What I haven't documented yet is why I am doing it the way I am doing it. It comes down to one word: Simple.
I decided from the beginning that I wanted this to be something that anyone could do, with meager resources and contact with their friends. And their friend's friends. While I could likely get sponsors to buy new footwear, shirts and cards and a road team and a bunch of posters and flyers and the like, that would be spending money and time on me and the organization of the fund raiser and not the cause. I think it is important to be a good steward of what we have and to me, part of that is simplicity. In addition, I figure this could be a model for others, especially those that do not have the means to run or participate in big fundraisers.
So, I have taken on only those things that take little time and effort to raise money, short of walking hundreds of miles (the majority of my time and effort here). A free blog site. A free email address. Some paper maps and time to log (free spreadsheet). Other things, like my computer, are things I already have. I have already posted some ideas about how best to do this. This summer I will be posting here (or providing links to information) the details of just how this is accomplished, including my past logs of progress with miles traveled and streets covered.
What does this mean for you? It means that, in order for this fundraiser to be successful, I need one thing from you. It doesn't involve walking 330 miles (covered so far by me) and best of all it's simple.
Find out why it is important to help the MS Society and tell your friends.
In little ways, spread the word about this crazy guy who is walking every street in Grand Rapids and share the link. Talk about it, forward the emails, blog about it. If you have the means contribute at the Donate site. Let your favorite TV and radio stations know what I am doing (I have contacted them several times, but I think they need to hear it from you). One friend and the radio station he works for has already taken me up on this offer.
Telling your friends is Simple.
Donating takes only a couple of minutes and is Simple.
Thank you for your support.
