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Post by daisymomma on Mar 20, 2008 9:42:45 GMT -5
hopefully I will have a little income soon I am working on an idea to start a hyenacart.com store to sell some hairbows I make and my handmade cards.I will definitely give some profits of that to the fund.
As for cooking I love to cook and I am pretty good except for cheesecake(don't ask I had a disaster the other day I still need to clean my oven from that one) and toilets I can take or leave.This whole concept will definitely benefit our skaters though.
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Post by mtnme on Mar 30, 2008 22:25:10 GMT -5
** UPDATE ** UPDATE ** UPDATE ** UPDATE ** UPDATE **UPDATE ** UPDATE ** UPDATE ** UPDATE ** So where are we at with our little project? 1) We are currently asking for the skaters permission to post their information and ask if they want to be a part of this. Also to submit some photos and a little bio information, so we can get this party started!  2) After all your input, and talking to clubs, skaters and parents, we have concluded that the best way to go about this is for fans to make donations through the skater's original clubs. Some clubs have not returned our e-mails, but we feel certain that once the skaters of the clubs who DID respond to our inquiries start seeing some moola flowing in from your generosity, bets are that we'll hear from them - PRONTO!3) There are so many skaters out there, we wanted to try and keep a handle on the number of skaters on the donation list at any given time. So we decided.. 4) To start with the National Team first who competed at WC's and Worlds, with the request that those skaters who are doing just fine in the funding department, remove themselves from the list so that a skater who is much worse off can be helped. A tall order to be sure, but we have to rely at some point on the 'honor system', in addition to everything else we find out from research or through the grapevine. 5) Nationally ranked skaters, but who did not compete at worlds, Juniors, and any other up and comers that don't quite fit into that category are going to be part of a "Skater of the Month", scenario. That way, they get some much needed funding as well, and the fan base can learn more about the skaters you may not know much about- or may not have even heard of. This seems like the fairest way to try and help everyone, without having so many skaters as a part of our 'cause' at one time (easily could get to be 100) that they all just get a couple bucks each, -which won't help anyone's funding issues. HOW ARE WE PLANNING TO GO ABOUT THIS?1) Eventually we would like to get this on it's own website. But in keeping with the K*I*S*S* idea - and since my website skills are nill, we thought we could get this up and running ASAP right here on GA. (With of course, Lindsey's and the other Mod's permission.) That way, we can see if this idea will even fly, and we can test drive this puppy and take it for a spin rather easily - and have a way to gauge it's success. (I'm SURE our friends at GA will tell us forthwith, if it's not!) We can get the skaters photos and bios up easily on a thread, YOU can post your thoughts and well wishes on that thread, and the skaters can update us or give us their thoughts if they choose as well. 2) Lindsey has already offered to post a blurb on the home page, which could direct people to the above threads. In fact, I think Lindsey should start her job as a future journalist right now, and do the interviews for each of the skaters!  3) mmmmm, which gets me thinking...or better yet- YOU all thinking of questions that Lindsey can ask your favorite skaters! Now how fun is that!?? (And if the questions you wanted to ask Apolo are any indication, you guys have some WONDERFUL questions past the same old, tired ones we've all heard a zillion times....) Get Your Thinking Caps On! 4) Noelle at OZ is also on board to help us with our cause on her website as soon as we get all our ducks in row! So that's it for now! Oh, and I also asked that the skaters put in their  as to what THEY would like for a name, putting in your suggestions. Although looking through the thread again today, I may have missed some. See Ya 
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Post by wildfire on Mar 30, 2008 23:34:20 GMT -5
No sarcasm & silly...Mtnme say WUH?! Say it ain't so!   Thanks for the update(s)!!! And especially thanks for all the hard work and dedication already being put to task to get this really going now!  It all sounds great to me! Love the Skater of the Month idea too! |
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Post by number1fan on Mar 31, 2008 1:11:07 GMT -5
this is great news mtnme!
thank you lindsey and thank you noelle for your support!
i can't wait to baby this to 'take off'!!!
