Together we've raised over $350 so far for improving the lot of people in third world countries. That money came from both individual donors and from every single DP member who upgraded or maintained an upgraded account during that time.

Rather than let the funds sit in the bank until the end of the year, I'm going to put them to work very soon, and make micro-loans to various people who need them directly through my Kiva account. These loans are one of the best ways to empower people to climb out of the poverty cycle and it's great because you get to meet the families you're helping.

Consider joining Team DarkPoetry on Kiva with me as well, and we'll make a difference together. Or just upgrade your DarkPoetry account and know that a portion of that will go toward helping improve someone's life.

I have decided that for all of 2009, I will personally match 10% of all membership funds that we take in to be donated to causes fighting world hunger. So for every $100 full membership for a year, I will pay $10 to organizations helping impoverished and hungry people. If you take a year's professional membership I'll give $20 and so on.

Even the poorest of us in the western world control a lot of wealth compared to the majority of people in other areas. We often forget that there is a huge problem with starvation and misery in the world around us. It is my hope to raise awareness this year and help make a difference.

I will also set up an account if there is interest to which people can freely add to DarkPoetry's overall contribution. I will research the most efficient organizations fighting hunger and donate the lump sum in the name of DarkPoetry.com's members at the end of the year. Suggestions and comments are welcome.

The Video Game contest resulted in a draw between the fabulous similes of Donkey Kong and a fist full of bananas and the richly detailed verse of Ode to OoT.

So we're the coin toss, and we declare Ode to OoT as the winner of the prize. Look for the next contest soon!

For the rest of December through the end of January (remember to start writing 2009!) we're giving anyone who upgrades their account to gold membership level the option to choose one postcard level member to upgrade to basic for the same duration.

Top it off by winning the current contest and add an extra 3 months to your new gold membership!

Contact Velvet_Raventon with any questions and to tell her which lucky member you're giving a boost to!

Hi everyone,

Please go to your account update page and update your e-mail address and anything else that has changed. You need to have accurate and up to date information in order to reset passwords etc.

Thanks, Velvet_Raventon.