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Post by wildfire on Mar 4, 2008 15:10:45 GMT -5
I respect everyone's opinions, and we all can agree to disagree- that's what we're entitled to obviously. Thanks for your input...
However, I have seen the sacrifice and dedication it takes...I know there really are some that do struggle financially. Whether rich/priviliged or not... Look, what is anyone's life about if its only to be self-serving?! To me, I was not brought up that way nor does that make one happy in the end. It's to help other people regardless of status or situation and make life a little better for someone else...
I personally (and if I get slammed, sobeit) feel that this is a wonderful opportunity to do so...look at all the people that gather at these sites for one common interest (okay, two)...think of all the help that can bring in and contribute to this cause, which is worthy and humbly admirable all-around. This is not to say well, maybe some of you are richy rich, some not so much, so tough crap to you all and good luck. And I think I can speak for others when I say that no one is doing this to get any special notoriety or acclaim...
Bottom line, speedskating is a sport starting to rise in popularity and thus trying to recruit more potential athletes to it. Ask any athlete, it's not cheap so some aren't able to realize their full potential due to that and realize their dreams. We all have dreams- we need other people to help us along the journey to reach them-no matter who you are, or what, you do. It has no boundaries or limitations...my "Yoda" Grandpa once told me that everyone has their own "Mt Everest" to climb...how you get to the top is up to you...either you try and make it on your own and seek your own glory, or you recruit help and help others on their own way up where you share in their joy and succes, as well as your own. Am I making my point?! Who knows if they really will appreciate this or there won't be some disappointment, but how do we know if we don't at least attemp it...no harm in that and I admire this cause. Anyway, hope I didn't ruffle feathers, not my intent at all...you all know me!!! I'm sorry if I have...carry on!!!
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Post by apolostarr on Mar 4, 2008 15:31:15 GMT -5
I favor "The Rockerfund".. some how the word Aid makes me a little uncomfortable and I don't know why.. must be some sort of semantic problem in the back of my mind. I for sure would like to have some sort of contact with the athletes I'm trying to help. I have full confidence that this group will cross all the t's and dot the i's before we begin. We want everything out in the open and know that we're following the best plan to help out. Right now I'm wishing I was Warren Buffet and could make a serious impact on this program... but I'll do whatever I can for sure. Thank you for your input! SkaterAid is a good name but perhaps it also brings connotations or aid after a natural disaster? I mean, I think of AID and I think of Hurricane Katrina victims but adding the world "Fund" means its an ongoing, constant goal that is longterm. Just my thoughts! lol |
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Post by jennaceeta25 on Mar 4, 2008 15:35:05 GMT -5
We all have dreams- we need other people to help us along the journey to reach them-no matter who you are, or what, you do. It has no boundaries or limitations...my "Yoda" Grandpa once told me that everyone has their own "Mt Everest" to climb...how you get to the top is up to you...either you try and make it on your own and seek your own glory, or you recruit help and help others on their own way up where you share in their joy and succes, as well as your own. You got your point across to me! All of this, that I put in this quote, is some of the stuff I love, that you write! Your Poppa Yoda, know's what he's talking about! ;D |
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Post by Lori on Mar 4, 2008 15:46:11 GMT -5
Awww, c'mon, Ruff, don't pee all over it so quickly...  You do have some valid points, though, and you expressed them so diplomatically, too...  I think everybody here knows that winter sports athletes often (but not always) have more money than the average Joe. Growing up I never could have afforded to strap on a pair of skis or ice skates, and I d*** sure couldn't have gone screaming down a hill in a bobsled. Only rich kids could do that where I came from. An athlete and their family may be living high on the hog at lower levels, and they may be able to afford luxuries that most of the rest of us can only dream of, but as they get better, compete at higher levels and start needing better equipment and coaching, start traveling, etc., many really do start feeling a pinch - it's inevitable, and I'm not gonna presume that a couple of kids with fancy cars represent the whole. I do think it's unrealistic to think that 20-dollar donations from a few hundred different people are going to cause these skaters to invite us all to their next barbecue or anything. As individuals we can't go into it with that expectation. I would hope that investing a few bucks in a sport or an athlete will foster more interest in the sport as a whole (and then maybe you'll start seeing those Canadians on TV more). Pipe dream? Maybe, but it's kind'a like buying a stock. I'll watch it every day, hoping it does well, preferentially buy their products, and heck, if I'm in town I may even visit their HQ, but I'm not expecting a lift home on the company jet. You've heard us go on and on ad nauseum about how accessible, gracious and appreciative these athletes are at competitions. I'm sure there are some 'elitists' among them. That's a given, but I'd be surprised if it's more than a couple. Lastly, I wouldn't advocate letting children starve in Africa just to donate to a speedskater, and Ruff, if your post keeps people's eyes open and their expectations realistic while they're writing a check, then that's okay with me. |
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Post by number1fan on Mar 4, 2008 15:54:10 GMT -5
i understand your dismay ruff...those who have the financial resources/means are NOT the families I want to target.
mari...i agree, the term 'aid' is not quite right...my donations will be coming from the heart to the under-privileged olympic hopefuls of st speedskating.
