The Eastern Continental Memorial Hike

“Whispering Bill, Mothergoose and I are leaveing sept 23rd to go to south Florida to begin a 4400 mile hike to raise money for the American Cancer Society. we will be gone one year and will hike the entire Appalachian Mountian Chain. our web site is up at www.tecmh.freeservers.com. we have now have 4 sponsors.Frogg Toggs are giveing us frogg toggs to wear on the trip. Tilley Hats maker of UVA and UVB protectant hats are giveing us hats. Duofold maker of cool max is giveing us clothing for our trip.and crazy creek is the maker of a new product called thermabands is giveing us hand warmers for winter. please be sure to check out all our sponsors and we will deffinatly be telling you about there products on our web site dureing the hike.(how they perform and all). we are still looking to add more sponsors in the very near future so check out our site often. if you have a hiking web site of your own please feel free to link us . the more exposure we get the better. also if you are willing to hand out our pamphlets in your area please send me your slow mail address at whitebird6@yahoo.com and I will mail them to you. a lot of money needs to be raised fast and we could really use your help.Thanks MOM”

“I would be more than happy to hand out pamphlets in the Gainesville, Florida area. My email is listed under my handle.

You're also welcome to stay at my house if you need a layover. If you need some resupply help, let me know. Even if you don't need either of the above, keep me posted as to your progress. I may day hike with you folks through my area, if you'd like the company, and if I'm home when you come through. Ocala National Forest is South of me. Osceola is to the North. I am familiar with these areas.

Have you been in touch with the Florida Trail Association? It's located here in Gainesville.”

“Thanks for the encouragement arclite,
we will be in Paisley around Nov 6th and then in Starke Nov 16
I believe that is in the general area where you are. We willkeep the web site informed. Come out and join us, We would love to have you.”

“Thank God, mg22. I thought you might be coming through here in the Summer. We got over our drought and it's been raining quite a lot during the last month. Florida in the Summer can be a lot like a steam bath.

Starke is North-East of me. It's about a half-hour drive. I'll be looking for your posts.

If you're coming up the Florida Trail, I'd love to hike with you through Ocala National Forest at that time of year. You must stop at Juniper Springs. It's right on the trail and has good campsites. If you've never seen one of our crystal clear springs, like Weekie-Wachie or Silver Springs, you're in for a treat. Hidden Pond is five miles North of Juniper Springs and makes a great primitive campsite.”

“I hae us camping one night at hidden pond
my itinerary shows it on the 8th of Nov but you know how that can change once you are out there.
I lived in the Keys for a few years and I
know it can be like a sauna in the summer,
Sept being the worst
but by Oct it is usually cooled down some. We will look forward to hiking with you, we are only doing 15 mile days as it is inportant at our age to pace yourself so you don't burn out at the end.”

“15 miles is quite a long day for me. If you're on schedule, I can take off Friday the 9th, hike into Hidden Pond the evening of the 8th, and hike with you for the weekend. Unless you wanted to stay at Juniper the night of the 8th? I know you've got a schedule to keep, so keep me posted as to your progress as you get in the area.”

“arclite thank you so much for all your help. I have to admit that im just a little hurt by the reaction Im getting from this group. I guess I would have expected people to actually look at the thread and see what were trying to do. It has been very hard at this point to get the word out on this hike so any help is greatly appreciated from all of us.”

“MOM, I'm sure word of mouth will pick up steam. Hearing the details of your hike starting is very exciting. I check your site frequently. Having your itiniary in FL helps since I have so many relatives around the Ocala area. My grandmother grew up in Sparr and my grandfather grew up near Gainesville. I'm going to send out emails this weekend to several relatives in the state. Hopefully some of them will want to help sponsor your group.”

“MOM
I've been following this thread and I've looked at yalls web site. It looks great! I'm planning to give $$ but I just haven't got off my lazy bum to do it yet. I think it's a great thing yall are doing and it should be an interesting Journey. I'll be following the reports and continue to send out support!
Best of luck to yall!!!”

“Thanks Walkindude, maybe people are reading this thread and just not posting. Im working so hard on this thing everyday and really some people have given us a hard time about this so , I guess I just get discouraged sometimes. sorry to air my negitivity on here like that.”

“MOM - Peopee look but don't say much. I can tell by how many hits I get on my web pages that lots of people look at them but never say anything.

