Let's say thanks: Pizza for the factory employees

[HankLloydRight]

I maintain that no matter what charity Andrewket chooses, the amount donated will wind up being less than it would be if the money were going to go directly to Tesla workers. The donation becomes much more of a symbolic gesture, and much less concrete.

Again, not all Tesla workers.. a very few, subjectively selected workers. The rest get nothing. I'm not donating to that kind of fund.

 

[Beckler]

I know you pasted a smiley on that last zinger, but you do realize how condescending that sounds, don't you? :frown:

Ya no offense meant, most of the stuff I type is in a pretty joking tone hence why I keep using the smileys. That said, it's my experience that about 95% of people prefer alcohol over most anything else. I just made that up but it's true.

Do you see the irony? No? This is a thread about thanking the people who have worked long hours to get cars done ... and you make a condescending (and completely untrue) comment about them.

Uh, it was a joke. Oh well!

 

[Andyw2100]

Again, not all Tesla workers.. a very few, subjectively selected workers. The rest get nothing. I'm not donating to that kind of fund.

I think you are probably in the minority.

The concept of doing something for the Tesla workers in general is maintained in my ideas, and while only a small number actually reap the benefits, the entire group would see that something was done for them as a group.

What do any of the Tesla workers get if the money is given to a different charity?

To take the argument a step further, why should people here donate through Andrew, to a charity of his choosing, when they can make a donation themselves, to a charity of their choosing?

The point was to do something nice for the Tesla workers. If you can't agree that setting up a scholarship fund for children of Tesla workers accomplishes that goal there's probably not much more for us to talk about on this subject.

 

[rogbmw]

I still think the Pizza idea is great, plus some type of "Thank You" banner. I'm in Florida, so can't help with the logistics, but would be happy to donate something.

 

[Electric700]

Are we going to use a service for this such as Indiegogo, which allows for flexible fundraising? We could have three people manage the funds (one primary person and two backups). More information is at Learn More | Indiegogo.

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

Ya no offense meant, most of the stuff I type is in a pretty joking tone hence why I keep using the smileys. That said, it's my experience that about 95% of people prefer alcohol over most anything else. I just made that up but it's true.
...
Uh, it was a joke. Oh well!

your 95% must not live where I do :tongue:

+ I am in for a little donation & was going to try and make some cookies or something to drop by my 'local' service center on the way to X-mas stuff in the South Bay.

 

[rage_777]

Why don't you use the money to buy something that all the employees could enjoy. For instance, a couple of massaging chairs that could go into the employee lounge, or something like that.

 

[LetsGoFast]

What do any of the Tesla workers get if the money is given to a different charity?

To take the argument a step further, why should people here donate through Andrew, to a charity of his choosing, when they can make a donation themselves, to a charity of their choosing?

I think you are the right side of this question. I'm happy to help out to do something to appreciate the hard working folks at Tesla, but I'd generally rather make my own charitable contributions. Often industrial shops have shop funds they use to purchase things like break room supplies

 

[wycolo]

Better to send them Kale wraps washed down with fruit smoothies.
--

 

[AlMc]

How did such a simple expression of gratitude turn into this. Let Andrew/Bonnie decide. I have No problem supporting whatever they decide.

 

[Andyw2100]

How did such a simple expression of gratitude turn into this. Let Andrew/Bonnie decide. I have No problem supporting whatever they decide.

Of course.

I just threw out ideas, and then supported them when they were attacked. This is Andrewket's project. No argument from me there!

 

[efusco]

I agree that Indigogo would be good. You could then add stretch goals. So maybe you need however much to pay for the pies. 1st stretch could be pies for 2 slices per person. Next stretch would be a 10'x5' thank you banner, etc.
Would seem to make coordination of the project much easier for all to track and contribute to. But whatever is decided, it needs to be decided very quickly (like today), or it's not going to amount to much.

 

[omarsultan]

If you live local to the factory, and are willing to represent us this Saturday and/or the next (20th or 27th) please let me know.

I am in...O

 

[Andyw2100]

I agree that Indigogo would be good. You could then add stretch goals. So maybe you need however much to pay for the pies. 1st stretch could be pies for 2 slices per person. Next stretch would be a 10'x5' thank you banner, etc.
Would seem to make coordination of the project much easier for all to track and contribute to. But whatever is decided, it needs to be decided very quickly (like today), or it's not going to amount to much.

There seems to be a disconnect here. You're not the first person to mention still needing to pay for the pizza, efusco--just the most recent.

