back, and then a small transfer of tweety (our baby blue tang) on the front. Any "sponsor" or "addict" phrasing you will need to arrange to add yourself at your local t-shirt shop (most malls used to have them back when I lived in the U.S.). This allows you maximum creativity in labeling and creating your very own Bonaire WebCams sponsor shirt(s) :-)

In the meantime, Dan and I (along with Wally's help for an enclosure) are trying to wrap up all the details and equipment we need for the move.

The marine park will be surveying our mooring block shortly to see if it in fact can be moved or not, so keep your fingers crossed that it can!

Also awaiting word on whether we can get Internet access set-up at Eden Beach in time for our planned move in two and half weeks.

Thanks again for all your support!

Jake

Great work Jake.

We're very impressed with your acumen and diligence. What are our options should the mooring block move not work out? Can we purchase one, or how do we help get this done.

Thanks for the update Jake.
Looks to me that you are up for a couple of busy weeks.
Good luck and stay cool

jos.

I guess Amber and Alexander might look pretty cool in one of these shirts ,

Brian,
if you hold the housing , I'll wheelbarrel the concrete in

jos

Done!!! Any excuse to get in the water. I'm sure Jake has plan options, just want to help out. Sometimes officials can be a bit less enthusiastic than BT'ers.

Okay! I must share this. I sent emails to Wannadive & Eden's Beach yesterday thanking them for saving the webcams. I also told them that they will reap GREAT rewards in the near future! Today, I have a message in my inbox from Bart & Bob of Wannadive. Here it is:

Dear Greta,

You're ever so welcome !
Thanks for your friendly and quick response.
They're be up and running mid july
At Bongo's Beach Bar
Eden Beach Resort and at Wannadive Bonaire.
Ain't jake the best !!

Warm regards
Bart Snelder & 'Bob' Roeland Labots
Wannadive Bonaire.

What a happy page/thread! Our check is in the mail.....it really is! Great work, everyone. Carole

I received an answer from Wannadive as well, telling me the cams are saved for at least 3 years. There will be one reefcam, one streetcam, a diveshopcam and a beachcam.

Can/Will you take guilders? I have some spare ones. My USD are allocated for a new driveway & sidewalk so grandpa doesn't fall and break his neck, but I want to give something!

I received a reply from my/our friends similar to Martin's. The guys asked where I thought the reef cam should go. I mentioned the wreck directly in front of the Dive Shop, or, suggested that possibly Roeland (Bob) could just carry the cam around in his hands following the fish;-{)}

I volunteer to clean the lens a few times in October.

If the old mooring can't be moved, the marine park would provide a new one. Although, Eden Beach says it has a spare mooring available too (but it would need to be moved into location).

Dara - sure :-) Send them to Linda's mom in NH (you should still have the address?) and we'll collect them at the end of July when we get there.

For ReefCam placement, there appear to be two good options. I have to go for a dive with Roeland to figure out which location would work best. One downside for snorkelers will be that unless you're a really good skin diver, you probably won't be able to reach the new ReefCam location, as it will be quite a bit deeper than the present 8 feet (30-50 feet is what Roeland/Bob told me).

Jake

Mmmmm, 30 feet or deeper. We will see a few other reefcam-visitors!
Jake, will there be enough light for the reefcam at 50 feet?

Easily enough light at that depth, during the day, of course :-)

Jake

Martin~ Yes, they told me it's saved for 3 years, too, but I left that part out and am thinking optimistically. I'm hoping we don't have to find another new home at that point.

Here is my response from them..


Dear Kelly,

Thanks for your sweet response !
You're ever so welcome !
For at least three years the cams are saved
They're be up and running mid july
At Bongo's Beach Bar, the beach, on the house reef of the
Eden Beach Resort and at Wannadive Bonaire.

we're looking forward meeting you
and you're always welcome to dive
with us ! Just show up
Tanks will be ready with all kinds of fresh diving lemonade HA!!

Warm regards

'bob'/Roeland and Bart
Wannadive Bonaire.


Also, in a subsequent email, he told me they planted extra lime trees for me on the property... how funny is that !!!

Hi All, I got a similar email from Bob and Bart as well! I commend them in responding to our emails, and I'm sure it's making them feel even better about their decision to take this on!

I like the idea of the reefcam being deeper, MORE fish to see

Jake, dang...you HAVE to go on a dive to select the new place for the mooring block? shucks...wish I were there to help!

