I never knew how hard raising $2500 would be, for some it may come easy, for me, not so much. I've had my family doctor not give a donation because it is out of province (Sask), and been refused to be given a license to hold a charity poker tournament because the charity isn't from Sask. Short cited folks, and governments, one might say, and a little disheartening. But by the same token I've had generous donations from my dentist, which was totally unexpected, and a friend got his work make a nice corporate donation, again totally unexpected. I've had people I work with come out and support me time after time for steak nights, and draws, and donations. Not to mention my family, namely my wife, who helps me time after time doing all the fundraising I need to go on this ride. I am thankful for everyone who has helped me get close to the $2500 minimum, even those who have made the journey difficult; because the good experiences in life are sometimes difficult. I hope that all of us who are trying to make the minimum for the ride do, and I hope that these funds go a long way to aid in cancer research.
Hi Bryce, I totally expected fundraising to be overwhelming this year and almost impossible... Especially when the earthquakes started happening. There are so many people out there who need people like us to help. I even had a full page article written about me in our local paper and that didn't bring donations in.
I painted portraits last year for anyone who donated over $200 and am doing the same this year. It still took a long time to get going this year but about a month ago I hosted a mini "trade show" with art work, cards, tupperware, books, quilts, jewelry and cleaning supplies. Everyone donated a portion of their proceeds and we raised $900 in one day!
It was really amazing and all of the money we raised inspired others to donate too. Thankfully, I can concentrate most of my energy on training now but it was sure stressful for a while. I agree with you entirely about the people who make the journey difficult too. We have to have those experiences to really appreciate the good ones. This journey is a good one! It is great to be part of something so big and I am very happy to be taking part and making a difference.
I am part of team of 5 and I am the only one not yet at the minimum goal. My team leader and I, along with our family volunteers, held a BBQ fundraiser outside Superstore, and then the team gave me ALL the proceeds! My leader put SO, SO much work into the BBQ, and then she put me first, ahead of her own goal. She is at the minimum goal, but has a much higher personal goal, and yet she cared so much...I feel so blessed to call her my friend!
Hi, when I first signed up in November 09 one of my very good friends asked me how I intended to raise $2500 and I told him that I was going to ask my 2500 best friends for $1 each. I have been lucky.
I send my first letter out in the beginning of December and managed to collect $800 in the first day and I was totally stunned over the generosity that people showed. I am now over $5000 for myself and is also working on getting raising $2500 for Danish my nephew who will be riding with us. So far I am at $1500 for him and yes we will make it. To date I have send 4 or 5 letters out and will send another one next week.
I said I was lucky. Most of the people that have donated so far are friends or should I say acquaintance that I barely know but had email addresses for. Good friends have given very little. My son's old playmate in Saskatoon gave 1500 (i live in Calgary now) out of province. An old friend living ing Scotland gave 250 and on and on. We had a fundraiser and the team members that ar short money got it not the ones that have meet the minimum, I want everybody to ride.
Even better than me receiving donations is that I started a team and they have collected $23500 between 7 of them. Go Guys (and Gals).
I sincerely hope that I get to ride with everybody that has signed up and that everybody gets the minimum of 2500. I think the money is out there for the asking. Ask, Ask, Ask and take care
My husband was having a really hard time with donations. He was far shy of the minimum just 3 weeks ago. But I had two friends who were really generous and donated to him instead of me to help him out, it was fabulous :)
Also, we managed to raise over $1000 from a Bottle Drive!!
Well, in my case, I had a lot of generosity from a lot of different folks. It has been nice.
The big thing for me is the wonderful bunch of folks who have chosen to ride as part of my team. Time and time again they have proven how generous they can be with their time and efforts to support each other.
I use my Facebook status a lot to keep updating where I am at and reminding everyone to donate. I was late getting started this year, not really until May, as I thought I was going to be away and miss the ride so was playing catch-up a bit. My back-up plan was to volunteer this year if I didn't make it to $2500.
One of my supporters from last year was diagnosed with breast cancer this February. She is one of the people I am riding for this year but unfortunately the word from the doctors is not good :( One day I updated FB to say I was $800 short of the minimum goal. Suddenly I got a system email saying "congrats on meeting your goal" HUH - how can that be????? Sure enough, my friend had closed the gap with an $800 donation.
Also ...........I work in the ski industry and the pay scale is not very good at all. Despite that I am amazed by my fellow workers who have stepped up and donated $10, $20, $25, $50......It all counts and it all adds up. They just walk up and put cash in my hand. It's phenomenal.
This is such a great thing to be part of, it really is !! The power of many, many people doing something to make a difference.
-- Edited by Kiwi on Thursday 24th of June 2010 09:45:53 PM
