Journal · Bench Racing
Overwhelmed by enthusiasm and generosity.
I have been fortunate in life to be surrounded by generous people and I have often been the benefactor of other's generosity. My father would tell me that in this life you get back ten-fold what you give. He was always generous, especially with his time- and his diverse skillset was always in demand. I too find great pleasure in helping people and though I may never match my dad's many contributions, it is a pleasure to give. Asking for help however, is just a bit outside my comfort zone.
A few years ago I made friends with a neighbour who was dying of cancer. He enjoyed an original song that I fumbled my way through singing. He invited me over to his house and shared with me his own beautifully crafted poetry and songs. That visit turned into many regular visits where I would take a poem or song and do my own musical take. He insisted on my recording these songs which was far outside my comfort zone but I went into a studio and recorded about a dozen tracks. Harold put them on a CD, made a cover and gave them out to his visiting friends. I am convinced that it added a year to his life. Some months prior to his death, he asked if I would play one of these songs at his funeral to which I naturally asked: "when is it?" He actually tried to answer it before we both burst out laughing. Prior to his passing, he presented me with his fender guitar, I was blown away! After his passing, his widow also treated us with immense generosity- all for singing some songs.
My fender guitar that was gifted to me in a most touching way.
That is just one of many situations where I have received in ten-fold what I have given. It is the unexpected rewards that mean the most. I have been given tools, vehicles, vacations, you name it... Just a couple days ago I was given a unique Newfoundland foot-pedal operated ugly-stick. I am not sure why I was chosen for this awesome gift, perhaps Don Peddle could see that I needed something to help me maintain a better rhythm. Whatever the motive, it was nothing I felt I deserved which makes it that much more special.
My most recent "unexpected reward". A Newfoundland ugly-stick foot pedal.
So now I am committing more of my time and effort than ever to a cause. There are many worthy causes for one donate money to, so why should anybody wish to contribute to this one? At first blush it sounds like I am asking people to fund my motorcycle holiday. While a grand adventure is certainly a part of the story, it would be far easier and cheaper for me to load my own bike onto a trailer and head to the hills for a ten-day ride within my own continent. I find it is important in life to do things that are outside of the comfort zone, that is where personal growth happens. Whether it is singing songs, climbing hills, flying motorcycles, or asking friends to support a cause. I am engaged in life, feeling good and I expect nothing in return. This foundation just resonates with me. Motorcycles and wilderness parks have shaped me more than anything in life and here is a cause that brings them together.
I am 36% into my fundraising goal. Where has this money come from?
Dave O'Malley is someone who is very generous with his time. He devotes thousands of hours every year to things he is passionate about without the preconditions of reward. Dave is in the graphic design business. He and his team crank out some of the nicest graphic designs you will ever see including the graphics I am using for my Rally for Rangers efforts. Dave was the first to donate to this fundraiser and he has urged many of his friends to also contribute.
Dave taking a recent selfie from the crows-nest of a $10-million yacht. Reward for being Dave!
A very special contribution was made by Canada's most famous astronaut Chris Hadfield. Dave knows Chris from his volunteer work in aviation. Chris took the time to check out RfRF and decided that it is a worthy and important cause and he made his contribution- the second largest so far.
I once met Chris Hadfield at charity event. We talked of music for a few minutes.
My brother Bernie Cox was the second person to donate and is also my largest contributor so far. Bernie and his wife Lynn are two of the most generous people I have ever met. Even as a kid Bernie would give the best Christmas presents. He would bring me motocross riding and racing, fishing and any other sort of adventure you can imagine. He gives so much of himself, that his ten-fold reward debt may never be paid. Be sure to read Bernie's stories, writing is just one of his many talents.
Social Media
I don't expect to get a lot of donations from Facebook friends. Using Facebook is an effective way to let friends and family know what I am up to, but people are not usually on Facebook looking for ways to part with their hard-earned cash. Minutes after announcing my Rally for Rangers campaign on Facebook, childhood friends Suzy Procopchuk and Bob Gosselin donated. A long-time friend Peter Johnston also donated and more donations have continued to trickle in ever since.
Back when I was a kid racing motocross in the Thunder Bay district, I met Seppo Osala and his brother Paul. Seppo connected with me on Facebook and I really enjoy his frequent posts and commentary. Seppo contributed generously and I find it particularly special due to the 35-year gap in our friendship. He remembers fondly the Cox brothers of Atikokan as I fondly remember the Osala Brothers of Dorion.
