3-Day Season is getting in gear

The start of 3-Day season is less than 2 months away, with Boston kicking it off on July 23. However, closer to home (my home), tonight is the first captains meeting for the San Francisco 3-Day. It will be exciting to see friendly faces as well as new faces to the leadership team. My hope that we as a crew can create an energy that gets people, both crew and walkers, excited about 3-Day all year long. It's not always enough to stop thinking about the FIGHT after event is over.

What will this year's commitment be? Every year I try to make a commitment to do something different that reflects an improvement from the year before. This year, I am planning to focus a lot more on people. In the past, I get really caught up in the planning and logistics of all the things that have to happen. If you knew what I had responsibility for, it would be easy to see why I did that. However, sometimes, we have just got to stop and smell the roses. While planning is important, let us not forget the lynch pin that makes it all work...the people.

I think if we all took the approach to reflect how we perceive and how we might be perceived and cast away our agendas, we could be a whole lot more effective. However, this is a tough task. So for now, I will concentrate on what I can control...me.

Here's to the start of an awesome season!

Creative Fundraising Ideas (Poker)

So my buddy tells me he is inviting the boys over for boys night. We're going to do the standard food, cigars, drinks, and cards. He asks me to bring all my poker gear and this gets me to thinking. What if we can turn this night into a fun night with some side action for the Cause? I ask him if it would be okay to take a rake each hand (translated "a commission"). Those who play poker as long as I have know what this is in California. He agrees and I make a couple buckets with my 3-Day poster taped to the bucket.

During the night we play about 2 rounds and we have two tables. The table I played at we were pretty consistent with getting a rake every hand. During the second round, we did even better as the number of players dropped to 10 and we all sat on the same table. The result was not too shabby for a first trial, raising $110. This is not bad given that the rake was only $1 and the pace of play on the 2nd round was rather slow.

What I will say however, is there is a definite correlation between guys, gambling, drinking, and discussion! The later the night gets, there higher the donations go. Let me explain. At the beginning of the event, we announced what the rake was for and showed the buckets. Guys asked my about the event as well as why I do it. Several indicate they know or have relatives who have fallen victim to breast cancer. All comment how noble it is that I am participating and a good friend has asked me to look into volunteering opportunities for his team.

Now, as the night goes on, there is guy talk...and you can use your imagination as to what that is. The drinks are flowing, the mouths are flapping, and all are having a good time. Here is where the correlation to higher donations comes in. Someone wins a pretty good size pot...higher donation. Someone does something stupid...something for the donation bucket. Someone drinks more...extra donation in the pot (this could be an inebriation thing).

All in all, if you are looking for an opportunity to raise money...you don't always have to go to the street. This was just another way to make a fun night an opportunity to get something for the fight against breast cancer. I liked this so much that I think I'll plan one of my own poker parties!

The Fight Against Breast Cancer is TOO Important

A few weeks ago, I posted on why we fight. Today I am writing to emphasize that the fight against breast cancer is TOO important to let people become complacent. One of our dear family from Ka'Nunu Ohana is finding out about her grandmother today. While it doesn't look good for a prognosis, she remains hopeful. I call upon all Ka'Nunu Ohana to send in your prayers and thoughts for our friend, her family, and especially her grandmother.

Take this opportunity to remind ourselves why we fight the fight. Let this day be a rallying point and reinforce our commitment that everyone deserves a lifetime.

Ka'Nunu Ohana Fight ON!

This is why we fight!

I learned today that a good friend's grandmother, a 3 year breast cancer survivor, has found out that her cancer has returned. While she has been under monitoring the last 3 years, the cancer has now spread to the spine and hip. Prognosis is not yet determined and there are hopeful signs given that it is localized, but it is never good news to hear that cancer has returned.

This is why it is so important that we as a society take a stand in the fight against breast cancer. It is a common enemy that has the power to unite people of all different backgrounds. You can blame the environment, lifestyles, and even heredity, but that's no reason that people should have to live with or die by such a horrible disease.