--THE PIZZA IS COVERED--

As per Andrewket's post, excerpted below, Tesla is picking up the tab for the pizza. Since his post several pages back, we have been discussing other aspects of this.

The Tesla employees are getting pizza, largely thanks to Andrewket and his efforts, and Tesla is paying for it.

Ok, here is the deal. I apologize for not sharing the details sooner, but I was trying to nail down the logistics with Tesla.

Tesla loved the idea but thought the logistics of us trying to arrange for pizza for 4k employees over three shifts was not going to work. Instead, Tesla is going to handle the planning as well as pick up the tab.

 

[omarsultan]

Hey, just counted, you guys have raised about $3000 do far. I assumed that everybody who just said "I'm in" donated $100, I have no idea if that's right

Is there a donation link that I missed?

 

[HankLloydRight]

To take the argument a step further, why should people here donate through Andrew, to a charity of his choosing, when they can make a donation themselves, to a charity of their choosing?

Because it would be (a) from the TMC group as a whole, and (b) donated in the name/honor of the TM employees.

 

[Andyw2100]

Because it would be (a) from the TMC group as a whole, and (b) donated in the name/honor of the TM employees.

I understand, and I will still donate.

I was just making the point that I think for a lot of people, if you remove the "doing something nice for the people working at Tesla" they may just prefer to donate to a charity of their own choosing."

 

[krisg81]

Hello. First time poster, long time lurker.

This thread caught my attention. I really think this is such an outlandish idea, and borderline crazy. I am all for the Holiday spirit and generosity, but, really? Pizza's for 4,000 workers in a company with an almost $30 Billion dollar market cap? I am sure these guys got quite the Christmas bonus's this year, and a great company sponsored holiday party that 99% of the rest of the country would love to have.

These people are paid generous wages to do their jobs. They are able to provide for their family and enjoy a quality of a life many people in this world do not have the luxury to do. Tesla workers are building 6 figure luxury sedan's for the privileged few who can afford them.

I hope I do not come off as insensitive. I just can't believe what I read here, and am glad Tesla is not willing for this to move forward. I couldn't help but to think how crazy it was some people were donating $100, $200, even $500 for pizzas for Tesla employees, which would barely allow 1 slice per person, but I digress.

Take this money and donate it to a charity that supports less privileged and poor families who have nothing for Christmas. Take this money and give it to a charity. This thread is absurd, sorry. If you want to donate $100, go right now and do it- you shouldn't need to coordinate on a Tesla Motors enthusiast website to make that happen.

Anyway, I think its great anytime people collaborate for a good cause, but this- is embarrassing to me as a Tesla owner, sorry. What next, Apple fan's getting together to ship $250,000 in Pizza's to Foxconn workers in China?

Facebook users getting together to ship Pizza to Facebook programmers in the Bay area?

Please, let this thread die.

/rant off

 

[Andyw2100]

I hope I do not come off as insensitive. I just can't believe what I read here, and am glad Tesla is not willing for this to move forward.

No, you don't come off as insensitive.

You do, at least to me, come off as someone who isn't really able to follow along though.

Not only is the pizza happening, with Tesla's support, they --loved-- the idea! How you concluded they were "not willing for this to move forward" is anyone's guess. (See below, please. I added bold to make things easier for you.)

Ok, here is the deal. I apologize for not sharing the details sooner, but I was trying to nail down the logistics with Tesla.

Tesla loved the idea but thought the logistics of us trying to arrange for pizza for 4k employees over three shifts was not going to work. Instead, Tesla is going to handle the planning as well as pick up the tab.

What they have asked from us is two things:

1. A letter of appreciation that can be shared with the troops.

2. A SMALL number of customers to come to the factory to represent us. You'll probably do a bit of meet and greet, etc.

Tesla is tentatively thinking this Saturday or the next. I'm still waiting to hear back from the person Jerome asked me to coordinate with.

If you live local to the factory, and are willing to represent us this Saturday and/or the next (20th or 27th) please let me know.

As to the money that people have offered, since it's no longer needed to pay for the pizza, I suggest a few options:

1/ We pick a charity and make donations in the name of the tesla employees. We can share at the event the nature of our donation in their name. This has an advantage of being easy to do in our timeframe, and imho is in the spirit of the holiday. Everyone here is very lucky to be able to afford a model S. I like the message this sends.

2/ Order a banner that can be displayed in the factory. While it would be great to have this for the event, I don't know if it's practical even in a week?

