It Doesn’t Get Any More Personal Than This. Will You Chip In?

When Steve and I attended the #140conf in New York we had the pleasure of having dinner with Mark Horvath. After dinner, he went though a discreet procedure of using a wooden tooth pick. Much to Steve’s horror (he says I ask way too many personal questions), I asked Mark if he was having trouble with his teeth.He said he was in the beginning stages of periodontal disease.

Mark is one of my heroes. He is also like a little brother. I asked him if he had dental insurance, he said no. Then I asked the hardest question of all. I expected the bill to be very expensive. “Mark, if we raised the money to have the work done, would you give it to the dentist or the homeless.” Mark slightly bowed his head and smiled.

Mark told us about his church buddy who gave him several food vouchers. His friend was worried that Mark was not getting enough food to eat. Mark, being the hero to the homeless that he is, gave the food vouchers to someone more needy than himself.

If we raise the money, will you go have the work done, I asked. Mark said yes, he would definitely go and have the work done. Now all the red tape has been worked though, all HIPPA material properly processed. Now all we need is you.

My first idea was email a few people and ask for a donation. Knowing how many people love Mark Horvath, I decided to give everyone a chance to chip in and help.

This one is very personal. This donation is for a friend we all know and love. I am asking for a NON TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation. The goal is $1000. If we go over that amount, any excess monies will be given to InvisiblePeople.

Thank YOU for caring. Just click to CHIP IN button below to make a donation.

The CHIP IN button has been removed – THANK YOU for your love, kindness and support!

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Filed Under: Living

http://raulcolon.net/ Raul Colon

Diane,

This is a very noble and beautiful thing to do for someone that does a lot for many!
- dianebrogan
  
  This is the first time I have done this. I am humbled by the support I have received. Mark Horvath is one in a million doing great work. I am so happy I can help in some small way.
http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

Mark is an amazing man and my world is better because I’ve met and chatted with him. The work he does is touching and inspiring at the same time!
- dianebrogan
  
  Thanks for your support. Mark truly is amazing, and so are you.
Shepdaddy

Can’t see the chip in button on the iPad folks
- dianebrogan
  
  Sadly, the Chip In Button doesn’t show on mobile devices. It works on the iPad if you use the Photon browser.
  
  I have learned Chip In is flash enabled and does not work everywhere.
  
  Chip In does work on the standard Android phone browser.
  
  There must be a solution?
http://askaaronlee.com Aaron Lee

Will chip in! thank you for sharing this Diane.
- dianebrogan
  
  Aaron,
  
  You are another of my heroes that I plan to meet one day. Thank you for your support.
  
  Diane
http://www.hairextensionsbymonica.com/ Monica Nielsen

Inspiring, wow this touched my soul. Glad to find such inspiration.
- dianebrogan
  
  Thank you Monica. Positive people like you brighten my world.
http://www.smallbizsurvival.com Becky McCray

Diane, thank you for caring about others so much, and also for making it easy for us to join you.
- dianebrogan
  
  There are so many kind, caring, wonderful people like you in this world. I like the story – if you ask someone for a million dollars you may not get it. If you ask a million people for one dollar you have a better chance of getting the million.
  
  Everyday we get several requests for donations. Often the least amount they want is $100. That is a bit much when it is several times a day, no matter how great the cause. I like the Chip In type of giving so that everyone can give what they want and contribute to the cause. I like to give when it doesn’t feel like a burden.
  
  Thanks for your support Becky.
http://twitter.com/furnace_hills Dave Baldwin

We met Mark at an Idea Camp a couple of years ago. I have followed him ever since! He IS a hero. Thank you for doing this for him!
Blessings,
Dave Baldwin
Furnace Hills Coffee Company
- dianebrogan
  
  Thank you for your support. I have never met anyone with so much dedication. Blessings to you for caring.
http://hardlynormal.com hardlynormal

Oh wow! I wake up and my twitter stream is filled with tweets about this. I don’t have words and I almost cried. I am truly humbled and grateful. Thanks so much everyone. (((hugs)))
http://www.davedelaney.me/ Dave Delaney

I met Mark at Gnomedex a few years ago. I echo @cc_chapman:disqus ’s comment. He is truly a hero and a good soul. This is a great cause. We need our heros healthy, so that they can continue to fight for us.
- dianebrogan
  
  Thanks for your support Dave. That Mark, he is quite a guy
http://www.facebook.com/cameron.brotherston Cameron Brotherston

very inspirational!
http://www.facebook.com/cameron.brotherston Cameron Brotherston