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Post by mtnme on Mar 31, 2008 10:25:35 GMT -5
S. Cal speedskating has returned my e-mail and is contacting the skaters about getting the needed info to us. Most of the skaters have a few weeks break from training, which I sure hope they are taking advantage of, so we may not hear back from them for a few weeks. Keep your ideas coming....we're almost there. |
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Post by gasp on Mar 31, 2008 10:26:09 GMT -5
I'm still a tad confused. The funding is going to the skate clubs, earmarked for a specific skater is the way I understand it. Then the skate clubs will then write a check to the skater?
Am I misreading or slow to understand? Either one or both is highly possible. LOL
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Post by mtnme on Mar 31, 2008 16:04:10 GMT -5
I'm still a tad confused. The funding is going to the skate clubs, earmarked for a specific skater is the way I understand it. Then the skate clubs will then write a check to the skater? Am I misreading or slow to understand? Either one or both is highly possible. LOL Yes, for the clubs that are set up that way, you will send your check to that club, with it earmarked for a specific skater. I understand your concern, however, how do we REALLY know the skater is getting the money? We are gathering information on the skaters, so we do have to rely on them telling us that they are - in fact -receiving it. We want to believe a club is being honest and fair with us, and I would like to take them at face value until they prove otherwise. (Which is why we should do a light test run, just to make sure it really is working the way we think it will) The benefit in doing it this way, is that the skater's personal information is kept private, Your donation is tax deductible, and the money isn't taxed as income to the skaters. Not all clubs are set up as tax exempt, however, and some clubs have parents of skaters that are the head of their clubs, which presents a conflict of interest, as obviously, they want to promote thier own kid, when they need to tell us all the National skaters out of thier clubs. We're looking at ways to work through those issues too. And as I stated above, some clubs, just plain don't respond. But first, we need to hear back from the skaters themselves that they want to be a part of this, as we will not place anything on a public forum without thier express permission. They will have final approval as to what is said, and what is posted about them, as it should be. |
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Post by mtnme on Apr 4, 2008 1:04:48 GMT -5
Well peeps, we have to make some decisions now. S. Cal Speedskating has sent me two profiles of skaters who would like to be a part of our fundraising endeavor, and more information is coming in, so now we really DO need to pick a name for this project. That will be part of the information you send with your donation to the clubs or other address, for the skaters. That way, the clubs can track where the money came from and allows us to track if this whole idea is successful or not, or how best to tweak it, so it is. We want to make sure the money is getting to the skaters, too. So- recap- here are the names so far - (and I apologize in advance if I missed one- please feel free to post it if I do) 1) TheRockerFund 2) Fans4Sk8trs 3) SkaterAid 4) Go to the Start 5) Give back to Short Track 6) Share the Dream 7) Bucks4Boots 8) Bucks4Blades 9) Help Finish the Race 10) Got Skates 11) Got Medals 12) Finish Line Fund 13) YoungBlades 14) Fund the Dream 15) Believe the Dream Don't forget that Apolostarr has designed some really nice logos for TheRockerFund too. (If the name changes, I'm sure Apolostarr can edit the logo) So Please, - as we may be rockin' and rollin' on this project - Finally!!!![/i] #1  #2 
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Post by wildfire on Apr 4, 2008 2:19:55 GMT -5
I had an idea for a name...or is it lame?! (oh dang, that rhymed, LoL!) I thought of "Continue the Journey Fund"...Like/not? Just a random idea. As far as the ones listed above...I'd say I'd vote for SkaterAid from all of them! Yay this is getting super exciting!!!