3/ I could ask Tesla about sending something else, perhaps prepackaged cookies/popcorn etc. that wouldn't be as logistically challenging.

4/ Do nothing additional. Jerome was touched by our gesture, and thought the letter and having a few folks come and speak would be meaningful.

Given the time constraints and Tesla's offer, I think number one or four is best. I am willing to own writing the first draft of a letter, but it would be useful to me to have a discussion on the points we wish to make. Off the top of my head:

1/ Their work is moving our planet away from energy sources that are harmful to our environment and in limited supply

2/ more immediate- their commitment to the company and extra hours enabled tesla to deliver our cars before the holiday; special present?

3/ Share how much we love our cars. Perhaps give them some color of how insane we are, tracking every move, etc.

Please, discuss...

 

[JRod0802]

Hello. First time poster, long time lurker.

This thread caught my attention. I really think this is such an outlandish idea, and borderline crazy. I am all for the Holiday spirit and generosity, but, really? Pizza's for 4,000 workers in a company with an almost $30 Billion dollar market cap? I am sure these guys got quite the Christmas bonus's this year, and a great company sponsored holiday party that 99% of the rest of the country would love to have.

These people are paid generous wages to do their jobs. They are able to provide for their family and enjoy a quality of a life many people in this world do not have the luxury to do. Tesla workers are building 6 figure luxury sedan's for the privileged few who can afford them.

I hope I do not come off as insensitive. I just can't believe what I read here, and am glad Tesla is not willing for this to move forward. I couldn't help but to think how crazy it was some people were donating $100, $200, even $500 for pizzas for Tesla employees, which would barely allow 1 slice per person, but I digress.

Take this money and donate it to a charity that supports less privileged and poor families who have nothing for Christmas. Take this money and give it to a charity. This thread is absurd, sorry. If you want to donate $100, go right now and do it- you shouldn't need to coordinate on a Tesla Motors enthusiast website to make that happen.

Anyway, I think its great anytime people collaborate for a good cause, but this- is embarrassing to me as a Tesla owner, sorry. What next, Apple fan's getting together to ship $250,000 in Pizza's to Foxconn workers in China?

Facebook users getting together to ship Pizza to Facebook programmers in the Bay area?

Please, let this thread die.

/rant off

Hi krisg81. Welcome to TMC. I'm sorry to see this post being your first. I know that with such relatively large sums of money being talked about here, it can certainly seem like this gift is all about the money. I can assure you, it's not. After all, if gifts were only about money, we'd all stop buying gifts for family members once they got a good paying job.

Just because someone isn't in the world's worst-off position, doesn't mean they should simply be bypassed (I know that's not what you were saying, I just wanted to point that out). It makes us feel good to know that someone else out there cares about us and appreciates us. This is true for everyone, not just the poorest of the poor. We all deserve to have people go out of their way to help us.

We here at TMC care about Tesla Motors a lot. We talk about it a lot. We read about it a lot. I know that if I was an employee of Tesla, it would make me feel pretty good to know that such a passionate group of people cared about what I do, and went out of their way to do something for me.

Now, I'm all for donating to charity, and I have automatic donations set to go to multiple charities on a monthly basis (as I'm sure many people here do too). But we have an opportunity here to do something really nice and really meaningful. We can do something that may make a whole bunch of peoples' day better. Not because of what they get, but because of who gave it and the thought behind it.



As a response to this thread in general, I would like say that if I was an employee of Tesla, it would make me feel pretty good to have a wall setup at work with a TMC-donated quality banner that said something like "We love your cars! Thank you so much for what you all do! -Tesla Motors Club", with a whole bunch of hand-written thank you cards pinned up to a bulletin board below it. We could even write two cards, one to Tesla Motors corporate, and one to our Service Center / Delivery Specialist.

As for the rest of the money after paying for the quality banner, a certificate of a donation from TMC, in their names, to a charity would also be a great thing to hang on the bulletin board. Just think of all the water-cooler chats about how much money was raised for them by a totally outside group. I bet it would make them feel really good.

Oh, and I must say, giving the money to certain individuals at Tesla seems like a recipe for disaster. People will say they know employees who are more deserving, etc. and it will really take away from what we're trying to do here, which is uplift through showing that we care.



Edit: Oh, and while I'm choosing to not be in for donating money, I'm totally in for donating a hand-written note. I'm not a Tesla owner, but I am a TSLA owner, a daily TMC reader, and a pretty avid fan.