If you donate $5, I will match it

Note: This post includes an important challenge for readers. See below for more information.

Punchbowl team volunteers at "A Place to Turn"

A few weeks ago, I posted the "Startup Swami Challenge" to this blog. In the post, I promised to match the first $5 of ANYONE who decides to donate to a local food pantry in Natick called A Place to Turn. The response has been wonderful. Here's a couple amazing things that have happened since the challenge began:

• A childhood friend that I haven't seen since 8th grade donated $5 (hi Rob M!)
• A woman in St. Louis sent a $5 check to the Punchbowl office (hi Martha G!)
• One of my friends handed me a $100 bill while we were out having drinks (hi Dan C!)
• Many people that I've never met donated $5 through Paypal
• Numerous people donated more than $5 -- in fact, several people gave $50 or $100

But we're not done yet!  I'm very happy with the amount of money that we've raised so far -- but the total that I've pledged to match doesn't hurt yet. So let's make this post go viral. Let's spread it all over Facebook, Twitter, and through email. Heck, let's get it on the local news. I can see it now: "Local entrepreneur pledges to match donations across the country" -- live at 11. It's simple. If ANYONE donates $5, I will match it. Here are the details:

Startup Swami Reader Challenge: 

Between now and March 15, 2012 I will personally match your $5 donation to "A Place to Turn." Here are some notes about this blog challenge:

1. Send me your $5 donation anyway you want (Paypal, Cash, Check etc.)
• To send cash or a check, send it to the Punchbowl office
• To send money via Paypal, use the widget at the bottom of the original post or send money to the Paypal account swami@startupswami.com
2. The match is not guaranteed until I receive your donation
3. If you send me more than $5 to donate, I'll only match the first $5 but all your money will be donated
4. All of the money I donate will come from my personal bank account. 
5. The total amount we raise together will go to "A Place to Turn" in Natick, MA
6. If this post goes viral, I reserve the right to put a reasonable cap on my total donation.

Motivated? Let's go! Send me a $5 donation for "A Place to Turn" and I'll match it