Fundraising
This project grew out of a book--Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains--about Dr. Paul Farmer and the amazing work he is doing in Haiti and elsewhere. I wanted to join in this effort, but not being a real doctor (as my kids have often pointed out), it seemed that my money would be more useful than my medical knowledge. Even better than my money would be my money and my friends' money. I decided to try to cycle across country as a fundraiser for Farmer's organization--Partners In Health (PIH). I asked my friends to pledge a dollar a mile ($3,600) if they could, or 10 cents ($360), or even a penny ($36). (Details of what these contributions can accomplish are on our website, www.ride4haiti.org.) My goal was to raise $100,000.
A little voice was telling me that this was the craziest thing I'd ever done. I'd have to take 7 weeks off from a very demanding job, give up 7 weeks of income, pay all the costs of a massive cross-country trek, and power my 51-year old body over the Rockies and keep going for another 3,000 miles or so. The voice also said that I was nuts to think that I could raise $100,000 from my friends. My previous record for fundraising was something like $250. Both PIH and I would be better off if I kept working and sent a big check to PIH. A counter-voice said that this was something I'm supposed to do. My son said that he would ride with me and help me with the fundraising. A few friends said that they thought it was a great idea, and that they'd contribute a dollar a mile. (Some later reconsidered when they figured out how big this country is.) I decided to do it.
So far, we've raised almost $55,000. There's a good chance we'll make our goal.
I have never been so obsessed with money. Every pledge, every check that comes in the mail, no matter how big or small, seems like a wonderful personal validation. My friends are really generous. My friends' parents and friends are really generous. One friend's son pledged a significant share of his Bar Mitzvah money to PIH. He, like so many others, sent along a note of support and encouragement. People are cheering us on. And all these contributions are going to make a huge difference in the lives of some of the poorest people on earth.
I've learned that my friends have amazing charitable activities of their own that I didn't know about. One works every summer on an Indian reservation. Another is involved in several charities and loves to help other people learn how to do their own fundraising. Several work on projects in Central America. A few people have actually worked with Paul Farmer. (He apparently is every bit the saint he is made out to be in Kidder's book.)
Several people have offered to host fundraisers. One friend plans to offer Yoga classes with the proceeds going to PIH. Another friend made a fundraising plan for me, jumped at the chance to host a celebratory party after the ride, and enlisted her niece to design beautiful posters to advertise our ride. People seem eager to jump in and help.
My colleagues have been incredibly supportive, even though my leaving means more work for them.
The counter-voice was right. Even before the cycling begins, this has been an amazing experience.
Our ride starts on June 19 in Astoria, OR. We'll be traveling a northern route, ending up in Portsmouth, NH, on August 8. Paul and I plan to post a daily (or almost daily) entry during our trek. We'd welcome your feedback. Please visit our website, www.ride4haiti.org, for more information about PIH, our route, and Paul and me, or to make a pledge. (You can also contribute directly to PIH at their website, www.pih.org. If you do, please send us an email telling us how much you contributed so we can count it towards our goal.)
Cheers,
Len
A little voice was telling me that this was the craziest thing I'd ever done. I'd have to take 7 weeks off from a very demanding job, give up 7 weeks of income, pay all the costs of a massive cross-country trek, and power my 51-year old body over the Rockies and keep going for another 3,000 miles or so. The voice also said that I was nuts to think that I could raise $100,000 from my friends. My previous record for fundraising was something like $250. Both PIH and I would be better off if I kept working and sent a big check to PIH. A counter-voice said that this was something I'm supposed to do. My son said that he would ride with me and help me with the fundraising. A few friends said that they thought it was a great idea, and that they'd contribute a dollar a mile. (Some later reconsidered when they figured out how big this country is.) I decided to do it.
So far, we've raised almost $55,000. There's a good chance we'll make our goal.
I have never been so obsessed with money. Every pledge, every check that comes in the mail, no matter how big or small, seems like a wonderful personal validation. My friends are really generous. My friends' parents and friends are really generous. One friend's son pledged a significant share of his Bar Mitzvah money to PIH. He, like so many others, sent along a note of support and encouragement. People are cheering us on. And all these contributions are going to make a huge difference in the lives of some of the poorest people on earth.
I've learned that my friends have amazing charitable activities of their own that I didn't know about. One works every summer on an Indian reservation. Another is involved in several charities and loves to help other people learn how to do their own fundraising. Several work on projects in Central America. A few people have actually worked with Paul Farmer. (He apparently is every bit the saint he is made out to be in Kidder's book.)
Several people have offered to host fundraisers. One friend plans to offer Yoga classes with the proceeds going to PIH. Another friend made a fundraising plan for me, jumped at the chance to host a celebratory party after the ride, and enlisted her niece to design beautiful posters to advertise our ride. People seem eager to jump in and help.
My colleagues have been incredibly supportive, even though my leaving means more work for them.
The counter-voice was right. Even before the cycling begins, this has been an amazing experience.
Our ride starts on June 19 in Astoria, OR. We'll be traveling a northern route, ending up in Portsmouth, NH, on August 8. Paul and I plan to post a daily (or almost daily) entry during our trek. We'd welcome your feedback. Please visit our website, www.ride4haiti.org, for more information about PIH, our route, and Paul and me, or to make a pledge. (You can also contribute directly to PIH at their website, www.pih.org. If you do, please send us an email telling us how much you contributed so we can count it towards our goal.)
Cheers,
Len
posted by Len Burman at 7:59 PM
1 Comments:
I think these are two wonderful guys, and I am honored to be the first to say so on this blog.
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