OK... I'm ready to post something now that are raffle tickets are at the printers!!!

Many of the OGs know that I'm an avid darter, am on the board of the Greater Trenton Dart League, and more importantly, organize the Darts for Dreams event each spring. The event is a dart-a-thon that benefits Make A Wish New Jersey. We've partnered with them for 7 years now, have raised over $106,000 and sponsored 17 wishes. Click here for info about MAWNJ. This year, we hope to raise another $20,000 and sponsor 3 to 4 more wishes! The event is Saturday, April 13th at Cook Athletic Association in Trenton.

Many of you also know that I work in Pharmaceuticals. I do IT work, have been there 18 years and seen many products come and go, start and stop, breakthrough and breakdown. In working with MAWNJ, I've also seen the therapeutic value for a child facing some unspeakable illnesses, who's lives are changed by a week with Mickey Mouse, a trip oversees, a shopping spree, a concert with a star or a room makeover. What starts as a devastating story is completely turned around through MAWNJ and its programs.

So, I'm asking for your help, and it can come in any or all of the following ways. I also realize charity is very personal, and that this type of work needs to match with things you personally believe in and support. I won't like any of you less for saying no.

1. Consider a donation to MAWNJ through Darts for Dreams. Anything works, $5, $10, 11-million dollars! Whatever works for you. This year we've done an online donation form to help spread the word and make donating easier. If you do, and your employer has a company match program, don't forget to file that paperwork too!
2. Buy a raffle ticket, maybe 2, maybe more. Prizes this year are a 50" Panasonic TV, an iPad (we'll know the version when the spring sales start up), and an XBox. Tickets are $5. I guess you could use the online form to donate and tell me you want tickets if that makes it easier. People here ave bought tickets in the past. You may not get your stubs, but I'll take a pic and show your numbers if you want to do that.
3. If you own/represent/make decisions for a company, or know someone that does - consider printing off our sponsor paperwork and sponsoring the event. All of our sponsors are included on the event T-shirt and in the ad-book. Rates are very reasonable for an event this size. Pre-event sponsorships are one of our best money raising items.
4. Consider coming out to the event. Its at a social club, so drink prices are cheap. If you watch our league website, there's an event page, plus our FaceBook event page with ongoing info on activities and donations. Our raffles usually get about 100 items, and there's been about 30 silent auction items each year. Most are sports related from the local teams or darts related items, and some are things collected or sent in from places around NJ. The event focuses on darts, but its a overall fun day. If you don't have your own darts, we'll find you some to use.
5. Lastly- if you're a facebook user, feel free to repost the event page link, share it, do whatever you do in facebook to spread the word. The more people that know, the more we raise, the more kids helped!

So - thanks for reading and considering this. I hope to hear from some of you soon. To the people who've helped in the past, THANK YOU AGAIN! To the people who choose to help this year, THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

Gary

 

Donated...

 

Thanks Andy!

For anyone who does choose to help out with a donation through the online form - please check with your employer, if they have a matching gifts program, make sure to use it.

 

Bump for a good cause.

 

Andrew - Tickets 127/128. THANKS again!

 

I'll have tickets with me at the go-karting tomorrow.

Don't forget, if you want to help, you can use the online donation form. Every little bit helps! http://friends.wish.org/003-000/page...r-Dreams-8.htm

 

Just a friendly bump - a little over 4 weeks to go!

 

Well, the event was this past Saturday. Thanks again to those of you who helped with a donation or bought a few raffles.

This year, the Greater Trenton Dart League raised and will be handing to MAWNJ over $27,600!!!

 

So no prize again this year? I guess helping a good cause is the prize. Count me in again next year.

 

Thanks Chris. I'll have to bug Charlie to make sure Christian is at the MWG.. He's a top salesman for the event.