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Post by apolostarr on Apr 4, 2008 5:36:29 GMT -5
I had an idea for a name...or is it lame?! (oh dang, that rhymed, LoL!) I thought of " Continue the Journey Fund"...Like/not? Just a random idea. As far as the ones listed above...I'd say I'd vote for SkaterAid from all of them! Yay this is getting super exciting!!! Hi Wildefire, Continuing the Journey FUnd is great but too long and would also be too long on a domain name. Some short and to the point, like SkaterAid is great or something tongue and cheek like The Rocker Fund. A name that can be marketable and catchy would be to our best advantage, Especially if this grows into a non for profit organization/ ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! I see this becoming huge and helping the skaters. Hence, why the Rocker Fund would great, to hear that on al ocal news show or read it in a the US Speedskating magazine. It has the X factor , it's catchy, and people will remember it. |
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Post by lizzbeth on Apr 4, 2008 8:26:58 GMT -5
This is a really good idea. How does one vote? I like SkaterAid or Bucks4Blades. Did anyone see the costs figure skaters have? This was mentioned during the World Championships right after Ashley  (16yrs, I forget the last name) skated. Her Dad is a retired lieutenant. Anyway, they provided a list of the average yearly expenses for figure skating and it totaled out to be a little more than $80,000 per year. Yikes!! |
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Post by Lori on Apr 4, 2008 16:18:16 GMT -5
Okay, first things first - Lizzbeth is right, I can't choose just one, so scold me, then put me down for TheRockerFund, or Bucks4Blades. And no matter what the final outcome is, I love Apolostarr's by-line 'Supporting America's Short Track Skaters'.
Secondly, I haven't posted on this thread in about 3 weeks, not because I was ignoring, but because Mtnme has covered everything so thoroughly that there was little left to add. I just thought it was appropriate to come on here for a bit as we're nearing our 'launch' and give my kudos to Mtnme. Y'all have NO IDEA how much work she's been doing every day on this project. I have it easy, 'cause my time's pretty flexible, but she's working full time while she's doing this. She stepped up immediately and stuck her neck out in a way that this effort needed in order to get rolling. She listens to all thoughts and isn't too shy to disagree, nor too proud to change course or consider a new perspective. I'm also a perpetual worry-wart, and when I'd send PM's fretting about this or that, she'd listen patiently and then come back with 'it's gonna be okay' - often in her typical smart-a$$ way that would leave me laughing...and guess what? It always WAS okay! I've never been on a project with anyone who's been as easy to work with (nor as fun) - I'm so excited about what's been accomplished, and look forward the next 'chapter' of Project X!
In addition, I'd like to give a shout-out to our great Admin, Lindsey, who has been so incredibly willing to let us use her 'baby', GotApolo.com, to launch this effort. She's denied us nothing, has been so supportive, and is as excited as we are about it! And to Apolostarr, who has put in so much design work despite a busy student schedule!
One more thing - without giving anything away, I've read our first skater bio, and this athlete did a fantastic, touching job explaining what many of these kids are dealing with. I told Mtnme that it wasn't fair to get my mascara running so early in the morning.
Now I'll leave you with this bit of advice - Prepare To Care!
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mari
Junior Member
I've gone to the dogs.
Posts: 52
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Post by mari on Apr 4, 2008 17:33:47 GMT -5
Hey guys... I know I've been quiet as of late, but I have been checking in on the list every day. I have been flying around the country judging those dog shows. BUT... I want you to know I'm on board and following your lead. I'm prepared to contribute and I so appreciate everything my SLC pals have done, especially my roomie, MTME, to get this going. My vote goes to The Rocker Fund...Short, specific and all encompassing. Great work guys. Hi to Wags, Wildfire and Lily too!
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Post by aaosmts19 on Apr 4, 2008 18:31:29 GMT -5
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Post by Lori on Apr 4, 2008 19:24:40 GMT -5
WOW! That's very interesting, aao. I just skimmed the surface - they are a non-profit, which involves jumping through a lot of hoops, but at first glance it looks amazingly like what we're trying to do. Could be some good ideas there for the future. Excellent find!  |
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~Lori