Donations to Various Causes

[Luca Brasi]

In the course of "Help a brother keep his ride" a number of people sent me PM's posing the question. "what about this - - -- " or " what happens when the next person comes along ? "  You know, I can't answer that directly. I can't see into the future. What I can do is what I always do, which is speak my mind on a subject and see what others have to say.

Ok, first off, if somebody is involved with an effort to raise money for something like MS, MD, The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society, whatever, please use this thread to post whatever information you'd like to provide the membership with regard to the cause you're working on. Provide an address to send donations to and any other pertinent information. And if as is often the case, there's a very personal relationship you have with your cause, please tell us about it. Speak from your heart and let us know what happened and how you feel. Doing that will help you heal some of the pain you may be feeling and help us understand why this cause is important to you. We all donate to causes like what I'm talking about here all the time. Many of us get solicitations in the mail and send in a check for $20, $50, $100 whatever. We keep track of the total we donate in any given year and declare it on our tax returns. So this type of thing should be a no brainer. I personally will feel much better about mailing off a donation if I feel some connection to the effort via my association with a member of this forum who is involved in the fund raising effort. 

Next, I joined CVOHarley.com in October of 05. Since that time, I can only recall a situation like John Q's arising twice, so with John that makes three in a little under four years. Less than one per year. Between the two forums, there's a lot of members. What I think is that in John's case, a group of people who had met John or perhaps knew of him came together and accomplished what we set out to do. The total number of donors was 50 individuals, give or take. That's 50 out of over 8,000 between the two forums. So what I would say is that if/when this situation arises again - - - it's another 50 members turn to step up and help and after that another 50. 8,000 divided by 50 is 160. I doubt seriously we'll have 160 situations similar to John's arise in the foreseeable future. So let's be realistic here and recognize that we'll deal with each situation as it arises and not get bogged down in predicting that we've opened the floodgates to a never ending series of pledge drives.

That's my opinion, what's yours

B B

[J-Carr]

Ok.  Since you asked:

8 years ago my son made a friend in scouts.  He walked a little funny, but I'm fortunate that Sean doesn't see the differences in people.  His friend got worse and we later found out he had been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy.  We've become very involved in Harley Davidson's support of MDA and raise money with Schaeffer's Harley Davidson.  Last year, our dealership raised over $250,000, making us the number one dealership in the country.  Pretty impressive for a small central PA dealer located 80 miles from any major metro city!

Sean not only fund raises but donates his time, as do Malinda and I.  We have a block party and when possible go to the MDA camp to help the kids and give them rides in sidecars.  It's helped Sean learn to be part of the community and not just along for the ride.  And he feels as if he's helping his friend.

Interestingly enough, I sent out an email to 300 people last night requesting a donation.  Mostly friends I've met personally, business acquaintances and family.  10 went to people from the Garage whom I've never actually met face to face.  Guess who the first two donations we received came from.  That's right.  CVOGarage members... This really is the greatest group of people I've ever been associated with.

So since B.B. has put it out there for us to let people know... I'm requesting a donation for my family's effort to raise money for MDA.  The fund raising is open for the next two weeks.  Any donation, how ever large or small is greatly appreciated.

You can donate online by going to:

www.joinmda.com/mda/jcmal88

You can also send a check, made out to MDA to:

Sean, JC and Malinda Carroll
450 Wynonah Dr.
Auburn, PA 17922

Thanks!

Ride Safe,
JC

[Miyagi-San]

Most everyone here know's of St. Jude's Children Research Hospital; so, here is the donation link if you feel so inclined  Thanks...Blaine

http://www.stjude.org/donate

[AK-20]

Ok.  Since you asked:

8 years ago my son made a friend in scouts.  He walked a little funny, but I'm fortunate that Sean doesn't see the differences in people.  His friend got worse and we later found out he had been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy.  We've become very involved in Harley Davidson's support of MDA and raise money with Schaeffer's Harley Davidson.  Last year, our dealership raised over $250,000, making us the number one dealership in the country.  Pretty impressive for a small central PA dealer located 80 miles from any major metro city!

Sean not only fund raises but donates his time, as do Malinda and I.  We have a block party and when possible go to the MDA camp to help the kids and give them rides in sidecars.  It's helped Sean learn to be part of the community and not just along for the ride.  And he feels as if he's helping his friend.