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Post by mtnme on Mar 4, 2008 16:12:15 GMT -5
Well, I'm so glad you guys are reading the thread and making comments, 'cause it gives me hope that what we want to attempt is something a lot of fans are interested in.  I have answers to your questions, but unfortunately, I'm in an office setting that doesn't allow me much freedom at the moment. So keep posting your comments, and I promise, I will answer them all when I get home tonight. ....it looks like it's gonna be a loooooonnnnngggg post!  Hang tight!  |
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Post by number1fan on Mar 4, 2008 16:32:45 GMT -5
i would like to see much of these donations go out to the up and coming athletes...young talent who may never have the opportunity because of the costs. This is a good point and I think we really need to be clear about the definitions. For instance, we've already heard that some of the skaters that we've come in contact thru the world cup this winter are holding down multiple jobs. Definitely they may need to have some funding help. But the flip side of that is that, while they may need funding, they HAVE in fact already risen to the level that they are and have a boost from USOC, USS and other organizations I don't even know about. By virtue of their talent, in some respect, they've already been 'chosen' and are by default of where they are, the up and coming. The question is...who are the up and coming? The folks we've seen competing this winter, or those perhaps a level lower who can't get to the worlds for one reason or another (assuming they have the talent, but perhaps they just can't get the ice time, etc.) Think of Apolo just before he went to Lake Placid to train as an Olympic hopeful....certainly that stage of an athlete's life, full of strong potential, could be considered an 'up and coming'. |
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mari
Junior Member
I've gone to the dogs.
Posts: 52
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Post by mari on Mar 4, 2008 16:46:26 GMT -5
I think those of us that met a couple of young skating hopefuls in SLC who were working night jobs and had names NO ONE ever heard of are the sort I'd like to help. We were there and we talked with them about the cost of skates and all sorts of things they incur. Of course there are those who have families who can support them, brought them up through "skating clubs" and are able to shoulder the costs. But I would bet there are those who could use some help. Perhaps it would be helpful to know exactly what USSS does for all their athletes, as well as those who make it to the supreme leve.
I'll tell you this... I raised two athletes alone on a paltry salary and they went on to scholarships at D 1 schools and I still don't know how I paid for the camps, travel and lessons but we did it. On occasion civic groups gave them instructional scholarship grants and I will be forever grateful. So if I can help a future US athlete I'll try to do it, even if it's just a gift card to Walmart.
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Post by aaosmts19 on Mar 4, 2008 16:48:18 GMT -5
The question is...who are the up and coming? The folks we've seen competing this winter, or those perhaps a level lower who can't get to the worlds for one reason or another (assuming they have the talent, but perhaps they just can't get the ice time, etc.) Think of Apolo just before he went to Lake Placid to train as an Olympic hopeful....certainly that stage of an athlete's life, full of strong potential, could be considered an 'up and coming'. Ah! Very interesting! Then the question becomes...how does one find the Apolos who are sitting in Federal Way, being driven from event to event by their parent(s) in an old, beatup car? (Theoretical question, since this target group is just speculation in this discussion!) |
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Post by jennaceeta25 on Mar 4, 2008 16:49:35 GMT -5
I'll tell you this... I raised two athletes alone on a paltry salary and they went on to scholarships at D 1 schools and I still don't know how I paid for the camps, travel and lessons but we did it. On occasion civic groups gave them instructional scholarship grants and I will be forever grateful. So if I can help a future US athlete I'll try to do it, even if it's just a gift card to Walmart. That right there, Mari, is what I mean. Nobody's asking for money we all just wanna help!  Even if it's 20$ |
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Post by jennaceeta25 on Mar 4, 2008 16:50:58 GMT -5
aaosmts19, we're on the same page. Ah! Very interesting! Then the question becomes...how does one find the Apolos who are sitting in Federal Way, being driven from event to event by their parent(s) in an old, beatup car? (Theoretical question, since this target group is just speculation in this discussion!) You usually talk to them directly and nonchantly get it out of them?  I don't know...good question. |
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Post by Ruff on Mar 4, 2008 17:30:17 GMT -5
