Happy New Year and a challenge!!!

[minimark]

Want to wish all my friends here a Happy New Year and wish you the best year ever!!!

Speaking of having a great year, there are many which don't have enough to eat, are battling for their lives against Cancer or some other ailment, suffering from mental or physical defects or even fighting with a drug or alcohol addiction... My point being that over the years here at Tar Heel Mini Motoring Club we have done many charitable deeds and I found it very satisfying to take part in some of them and wish I had done more. Whilst our great little cars are what brings us here at this place, giving back should be and has been our heart and soul.

So I would like to post a challenge to the entire club to come together in the next very few weeks and select a charity for 2012 and set about on how we can help others in need this year!!!

Do I have any seconds?


Causes under consideration:

-MS
-Cancer (cancer services)
-V Foundation ( cancer research)... boy wouldn't a cure be awesome?
-Broody Foundation ( Aids families with expenses incurred while visiting their critically ill children at Brenner's Hospital)
-Emily's Kids Foundation
-Victory Junction Gang Camp
-Breast Cancer
-Camp Carefree
-Forsyth Humane Society
-National Bone Marrow Donor Program www.BeTheMatch.com (http://www.BeTheMatch.com)
-Wounded Warriors. :thumbup:
-Dignity U Wear ( A national Org that procures & distributes new cloths to nonprofit angencies. )
-Often Awesome Army ( ALS )

Fund-Raiser Ideas:
-A yard sale/flea market/Bazaar. We all have stuff in the garage afterall.:indecisiveness:
-A Rallython
-Ride in the Tour de Tanglewood as a Club for MS.

[Mr.Jim]

Happy New Year and a second!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[N2MINI]

Sounds like a great plan!!!

[rideon]

Happy New Year all, my wife suffers from Multiple sclerosis so that is one disease that I and my family are all to familiar with. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a very worthwhile organization and I would like to throw it out there for consideration. Thanks

[WINGS]

AMEN I could not agree more about giving back.
@rideon, I think I have heard we have helped out at the MS Tour to Tanglewood in the past some so that may be an option already. I ride annually in the TTT and it is an incredible organization with a very high percentage of donations reaching real people like your wife and touching lives in ways untold. I know in the 4 years I have ridden each time I wear a jersey I hear so many stories from MS patients and their families and always buoys me to raise more each year. I think this would be an awesome operation to support. I know the directors here in Greensboro quite well, and could help get that ball rolling if you would like I am willing to help.:yes2:

[minimark]

Yes several of us did park cars for the tour for a couple years and then after being asked to do it again, we showed up before sunrise to only be told that we weren't needed...we all had a great breakfast and returned home...

That said MS is a very good cause, we have friends and family who suffer from it too. Really like the Tanglewood tour format, wonder if we could do something similar but instead of bicycles we drive our cars and instead of Tanglewood, it was a Rally to an interesting venue in the mountains? Just tossing out ideas.

Cancer is also very close to us having lost my mother, family and friends to it. We think Cancer services does wonderful work helping to provide treatments to those that can't afford it.

Please keep the ideas coming and I'll list in the first post for everyone's consideration.

Thanks for the great input so far!!!

[jcauseyfd]

Like so many, having been touched by cancer, I'll give a nod to The V Foundation. I like that they direct 100% of donations to research. It helps that I'm a Pack fan.

That said, I wouldn't mind seeing us somehow support a smaller, more local organization. I know in the past I've read some stories about some efforts that I thought, "that would be good for THMMC to support." Seems like they were connected with Brenner's maybe? And typically they address some issues that folks don't normally think about. I'll have to do some research.

Another "homegrown" charity might be the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

I wonder if we could find any info on any charitable support that MINI USA provides?

[jcauseyfd]

The Brody Read Foundation (http://brodyread.org/Home_Page.html)

Emily's Kids Foundation (http://www.emilyskidsfoundation.org) (which looks like it is working in all(?) of the children's hospitals in NC, so it has statewide reach).