If anything about this post has touched you, please offer a prayer to my friend's grandmother. And as you think about your life, people you love, think about taking action. Donate, give your time, DO SOMETHING!

Camp Logistics with a new feel

The 2010 season is quickly getting under way. Many cities are filling up or closed to crew. San Francisco is no different. This year the city by the bay gets a new CVC. With that comes a desire to up the crew game. I have been fortunate enough to be asked back as captain of Camp Logistics. Wi every passing year, I feel blessed and honored to hold this position. It is a duty that I do not take lightly and each year when event is over, I reflect on new ways to improve the coming year. I think this year is definitely going to be different. I hope to have a more engaging experience for those who will be members of the team. There are three pillars of stakeholders that must be balanced. First are the walkers. Without them, we have no event. Second is the crew. We are the backbone of the event and without the crew, the walkers can have no event. Finally, the ultimate stakeholders are the survivors and hundreds' of thousands of people that will fall victim to breast cancer. I hope all out there who plan to participate enroll with an open. Mind and a willingness to make The 3-Day the best it can be.

San Diego Camp Logistics are FUNDRAISING ANIMALS!

As captain of the Camp Logistics team in San Diego since 2005, I constantly look for challenges to present to the team. Typically, we find more activities during event to take charge of and own. This year, I wanted to try and challenge the team in a different way and so far, the results have been truly amazing. It was a little more than 2 months ago, I got together with a few people on my team interested in helping out on fundraising ideas. What came out of those meetings were 2 ideas. First, was a hosted event at the Miami Grille at UTC in San Diego (see older posts). Our first foray into public fundraising events turned out to be a great experience not to mention raising a nice chunk of change. The second idea was just a pure and simple raffle which for a mere $5, people could get a chance to win an iPod Nano.

This is where I really think the team has shined. Starting on November 3rd, I asked the team to participate and a few people stepped up. In less than 2 days, the raffle already raised $500. Six days later, the raffle is now posed to break $1,500!
Now here is the truly amazing piece, the raffle has sparked others on the team to fundraise and to do so even without the use of the raffle. When I first signed up for 2009, I set a team fundraising goal of $5,000. By mid-year, we were so close to that, I up'd it to $10,000. In the last few days, I bumped it to $15,000 and I am ecstatic to write that we are on the verge of breaking $16,000, needing only $44 more.

It is so encouraging to see people rally together for something truly needed, especially in times where people are closely watching their wallets. I am so proud to be associated with such a fine group of people who have not only raised over $15,000, but have yet to show their greatest contribution on the field at the 3-Day San Diego starting on November 19 and through the weekend!

Fundraiser at Miami Grille, UTC, San Diego, fetches just over $1,000

On October 17, a handful of Camp Logistics crew from San Diego held their first fundraiser event in a public forum. Starting in the 4pm hour, the crew fanned out at UTC in San Diego to let people know that Miami Grille was donating proceeds of certain menu items to the Camp Logistics team. Friends, family, and coworkers, were invited by the Camp Logistics crew the week before. The event turned out to be a great first foray into fundraising. Thanks to Miami Grille for putting up proceeds from 4 menu items. Even the salsa dance instructor got in on the action, donating money collected from salsa lessons at Miami Grille to the Camp Logistics crew.During the night, customers enjoyed the specific food items and raffle drawings just about every 1/2 hour. Prizes ranged from hair treatments to fishing trips and included some iPods as well! One of the lucky winners of an iTouch was a Miami Grille employee who bought a few tickets! The night wound down with some final drawings and an uptick in the salsa dancing. Fun was had by all and most importantly, the crew raised just over $1,000 in donated proceeds and raffle drawings! The Camp Logistics team overall has raised over $12k and is still working hard to bring in more money for breast cancer research, awareness, and prevention. The San Diego crew in general has already reached $95k in donations and the event is still 3 weeks away. This year, the 3-Day San Diego will start on November 20.