zerotopanmass

In a few months from now I'll be riding in the 2009 Pan Mass Challenge! I'll be riding in honor of my mother-in-law who lost her battle against cancer 2 years ago, and also in support of my father-in-law who is currently battling stomach cancer (both pictured below in happier days).

The Pan Mass Challenge route is 192 miles over 2 days, it's a challenge for me as I only took up road biking a few months ago! You can read my story so far at a blog I started to catalog my road to the Pan Mass (don't hesitate to comment at the blog with any tips or encouragement, I could use it!):

zerotopanmass.wordpress.com

With $35 million raised for the 2008 Pan Mass Challenge, this ride is the single largest contributor to the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. If you'd like to help me on my way to my fund raising goal I'd be very grateful indeed, every little bit helps!

Click here to donate via eGift at the 2009 Pan Mass Challenge site and help me meet my fund raising goal.

Thanks for taking the time to read - we need a cure.

geofitz13

Good luck with your first ride! It'll be an experience you will never forget.
I won't be riding this year, but I will be working as a volunteer all weekend.
Make the most of it, be sure to make the opening ceremonies....this year being the 30th ride, I'm sure it will be a special event.

zerotopanmass

Thanks for the tip geofitz13, very much appreciated, I'm really looking forward to it. Do you have any advice on fund raising? I'm sure it's going to be an uphill struggle (especially this year), but I expected it! (:-)

geofitz13

Some of the things I did for fundraising...
Ran a couple tag sales, netted a few hundred dollars
I am a woodworker/woodturner, and I made some crafts-style wine bottle stoppers and sold them.
Developed a core of donors, and got them to network for me, bringing in additional donors.
Block party. It depends on where you live. If you can, get permits, close down your street and run a block party. Have a tag sale, sell hot dogs and stuff, maybe get a garage band to play, make it fun.
A western mass rider is having a comedy night at a club in Westfield this year. I think he got some comics from Boston to donate thier time.
Run a spaghetti supper or something like that.
I got some Red Sox/Yankee tickets and ran a raffle.
Some resteraunts will help you run a fundraiser where you get a percentage of the receipts for the night. (I know Texas Roadhouse does this, as I did it in 2007)

Good luck!
(I just registered for Katelyn's ride, in Amherst MA in June. It is a "spoke" of the PMC, and all the money they raise goes directly to the PMC. At the moment, I'm signed up for the 50 mile ride. If I hit $750 by April 1, I will switch to the 100 miler. For K-Ride, the minimum fundraising committment is only $300, and I will cover that personally. With the way the economy is, and the fact that my wife was recently laid off from her job, I just couldn't commit to the $4200 minimum this year. Have to be realistic about it.
I'll still be involved with the PMC, both thru K-Ride and as a volunteer PMC weekend. Even though I'm not registered with the PMC as a rider, my profile is still up. Search GF0036.
Have a great ride, and keep the rubber side down!

George
a.k.a. "Grumpy"

Salmosebago

Way to go! Be prepared for 2 days that will change your life You will meet amazing people and have the ride of your life. The fund raising thing is the hardest part. I would suggest that you include a list of the companies that match funds with your e-mails and notes. Matching funds are the Holy Grail of fund raising and will make that job much easier. Other than that Geofitz has some good ideas for events. I have some friends that are fishing guides up this way and they are nice enough to donate trips for me to raffle off (I'm an avid fly fisherman). This will be my 8th PMC and I can't wait Good luck!!! - Craig

zerotopanmass

geofitz13 and Salmosebago, I really appreciate the time you took to pass on your experiences, it's all invaluable information that I'm taking on board. Salmosebago, you mentioned companies that match funds - I'm not sure I followed that bit, if you have a second would you be so kind as to elaborate? I don't want to miss out on something you considered the holy grail of fund raising!

Thanks again guys, it's really very helpful.

Here's hoping for some nice riding weather here in New England this weekend, forecast looks good so far!

Salmosebago

Be happy to! There are companies that will "match" the funds that their employees contribute to the ride, here is a link to the list: https://www.pmc.org/Fundraising.asp?t...s/matchcompany If you find donors that work for these companies, make sure you let them know about the matching funds available. There is usually a form they need to get from their HR dept. but it's a pretty easy process. Best of luck and let me know if you come up with any brainstorms as well. Raising the $ isn't going to be easy in this economy Best of luck!!!

nickthaquick1

good luck! i wish i could be riding in it but the fundraising commitment is far too high for me right now (esp this year like you said) I'll be doing the Cape Cod Getaway. from Quincy, MA (my hometown) to Provincetown...sometime in June

JoesInBoston

I signed up a few days ago to be a volunteer. Last year I worked the overnight shift at Mass Maritime cooking breakfast, this year I'll be doing mechanics work all afternoon and evening on Saturday at Mass Maritime. Should be a good time and this is one of the few charitable events I do where I know and feel like my help is appreciated. Good luck with your fundraising.

I also should be doing the K-ride, geo. Maybe I'll see you there!

- Joe

Salmosebago

Joes - Without you volunteers the PMC would be just another ride. I cannot thank you enough Here's to a tail wind, cool temps, and no crashes! - Craig

geofitz13

If you do the K-ride, let me know where you'll be. I can stop by and say hello! My wife and I will be registering to volunteer for the PMC in the next couple of weeks. I have no idea where they'll put us for that. The first year (2006) I was involved with the PMC it was as a volunteer, and I worked as a route guide. Think I'd rather be at one of the waterstops or at MMA this year.

zerotopanmass

Thanks again for all the tips, so very helpful and much appreciated, I'm sure I'll be borrowing from these great ideas in the coming months!

I've also started a group on Facebook where people can keep in touch and give me some much needed motivational support! Feel free to join here, the more the merrier!

I'm also posting updates on my road to the 2009 PMC on twitter here.

Who knows, Facebook and twitter may open new fund raising avenues, hopefully a good idea for others here trying to raise money.

Thanks again for all the help!

zerotopanmass

Just updating this old thread in case anyone here is considering doing the 2010 PMC. I made it, raised my $4200 goal, rode the 200 miles. My road from the couch to the PMC finish line was chronicled at my blog here.

Thanks to all the BF members who took the time to answer my questions on training, fundraising, and equipment along the way, it was an invaluable resource.

Salmosebago

Congrats You're gonna have to change your screen name to just "topanmass" now! Bring on 2010

BlueJay66

I probably did not see you, but I was vacationing in Dennis and rode a spell with the group on Sunday along Setucket Road. I was able to help two people with flat tires. I felt that was a good trade for just riding along with a great group of people and getting the cheers. Congratulations on the ride and the fundraising! What a great event!