[minimark]

Great input Jeff and all wonderful ways to give back!!

Like the idea of helping more local smaller groups as it might help make it more personal for all of us. Our members are spread out over a pretty large area though, will this work all?

Thanks!!

[jcauseyfd]

And if we are looking at something other than fundraising, i.e., actually getting involved, it looks like MINI USA operates something called MINI Motoring Hearts that will match up volunteers with needs. They have a web site setup that will let you search for opportunities - http://www.miniusa.com/crm/motoring_hearts/motoring_hearts.jsp

And maybe a little more topical for us, Friends of the BRP has an Adopt-An-Overlook program (http://friendsbrp.org/index.cfm/fa/content.view/menuID/1036.htm). I'd have to dig out my newsletters as I think they have some high priority overlooks still available. Only thing holding me back on this is it looks like there is quite a bit of paperwork involved. Maybe now that my budget process at work is done I might be able to tackle this if folks were interested.

[minimark]

Please look into in further and I will too. Knew about the Motoring Heart Program as several of the club members, including myself, sport a Motoring heart on their Mini!!! One of my favorite mods! ;)

[scooter]

I was coordinator for a Breast Cancer fund raiser in Rockingham County. We teamed up with the local hospital in order to keep all the money we raised local. I plan to do this again in 2012 if anyone is interested. I know the money we raised will stay local.

[Mrs. TWISTER]

Another "homegrown" charity might be the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Unfortunately, the last time we tried to "help" Victory Junction Gang (as a club), they up front asked us how much we would give, and when we told them we expected it to be several hundred dollars (I think it ended up being $800 but don't quote me on that), they pretty much told us that they didn't want a donation that small. It wasn't said that way, but the implication was definitely there, and I know that Mark and I were very bothered, as we thought they would be grateful for any amount.

If we want to go the route of helping kids, there is another local camp that is not so well-known or heavily sponsored called Camp Carefree. The club has helped them in the past, and even gone up on a camp day to serve ice cream sundaes. A friend of ours attended this camp for many years, and it made a huge difference in her life.

[Dirt]

+1 for Camp Carefree!

[TRACKRAT]

All of the above-mentioned charities are excellent. I'd also like to suggest remembering our four-legged friends via organizations like The Forsyth Humane Society. I'm sure that many of our NC counties have similar no-kill/spay-neuter/adoption organizations that could use our help via fund and supplies raising activities.
Here's an example of an effective event: This past November, Foreign Cars in Greensboro sponsored a food & fundraising car show for the Urban Ministries. The show was open to all makes of vehicles. The entry fee was five cans of food. Voting was "Peoples Choice" by cans of food and/or monetary donation. The cars with the most won! The result was over $3,500 raised and a completely loaded down pick-up full of canned goods. Over 100 cars showed up...Everything from Ferraris to Ford pick-ups, Porsches to Plymouths, Maseratis to Mercurys. Chick-Filet and Krispy Kreme furnished food. Everyone had a great time. They plan to do it again next Fall.

[TWISTER]

A long time ago we helped out Victory Junction Gang and they acted like our $1500 check was not enough for them. This was after our first movie night at MOTD 2006. After that we decided to support smaller but more needful organizations. The children's camp in stokes county "Camp Carefree (http://www.campcarefree.org/)" is much more deserving in my opinion. We had a free Ice Cream party for the kids and their families and gave them a check for $1800 and it paid for a few kids to attend all summer for free!

[Mr. Magoo]

While all donations to charities are great, several need them more than most. Prior post have described the less-than-enthusiastic acceptance of our offer. Mark (Twister) has a good memory of Victory Junction, and Mark (minimark) remembers well the "thanks but not thanks from MS" (although for several years, they were most impressed with our effort). Our club also started the MINI's Motoring Against Cancer banner that went all over the country gaining signatures. I was very well received by other MINI clubs, and even had one person drive 800 miles to transfer the banner from one club to another.