A face I haven't seen in 35 years. Thanks for the support Zeep!
CBC Radio interview.
My friend Tasha sent CBC radio a plug about Rally for Rangers and the local Saturday morning show "In Town and Out" did a radio interview with me and Rally for Rangers Foundation founder Tom Medema. That radio interview turned into a story on the CBC website and in turn I got some great exposure and some unexpected donations.
Bytown Motorcycle Association
Local to Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, BMA is our local dirt-rider club and I have been a member for three years. In the March 1st edition of the their newsletter, my Rally for Rangers campaign was featured with a request for donation. This newsletter goes out to 1200 dirt bike enthusiasts in Ontario, Quebec, and more. I highlighted the importance of contributing to this cause from a dirt-biker's perspective. This has been great publicity and the generosity of like-minded riders has been motivating. A very special donation was made by Dan O'Connell. He put a cheque into an envelope complete with a hand written note with words of encouragement. Thanks Dan!
Vintagemoto.ca
When I registered the domain Vintagemoto.ca and started blogging, I had no expectations in mind. After a couple years of casual storytelling from myself and some other family and friends, a pretty nice selection of stories as accumulated. Publishing these stories has increased the visibility of my RfRF fundraiser which has led to some donations.
Where to from here?
Sponsorship through advertising
In the past couple weeks, I have slowed down on the fundraising drive. Soon it will be time to kick it into second gear. I would like to attract some corporate sponsors so I am working on an incentives package so prospective sponsors can engage in an advertising opportunity that will give tangible results. As a website developer, I am in the advertising business so I am able to provide invoices. I will have to pay income tax on this type of fundraising.
Toronto Spring Motorcycle Show April 7-8
Next stop is The Big Smoke. The Toronto Spring Motorcycle Show is having their Classics on The Red Carpet display. My 1984 RM250 is going to be on display and I will be there to raise awareness and donations for Rally for Rangers. Please look for me at the show and say hello.
Ukulele jam in Ottawa
I do have two serious hobbies. The other one is making music. One of my favourite things to do is participate in a monthly jam with the Bytown Ukulele Group. I am actively involved with this group and I have volunteered at just about every level including organizing and hosting the occasional jam. Before you judge or make any assumptions, let me just say that a few days ago we had over 100 ukulele players cram into our local venue to jam out the St. Paddy's Day inspired tunes. I am planning to host a special theme night in May called "The Sun, The Moon, and the Stars."
Motocross events
I don't have any formal plans at this time, just ideas. I would like to host a ride day at one of the local tracks. I am also planning to attend more races this year and maybe I could have people sponsor me to race my 34-year-old bike with the folks riding modern gear. With the Ormstown Vintage MX event being cancelled this year, perhaps there would be interest in a Vintage Motocross Race Day at a local track around the same time. These are just some ideas at this point. When I get back from Toronto, I will start the planning in earnest.
Raffle off one of my bikes
I am in the process of restoring a 2001 Suzuki RM250. When it is done, it will be a very nice bike and with affordable two-strokes becoming a scarce commodity, it might be fun to raffle this bike off. The general idea is to sell a limited number of tickets for $100 each. With the purchase you get a t-shirt and recognition as a supporter of Rally for Rangers. The problem with this plan is the bike build is way over budget.
There are three ways to give support:
1) You enjoyed this story and you would not really miss $5 or $10. Use this paypal button and leave a donation.
2) You are inspired by the Rally for Rangers Foundation and my efforts and would like to support with a larger donation.
Click Here and leave your donation.
3) You are a business owner and would like to sponsor me. You will receive a receipt for advertising. Please send an email to rally@vintagemoto.ca
Special thanks to all of my contributors ... so far!
Dave O'Malley, Bernie Cox, Jim Cox, Pat Cox, Suzi Prokopchuk, Bob Gosselin, Sharon Baird, Tasha Bridgen, Peter Johnston, Ron Roseland-Barnes, Sidney Omelon, Jeroen Pinto, Kurt Turchan, Greg Williams, Nancy Rattle, Ken Wood, Patrick J Timmins, Chris Hadfield, Cathy Cox Neill, Gordon Martin, MaryAnn Harris, Charles de Lint, Claude Roy, Joan Armstrong, Sue Warren, Janeen Wagemans, Mike Ruddick, Marty Cox, Seppo Osala, André Laviolette, Glenda Hadley, Herb McLeod, Ian Coristine, Dan O'Connell, Andrea Taylor
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