"Save a Soldier. Ride a Bike" jersey idea

[Toddorado]

Instead of raising so many political insinuations, why not just organize a ride with tons of riders that are sponsored to specifically help out the wounded veterans?

You could probably make alot more money from getting sponsors, and even some local media support, which would turn it into a good cause worth everyones participation.

And for the riders, a Fisher House jersey, instead of a jersey with a slogan that will undoubtedly make alot of people very angry at the negative politics behind it.

Now that would be a worthwhile cause.

After penning and deleting no less than four responses, as well as reading this entire thread, I think this is by far the best recommendation so far, even if we do go ahead with the jerseys.

My GOD, it was hard not to inject my political views into this conversation and keep it all about the cause and the bicycles :mad:

Hitting Send before I can strike any more keys...

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Just a little proposal here: Whether or not any of you support the war, this thread isn't the place to express them. This idea is pretty cool in my mind. Many a nice concept has developed from a completely different initial intent, as has been demonstrated in this thread. Support for the Fisher House is a very worthy cause since it supports and helps the families of injured soldiers with a residence for those who have family in need of long term care.

Ravenmore, cool idea!

Also, I removed some of the more overtly political commentary, and would ask that regardless of your stance on the issue involved, look at the motivation BEHIND this jersey. It's a good one. Don't post either pro or anti war rhetoric. Thanks :D

[ravenmore]

Thanks Tom, I've been avoiding getting into political debates. It's been hard. (I'll ignore Longdaddy's post above ;) ).

I really don't want this to be pro or anti-war, but showing support for those who made sacrifices and are going through a tough time because of it. That is what the jersey idea was about. Donations for the Fisher House just seemed like a perfect extension of that once it was suggested. :)

[mpd224]

Ravenmore,

I don't know if you got it or not , but I sent you a PM

[wrote4luck]

Love the ACU pattern, I'd buy one.

[Fat Boy]

Why not get VFW, VA and any other charities/associations to sponsor printing costs in return for future sales revenues? That is, 10-20% of retail is donated from each sale.

Do this, and I'm in.

[ravenmore]

Ravenmore,

I don't know if you got it or not , but I sent you a PM

Got it - brilliant first mock up. Sent some suggestions back. :)

I think we need to contact Fisher House and get their persmission to use their logo on the jersey. Anyone have a way to contact them?

[crdean1]

I'd buy one. Great idea Ravenmore.

[aprilm]

Anyone have a way to contact them?

If nobody here has an "in" or contact person, I can take care of this part. :)

[keisatsu]

Fisher House Contact:

http://www.fisherhouse.org/aboutUs/contactUs.shtml

[aprilm]

Fisher House Contact:

http://www.fisherhouse.org/aboutUs/contactUs.shtml

I found that already... I was thinking if somebody already had a contact within Fisher House, it might be better to go that route rather than sending off an e-mail or calling and hoping they like the idea.

[ravenmore]

How does riding a bike save a soldier?

the idea behind the saying is in the first post. :)

[ravenmore]

I found that already... I was thinking if somebody already had a contact within Fisher House, it might be better to go that route rather than sending off an e-mail or calling and hoping they like the idea.

Ditto - that's kind of what I was hoping for too. We might also show them a mock up of the jersey when we present the idea.

[mpd224]

How does riding a bike save a soldier?

Well, if you buy a jersey a donation from the proceeds would go to the Fisher House. The Fisher House provides living quarters for family members when their soldier is in the hospital due to injuries. I at least know first hand that when serving in the military and you are placed in this type of situation, being with your family is the best medicine. So by donating you are giving the opportunity for families to be with their loved ones and the soldier the drive, motivation and intestinal fortitude to get healthy and live with their injuries.

But it is also in how you interpret it

[ravenmore]

Take it to P&R, Enthalpic-TS

I know, I've considered starting a thread in Politics and Religion for everyone who wants to talk politics on this. I know I've had a hard time refraining at certain junctures. ;) Overall though I'm very happy with how positive everyone has kept this.

mpd's points above are also very good and really epitomizes what this thread has evolved into.