If we want to resurrect something nationally, I would suggest that. Most everyone, has been affected, in one way or another, by cancer.

Alternatively, several years ago, we did an ice cream social for campers at Camp Carefree, and this is a local effort that would greatly received our effort.

Just a historical update, (and to let others know that I am alive and well.)

[minimark]

Wow, great new input and ideas and I will update the first post!!

Personally I would like to keep it more local or in this region, there are many huge national campaigns out there but me thinks a more grassroots approach would be best. Just my 2 cents, the club as a whole should and will decide on our direction! ;)

Thanks for the post!!!

[The Legend]

I am a Volunteer Recruitment Lead Ambassador for Be The Match operated by the National Marrow Donor Program.

There are many opportunities for the club to support the NMDP’s potential donor recruitment, education, and awareness events. I would be happy to put the club in touch with regional representatives if you would like to host a bone marrow drive to ask members to join the registry or perhaps host a fund raising event.

Every person who joins the registry fills out a simple form and is tissue typed (via painless cotton cheek swab) to determine whether they are a match. They remain on the registry until they are 61 and could be notified at any time if their tissue type comes up as a match to be asked if they would still like to donate. Donation methods have improved significantly and in fact most of the time, a donation is made through an apherisis process where stem cells are taken from the blood (similar to giving platelets.) They rarely have to go through the hip and there is no cost to the donor.

It does cost the NMDP money to perform the tissue typing and to maintain the registry for searches. Potential donors can register online, but they are charged a fee to recover these costs. However, at bone marrow drive events, potential donors are not charged to register.

It would be awesome if the club would agree to host a registry drive or fund raiser or both. I would suggest that this is something that Flow Mini, both in Raleigh and Winston-Salem might be asked to provide a location for, possibly before or after a fun driving event. (It can also be used as a PR event, and I've seen other car dealers sponsor drives as well.)

I personally know and have known several people with Leukemia and other blood disorders who would have benefitted from a bone marrow donation if a match were available, but it was not to be. This is a great cause with a tremendous need. Joining the registry is more than a one time thing. Being on the registry until they are 61, potential donors have the opportunity to save multiple lives now and in the future.

www.BeTheMatch.org

[TRACKRAT]

Idea for a fund-raiser: A Yard-Sale/Flea Market/Bazaar...We all have stuff cluttering our garages and homes..stuff we could easily do without but would possibly sell. We find/designate/advertise a date/time/place and bring the stuff, sell it for whatever we can and all proceeds go to the designated charity/ies. Anything that doesn't sell, we donate to GoodWill or the Salvation Army. We could hold these events in various parts of the state rather than one in a centralized location.

[minimark]

First post updated!!!:applouse:

[Harmless Dave]

I fully agree with supporting a charity with our Minis. I think some of the programs to support our troops would be nice. Either a program for those actively engaged or maybe for those returning. Something like the Wounded Warriors programs.

Harmless Dave

[minimark]

I fully agree with supporting a charity with our Minis. I think some of the programs to support our troops would be nice. Either a program for those actively engaged or maybe for those returning. Something like the Wounded Warriors programs.

Harmless Dave

Great idea!!!

[minimark]

While all donations to charities are great, several need them more than most. Prior post have described the less-than-enthusiastic acceptance of our offer. Mark (Twister) has a good memory of Victory Junction, and Mark (minimark) remembers well the "thanks but not thanks from MS" (although for several years, they were most impressed with our effort). Our club also started the MINI's Motoring Against Cancer banner that went all over the country gaining signatures. I was very well received by other MINI clubs, and even had one person drive 800 miles to transfer the banner from one club to another.

If we want to resurrect something nationally, I would suggest that. Most everyone, has been affected, in one way or another, by cancer.

Alternatively, several years ago, we did an ice cream social for campers at Camp Carefree, and this is a local effort that would greatly received our effort.

Just a historical update, (and to let others know that I am alive and well.)

