anybody have any experience organizing a charity trail ride

[little red cheroke]

I haven't posted in a while because I've been in the hospital most of the summer and have just recently been getting back into things.

On March 31, 2008 I was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari ( key-r-e) Malformation and Syringomyelia. Arnold Chiari is a brain malformation causing the cerebellum to get forced down into the spinal area, syringomyelia is a condition caused by the Chiari Malformation where spinal fluid builds up and creates a pocket in the spinal chord.

I had two brain surgeries over the summer to help correct the problem. I am still recovering but getting my life back has been hard work. I was in school at Middle Tennessee State University for aerospace. I spent most of my college savings on flight training only to end up being told it was all a waste and I would only be able to qualify for a 3rd class medical.Now I am changing to pre med, going to study to be either a neurosurgeon or ER doctor.

This condition has destroyed my life, along with approx 300,000 others in America and millions world wide (approx 1 in 1000 births). I've made it my mission in life to help others fight the battle.

I say all that to say this:

I've tried to get stuff going on campus to help raise money and awareness for Arnold Chiari but for some reason the University isn't wanting to help. I figured why not get the off road community involved. I doubt I am the only person with a Jeep that has been affected by this.

I'd like to organize a charity trail ride somewhere in TN, KY, or NC. (Wheelin' in the Country, Woolys, Turkey Bay, or Tellico). Those are the places I've wheeld frequently in the past but I'm open to other suggestions. Only problem is I have no idea where to start. If anybody has any experience organizing a charity trail ride or anything like that I'd really appreciate some pointers.

Thanks for reading.
-David

 

[MoparManiac]

First off, I want to say that I am very sorry for everything that has happened to you, and you are extremely brave for going through two surgeries. I take my health for granted all the time, but you are extremely courageous David.

While I have no personal experience with charity runs, you could try posting up over on one of the chapters local to you. They should be able to help give you some direction. Find a local club through them and network with some people. I'm sure someone in your area has organized a charity run before and can help you get started.

Best of luck to you man!

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Ditto. Sorry to hear your having to deal with this disease, but I'm glad you're not letting it keep you down! :thumbup:

I hit up Wikipedia and found a link to the World Arnold Chiari Malformation Association:

http://www.pressenter.com/~wacma/index.htm

It says their goal is to bring attention to the disease as well. You might contact them to see if they've already established an account for donations so you could help raise funds with your charity run and have folks pay to an already established fund.

Get in contact with the media and invite them to attend the run.

The Colorado Chapter did a fund raising run to support the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition. One of our Chapter members - Seth Stanton - was killed in action in Iraq and his family reached out to us to organize something in his memory that supported his interests. To raise funds, one of our members designed a memorial sticker and then found a printer willing to significantly discount his price (done at cost) to print up several hundred. We raised over $5000 to help keep trails open and maintain them through COHVCO.

You could do something similar - design a sticker with an off-road theme to sell that identifies the buyer as a supporter of the cause. Or plan and organize the charity run and ask participants to pay an attendance fee that would be a donation to the WACMA.

Definitely get with the BOD members of your local Chapter to get things rolling. If there are any other off road websites for your area, get with their BOD to get permission to post up about the run - open it up to all off roaders.

Just a few ideas....... :dunno:

 

[FlexdXJ]

Sorry to hear that man. I know how ya feel, well in a round about way . I have Becker's Muscular Dystrophy and it has been hard on me but i continue to stay active as much as possible and work a full time job to pay for my toys Diseases like the one I have and most likely yours are hard on the person who has them. I have learned to live with my condition. Good Luck to you in your medical career and I will drive my ass to Tennessee for a trail ride! :cheers:

 

[little red cheroke]

i've been working with www.conquerchiari.org

they are a 501(c)(3) non-profit raising awareness for chiari and syringomyelia.

gonna work on designing a sticker to sell i think it might be eaiser to sell something like that rather than convincing a park to give away all or part of their admission fees for a day or weekend.

as far as getting vendors, should i just shoot them an e-mail and see if they would be interested in donating parts for a drawing and taking donations for a ticket or something to get in the drawing?

ill post a thread in the chapter forum as well. i didnt do that first b/c i didnt think i was allowed to sense ive never been a paying member of

thanks for all the help