[mpd224]

Also, I removed some of the more overtly political commentary, and would ask that regardless of your stance on the issue involved, look at the motivation BEHIND this jersey. It's a good one. Don't post either pro or anti war rhetoric. Thanks :D[/I][/B]


Wow Tom you work quick. Thank You

[Tom Stormcrowe]

No problem, just trying to keep it as apolitical as is humanly possible ;)Wow Tom you work quick. Thank You

[donnamb]

Folks, I'm moving this to Charity Events. I believe that's the best place for this thread, since you'll be raising money for a charity.

[dsilver668]

mpd224 once you and Ravenmore get some semi final mockups done can we see em? :)
That being said let me know if I can help in some way. I will do what I can.

[ravenmore]

I was thinking along the same lines. Mpd224 did this yesterday evening:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/ravenmore/FisherHouseJersey2.jpg

[ravenmore]

We're thinking that we would like to move the military insignias to the sleeves. We're also going to make the Fisher House logo a bit smaller and the Save A Soldier Ride a Bike font a little bigger and change it to a gold font with black borders.

[chipcom]

Loooookin gooood!

[ravenmore]

K - here's the 2nd mock with some of the proposed changes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/ravenmore/FisherHouseJersey2Mock.jpg

Donna - I know this has kind of taken a turn towards fundraising but I think this thread has more to it than that. There is the whole angle of riding a bike to use less gas and the benefits of that economically to our country. :)

(I also think the charity forum goes largely ignored.)

[rankin116]

Second pic isn't showing.

Nice job with the first one though. I am definitely in.

[ravenmore]

should be fixed now. :)

[aprilm]

Looks great so far!! :)

[Nick Carraway]

Yea, I kind of agree with you. At first, I wasn't too crazy about the "ride a bike to conserve oil which will save a soldiers life by not sending them over there" idea. However, after mention of proceeds going to the Fisher House or some other organization that helps soldiers and their families, I'm all in. If nothing else, we need to take care of our soldiers and veterans.

Sorry to be coming to this discussion a bit late. My design skills are literally nil, so I'm hesitant to offer a critique, but I think a design that highlights the FH logo is better. In its original incarnation, the jersey was intended as a bit of political commentary - drive less, use less oil, less support for despotic regimes that produce oil and terrorists, less reason to fight them, etc. - to a more neutral, "hey, let's support our soldiers" message (and while there's plenty of disagreement about the war itself, you'd have to be pretty far out on the fringe to oppose an organization like Fisher House) - the quote above gets at this change in focus (and how that change broadens support for a jersey) as well. Thus, I think the jersey should do everything to emphasize the cause it's now (evolved into) promoting - support for the families of soliders, not "use less gas." Along those lines, I would propose that "save a soldier" be changed to "support our soldiers," or something like that, since supporting Fisher House isn't about doing something to make war less likely (i.e. using less gas), but is instead about supporting those who have paid a heavy price while serving their country.

Critique aside, let me say a big thumbs up to the OP for coming up w/the idea in the 1st place.

[dsilver668]

Ok maybe I will take two!
That is one sweet job man.... It rocks...

Hey can I request one small thing..

Can we get "JJDIDTIEBUCKLE" maybe on the inside of the coller. personal thing..
Other marines wil know what it means though...

That is sooo cool looking great job man...

[dsilver668]

One other thing...
Ravenmore I understand the reason for moving the post, and yes I do think this area gets ignored which itreally shouldn't. What I would like to request is that if we get the final design done and are ready for orders I was hoping we could get a sticky order announcement up in the Road cycling and MTB forums. This way we would have exposeure with info telling BFer's on how to order etc.

[ravenmore]

Well, its just that this area is for charity events. This isn't an event and no one is going to think of coming to this area for a jersey buy. Just my $.02. :)

I guess we can put notifications in the other forums pointing back here.

[PJones0012]

As a retired Army veteran, did my time at Desert Shield/ Desert Storm then got out with my 20 years, I think what you are doing is GREAT! Anything that shows support for the members of the Armed Forces and Fisher House goes a long way in my book. I would definitely be interested in picking up a jersey (or 2). Keep me posted.