Great to hear from ya Steve, love to have your help and expertise!:smile:

[Speedy1]

Hi everybody!! For those who know me...I run an event each year called the Undie 500 for Dignity U Wear's Undie Sunday Undie Monday fundraiser. I volunteered at Dignity U Wear for 4 years before I started working there...and I started the Undie 500 prior to working there (short disclaimer).

http://www.dignityuwear.org/

Dignity U Wear is a national organization that procures and distributes brand new clothing to nonprofit agencies nationwide. Since their founding in April 2000, Dignity U Wear has donated:

over 6.6 million pieces of brand new clothing,
valued at over $125 million,
to more than 450,000 children, men and women throughout the United States

Clothing is distributed to individuals through a network of 300+ nonprofit social service agencies in all 50 states. An example of some of those agencies in NC are boys and girls club, Durham Economic Resource Center, Crossnore School, Dress for success, and Alexander Youth Network.

Dignity U Wear is also an approved participant for MINI Giving $$ http://www.4myminicard.com/Rewards.aspx


Please feel free to give me a call at Dignity U Wear at 904-636-9455 ext. 19 (Debbie Jeffrey) 895489558956

[Mr. Ioso]

I love the idea of doing a fund raiser. The Tour to Tangle wood is a great, high visibility way for Tarheel Mini to give to MS. I bet there are enough Mini owners who are also cyclists for the club to have a decent team riding in the event. If there were to be team jerseys made it might also be an opportunity for some other club apparel. There is a technical wear manufacturer here in GSO that does a good bit for the Tour to Tanglewood.

Although this is a topic switch I also want to mention a very under funded disease, ALS. In the last year Greensboro has gotten a lot of attention for the efforts of the Often Awesome Army who cared for Tim Lafolette, a dying ALS patient, and who continue to advocate research for the disease. The organization is in a bit of flux after Tim's death but could still direct and funds to the right channels.

Regardless of whether ALS is considered for the Mini charity do your self a favor and check this out.
http://youtu.be/4-FpROeybeI

[minimark]

ALS is a very good cause indeed!!!

This thread in no way is only about MS or the Tour, we are looking for a charity that we as a club can get behind for this year. So please don't be shy with ideas!!!

Thanks!

First post updated.

[N2MINI]

I'm all for helping out as I can with which ever "cause" is agreed upon...
Be nice though to help out a smaller more local "cause" if possible..

[AquaMini]

Wounded Warriors sounds great to me. Operation Gratitude, The Mission Continues...

And as for the snub by Victory Junction...I hope someone contacted their administration afterward. For a charity to act like that is disgusting and being tied to the Petty's and NASCAR I can't imagine thats the message they wanted to send to a local car club.

[minimark]

So is it time to decide on which cause?

[TRACKRAT]

Mark, I don't know if we're ready just yet...Perhaps it would be best to determine how many and what kind of event/s we could have and where. We might want to have more than one deserving charity. As an aside and to bear out what was said about Victory Junction, the Carolinas Region PCA donated a considerable sum (we thought) to VJ but got the same "ho-hum" from them. What a shame! I guess they have "deep pockets" donors who give them all the money they need. Perhaps Paul Newman's "Hole-in-the-Wall Gang" would be more appreciative. Speaking of children, perhaps the Brenner Children's Hospital would be another possibility...or the Ronald McDonald House. We might be able to tailor one event towards one particular charity and another for another, etc.

[minimark]

Sounds good but if we can decide on one charity in the next few days and then decide how we will go about helping as a Club, that will be a great start, don't you think? You don't start out in advanced.... LOL ;)

[TRACKRAT]

Perhaps, if the designated charity is "near and dear" to NC, we'll get more widespread club support.

[minimark]

Whatever is decided is fine with me! :thumbup:

[minimark]

Haven't gotten any new ideas in a couple days so if anyone has anymore, please post them ASAP so we can get things moving!!!

Thanks!!!