I didn't even think about posting this over here til I got that PM... thanks


see the original thread here...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/new-york-...sociation.html


"Hey guys,

As some of you know, I've been in heavy debate with myself for the last six months about whether I was going to do the Dragon this year. I finally decided it is a go!

At any rate, we're always raising money for Make-a-wish, but this time around I'd like to raise money for a charity very near and dear to my heart (literally). I am raising money for the American Heart Association. Being a heart patient, they have taken good care of me over the years and I would really like to return the favor. For those that don't know, I have had a pacemaker to treat "Lazy Sinus Tachycardia/Bradycardia" aka Sick Sinus Syndrome since I was about twelve years of age. AHA has really come through for me in the past, helping me with everything from finding information regarding my condition to helping with expenses occured during the many surgeries I have had (and will continue to have for the rest of my life). I'm very fond of this organization and regard any donation as very important. I'm hoping that one day the AHA will be able to find a cure for my condition that wouldn't require me to rely on a pacer for the rest of my life.

I want to give my sincerest thanks for welcoming me into the group and considering this very personal crusade.

This being a very last minute decision I do not have a whole lot to offer in the way of shirts or stickers or pins for any donations received, however I personally would rather see that money go towards AHA instead.

Any donations please send a check payable to "Derek S. Nicarry or American Heart Association" or "Derek S. Nicarry" to:

Derek S. Nicarry
21 Blackstone Court
Merrimack,New Hampshire 03054

(In the memo field please write "AHA donation".) This way I can write one large check and be able to keep track of the totals so I can post them at a later date. MINI's on the Dragon is in the beginning of May and I will be sending any donations to AHA once I return. Special arrangements have been made with my bank to handle this.

Also, anyone who would like a receipt for this for a tax-deduction, please send a small note with your donation so I may send you a receipt.

My sincerest Thanks,

Derek aka 3M "

 

I think what you're doing is very noble.

 

Thanks, mate! Usually the New England groups do stuff for Make-a-Wish, but I've decided to start raising funds for AHA.. MAW is nice and it's great to see those kids get their wishes, but I'd rather help those kids (and adults) get a cure instead.. know what I mean?..

 

I sure do! Thats why we are giving ours to VTG for terminally ill kids here in NC

 

This is great! The Off Topic Band Dragon Jam on Saturday night, May 6, is raising money for The Tipitina Fund in New Orleans, to help those musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina. Be sure to check out The Jam in the Event Planner and join us. The more good works, the merrier!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...jam&eventid=34

 

so is that like a true "Jam" session?... maybe I'll make room for my bass and bring it along... just in case

 

It's a great cause and it's great to see others get involved with the AHA. Did you know... heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the USA. I've been involved with the American Heart Walk for the last 6 years now. This year I'll be one of the coordinators at the company I work for.

Good luck with your efforts MetalMiniMayhem

 

Thanks, MiniMac... yeah if it wasn't for AHA, I would never have enjoyed the likes of fine motoring.. for that alone, I owe them big time !

 

It is.....go to that link and read about it. We'd love you to bring your bass!! Please join us! If you want to jam with us, register and list the instrument(s) you will bring, or if you just want to sing, hum, and/or clap!

 

The checks in the mail!

I'm always happy to donate to any cause MINI people want support with.

 

OMG!.. Thank you so much.. I really appreciate it! I will be posting what I raised after the event.. probably that w/e after so definately keep your eyes peeled!

Hopefully I'll get the chance to meet you and thank you in person and shake your hand..

 

sndwave and I are co-producing the Dragon Jam, so do come with that bass of yours and join in the Jam.

I'm sending you a check today, Derek. Good luck on your fundraising mission!

 

A donation from us will be in tomorrow's mail. We are always happy to donate to a very good cause.

On a side note - I've been to your neck of the woods MANY times - worked for Cabletron Systems a while back and did lots of traveling up there from our office in Virginia...pretty area...

Donna

 

yeah, I work at BAE Systems up here.. LOL!.. naturally a "Metal head" with a heart problem working at a military defense contractor... man, I should write a sit-com about that!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really appreciate the response with this. It's really a good cause!