[grahny]

Awesome... needs a US Flag IMO though (sleeve?)

[slynkie]

Awesome... needs a US Flag IMO though (sleeve?)

I respectfully disagree, I don't think it needs a flag. It gets the point of support across just fine.

[rdmjr]

If you can get them large enough (4XLT or 5XLT) I'd definitely buy at least two, since that way I'd have one to wear while the other's in the laundry!
- Bob

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Ravenmore, let me know the final cost. I'll be interested as well :D

[Toddorado]

I strongly urge that a U.S. flag be on this jersey. I do not wish to open a can of worms, but under what flag are these volunteer soldiers serving? I cannot purchase one without.

[slynkie]

I strongly urge that a U.S. flag be on this jersey. I do not wish to open a can of worms, but under what flag are these soldiers serving? I cannot purchase one without.

The jersey, as I understand it, is for the soldiers. Let's leave it at that.

edit: removed unnecessary remark.

[Toddorado]

I will continue to support our troops in other ways. Great idea, but see it through all the way. Out of curiosity, what would Fisher House say about this?

EDIT: Removed numerous unnecessary remarks

[grahny]

It just seems to me that if you're going to put the emblems of the US armed forces on a jersey, and support the Fisher house which is for American soldiers, there should be a US Flag.... just remember that if it's added, a right sleeve flag would have the stars on the right, stripes to the left.

[ravenmore]

Chris' latest and greatest:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/ravenmore/FisherHouseSemiFinalJerseyoutlined1.jpg

[janelson]

Count me in! Right now I'm two months into a year-long cross-country bicycle ride in support of veterans. I'd wear it! A target for rednecks, tree-huggers and so on? Who the F#@K cares? If our troops can be targets for IEDs and such, I can be a target too!

Jerry Nelson
www.JourneyAmerica.org
www.CouchSurfing.com/people/janelson

[ravenmore]

AprilM has a contact now at the Fisher House, so hopefully we'll find out soon if we have their blessing on this. :)

[ravenmore]

Ok - I think this is pretty close to done. What do you guys think?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/ravenmore/LogoonSleeveJersey3.jpg

[aprilm]

I just spoke with Fisher House, and it sounds like a pretty hassle-free process to use their logo. I'll keep everybody posted. :)

Oh, and that jersey looks fantastic! What about the yellow on the sleeve? Did we nix that idea?

[mpd224]

I just spoke with Fisher House, and it sounds like a pretty hassle-free process to use their logo. I'll keep everybody posted. :)

Oh, and that jersey looks fantastic! What about the yellow on the sleeve? Did we nix that idea?

We can still do the yellow on the sleeve. I know this is going to sound silly but I can do the yellow band on the left sleeve (as your looking at it) really easy. The opposite side is a different story. The side I can do it on has an outline so it makes it easy to keep a straight but curved line. I've tried and tried on the other side and it looks like the work of a kindergarten kid. So, I can do the the left side and we will just have to visualize what it would look like on the other side. If that's O.K., I'll get that done here real quick and post it. Oh and if anyone has any ideas how to do the opposite side easliy, I'm all ears. I told Ravenmore that prior to this I rarely ever used photoshop, so I'm still learning as I go.

By the way, thanks for the compliments on the design, I have had a blast doing it.

[aprilm]

I'm pretty proficient at Photoshop, so I can give it a try.

[aprilm]

How's this? Maybe it's my eyes, but the yellow seems brighter than the text. I swear, it's the same color though.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t11/jaiden92/jersey.jpg

[ravenmore]

Looks great! :) I think the camo surrounding the letters is making them appear darker. Now we just need the other sleeve. What do you guys think about making the collar yellow as well?

[grahny]

^ Very nice! I like the black collar personally

[Nick Carraway]

Great design, though I still say that given what Fisher House actually does, "Help a Soldier" or "Support a Soldier" would be better than "Save a Soldier."