[Ohio-talk] A Report from the "Drive for 75" Campaign Committee

Smith, JW smithj at ohio.edu
Mon Feb 9 20:22:01 UTC 2015


Dear NFB of Ohio Family, Friends and Colleagues,

We had a good campaign conference  call on Monday, February 2nd, but before I give you the campaign specifics to this point, I'd like to reiterate three things. Number one,  I requested and volunteered to lead this effort because as I thought it would be, and it is, a labor of love for me and it is just one way for me to try and repay this affiliate for all the wonderful opportunities you have granted me. Let me be very clear, this is something I want to do and I'm having so much fun doing it and working with my wonderful committee. Number two, when I proposed this campaign to President Duffy I told him that I would do all that I can to try to raise as much of the money from outside sources as possible. I made this clear because I know that our chapters and members feel a heavy burden in terms of fundraising now so I don't want this campaign to negatively impact the energy and commitment in our local chapters or throughout our membership. Chapters and chapter members should feel free to make contributions and in fact, many of you have. But I don't want you to feel obligated or coerced to do so. So far I have been pleased with how the funds are coming in and I want to keep it that way. Number three, as I've said in earlier reports to you, my goal is to raise the money along with my committee and let the board and the leaders of this affiliate decide how to spend it. After May 31st I will give a final report as to how much was raised or as close as possible and of course I will be available to the board should they seek my opinions or recommendations about the distribution of those funds. I am all about fairness and transparency so no one should feel like they won't know how much has been raised etc.

Now that I've got that off my chest, and hopefully will not have to address it anymore, here is where we are with the campaign. Sheri Albers reports the following from the Cincinnati area:

"We held our first Dine-to-Donate event at IHOP in Milford, OH on Thursday January 22nd. We handed out literature and raised awareness for our campaign. Attendance was not what we would have wanted, but we have another event scheduled for the end of February, and will work harder to get the word out. We are contacting other restaurants in the area, closer to downtown, to hold other events at as well. We have planned an "Evening with Dr. Feelgood" held in the courtyard of Arnolds Bar and Grill, in downtown Cincinnati. This will be an entertaining event with our own Dr JW Smith! There will be a cover charge, split-the-pot raffle and door prizes. This will take place in the month of April. We are also working on a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, details to follow."

It is my hope to do a Church concert in the Cincinnati area over the next few months so be on the lookout for that. Here is what Mike Anderson says about upcoming events in the Dayton area:

"Here is an update to our Fundraising plan for the Drive for 75 in Dayton, OH
February Agenda is the start of our candle sale and popcorn drive.  There will be a split between our chapter and the Drive for 75.
March Agenda is set for a Restaurant fundraiser at Bob Evans on Saturday, March 14. Drive for 75 will receive 15% of all sales from our invited guests for the whole day. Proposed events for April and May are a Comedy Fundraiser at Funnybone Comedy Club,  a fundraiser at a local Tim Horton's coffee shop, A fish fry and possibly a bingo dinner event."

It is my plan to head to Dayton this month to hang out with my friend President Payne and it is my hope to both spend some money in the Dayton area and try to bring some back for our campaign as well.

Our Cleveland friends are about the business of raising funds for the campaign as well and at this writing I have not gotten the report from Cheryl Fields concerning their proposed activities yet but when I do I'll be sure to share it with you if she doesn't do it herself. It is my plan to do another Church concert in the Toledo area in April or May and I'm still holding out hope that we will be able to have an event in conjunction with the Ohio State University Delta Gamma sorority in Columbus in March or April. As you can see, we are making progress and I'm looking for those sizable donations that could really significantly impact our final total. I will keep you informed about upcoming events so that if you choose to support them or attend them you will indeed be welcome. Stay warm and hugs all around for Valentine's day.

Jw





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