Interestingly enough, I sent out an email to 300 people last night requesting a donation.  Mostly friends I've met personally, business acquaintances and family.  10 went to people from the Garage whom I've never actually met face to face.  Guess who the first two donations we received came from.  That's right.  CVOGarage members... This really is the greatest group of people I've ever been associated with.

So since B.B. has put it out there for us to let people know... I'm requesting a donation for my family's effort to raise money for MDA.  The fund raising is open for the next two weeks.  Any donation, how ever large or small is greatly appreciated.

You can donate online by going to:

www.joinmda.com/mda/jcmal88

You can also send a check, made out to MDA to:

Sean, JC and Malinda Carroll
450 Wynonah Dr.
Auburn, PA 17922

Thanks!

Ride Safe,
JC

JC check sent today...

[J-Carr]

Ak,

Thanks bro!  You're kindness means alot, both to myself and to my son.  I am constantly reminded how good a group of people we have omn this site.

Blaine,

After MDA and Q I'm tight this month.  But I'll be sure to send some on to St. Judes in May.  Good organization!    My wife, a former pediatric RN has had good things to say about them.

Ride Safe,
JC

[Miyagi-San]

Ak,

Thanks bro!  You're kindness means alot, both to myself and to my son.  I am constantly reminded how good a group of people we have omn this site.

Blaine,

After MDA and Q I'm tight this month.  But I'll be sure to send some on to St. Judes in May.  Good organization!    My wife, a former pediatric RN has had good things to say about them.Ride Safe,
JC

JC, You don't owe me anything man and from the looks and sound of things, you, Melinda, and Sean have more than carried your share of work in supporting your fine organization  . I just put St. Judes out there in case anyone felt the urge to donate. If you want to donate that's great, If you don't or can't then that's OK too. If you do donate just do it cause ya want, not for ANY other reason. All of this is about the kids man and I would hate to get to a point where we as donors begin to think that we owe each other or are obligated to donate to each others cause for whatever reason and I'm not sayin you or anyone would, but lets all make sure when we send in a pledge or donation to any orginazation; that its not because we feel like we have too, but in the spirit of I want too for the kids 

[J-Carr]

JC, You don't owe me anything man and from the looks and sound of things, you, Melinda, and Sean have more than carried your share of work in supporting your fine organization  . I just put St. Judes out there in case anyone felt the urge to donate. If you want to donate that's great, If you don't or can't then that's OK too. If you do donate just do it cause ya want, not for ANY other reason. All of this is about the kids man and I would hate to get to a point where we as donors begin to think that we owe each other or are obligated to donate to each others cause for whatever reason and I'm not sayin you or anyone would, but lets all make sure when we send in a pledge or donation to any orginazation; that its not because we feel like we have too, but in the spirit of I want too for the kids 

No worries. Sensei.  I only support children's charities and try to give a little to any that ask.  St. Jude's is one I've donated to in the past.  So I'm donating becasue I think it's worth while, not because I feel I have to.  Good causes deserve our help.  So do friends.  Everyone else can fend for themselves!

Ride Safe,
JC

[J-Carr]

Just a quick update for those that helped me out on the MDA Ride for Life Drive.

As part of the steering committee I was a bit skeptical of our goal of 255,000 dollars in this economy.  It was 4000 more than the previous year and that was 30000 more then the year before that.

I also set a personal goal of 1500 dollars.  More then I thought we'd be able to get.  But what the hell, in for a penny in for a pound.  And then this site came along.  All the time I normally spend contacting people and letting them know what we're doing and that stuff didn't get done because I was working on the Garage for about 4 weeks. 

So how'd it all turn out?

Personally we got approx 1400 in donations.  Plus 150 out of my pocket and 200 in fund raising sales earlier in the year and viola!  We made it.  But we'd have been well short if it hadn't been for the Garage.  over $400 came from Garage members.  I'd like to thank each and every one of you who contributed this year.  I know it's been hard on all of us so it makes it that much more impressive.  I hope you'll all be able to help me out again next year, as we are making a difference.  Sean's friend who has MD has the Duchanes version of it.  The progress from the research has allowed the life expectancy to increase by about 10 years for this version and in his case actually get out of the chair and walk some again. So it is making a difference.

As to our littel old dealership in bumf$#@, PA (Orwigsburg).  We raised:

$255,003!!!!!!!!