I like that idea too... we will have an all new Reef Cam Critter Gallery ! Woo Hoo !!!

I'm think that the cam would work really nice done by the old boat and it's mooring block. That also puts the cable on the correct side of the property for easy server hook up. The rubble field above the old moore is full of fish and there is a very elusive horse fish hanging around there.

Gee, trying to make us snorkelers get our C cards, eh? Great work on the housing Wally..awesome specs!

WOW....I'm gone for a day or two and great things happen....I will send my donation as soon as I have time.

LaDonna

I, too, received a nice, warm response from WannaDive. Here it is. Joe and I will stop by during our upcoming trip! I have sent an email to Eden Beach to thank them, as well. Carole

"Hi Carol, I have seen your name pop up once or twice when I was oggling the BT website. It is our pleasure and feel fantastic about all that fantastic support from others, it is thrilling!! The e-mail address for eden is info@edenbeach.com. Bongo's is just changing and I don't have their address but will send it to you as soon as I have it, I am sure the be happy to hear of your enthusiasm. Thanks again for your kind words and we are looking forward to meeting you!
Bart 'n Bob
Wannadive"

Carole, when you get the email address for Bongo's would you please post it? Thanks!

I, too, commend Bob & Bart on being so responsive to our emails. I don't think they realize how famous they are now! Heee-heee!

As a Wannadive regular I also wanted to let them know how happy Mark and I were to hear of their sponsorship and true to form they answered my email quickly and with their trademark sense of humor. I think I will ask them for a job to answer all of their new fan mail -- get in line Tom -- I may get out of Vermont for Bonaire before you!

Hi, Cynde! I might not be home when it arrives...we arrive in Bonaire on Saturday afternoon! Yay!!! But, if it does show up in my emailbox and I'm at Michael's Chat n' Browse sorting thru my mail, I will definitely post it right here for everyone.

Really, Bob and Bart are going to be superstars now! Sort of like the old Bob and Ray for us "oldtimers" out here! LOL. I can see their tshirts and hats and the like, already.....oh, no...have we created a couple of monsters??? LOL.

And Henk at the bar....what can the cam create at that location....another celebrity!! This should be very interesting and lots of fun!

Joe and I will stop by during our trip to say Hi and have a meal or two, also. We aren't divers but we will say hi to everyone over there. Ayo. Carole

just caught up with my reading here .. As the first poster of tweety quite some time back I am just soooo psyched to have tweety on my shirt

so far my attempts to take a picture of tweeties myself have been a little bluured - they swim away and back again so quick!!!

:-)

Hi all,
I want to thank all of you for your support and encouraging e-mails just another sign that we have made a great decision and I feel very comfortable to be involved with such a great group of Bonaire fans.
For all of you whom have and are still sending us messages please take this message as a thank you note.
In approximately an hour you will have a great(I hope) picture to go with these words.

Olivier

Jake, if you want to send a bunch of transfers to the UK I would be happy to pass them on to save on postage. Perhaps UK sponsors could let you know when they send their cash.
Julia

Jake, if you send me the digital file of the transfer I might be able to get us some freebies for later on. I'm changing to a new hat/fish shirt/tee shirt/jacket vendor and could probably get a small run of some more heat transfers ran up as part of the "thanks for the business" program.

Julia - a very nice offer! I'll pass it on to Dan (who's swamped this week with regular work) so he can work that out with you! Thanks again!

Jake

well then Wally, bring me presents!!! I love presents !!!

And say weiner again! I love it when you say weiner!

Have a great weekend everyone...

Loveness!

Kelly

Wally - I'll pass your note to Linda. How large a file can your e-mail handle :-) ?

Jake

I have a T1 line run into the back of my box. Send all you got.

Got lucky on that. ATT needed a little spot to put a big switch....I was most accomodating. Before that my internet connection was 2 tomatoe cans and a string

Jake

My donation is on its way via PayPal. Good luck with the move(s)

Anything to support the webcams. I don't get here as much as I like, but it's nice to know it's there when I have the time. My $100 paypal is on the way. Thanks Jake, Linda and Dan.
Cindy R

My check is in the mail!! A big "Thank You"!!! to everyone who makes this place the best addiction ever!

LaDonna

My check is in the snail mail (finally).

Check's in the mail, Jake. I'll make sure Tom doesn't screw up the lense when we are there in October.;)

Ouch that hurt John!