 

Hey man! Luego here! I was sad I wasn't invited to your surprise birthday party, looks like you guys had fun! Even Pete and Audra made it!! Anyway you may want to let people know that they should just make the checks out to the AHA, they don't know you like we do here in the Granite State!! I know we can trust you!! Good luck in getting tons of donations!! And have fun at MOTD4. Anyway, you still coming to MOT? Take it easy man!
Mike and Luego

 

Luego... HEY BUDDY! What's goin' on, man?... you know what? That party was organized mostly by my follks and Stacey and they had a limited amount of space. There were certain people in the MINI group that helped pick who was invited. I don't know who helped, because when I found out that some people had been cut, I had a bit of a coniption fit about it (I didn't want anyone excluded, I'm not about that at all, you should know that).. They decided not to tell me who made the cuts ... Anyways, I guess I understand because they had rented the place out and there was a limited number of people allowed to go... I'm sorry man.. you know, if it had been me planning that one, there'd been a couple hundred people and it would have been wayyyyy out of hand..LOL! (good thing it was a surprise!)

Oh, by the way, good point, I better clear this up...

I have a special account set up at my Credit Union that is in my name and the benefactor is the American Heart Association. (It's kind of like a trust.. I can deposit money into it all I want, but I can only take the money out in the form of a check made out to AHA..)

I had to do it this way because it was such short notice and the people I talked to at AHA, whom the money will ultimately be going to, said this was the easiest way for both parties to handle it. They preferred one big check and it also provides a place for me to put any money received until it's all set.

The bank is also able to help me keep track of WHO sent WHAT so that I may send thank you cards or emails or whatever later on. The reason I am doing this is because, it's not just the MINI community that I have asked for help from. I have family up and down the east coast that are members of church organizations etc, and I anticipate (pray) that I will be receiving many many many checks, some for small amounts (like $5) and some for much larger. It's too much for me to try to keep track of, on top of trying to get ready for the run itself, school, work, everything else.

So, for this reason only, the checks either have to be made out to me, with a note in the memo section stating "American Heart Association" OR "Derek S. Nicarry or American Heart Association". Basically, that gives me the authority to handle the money and deposit it into a special account for safe-keeping until all the donations have been received, cleared and verified. Remember, if I just cut a check right away to AHA and someone's check were to bounce, I would be resposible for that loss, that's something I just can't afford to do.

Also, remember that I will be providing a receipt for folks who request one and want to be able to claim it on their taxes.

The bank is donating the services of one of their accountants (free of charge) to take care of all this for me. At the end, all I will have to do to close the account is sign one check over to AHA (maybe one of those big cardboard ones too.. ) and the rest is taken care of.

Whew.. okay, I hope that cleared it up for everyone. Thanks Luego, I didn't even think about the fact that it might appear "shady" or whatever.. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

now for another announcement... it's not definate as of yet... but i may be bringing some of my artwork down to "raffle off" to raise a little extra funds for this chairty... if you would like to see some of the art I'm considering bringing, check it out here.. http://dereks-art.tripod.com/ check out the ball point pen art section. I may do some more MINI related drawings while down there as well... sign my guest book and let me know what you think..

 

Welcome to NAM...nice drawings! Would you be interested in drawing ballpoints of Minis using colored pens [colors of the cars]?

 

Thanks, wmwny..

I've tinkered with b/p and colored pencil and I just haven't come up with results that I was happy with, the two don't work well together.. also tried watercolor and that didn't work out as well.. I prefer working in "grayscale" anyways.. I think color distracts from the level of detail and shading I can achieve wih just a straight b/p.. you know?. I've done a couple of "commisioned" MINI pieces and they were happy with them... I work from photos if they can get it in the picture, I can get it on paper.. sometimes I may have to redo it to get it to what I like, but it gets the attention it deserves..

 

Update: Thus far I have been fortunate to receive 3 donations, bringing the total thus far to $150. Thank you for supporting this important organization! I'm still far from my goal for this drive, so let's keep 'em coming!

Thank you again!

Sincerely,

Derek aka "3M"

 

check it out..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESE%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESE%3AIT&rd=1

now these AREN'T being sold for charity.. these are for me... (I could use the money for the trip)

 

update: I'm up to 6 donations and $200.. thanks for the support... I'll still be selling raffle tickets for the car cover if anyone is interested, pm me and I'll make sure to catch up with you at the run.. Thank you again!

 

Update:
I have now received:

9 Donations and 1 sponsorship bringing the total thus far to an awesome $315.

This is great! Every day I look in the mailbox, there's another check for the AHA... I really appreciate everything! Thank You!

Also, just a reminder I have raffle tickets for sale for the car cover (brand new Outdoor MCS car cover).. I've decided to drop the price to $5 per ticket.

A winner will be drawn at MINIs on the Dragon (Sunday, May 7th 2006). The winner does not have to be present to claim their prize. I will ship it to him/her.


Again, ALL proceeds are going to the American Heart Association, with the hopes that one day they will be able to help find a cure for America's number one killer, cardiovascular disease.


Thanks again!

Derek S. Nicarry

aka

"3M"

 

*bump*

 

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