I can't believe we could do it. To increase our amount from last year in this economy.  Wow. So we beat our goal by 3 dollars.  The Schaeffer's Harley Davidson dealership, customers and the Deer Lake H.O.G. group are flippin incredible.  Look for Dennis and Carol Schaeffer on the Jerry Lewis Telethon.  And don't worry, he's not a stealer.  In fact he's on his second CVO (FLHTCUSE4). So he's a CVO rider just like the rest of us.

Thanks for your help!
JC

[AK-20]

Just a quick update for those that helped me out on the MDA Ride for Life Drive.

As part of the steering committee I was a bit skeptical of our goal of 255,000 dollars in this economy.  It was 4000 more than the previous year and that was 30000 more then the year before that.

I also set a personal goal of 1500 dollars.  More then I thought we'd be able to get.  But what the hell, in for a penny in for a pound.  And then this site came along.  All the time I normally spend contacting people and letting them know what we're doing and that stuff didn't get done because I was working on the Garage for about 4 weeks. 

So how'd it all turn out?

Personally we got approx 1400 in donations.  Plus 150 out of my pocket and 200 in fund raising sales earlier in the year and viola!  We made it.  But we'd have been well short if it hadn't been for the Garage.  over $400 came from Garage members.  I'd like to thank each and every one of you who contributed this year.  I know it's been hard on all of us so it makes it that much more impressive.  I hope you'll all be able to help me out again next year, as we are making a difference.  Sean's friend who has MD has the Duchanes version of it.  The progress from the research has allowed the life expectancy to increase by about 10 years for this version and in his case actually get out of the chair and walk some again. So it is making a difference.

As to our littel old dealership in bumf$#@, PA (Orwigsburg).  We raised:

$255,003!!!!!!!!

I can't believe we could do it. To increase our amount from last year in this economy.  Wow. So we beat our goal by 3 dollars.  The Schaeffer's Harley Davidson dealership, customers and the Deer Lake H.O.G. group are flippin incredible.  Look for Dennis and Carol Schaeffer on the Jerry Lewis Telethon.  And don't worry, he's not a stealer.  In fact he's on his second CVO (FLHTCUSE4). So he's a CVO rider just like the rest of us.

Thanks for your help!
JC

JC you and your family have gone above and beyond... Congratulations on surpassing your goal...

[Luca Brasi]

JC  This is coming up again for 2010 - - - correct ?  What can we do to help ?  Since the effort with the bike build failed I'd like to see what we can do to get behind your very commendable efforts on this.

B B

[J-Carr]

I'll be putting up the website for donations this week.  I would have had it up this weekend, but I was away building a counter for a friend while he was doing some minor work on my car.  I love the barter system!!!!

Our goal this year is 260,000 which I think is going to be a real challenge considering the economy.  Besides the donations, one of the things we do is a block party where all proceeds go to MDA.  It's held at Schaeffer's HD in Orwigsburg, PA and it's really amazing how many people we get to come out.  The main attraction is the auction items we have and of course the first "fair food" of the season.  If any of you are looking for a good ride in late April (Saturday, April 24, 2010) central PA can't be beet.  Stop by the dealership for lunch and you can find me at the drink tent.

Ride Safe,
JC

[Miker]

Since Schmoopers diagnosis, she has not ridden her dyna.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx

[iski]

Tough stuff for Schmoops, Mike.  Sorry to read that.



Have a ridng buddy with ALS (Lou Gherig's disease).  Needs to retrofit his home with ramps & grab rails.  Have another riding friend with Parkinson's.  Not quite to that stage yet but suppose it is a matter of time.  Involved in MD locally & also helping with a ride in April for Special Olympics.  My wife has worked with MD kids & Special Olympics kids at school for many years.

Not that I do not donate to other causes (I do) but frankly, all of the above has me fairly busy as to what I can & cannot do both time wise as well as monetarily.  I do not post much about the above, but all are now year round efforts, some more than others.  I personally know these 2 riding buds who are not normally ones to go about asking, usually they were the ones giving & 1 is still a community leader when it comes to giving.  So my focus here is local basically due to circumstances. 

[Miker]

Is what it is Mike...no downers here...She had a great day today, I laid out of work at 1100 we went to see baseball, had beer, sausages, sun, more beer...now cigars..All good! 

[J-Carr]

For what it's worth Mike, I have a cousin with MS and he's been really good since the initial attack.  The different treatments that they have really seem to do so much better at controlling it then they used to.  Good luck to Schmoops with the treatments though.  I know they tire my cousin out.

Ride Safe,
JC