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Still going...
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Daren Williams
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Sep 24, 2004 13:33 PDT
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Team COR -- Did you know that you have until October 15 to qualify for
fundraising incentives such as bike shop gift certificates, cycling
clothing, or even the Tour of Champions in Key Largo, Florida? So,
please do not forget to get out and collect on the pledges you received.
To date, TEAM COR pledges total just under $15,000. Last year we raised
almost $50,000!
Just because the big event is over doesn't mean you have to stop asking
for donations. I sent out a third e-mail last night at midnight and have
already received more than $500 in NEW pledges today! That's right, I'm
STILL out getting more pledges for the MS150 more than two weeks after
the KC ride.
In case you are interested, here is the latest e-mail I sent to my list
of over 100 friends and family. Feel free to borrow ideas, concepts or
even complete sentences.
Dear Friends and Family:
For some reason I woke up this morning with that line from “Field of
Dreams” playing in my head.
“If you build it…,” the voice from my dreams kept saying, “…they will
come.”
No kidding. I know you may think I’m making this up for dramatic effect,
but it actually happened. And I couldn’t help but thinking it had
something to do with my goal to raise $10,000 to help fight against MS.
Either that or I’m supposed to convert the corn field in my backyard
into a baseball stadium. But even though the land my house sits on was
once a cornfield, it has long since been plowed under to make way for
our house and about 300 others just like it. So, I’m going with the
analogy to my fundraising efforts!
If you build it…
When I last wrote to you, I shared my experience riding in the Kansas
City MS150 on September 11 and 12. Following that ride I had received
about $2,500 in pledges towards my goal. So, I pledged to ride another
150 miles in the Eastern Kansas MS150 on September 24-25 – this weekend
– if you would help me raise the additional $7,500.
The response to that letter has been amazing. I hit “send” with some
trepidation around midnight on Monday, September 13. By the time I woke
up the next morning I had received two contributions of $1,000 each –
both from family members! And since that time I received another $1,000
donation, a $500 donation and numerous $200, $100, $75, $50, and $25
donations from my family, friends and colleagues.
They will come…
I challenged my family to raise half of my $10,000 goal and they
responded. As of tonight, I have received $4,765 in donations from
family members! I challenged my friends and colleagues to raise the
other half. And you responded with almost $2,500 in pledges and
donations to date. Together, we have raised almost $7,500 to fund
research into a cure for MS!
But I promised to ride another 150 miles this weekend IF donations
totaled $10,000 by September 24. That’s tomorrow. So what should I do
now?
Go the distance… [OK, don’t tell me you didn’t see that coming.]
I am confident that, with the continued support of my friends and
family, we will reach our goal to raise $10,000 to improve the quality
of life for people living with MS and give them hope that we will find a
cure in their lifetime. That’s what this is all about. And together, we
are making a difference.
So confident, in fact, that I’m NOT going to ride another 150 miles this
weekend. Instead, I am going to ride 165 miles!
Let me explain. The Eastern Kansas MS150 is a “Figure 8” route that
starts, overnights and ends at Washburn Rural Middle School in Topeka,
Kansas (formerly known as Jay Shideler Jr. High, this is the same school
I attended from 1976 to 1979 and, incidentally, the school where I
kissed my first girlfriend backstage during play practice!).
The first day is an 85-mile route that circles west of the school and
the second day is a 65-mile loop to the east for a total of 150 miles in
two days. However, the first day includes an optional “century loop” –
an extra 15 miles for those whom 85 miles just isn’t enough punishment
for one day! So, I am going to ride the century route on Saturday AND
the full 65 miles on Sunday for a total of 165 miles in two days.
Why? I am going to “go the distance” to demonstrate the seriousness of
my intent to reach my fundraising goal. And I need my family and friends
to go the distance with me.
I’m not asking for more $1,000 donations or even $500 or $200. What I
need now are lots of $10, $25 and $50 donations to push me over the top.
Or, if you really want to show your support for my 165 mile ride this
weekend, you might consider pledging $1 per mile or $165!
If you’ve already pledged or sent a check, I thank you for your support.
If not, I hope you’ll consider joining in this effort. And, if nothing
else, just think about me this weekend as I ride 165 miles in and around
Topeka on my trip down memory lane!
Thank you for your support and consideration,
Daren
Daren Williams
will-@fleishman.com
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