NYCkayaker The Hudson River Swim For Life

[Richard Clifford]

Mo,
    That's right, "pick and choose." We all must do that. No one is 
suggesting that not volunteering has any meaning about the particular 
disease, charity or event other than, "I have to make choices." That is 
the point April was making so well in her reply posting. So, for you and 
some others the LLS "Swim for Life" event comes off of the "to do/to 
consider" list. That is okay. But, why the apparent need to keep at it 
about any event where you chose not to go. Why keep writing, yet 
struggling to address the disease(s) or even to write the words: ALS, 
Lymphoma or Leukemia. Being focused solely on personal expenses, I 
think, is missing the point we are making. --- Stay positive in the 
discussion, have fun paddling wherever, with whomever you chose and 
whenever, and, if you are able please consider helping this charity for 
the event. ---- (that's all)

    Just as well, join me for the Swim Across America event on July 26. 
We need help from experienced kayakers there also.

    You may have overlooked or not be aware that the Manhattan swim 
(MIMS), - the Big One, reimburses kayakers for their parking. it was in 
the sign up material. Parking may amount to $30-40 for the day in a 
garage. You should look into that if you were not aware.  But, that 
really is not the point here.  For these events, all of the swimmers and 
other volunteers who come for the day have to get there as well. public 
or private transportation costs each one of them. Kayakers are NOT 
paying any more. Swimmer participants are raising or contributing vastly 
greater amounts of money to the charities.  But, personally (with 2 kids 
in college), I am not going to be telling anyone that "this event" 
really won't cost you too much. I am not about spending other folks hard 
earned money.
    The last thing that just really has me cross-eyed. This event, 
Hudson River Swim for Life, is the ONLY charity event anyone has 
mentioned that asks for this type of contribution for kayaker 
participation.  Again, it requests $25 from the kayak volunteer. In a 
follow-up post, I had added the details from the LLS (Diandra Kodl) 
explaining why/where the $25 is used. Please take a look at it again if 
you have Qs.

    I have a problem with one aspect of the post.  It was a clever, but 
not so nice, slur against the charity and event to broad-brush it with: 
"I have heard rumors ..." That is sweet. But, hey, we are not in Russia 
or China where a person could get picked up for "rumor-mongering."  
Please, I have included Diandra Kodl's name and contact info at LLS at 
least 4x in postings. Make an effort. Contact her and ask about the 
ratio before throwing out onto this list the sweet, gentle slur of "I 
have heard rumors ...."

    And, to wrap up that point. If you had made that effort and sent her 
an email then you would have gotten a response in moments, as I have 
while writing this, that would read:

    75% of all money raised goes directly back to cancer research and
    services for our patients and their families.

    So, the cross-eyed part is this. I read the venting about costs and 
expenses, but simultaneously I make a list, in my head, thinking of the 
costs that each kayaker willingly pays for: a kayak(s), roof rack(s), 
paddle(s), PFD(s), VHF hand held radio, spray skirt, dry suit(s), 
paddling jackets, compass, hat(s), paddle float, flare gun and kit, dry 
sacks, charts, GPS unit (maybe), software, night lights for the deck, 
head lamps for paddling at night, sun block shirt, and let's not forget 
granola .... All totaling thousands of dollars. Hey, some of us have 
paid more than $25 in tax on a new Werner paddle. Do it. Enjoy it. Have 
fun. Don't begrudge yourselves for one minute for doing what you enjoy 
and enjoying doing it. But, the issue is a $25 charge going to the 
charity. Remember that.

    This type of thing strikes me as lacking in a broader, bigger 
perspective or POV. I just don't get it. But, I don't need to get it any 
more than folks who actually make the choice to do other things and 
don't go on and on about it. We thrive on volunteerism in this country. 
That is the long and the short of these requests to kayakers. Please do 
what you are able to help.  And if you are able and of like mind, please 
consider the SAA event. - Richard Clifford






Mo Fridlich wrote:
> 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.