I did link your page to the Photo page in two places. I plan to send a donation, but haven't yet.

Keep posting and talking!”

“Mom; I'll post a few flyers at the local outfitters' for 'ya and I'll see if I can get the info to the local campus mountaineering club too. I guess we should get on this right away, eh? I'll e-mail my USPS address to you.”

“Thanks everybody. Ill get flyers out in the mail Monday to you if I have your address.. Phil, I saw the links, thank you very much, thats a big help since I have no idea how to link anything.”

“The Newspaper comes out tomorrow to the house to interview us. this is getting fun I really do like being the center of attention.LOL”

“more good stuff has been added to our web site at www.tecmh.freeservers.com check it out . the itinerary is on now and a journal update. we have also added pay pal to make donations easier. pass this web site to all your friends please. Thanks for your help!”

“Articles are bing written in every newspaper possible now and the radio stations are picking up this story like crazy .seems the American public is into the survival thing. and the story is going out everywhere. This is getting really exciting and Im hoping my phone starts ringing off the hook.”

“i can't find anything.

are there any internet articles that you can point us to, besides your website?”

“My local weekly local paper just ran a story on it today, the "Whitley Republican News Journal" I can't find it on their website, but I have a coy of the paper in front of me. Tomorrow or Friday it will run in The "Corbin Times Tribne" the Daily news around here. Hope this helps sorry it isn't on their web site as it is a great article.”

“Are yall going to let Howard Stern do an interview?”

“sorry i don't know who Howard Stern is..
But if he's a real person and is interested in this hike we'll talk to hime”

“No I dont think Howard would get into this at all but, I was on WIVK 5 times today(country raido) and the Standard Banner will run the story either tomorrow or Next Tues. Iwill post the story somewhere and let you all see it. the Mountain press is interviewing Bill and me on the 21st in Sevierville Tenn for there newspaper.and chanell 10 wants us on TV”

“That's terrific, MOM. BTW, I wouldn't want to see you interviewing with Stern, no matter how much attention that would get.”

“I'd love to see Mom & Bill interviewed by good ol Howard. Him and Bubba Booie, just two good old boys from the northern Appalachians, would make ya feel "right down home."”

“I have put the 800 number on the web site on the journal page if anyone would like to call and check us out
We are new at raising money for a cause, We are hikers, And we need all the help we can get. Ths isn't a scam please call and check us out. Thanks Mother Goose”

“I had a meeting with the American Cancer Society this afternoon. they are contacting all the ACS in all the other states. so If you live in anouther state you should be able to call local to your ACS and find out about us. otherwise call 1-800-ACS-2345 to find out about us and them. I was really impressed today with what I learned there. I watched as a lady came in bald and walked out with a wig for free. They are some really cool people with a serious problem of not enough money to do what they do. We are really close in this country to finding substantial help for cancer. please get behind this hike and help us help a lot of people.We are still looking for more corporate sponsors.(and by the way advertising is getting good)Were still in need of more names for our shirts. Tell your friends about our hike for cancer research.send out our web site to everyone you know.we appreciate all your help.”

“There is a story that is online now from my local paper. its at http://www.corbintimes.com the only problem I see is that they said three grandmas were doing the hike so I quess its official Whispering Bill will have to wear a dress. Sorry about your luck Bill. LOL”

“Whispering Billy Jean.
You girls GO!!!!! LOL!!”

“ok everyone, I really need the truth here. We have been in 3 Newspapers. 2 raido stations, passing out flyers, on the internet telling people about our hike, doing everything humanly possible and this thing is getting hard. we have only collected a hand full of names for our shirts (which is paying for the hike) Were going anyway even if we dont get the money. we may starve out there but were all going. please tell me what the problem is. I consider you people my friends and your all good hikers. so tell me whats going on . this thing is takeing so much work from all of us involved and people just dont seem to care at all. what are we doing wrong?The Associated Press will get the story this week. so then it could go out Nationally. are we just being impatient or what?”

“so this money is paying for YOUR HIKE???

i thought that you said it was for charity!”

“maybe that's the problem.

if i am wrong, please clarify.”

