| "THE START "
Starting C.A.N.-D.O. -
03/10/04 $212.50- Ebay auction, winning bid.
04/24/04 $300.- Buy Domains, cost to buy can-do.org.
05/10/04 $1100. Web designer to develop can-do.org
06/13/04 $17.90- .ORG domain name registration
06/30/04 $180.- Legal Zoom, incorporation costs.
06/30/04 $30- Filling fee for State of California.
06/30/04 $50- Preparation & Obtainment of Federal Employer Identification
07/19/04 $10- E-mail account
09/10/04 $1100- Administrative
11/08/04 $1000- Personal Deposit to set up CAN-DO bank account
11/09/04 $7.95- .ORG domain name transfer.
11/09/04 $103.47- Deluxe hosting with CGI.
12/10/04 $500.- 501c3 Application fee/IRS
12/18/04 $89.- Merchant Account Fee.
12/18/04 $49.95- Turbo SSL
12/18/04 $95.52- Donation set up page.
12/21/04 $9.95- Private registration Services.
12/28/04 $20.- Secretary of State info filling fee.
Total cost to start C.A.N.-D.O. - $4876.24
The Origins:
On 03/10/04 I, Eric Klein, bought a Coke can on eBay...a "possessed" Coke can. This story was pretty silly but the concept was pure genius. A marketing major at the University of California at Santa Barbara had put the can up for auction on eBay, claiming it was "possessed" ...here's his story as it appeared on eBay:
THE eBAY BID:
"You are bidding on what I BELIEVE is a possessed empty can of Coca Cola. We're talking SERIOUS collector's item here. Now for the story on what happened:
This started as a typical can of Coke, likely purchased at an Albertson's in Santa Barbara, CA sometime last summer. Somehow, during a normal drunken binge the night before heading abroad for a vacation, this missed getting consumed. How? I don't know, I probably scrapped the rum and cokes for straight rum shot, or passed out. It then traveled to Australia, and back again, seeing many sights along the way. Then it was "unpacked" and, being the lazy person I am, it spent about 6 months on my nightstand because making the trek all the way downstairs to the kitchen was FAR too daunting a task, and it was easier to leave it alone. Flash forward to yesterday night (3/4/04)...
Now I'll preface this with the fact that I've been hearing odd things in my house at night. I'm betting on either a) Aliens or b) Ghosts, but it could be the fact that I'm usually drunk and forget to turn off various TVs or stereos. Upon heading to bed, I find that the can has MYSTERIOUSLY sprung open, as if to let out some inner demon. Yeah, I can just sense you Geiger-counting/ghost-busting folk about to blow it right now with anticipation. With closer inspection you can see that this OPENED ITSELF. The tab you normally flip forward to open the can is NOT up, and instead the part that should be pushed down into the can has burst out, undoubtedly letting some little demon into my seriously unholy house. So I'm screwed for sure.
BUT HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS: You, the Coca Cola paraphernalia collector, ghost/spirit tracker, etc. can own this gem. We're talking serious level 17 rarity here, kind of like that special magic card the rich nerd bought from the coin shop dork in 10th grade. Yah, THAT cool. So bid with the certainty you're getting a can that did something that I have never personally seen happen before, and if that doesn't say enough, well you don't deserve this can, and please don't bid.
This auction is for an empty can, packed with care (i.e. not dented), and shipped via UPS w/ tracking number/insurance. This is 100% serious, as you can tell by my flawless feedback, and I was go after all non-paying bidders. DON'T BID IF YOU DON'T INTEND TO PAY!"
My Response:
This Coke can made national and international news: on TV, radio, and in print, including an article in the illustrious Wall Street Journal. What's more, this "possessed" Coke can received more than two-thousand e-mails (and rising), and responses all around the world, it even has its own web site, possessedcan.com
When I first saw the story on the six o'clock news I thought to myself, "Man you can sell anything on eBay! A 5-cent aluminum can? Are you kidding me?" But after seeing the publicity flurry I figured, "Hey, I'll buy the can, write a clever little story about how the can truly is possessed and re-list it for more money - though I had my doubts when I saw the can was already up to two hundred dollars. Then, looking at the bigger picture, I thought, "Wouldn't it be cool to harness this publicity surrounding a 5-cent Coca Cola aluminum can, and use it as a launching pad for something bigger?"
It immediately occurred to me this "possessed" Coke can was a perfect opportunity to turn all that media exposure into a buzz for something unique and positive. Why not? Take an ordinary seemingly useless, 5-cent can and transform it from scrap metal, into an idea or symbol, for giving back to and creating something positive. Basically, show people how EASY it is to take something so SIMPLE and turn it into a major reality, proving that anything is possible...
