We're exactly one week away from the beginning of Desert Bus for Hope 2025, which means the donation page is live, as well as our Prize schedule (as is tradition).
Last year we introduced Vickery auctions and were happy with the results, so moving forward all Silent Auctions will operated under that system. For a reminder of how they work, please check out our blog post introducing them here.
New for prizes this year is REMINDERS, which enable us to notify you when that super cool craft is live for its Giveaway or Silent Auction (live auctions' window of activity is so quick, we're not instituting the reminder function for them). On the listings for those items, you'll see this check box, right below the time range the giveaway or auction will start:
You'll need to be logged into a donor account, of course, so why not create one, or update your information, while you're here? And to cover our bases, this is an automated system, and we won't be redistributing or sharing any of your information outside of Desert Bus.
We've also included a similar notification for aspiring Craft-Along participants, where we'll email once Desert Bus 2026's Craft-Along opens.
We now hand the imaginary microphone over to James for his traditional pre-run challenge to chat.
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It’s time for James Challenges Desert Bus Chat. But I’m gonna be honest with y’all and lay it all out. Obviously this year has been rough on everyone, myself included. It’s been a struggle to find the energy for this years run. I know I’ll muster the juice needed for the show, but I’m tired.
I have been wracking my brain for the last couple weeks trying to find something for this years show that would be fun, but also not require a ton of work on my part. I got some good suggestions from y’all, but nothing was really doing it for me.
Then I had a cute idea that wouldn’t require a ton of output on my end. I got it booked and was happy with where I landed. Cut to 2 days later. I got an email on Wednesday saying there was a schedule problem, and the date I choose no longer worked. I tried to swap it from something we were going to have at the after party to something we’d have at the start of the run, but there were logistical reasons that wouldn’t work. So 2 days out from the run I was back to having nothing, and I think nothing it shall remain.
The good news is I have a really great idea, and something I’ve been thinking about doing for years planned for the big 20th anniversary next year, but that still leaves us with nothing for this year. And I think that’s OK. Sometimes it’s good to take a break. So here’s all I’m asking. If you’re reading this and you can throw $5 towards the cause before we start that would be swell.
If all 7600 of you who follow me on BlueSky do that (and I assume you’re all active users who read every post I make) we’ll break records! And to spice it up just a little bit, I will match the first 100 donations of $5USD exactly that are made before the start of the run. Obviously it’ll be great if we get more, but I figure that’s likely what my goof would have cost me 😃.
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So there we have it. In 7 days, this wonderous trek begins anew. See you there.