Very inspirational Diane!
- dianebrogan
  
  Thank you Cameron. Mark Horvath is one in a million.
http://hardlynormal.com hardlynormal

Oh I think this will give me a smile for weeks maybe more (pun intended)

I have advanced periodontal disease. It’s from years of abusing drugs and the time I spent homeless. Truth is, when you are crapping in your pants you really don’t think about brushing your teeth. After I got off the streets I had lots of dental work done. Sadly, there is no cure for periodontal disease, but with treatment it can be stopped from getting worse. Every six months or so it’s recommended that I get “deep cleaning”, where they pull away the gums and clean down by the bone. I am sure many of you have heard the dentist call out numbers as they inspect your mouth. You probably hear a lot of 2s and 3s, maybe a 4. My guns have receded so bad it’s 6 and 7. Unfortunately, dental insurance the shelter gives me only covers part of the procedure and covers zero of the drugs needed. I could not afford this work. I barley scrape up rent each month. I was just going to kind of do my best to forget I needed it done and focus on Invisible People.

Now you’ve all helped make this happen. I am blown away. Dianne is doing this on her own. I never asked or even hinted. Truly amazing this is even happening. I am so humbled and grateful.

Years ago, when I lost my last high-paying job in marketing and soon after my house to foreclose, I found myself unemployed without income. At the time I was eating $1 pizzas from Ralphs. Not always, but pretty much that was all I could afford. I also started Invisible People at around the same time and began working with new homeless friends. A local pastor knew of my situation and was giving me gift cards to help with food. Of course, I’d run into a homeless family and felt they needed the food more and would take them shopping. This happened a few times. The pastor figured out what I was doing and started to give me cards in $25 amounts. He said “I can’t stop you from helping others but please use one of these for your own food”

I say that to say this: the best way to get out of your own crisis is by helping other people. Your problems don’t go away. In fact, 3 years later I am still in a financial crisis. But helping other people helps keep things in perspective so that you’ll be in a better mind to deal with your own problems.

Thanks everyone for helping me keep my teeth. I am very humbled and grateful this is even happening.
- http://www.boydjane.ca/ Jane Boyd
  
  Mark, you are such a special person. I am honoured to have the opportunity to help YOU. You do so much for others….I often worry about how you are doing. I am glad that Diane coordinated this so that your friends could support you in this personal way. Thank you Mark – for being the amazing person that you are. My life is richer for knowing you and the world is a better place for the work that you do.
Ted…

— Dear Mark …

I can-not stress the importance of you
taking care of your own health…!

With out you Mark , will your work continue …?????

—- Lastly , I’m down to panhandling right now ,
but I’d have no problem giving you a few bucks …

( it’d be an “investment” as far as I’m concerned )

an investment in voicing for the homeless …!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.boydjane.ca/ Jane Boyd

Diane, thank you for just stepping and doing this – and as Becky says – for making it easy for us to join you.
- dianebrogan
  
  Thank you for your support Jane. I am so honored to call you my friend.
http://twitter.com/MarshaCollier Marsha Collier

I’ve known Mark since he began his fine work. He has been an inspiration to all of use here in LA. Thank you Diane, for letting us know how *we* can give back to a friend. We love him.
- dianebrogan
  
  Thank you for your support Marsha. I am humbled to know so many great people like you and Mark. It has been a great day.
Anora McGaha

Done.
- dianebrogan
  
  Anora,
  
  Thanks for your support.
  
  Diane
http://annereuss.com/ Anne Reuss

@hardlynormal:disqus @dianebrogan:disqus I am SO happy I stumbled across this on Facebook. Mark and I did not get to talk much in NYC but he has that aura that I will never forget and he is someone on my bucket list that I hope to get to know more. Honored to chip in. It brings me happiness seeing Mark happy Diane, thank you for starting this!
- dianebrogan
  
  Anne,
  Mark gives me inspiration every time we meet up. I am happy you got to spend a few minutes with him in NYC. Thank you for chipping in.
http://milaspage.com/ Mila Araujo

Diane, sometimes in life those who do everything for other have to have someone strong in the circles say “Hey, all this stuff you’re doing for others is great – but I’m here to step up for you!” And in a firm voice say: this is what you’re going to do for YOU! – thank you for being that person. I love Mark. figures he would do this bravo Diane. I’m chipping in and Mark you better be all dental healthy and get that taken care of – we can’t have you operating at any less than your best- the world needs you!
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