“Dear Rad, Let me clerify this if I can the 25.00 for the memorial Names on our shirts does go to pay for the hike, and all the publicity for the hike. but if we dont go , we cant collect the pledges for the ACS. They are expecting this hike to raise over 100,000.00 dollars in pledges alone. all going for research. The money and time that we are haveing to put out right now for this fund-raiser is unbeliveable. Were out doing interviews, printing up flyers and pledge sheets,and litterally spending a fortune on this thing. We personally are not makeing any money from this trip. We are however getting a trip. I dont know If you have ever done a fund-raiser before but it does take a trememdous amount of money and time and it all comes out of our pocket not the ACS.”

“I don't know what the hoopla is, it is very clear where the Tshirt money is going to, on the website, Everyone I have talked to that has bought space on the shirt has NO problem with it. If I had the $21,000 that it will take for this hike I would gladly pay for it myself. I willl pay for my mother and father if my sister and brother don't and concider it an honor to remember them in this way. If you don't want to get involved in this then DON'T but please don't defame my character or the Lester's by thinking we are trying to take something from you. Or get something for nothing.
To me these are not just Names on Tshirts, I feel that these people are going to be with me for the entire hike. I want to know something about everyone that goes on my shirt because I feel that strong about it.
AS I said this is for a good cause, we ask that you please get behind it and make it a grass roots affair, If you don't think you can get behind us then please just leave it alone.
Mother Goose”

“damn, all i wanted was clarification.

MOM, instead of doing all of the work yourself, maybe the ACS could help promote the hike, too. the money is for them, after all. maybe they can put an article on 'cancer.org' about the hike.”

“MOM asked for the truth and I think thats what Rad gave you. I've got some personal interest in cancer research, but my reaction going to the site was similar to Rads.
With the overhead expenses for the hike, I wondered how much money would actually go to the cancer society. I thought long and hard and decided not to put a name on the shirt.”

“MOM asked for the truth and I think thats what Rad gave you. I've got some personal interest in cancer research, but my reaction going to the site was similar to Rads.
With the overhead expenses for the hike, I wondered how much money would actually go to the cancer society. I thought long and hard and decided not to put a name on the shirt.”

“I hesitate to say this, but I think it needs to be brought up. I do not know about other people, but when I am approached about donating money or sponsorship I am more likely to donate if asked nicely. If I encounter a seemingly negative attitude anywhere along the way, it just sets off an alarm.

MOM & Mothergoose- I understand that you've been working hard on this and you'd like to be supported on this hike. You are attempting to raise money for a cause you believe in. You say in the initial post on this thread that money needs to be raised fast. Realize that this is a personal choice you?ve made. You made a conscious decision on when to plan this hike and when to begin raising money and advertising it. You have to understand human nature. Just because you ask for sponsorship doesn't mean that it makes people drop what they are doing and contribute to sponsor you.

I?ve visited your website several times in it?s development. Your picture page has repeating images of some of your favorite images. That?s nice, but what does it have to do with your hike? The pledge sheet/journal has photos on it that may not print well or cause printing problems on some older printers without much memory if people should decide to print it and send it to you. Your pledge sheet is unclear about whether people are contributing to the ACS or funding you to hike. Your link to The American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org links back to your site. Certainly your company sponsors have websites. Provide a link for them. I?m sure they?d appreciate it. For heaven?s sake, make it easy for people to visit your site from here?provide a link. The Eastern Continental Memorial Hike

Please don?t misunderstand me?I think you?re attempting a very ambitious adventure. I wish you all of the luck in the world and hope you are successful in your endeavors. I may even help fund a small portion of your adventure. I certainly won?t fund a nickel if I feel like I?m being berated.”

“Mom........ I have the same questions others are asking.

Additionally, being that I work in marketing and PR for a small opera company part-time -- in a town that is not necessarily "opera-friendly" -- just let me note that you have to do a heck of a lot more PR than is being done.

Do you guys have background in that? I would think the American Cancer Society would be providing some of their professionals to help you with that. Are they? I don't quite understand how it works anyway. Are ACS people all over the country out there now, collecting funds per-mile or per-day for your trip?

And with my work in newspapers and radio, I can tell you the press isn't gonna necessarily want to give your trek the publicity you feel it deserves. That's the sad truth. There's a very limited amount of space and time available.

I just did a 25-inch news release on one aspect of the opera for the local paper where I used to work. That is HUGE!! Now, they may cut the heck out of it. (I hope not, since it is print-ready as is and that will save them work. I know what they specifically need since that is what I used to do.)

