Donations to TVS Reconstruction

In the wake of the SCU Lightning Complex Wildfire that destroyed the H2O main observatory there was an outpouring of generosity to TVS from astronomy enthusiasts worldwide. The most immediately noticeable outpouring came in the form of monetary contributions to the TVS Observatory Rebuilding Fund. In excess of $40,000 dollars was contributed through GoFundMe Charity, PayPal, Benevity matching funds, and personal checks. Since the fire about a dozen people and organizations contacted TVS to offer temporary and permanent equipment donations. In many instances, careful negotiation was required between the parties to assess preconditions on donations, such as the usefulness of equipment for the vision TVS is developing for observatory replacement, whether permission would be granted to TVS to sell equipment to use the money towards our rebuilding effort, and careful consideration of donation worth for providing tax receipts for accepted equipment.

We are pleased to announce a major donation to the TVS by David Friedberg, CEO of The Production Board, of a 20" PlaneWave Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK) Telescope, a Mathis MI-750 Fork mount, and a motorized 3.5 meter Observa-DOME! Mr. Friedberg received a degree in astrophysics from UC Berkeley in 2001. This donation was brokered by Prof. Alex Filippenko of UC Berkeley.

TVS H2O Fire Rebuild Donor Recognition

TVS wants to thank and recognize the individuals and businesses who have made donations designated to help the club rebuild the H2O observatory that was lost by wildfire in Aug 2020. The lists below reveal the strength and passion of the astronomy community in the Livermore CA area and from around the world; you have come to our aid when we have needed it the most and we extend our thanks to you all! Your donations will not only help the club rebuild what was lost, but it will enable us to reach beyond and create a new and modern observatory facility at H2O that will be enjoyed for decades to come.

Universe - $1000+

The H2O rebuild would not happen without your extraordinary, generous and overwhelmingly awesome gifts

David Friedberg, CEO of The Production Board (special recognition)
Fremont Peak Observatory Association, Chuck Grant, goDeskless, Astronomical Association of Northern California, Ken Sperber, Paula Hayes Stiefel, Ross Gaunt, John, Hilary Jones, Roland and Jill Albers, American Online Giving Foundation Inc

Galactic - $500-$999

Your extra large donations are propelling the H2O rebuild to new heights

Alan Gould, Wendy Rafn, Mount Diablo Astronomical Society, Dean Buchenauer and JoAnn Matone, Ron K., Stellarvue, Gerson Bers, Salesforce.com, Mohamad Yassine, Swaroop Shere, Clyde Tombaugh, Gert Gottschalk, Matt and Katie Dralle, Brian Blau, Mark Blair

Solar - $100-$499

Reaching higher and farther to help TVS with rebuilding H2O

Paul Caffrey, Marilyn Halberg, Mike Taraszki, Fidelity Charitable, Jim Head, John Kundert, Erik Ritter, Michelle and Michael Miller, Anonymous, Hans de Moor, Mike McGee, Jason Felege, Rahul S., Stephen Snider, Rich Combs, Jason Providakes, Cynthia and Blair Barnett, Deborah Scherrer, Franck and Vivian Bossuwe, Dennis Beckley, Rod and Monique Balhorn, Aadi Duggal, Sarup Paul, Revan and Beatrize Shetkar, Elinor Gates, Ray L., Joy, Devendra Jaisinghani, Peter Moore, Mark and Judy Eckart, Patricia Iannucci, TJ O'Donnell, Konrad T., Vaughn Draggoo, Michael Koop, Keith Primdahl, Cynthia Bonner, Cloud Break Optics, Jeff and Karen Richardson, Lu Roth, Steve and Lauri Falabella, Jack Davis, denebstarlight, Eric Dueltgen, Allen Gary, G. Richard Newell, Steve Goldenberg, Ian Clements, sternenmann, Vince, Raymond B. Howard, Neil C. Holmes, John Alfonso, Kevin Thompson, Stephen and Marj Wilcox, Amateur Astronomers Inc. (William Miller Sperry Observatory Cranford NJ), Revan and Beatrize Shetkar, Lance Simms, Frank Gouveia, Bill and Nancy Siders, Ron B., Sathe, Steve Banbury, Alekh Shah, Steve, Gregory Nichols, Phil and Debbie Scherrer, K. Yost, Laney, Anuj K. Purwar, Jesse, Dan VanDerZanden, Jeff Stoner, Ashwin, John T Rambo, Jeff and Lisa Greenough, Bill and Jane, Geoffrey Marcy and Susan Kegley, Ken Marx, John Sikora, Sandeep Vijayasekar

Lunar - Up to $99

Your generosity means we can reach our H2O rebuild goals

Irene Garbo, Liz and Howard, David Buchla, Dwight Lanpher, Sabri Berisha, Dan in Leesburg VA, Keith Warner, Beth Wilcox, J. Hall, Al DiSab, Jackie and Donn Rankl, Herbert Sauro, Patrick Warren, Cat Woodmansee, Charles Robinson (Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society), JollyWaffl, Kellie Collier, Kim and Charlene Grandfield, Amy Goldstein, Marion Adams, Nishant Bhasin, GSN, Mark FelcanSmith, Barry Carter, Roger Snee, Kristjan Runarsson, Troy Lombardi, Brian H. Day, The AstroNerd (North Carolina), Peter J. Bilotta, Ron Ybarra, Paul Zawilski, Brandon Downey, Walter Marchewka, Kenneth Lum, John Barclay, Grant from Oz, David Yip, Starboy, Day Family, Nate McKenna, Madhu Peralta, Max Gubin, Paul Leyland, Doug Driver, Paula Gocker, Manseau Family, Mark Chamberlain, Russ Gorman, George Cameron, Richard and Margaret Hartman, Dave Ettie, Thomas Greene, Jim Fordice, Nancy McGhee, Tim Abel, Solianna, David Kessler and Nancy Mennel, Patrick Boyne, Eric Shalov, R. Berry, Kira Reyes, Thomas Treadway, Steve Elstad, Daniel Berrange, Anonymous, San Mateo County Astronomical Society, Brent Laminack, Richard Hays and Family, Kim, Fritz Kleinhans, Jonathan T., Logan, April, Karen Harris, Kyle Kabasares, Joe Masiero, Erza Wheeler, The Dark One, Pete Rice, Lawrence Baskett, Dwayne Maxwell, Celestron C22 Mobile Observatory on Facebook, David Adcock, Peter Netburn, The Elders of Krikkit, Lyn Gomes, Ernie Katler, Ella Joan Fenoglio, Walter Brisken, Manaswini Mithun, Ashwin Ravichandran, Nate Moore, Michael Oeth, Scott Jacobson, Nancy Loeza, Iván J. Rodríguez, Gordon Pegue