The Public's Response:
Okay...So I bid and win at $212.50. No sooner had it arrived, un-opened in the very box it was mailed, when the e-mails started pouring in...
* "What are you f***ing nuts? You just bought a can for two hundred dollars!!!"
* "WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU WASTE $213 DOLLARS on a coke can, you're a complete retard!"
* "Have you lost your F***ING mind?!"
* "SUCKER!!!"
* "Wow. That's one word that can describe this auction and the stupidity of the buyers. I mean, who the hell would ever bid on things like this. I've seen lots of stupid shit on eBay before, for example: Britney Spears fart captured in a tupperware container, 6 pounds of human crap, and a chip with a star in the middle - all selling for ridiculous amounts of money. This is just another item to put up on the stupid list. Though I must commend you, the seller for thinking up (or having this happen to you...whatever) such an ingenious scheme... and actually having people bid on this. Hope you get more money from this, and the winning bidder realizes that he's a dumbass and shoots himself in the foot."
Etc, etc. A common opinion, certainly. But you see folks, that is the method to my madness... I had a very special purpose for this can.
In 1996, a cat in Brooklyn was named "Scarlet Cat of the Century". A news crew covering a fire caught on camera a cat running in and out of an apartment building engulfed in flames. After the fire was brought under control, it was learned that this cat was pulling out, one at a time, her litter. The firemen brought the cat to a veterinarian who treated her for severe burns (fur singed to the skin and scorched eyes).
This story made international news. People all around the world wanted to adopt a kitten from this litter. There was even a book written, Scarlet Saves Her Family. Why? Because not only was it compelling, but it was a chance to be part of something positive, a chance to give back in a sometimes seemingly apathetic world. The same way people across the nation rallied around "Baby Jessica" - The little girl that fell down the well. Again, how something so small can create such an overwhelming response and bring so many people together. Living in Manhattan, the same kind of feeling could be felt after 9/11, although that was on a much a larger scale. I was there watching the towers fall on my bike and lived through the aftermath and devastation felt by everyone. But, one thing I notice, as I'm sure a lot of people did, was how everyone pulled together and their human compassion kicked in. No matter what color or creed, people looked out for one another. It was an amazing feeling while it lasted. My point here is just to show that all people have it in them.
HOW THIS CHARITY WORKS:
A recent poll showed that the reason most people don't donate to charities is because they don't trust that their donation is really helping. Time and time again we've read of scandals and embezzlements. There's not enough feedback, not enough hard evidence that we are helping or making a difference. We give to the homeless, the hungry, the sick, but it is so rare that we see clear documentation we can trust and feel good enough to give more.
In my opinion, people want to give back but they want to know where their money is going... "Hey, look, my donation went to help THIS person or cause and look at how I've helped them improve their lives today." That's all... proof...
Here's another example--we've been seeing that same image of the little African child with the bloated belly, covered in flies. Well, please show me that same kid today. SHOW ME WHERE ALL THE MONEY WENT. I've watched these heart wrenching commercials for years, asking me to donate. So just show me that very child today, healthy and happy, and I will donate... but come on, show me some proof that my donations actually went exactly where it was intended... RIGHT?? HOW HARD IS THAT?!? Yes, again, I know there are charities that have certain programs set up to do just that.
And sadly it's true: some people getting rich off the misfortunes of others. THAT IS A FACT. Look, I am in no way trying to sound off or being negative towards any charities at all, but come on... How many times have we heard the word "red tape" when talking about charities? If you ask me, "red tape" is just another word for greed.
So here's the deal, plain and simple. I am using the publicity from this can as a way to straight up show people how easy it is to take something as simple as an empty can and turn it into a worthwhile, trustworthy organization that will clearly deliver. So, five months ago I set out to start that very organization/charity, and after months of research, development, and educating myself with the legal process of setting up a charity (which is documented in Program One - The Start) I came up with the name "CAN-DO" (Compassion Into Action Network - Direct Outcome Organization).
CAN-DO will focus on specific causes or programs and not only see them through, but account for EVERY DIME! No "red tape", no BS. And we will not take "NO" for an answer. The cause or program will be chosen by the people through the www.can-do.org website. This is where you can pick the cause or program of your choice and actually see it through. Since this organization is new, I personally decided to choose the first cause, a special cause, which caught my attention as well as the media and touched a lot of people.
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Can-DO.org - How It All Started 
