Thoughts from H2C

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

So this weekend I ran the hood to coast which explains why I can't walk today. Very Happy

The fact that I finished did not impress me as much as this: H2C consists of over 15,000 racers, national coorporate sponsorship- Nike, Office Depot etc ,utilizes hundreds of volunteers and runs over two days. They donated the money they raised to The American Cancer Society. This year their goal was $300,000, which they were able to make.

Lets see 120 (or so) kiters, twenty volunteers, one day and no national sponsors and we are at $95,000+ Wink

You guys rock more than you understand!!!!!!!

Blown away---

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

That's pretty crazy when you break it down like that, Garret! Thumb's Up

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

That's some great perspective!

Thumb's Up

forrest · Tue Aug 26, 08 8:11 am

I think you should still get a Tattoo on your ass! Smile

Kiteboarders are good people!

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Aug 26, 08 10:09 am

OUCH!! where did all that cash go? Maybe they donated the money to offset the carbon footprint of the event. Confused

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

Sella · Tue Aug 26, 08 2:54 pm

Maybe Reapthewindsuckers should ping H2C on how money is dispersed to clear up this matter so we all know how to donate next year????

I talked to Tonia last night on the sandbar and she estimated you still need about $4k but you might have some ideas cooking to push it ???

Garret, I've got $100 coming your way and if you make "I like Turtles" t-shirts I'll buy 5.

Keep pushing amigo!

ReapTheWindSuckers · Since 22 Aug 2008 5 Posts New Member

I can tell you that our company matches several thousand dollars to what our employees donate. We encourage everyone to support causes close to them. Their hours of volunteering, to any charitable organization, we pay a portion of their full days wages toward.

I am dismayed at the denouncing of one charity, which is doing an incredible good, for another.

Our questions concerning allotment of contributions for KB4C was to determine if more then 10% of collections go to other items, other then the children in need.

Our concerns to be honest, which prompted our original questions, were because of the OP, of this thread and the other. We were perplexed why he was still personally campaigning for continued funds although an amazing amount of $95,000, had been logged.

From experience, when there is an outrageous sum, such is $100,000, without a several member, prefebly not associated directly with administration, charity board to oversee allotments, misappropriation of funds occur.

There was no indication, whatsoever on the official, KB4C site, about disbursements amounts or time frames of delivery of gifts.

Perhaps an update on the official site or more involvement by KB4C to inform participates would be helpful.

Might I add, we were brought to this charity by an employee who bragged over the founder of KB4C being directly connected to children through his occupation. It was on this reputation we took the time to inquire, after being disappointed by the lack of information, on the KB4C site.

After reading this thread, as the others, we are not impressed with the apparent ego and arrogance of the OP.

I do believe we may very well make something positive from this experience and contact H2C with our experience here and offer our support there.

Very shameful display, indeed, when the united cause of each of us should be to the health and well being of children and their families.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

ReapTheWind -
I suggest if you have any concerns you follow up with Garret offline. I am sure he can PM you his contact info or vice versa. I don't think KB4C as an organization is difficult to get ahold of.

nwkite is just an online hang out, not the official voice of KB4C.

Newer members here I think sometimes misinterperate the things they read here. Most of us know each other and use this forum as a way to trade ideas and make each other laugh when we're sitting at our boring desk jobs.

I don't think he was really denouncing H2C (he was a participant afterall) he's just excited that the charity he helped create did so well with such a small group of people against a huge and well established charity. I am frankly very excited as well.

Why not have a sense of competition? H2C and KB4C are both centered around compeition, so why not be competitive with one another? In the end it can only mean more money for fighting cancer which is the whole point.

Also I am sure once you do talk with Garret you will realize he is one of the nicest and most selfless guys ever.

Thanks!

Sella · Tue Aug 26, 08 3:58 pm

[quote="pkh"]

"I don't think he was really denouncing H2C (he was a participant afterall) he's just excited that the charity he helped create did so well with such a small group of people against a huge and well established charity. I am frankly very excited as well."

Thanks for clarifying PKH because that was exactly how I read the thread as well.

Reap, we are all very excited to be a part of KB4C and it's success. Going for $100k is nothing more than saying we did it....call us Krazy Kooks...but we like even numbers. We also like to set goals for next year when the kiting community will rally/raley once again.

It's the same stoke your employee Jane had when she brought the event to your attention and hopefully next year your company will review the data and participate.

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

What is the "OP"?

I would still like to raise more cash and hit the $100K mark.

I am still planning on making additional donations.

In reading the post I did not see any "denouncing of one charity", only pointing out that that Kite Boarding for Cancer raised a very substancial amount, almost $100K, that is being dontated (and perhaps used to promote next years events) with a relatively small number of people involved when compared to an larger event with a very large number of people involved - relatively speaking.

Seemed to be more of a proud statement to me. "Look what we've done, We've done really good."

I thought Kiteboarding for Cancer was to support cancer research and not children and thier families, albeit children are a great cause in general.

I would like to know that the donations have in fact been made to the charities claimed. Knowing Garret and Tonia I trust that they have been but a public statement would be good.

NWKite is a meeting place for a group of friends, it is not a non-profit or charity.

I think reap is misunderstanding somehow. I hope he/she takes the time to clear it up, especially if he/she has supported and contributed.

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

Garret, thanks for sharing your positive stoke! I think Reap was trying to point out that it's not fair to compare the total amount raised by one charity to the amount actually given to charity by another after expenses.

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

Reap- I am sorry you read my post the way you did. Pride is something that we should not take in ourself, and if you read my post you will see where it was directed. H2C I am sure is a great and philanthropic organization, but kiteboarders are not known for this. We are generally considered the second class citizens of the windsport world. To come together and create an event that accomplished what we did deserves comment and compliment.

Let me share some of the people who I am proud of: Janet, who spent the day volunteering on her jet-ski to pick up kiters so that she could say to cancer-"your tried to take my husband once, but never again." Tonia, who spent countless hours volunteering her time creating web pages, getting donations and coordinating bands, kiters and everyone who was there so she can say "cancer you will never take someone else's younger brother from them." Everyone who was flying a yellow ribbon saying"I am here so someday no one else will have to fly this ribbon." All the people who were flying white ribbons, supporting someone who has battled or is battling cancer saying "I might not be able to cure you, but here is how I am saying you are not alone in this fight"- these are the people who rock and of whom I am proud.

This is the spirit that made KB4C successful. It was not born of negativity and seeing glasses as half full. If you reap what you sow- then this is what we are sowing. Not the attitude of I wonder why they are pushing for more donations- is it so they can get paid more as you suggest. Reap-sow.

Phil I appreciate your words in your earlier post and I hope that you will lock this thread so that it may sink to the bottom and we can continue to feel the stoke of all the great things that this event was able to bring forward and not have it belittled by anonymous posters trying to Suck it away.

Once again I will say: You all rock more than you can believe and I am still blown away--

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Well said Garret!

Garrett and Tonia are truly remarkable

I'm throwing in to see that ass tattoo

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Yes! Nuff said.