NYCkayaker swim supports for charity

[David Gottlieb]

I have to say I agree with Jack. Richard already stated that if you feel
that you can't pay, he will waive the fee, and I am sure he will do this
discreetly. I understand the point of volunteer kayakers not wanting to pay.
I like supporting the swims, but it is not fun to sit in a kayak and go very
slow, and then have to pay for this honor. I do it because I respect the
athletes and the cause. And I would like to do whatever I can to help some
researchers find a cure  and make it easier for those who involuntarily walk
(if they can) through life with these debiltating diseases.

We are all very lucky that we can choose to volunteer. We don't choose to
contract ALS, Lymphoma or Leukemia. I would encourage anyone to open their
hearts to these causes as long as you feel the charity is on the up and up.
At the end of the day, your volunteer work and your $25 contribution may
make a difference. If only the sales tax on our Werner paddles were used
more wisely.... 

David Gottlieb

On 7/18/08 12:49 PM, "Jack Gilman" <hudsonsb at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi All-
> 
> Richard makes some excellent points here. We are doing this as a service to
> help raise awareness of some serious health issues. Whether or not we feel
> comfortable doing it, that is every individual paddlers decision.
> 
> Mo wrote:
>> 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.
> 
> There is a seed of truth to this. One of the sponsors of a popular swim was
> found to be taking what was considered an exorbitant percentage of the money
> raised for "administrative expenses". I can not document this, but was
> involved in some discussions about it. That's why I am anonymizing the charity
> involved.
> 
> So Mo does have a point. But we hope that all the charities we serve to help
> don't do this, and what of their disclosure of the money and where it is going
> we don't really know. But we can ask, and if they are reluctant to discuss it
> then maybe that raises a flag.
> 
> I've found the satisfaction I get from doing one of these supports easily
> justifies a $25 donation.
> 
> Once again, it's your choice.
> 
> jack gilman
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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