TheManShow

Just to ride, or because you have some personal connection with the cause. If it is one of those rides where you get pledges per mile, or for the ride, do you have problems finding contributors in the recession?

Johnny Mullet

I just signed up fr the Ashtabula County United Way Bridges and Vines charity ride coming up August 15th. This will be my very first charity ride. Signed up just to ride with other people for a change.

TheManShow

Hoping to make a change is a good reason, but the flip side of the coin is does the charity really work for change, or finding a cure, or? IMHO many of the charities seem to do little with the donations in some cases. Except have posh office, pay executives staff huge saleries, and use money donated to fuel future campaigns to raise more money.

I have become disillusioned with the many charities that ask for monthly donations with TV advertisement asking for 19 bucks a month. As I know what those ads cost.

I remember in my life time the one catatrostic disease that was finally found a vaccine for, and now the word Polio was for the most part eliminated from out dictionary, or not talked about like it was in the 1950's.

Jonas Salk found the to eliminate polio, and when interviewed by the famous journalist Edward R. Murrow. Murrow asked Salk something like are you going to patent your vacine, and get rich. Salk replied something like, it was his gift to the world, to patent the vacine, would be like putting a patent on sunshine.


How much has been raise to find a cure for cancer since Salk discovery, wonder if they are really looking for a cure, or just going threw the motions?

RonH

When I lived in Atl before I retired I always had trouble finding supporters (neighbors, coworkers) so gave up on those types of rides. Now that I'm retired (in Florida) and am surrounded by retired folks its even harder so I haven't even considered doing this type of ride.
I just do rides that require only an entry fee (usually $25-$50).

NJCyclist72

I do an MS ride just about every year. At first, a bunch of guys from my company were doing it and I thought why not? Good cause, fun time. As the years went by I have met more and more people with the disease and feel really good about helping. I have raised over 3,000 each of the last 2 years and now organize a team at a new company.

It is great comraderie and a good cause. I thought about switching to a cancer benefit ride this year, which touches home more, but the Bike NYC worked for me and a few teammates. And while I guess I would not typically pitch myself on line, if anyone is interested.


Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
Bike MS: New York City 2015: Mr. Troy W Doll - National MS Society

lane_33

If you have concerns about a specific charity, you can check it out on the following websites:
GuideStar nonprofit reports and Forms 990 for donors, grantmakers, and businesses
Charity Navigator - America's Largest Charity Evaluator | Home
Charity Reviews and Recommendations | GiveWell
https://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html
I'm sure there are other similar ones available too.

US 501(c)(3) non-profits have to publish their financial records for tax purposes, so you can see how much they are spending on overhead/administrative costs vs. how much goes to the service they provide.

For example, the joke about March of Dimes is that for every dollar they take in, a dime goes to their service and 90 cents goes to overhead. Ironically they did have humble beginnings as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis which worked towards polio eradication! But not any more, now they're one of the worst charities out there.

That's all I can really contribute here as I'm a selfish little s**t who likes to see other people suffer. So I don't donate to anyone.

dmanthree

I've ridden the Pan Mass challenge for one very simple reason: I can. Four years ago I started making a list of all those family, friends, and co-workers I know first hand who have been affected by cancer. It was a lengthy list, and include my father, uncles, aunts, cousins, more than a few friends, and co-workers At that time there were 25 on the list. It's now grown to 35. I guess I ride because I needed to do better than simply shaking my head and saying "that's a shame." I commit to raise $4,500 for this event, and every dime goes to the charity that supports the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. And if you could see the children along the route, well, you'd get it.

Dyskolos

I ride as many charity events as I can. I enjoy the social aspect and the support. In addition, I am an amateur radio operator and carry a radio if the event is being supported by the local amateurs, as they often are. The majority are entry fee only but, for the two that are minimum donation-based (ADA Tour de Cure and MS 150), I write a check for half of the minimum, my company matches at 100%, and I consider that my entry fee.

SlowJoeCrow

I used to do charity rides just for the event, like the Bridge Pedal in Portland and Reach the Beach. Now we do the ADA Tour de Cure because our daughter is diabetic so we have a personal connection.

Ahkhira

I started riding with the express purpose of doing charity rides. I'm working towards the Pan-Mass Challenge. I've lost many family and friends to cancer, so I guess there's a personal connection.

I ride for myself first, and for others that might benefit from it as well. If my fun can help out, then why not add the extra mile?

Hobie

A few years ago, a friend lost her husband to Cancer. She organized a team to help raise money for their Cancer Center.
In 2 years the team has raised about $150,000. Pretty incredible.
Personally, I find it tougher and tougher to raise money. Lots of people trying to raise money. People just can't give to everyone.
You really have to come up with some creative fundraising ideas.

malcala622

This September I will be participating in the Malibu California Triathlon. Ill be doing the 18 mile bike as part of a relay team. I do it because for the past 3 years my job has partnered with Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles in raising funds for the cancer treatments for kids who cant afford it. Fundraising and participating is just simply fun and I enjoy it.


Hoping im allowed to post my fundraising page. Here it is.

https://nauticamalibutri2015.kintera....ievent=1129339