Awww, c'mon, Ruff, don't pee all over it so quickly... You do have some valid points, though, and you expressed them so diplomatically, too... I think everybody here knows that winter sports athletes often (but not always) have more money than the average Joe. Growing up I never could have afforded to strap on a pair of skis or ice skates, and I d*** sure couldn't have gone screaming down a hill in a bobsled. Only rich kids could do that where I came from. An athlete and their family may be living high on the hog at lower levels, and they may be able to afford luxuries that most of the rest of us can only dream of, but as they get better, compete at higher levels and start needing better equipment and coaching, start traveling, etc., many really do start feeling a pinch - it's inevitable, and I'm not gonna presume that a couple of kids with fancy cars represent the whole. I do think it's unrealistic to think that 20-dollar donations from a few hundred different people are going to cause these skaters to invite us all to their next barbecue or anything. As individuals we can't go into it with that expectation. I would hope that investing a few bucks in a sport or an athlete will foster more interest in the sport as a whole (and then maybe you'll start seeing those Canadians on TV more). Pipe dream? Maybe, but it's kind'a like buying a stock. I'll watch it every day, hoping it does well, preferentially buy their products, and heck, if I'm in town I may even visit their HQ, but I'm not expecting a lift home on the company jet. You've heard us go on and on ad nauseum about how accessible, gracious and appreciative these athletes are at competitions. I'm sure there are some 'elitists' among them. That's a given, but I'd be surprised if it's more than a couple. Lastly, I wouldn't advocate letting children starve in Africa just to donate to a speedskater, and if your post keeps people's eyes open and their expectations realistic while they're writing a check, then that's okay with me. Yes, my diplomacy skills are what will ultimately keep me from the big money, I feel. I really don't mean to bash, because the intentions are wonderful and giving and in the interest of full disclosure I should admit that, yes, rich kids make me wanna spit nails and my bitterness may be clouding my judgment. But, personal animosity aside, I just really feel these things need to be considered. Like, seriously, one of these skaters has a luxury car. Apolo's got more money than god. I seriously doubt many of them are hurting for cash, other than spending cash, in which case get a job. I know the athletes were nice but money changes things. It could create resentment when, "Oh that athlete wasn't nice enough," or didn't say this or that. And some people might say I'm giving this money and I don't expect anything...But, come on. People would expect sh it and be pissed when they didn't get it. |
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Post by Ruff on Mar 4, 2008 17:46:58 GMT -5
I guess if the kids were unknown and actually needed money to make it to the big leagues that would be something. But jesus that would be basically giving to anonymous strangers, not even on the team yet. And you know kids, they never stick to anything. You give them your money, they buy a jig or something and next year they want piano lessons.
This plan is fraught with danger. Or maybe I'm just cynical and pessimistic and selfish. Or, god forbid, miserly. Because, honestly, I would just tell those little monsters that life's tough and they need to get a helmet.
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Post by Lori on Mar 4, 2008 18:31:57 GMT -5
So am I getting this right, Ruff??? - you want to be scratched off the mailing list???  Seriously, you raise great points that people need to consider before donating (a village cynic/pessimist is not necessarily a bad thing), and I really hope your first comment gets edited, not deleted. I spoke today with someone at a large club who says that there really are Jr. National and even National team members who are hurting 'big time' right now - and that's just from one club (we heard the same thing from different sources at the WC). On the other hand, there are families who are doing 'just fine' who declined assistance from sponsors, 'cause they knew others needed it more. There are good and bad apples in every bunch, but I think we're dealing with basically good people here. Our nickels and dimes may not make that much of a difference as to whether these kids can continue skating or not, and in the grand scheme of life, unless you're a hardcore ST or Olympics fan, who cares? People just wanna try. If we get pi**ed on - lesson learned, and you can say 'I told you so' in your typically loving way...  |
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Post by wildfire on Mar 4, 2008 18:46:17 GMT -5
Hey Ruff...good points that you have. (Happy B-day btw!) I can understand what you're saying. Life is tough, and yeah you need a proverbial helmet at times (and remember, we're talking about skaters, LOL they wear 'em all the time!)...but I guess I am just an optimist and want to see those perhaps struggling in some way, succeed...I know, I've been there. And like Mari said, you never forget those that help you along the way. I like to think of the saying, "Out of difficulty lies opportunity". And no I personally don't think you're miserly, LOL. ANYWAY-my little cousin (who's 6) said we should call it the "FinishLine Fund"...  |
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~Lori
