Parodies for Charities!
Parodies for Charities proceeds are currently going to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Parodies for Charities began in November 2016; its original mission statement is below. The world has changed in some ways since then, but the need to help each other is the same, and so is my own wish to do so by means of silliness.
When in the course of inhuman events it becomes necessary to remind the powerful that, for one thing, the word "consent" appears right in our nation's first founding document (look it up), it also becomes necessary to do something about it. For we held these truths to be self-evident, but apparently they bear repeating: that we (including but not limited to straight white dudes) are endowed by our creator (regardless of our belief or lack thereof in any particular creator) with certain in-freaking-alienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which at this point pretty much requires that we laugh.
Okay, so here's the thing. I keep wanting to respond to the gigantic need for help right now, but most of what I come up with is words. So I finally asked myself, how can I turn words into more tangible contributions?
By selling them and donating the proceeds, of course.
And so, I invite you to commission a parody (of anything--a poem, a song, a children's book, a historical document...). Ridiculous requests encouraged. It can be something for your own entertainment or inspiration, or something to stick in a Christmas stocking or share over a plate of latkes. I'm happy to write about people I don't know and in-jokes I'm not in on; just feed me some details.
All proceeds will go to organizations that could use some proceeds. The first $50, which I'll match, will go to RAINN.
Starting rate is $10; rates negotiable for long or especially complicated works. To be clear, Parodies for Charities provides words only, as my attempts at visual arts or singing would not further the goal of making the world a better place.
UPDATE JULY 2023: Song parody recordings now available from Sarah Goldberg!
Lead time: We'll talk. A week should usually be plenty; if I think it'll be more than that at the time of your request, I'll let you know that upfront.
Email shoshana dot flax at gmail dot com for all your parody needs.