NYCkayaker The Hudson River Swim For Life

[Mo Fridlich]

I agree whole heartedly! On the other hand, I have heard rumors that some 
organizations use up to 80% of the monies they raise with these events to 
pay what they call expenses. These include salaries and perks for their 
employees and the charity only gets a fraction of the moneys raised. Please 
don't misinterpret I am not accusing this event of doing that. I am 
convinced that many are genuine and serve a worth while purpose. 
I used to the kayak swim support for this event every year from when it 
first started.  At first the $ 25 became a voluntary contribution and those 
that could afford it would contribute.
Many of us often have to travel quite a distance to participate in kayak 
support events.  When money is tight we often consider the costs of travel 
and our time and equipment as our contribution. When we can't afford the 
additional registration fees and/or the costs for travel, we are forced to 
not volunteer.
When you want to volunteer for 3, 4, 5 or more events, the yearly costs can 
add up quickly. For example, last years MIMS cost me $30 in gas and tolls, $ 
40 for parking and I got to sit 12.5 hours in my kayak. 
If you happen to loose your job, or the industry that provides you with a 
living has screeched to a halt all the good intentions of helping a good 
cause must be put aside. To make things worse, this year the cost of driving 
has sky-rocketed. Even if we don't want too, we are often forced to pick and 
choose and some just can't afford to participate.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "April Tam" <at_nyc at hotmail.com>
To: "Richard Clifford" <richardclifford at earthlink.net>; "NYCKayaker" 
<nyckayaker at rockandwater.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: NYCkayaker The Hudson River Swim For Life


>
> Many charity organizers are personally affected by the "cause" they're 
> supporting. Many of us are not.
>
> Not directly nor personally anyway. So to me, I can support MS, AIDS or 
> LAS etc., (and learn more about it along the way) but not all of them. 
> Most of us have neither the time nor the money to be benefactor or them 
> all.
>
> Not that I have time to do many kayak escorts. In fact, my choices are 
> dictated more by schedule than any other factor. Still, of the ones I do, 
> I prefer those that appreciate our contribution and not make kayakers feel 
> like second class volunteers ("asking for a FEE waiver"?).
>
> I'm sure that's not what Richard had in mind. But that's how it comes 
> across. I could very well be wrong though. Perhaps the majority of kayaker 
> do not feel that way.Still, I wish all the success to every charity swim 
> events. :o)