Charity Event Ideas

[Theodore]

We have discussed the idea of doing a charity event... that might be an autocross or a car show with the proceeds going to a charity or it might just be a social function where we as a club get together to do something. I wanted to throw out a couple of ideas of things car clubs have done in the past...

1. Toys For Tots - This is an excellent program run by the Marines. They accept ONLY unwrapped new toys and have a pick up center in Greenville. SCCA CCR has a charity event planned in December where along with some monetary donation, they are asking drivers to bring a toy. It's very common this time of year to see bikers get together and do a ride with 200 -300, each one with a toy to take to a drop off location. I know a few people who are involved with this if this is something of interest. Sooner is better as toys received late in December are difficult to process in time for Christmas.

2. Boys Home of the South - I have been out at the Boys Home in Belton, SC several times. To see the hand of cards some of these young people were dealt would just break your heart. None of us got to pick the family we have and neither did these guys. They are getting help to get up to speed to merge back into public school and deal with problems that they experienced. These kids need toys, warm clothes, sporting gear, furniture and all the other stuff you had growing up and took for granted. Some of the guys are MOTORHEADS but all they have is internet and pictures. If we were to assemble a collection of items recommended with size information provided by the counselors and directors there, we could do a drive out there as a group to meet them and deliver the stuff... put on a little car show and maybe give some rides, who knows? IT would mean a lot to them to know there's people out there that care. Most who care send a check and the kids do not get that personal contact that is vital to feeling special and cared about. They need some role models and I promise you... they would be thrilled to meet you all.
Take a look at the website..
http://www.boyshomeofthesouth.org/mission.php

3. SC School for the Blind & Deaf - This organization was founded in 1856 and has it's main campus in Spartanburg. I have had the chance to drive in a Braille rally - this is where each driver of a sports car is paired with a blind child and they drive a car rally based on instructions that are written in braille. The child reads each step and the driver follows them. It's a lot of fun and even if you get lost they love it...especially if you have a convertible top. The other thing we did years ago was a car show...the kids LOVED it. You don't have to wash and wax your car because it will be covered with fingerprints, I promise you. The blind kids love the sound of the engine and the deaf kids put their hands on the hood and feel the vibration. The school there has a LARGE meadow area where cars can be parked on display. SCSBD needs donations as well and I am sure they would be thrilled to talk to the club about doing something for the kids. It does not have to be money out of your pocket... it may just be a car show and visit. And CSCC has already proven we can throw a CAR SHOW! http://www.scsdb.k12.sc.us/

4. Mentors (Big Brother / Big Sister) - This is my favorite. I mentored two kids in Durham, NC area and served on the NC Board of Directors before moving back to Greenville. The picture these kids have grown up with and what normal means is so far off course, it's frightening. While being a mentor is a fulfilling and wonderful experience, it is a long term commitment. One of the kids I mentored is now 26 married with a son, and we still talk. The Pickens County or Greenville County Mentor organization would be thrilled to have an event or autocross and they would bring the kids out to watch. The money would go for outings for mentor youths and programs to encourage the kids developing good values and rewarding progress and scholastic achievement. I think the hardest part for me was knowing that no matter what fun we had or what we did, at the end of the day, I went back home to my life and my world and they went back home to theirs.. The Mentor programs get the parents on board to help give those kids a chance to do something with their life so they don't replicate the patterns they have been exposed to.... and it works. I would highly recommend this one. I don't know the people local but I would be glad to initiate contact for CSCC if this is something of interest.

If you are aware of other charities you think should be considered, please...post them up. Two other notes on this :
1. There are a few agencies that I would not recommend...one particular one received a donation of $1600 from a Sports Car Club for a specific need for the kids involved and 6 months later, we found out that 40% of the money was kept for "operational expenses" which included a lot of parties for their organization execs. (Gee...hope I don't seem too bitter about that... but actually, you are darn right I am.) I also would steer away from any organizations that are based on a specific faith as there is a lot of diversity in religious beliefs inside our club and we should respect that.

2. There are BIG charities like Make a Wish Foundation, United Way, Unicef, Livestrong, etc. that receive funding from all over America from individuals and corporations. It often makes it hard for smaller charities to get funds as the big ones suck up all the dollars...and its hard for people to give to small ones because they already give to the big ones through work or church or school. I would say that it would be better to find one local that we can have a real impact on...and maybe track it on into the future as the members and officers change year after year in our club.

[RHennin]

^^^ Very, very good ideas Ted. Looks like we have a great lead from your ideas and past events. I do know of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters and have seen the great things that can come out of that. It is amazing to see the things that some people have to put up with at such a young age.

With so many of those great ideas though, it really is a little hard to choose honestly. I would love to do another autox and then just donate all the profit to a charity. I know the club would love this as well. However, don't count out all the other ideas though. My main concern right now is that we focus on a very deserving part of the community that we can help and to put on a great event that we can get people involved in and to help these people as much as possible.