As one who was fortunate enough to attend Damian's advanced OO perl talk in Boston last year, I can say that it's well worth the entry fee. He is easily the most knowledgeable perl hacker I've ever met. The talks are enlightening and entertaining. The subject matter is facinating and well thought-out. He's got some VERY funny stories. And to top it off, you'll love the Australian accent. ;-) Attend as often as you can - you won't regret it.

As for donating, I plan on donating something after my next paycheck. I just found a job after 6 months of unemployment, so I can't give as much as I'd like. But as ask said, everything counts. Give as generously as you can.