Anyhoo, just wanted to give somewhat of an "insider's" perspective on what to expect from the media and what you have to do to get it!

We will be in at least three newspapers, two radio stations and anywhere else we can get coverage -- free bulletin boards, posters, and we also use paid advertising. An effort requires much more effort on the publicity end. Do you have any questions I could maybe help with? No guarantees, but I'd be happy to try.”

“I may be presumptious in saying some things you already may have considered. If so, I apologize in advance. However, I am the Board Chair for a Non-profit organization with a $3 Million annual budget and 70 full and part time employees. We have and are doing a lot of fundraising. Also, while department chair (7 years) for my engineering department at the university, we brought in approximately $250,000 in cash gifts, donations, grants, etc.

Fundraising (a.k.a. Development, Advancement, Marketing) is a tricky business. It is a lot harder than most people think. Having a good cause is essential, but after that it can be a very long, boring process to be successful. Publicity is one thing...getting people to shell out cash for a cause is another thing.

Most fundraisers do not make a public announcement until after they have raised 1/4 to 1/3 of their funds through what is called the "quiet campaign". The quiet campaign is done by going to wealthy individuals and/or corporations with money and soliciting major donations. This generally requires that you have prepared a "case", that is a brochure or other materials, that lays out how important your cause is and should be compelling enough to invoke a donation. The "case" can or should say something about the importance, marketing plan, budget, management, and previous successes. Is there any kind of a party or event scheduled for when the hike is over where sponsors and donors will be recognized?

When the fundraiser is announced publically, the names of the big donors and sponsors bring credibility. Some people participate in a fundraisers if it looks like it has excitement and momentum.

Is the TECMH organization a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation? It doesn't say on the website. In other words, are the contributions to TECMH tax deductable? This is a critical issue for most donors.

According to the "Volunteer Center" in the county where I live, 90% of the money donated goes to 10% of the causes. The reason given was that people are "cultivated" for their donations and do not just throw money around.

Back to the budget. The budget should show all the income and expenses you think you will have. If it shows all the being spent in an unorthodox manner, then many people won't contribute.

Other suggestions:

1. Kick off banquet with a well-known guest speaker.
2. Contact the fundraising (Advancement) expert at an organization that is very successful and ask them for an hour of their time to advise you on what to do.
3. Find a "spokesperson". This could be a local sports figure, news broadcaster or weatherperson, etc. who has lost a loved one to cancer.
4. Form an "advisory board" of business and professional people to help you navigate through these issues. Many times these people know the people in the community with money and connections.

The comments about negativism are worth noting. Remain totally positive at all times when the public is involved. Never give any hint of failure or trouble. Negative comments will create a "wait and see" attitude for a lot of people.

I hope this helps. Good luck.”

“Thank -you everyone for your comments they are very helpful seeing as no, were not marketting people and were going with all we know to do, so the comments are very interesting to look into. let me try if I can to answer some questions if I can.Rad , because all the money collected on the hike is going to research none of the ACS people can collect pledges or do PR for us. they only do that for the general fund of the ACS and then each individual state would need to have a part of the funds collected from there state. If we want this money to all go directly into the research fund we give up there help. and we felt like research is the place for the money to go ,not to there general fund.Ped, if you would like to donate to the ACS we are takeing pledges per mile that we walk. ALL that goes directly to research not us.If you would like to make a pledge per mile like .01 cent or.02 cents whatever per mile we walk then you will get a notice when our hike is over and then you write a check directly to the ACS and they will send you a tax deductabe reciept for your check.NONE of that money goes to us or the trip at all.Ski, were working on the web site we know its not the best yet . we have a person who is going to help us with it now but we were doing it ourselves and none of us knows to much about computers. Hopefully the web site will get much better very quikly now that we have a person who knows what there doing to help us.Lizs, were now in 4 Newspapers and 2 raido stations and the TV is doing a thing on the news for us. The press has worked well so far and hopefully that will continue throughout the trip. the AP got a story yesterday so well see how bad they cut it up.Phil, so far the big sponsors have been included in raido, and in every Newspaper artical the ones we have are very happy so far.But we just need a few more. I really feel like things will get better once we have actually hiked a ways too,and started takeing the pledges and can say to people that were getting closer to the goal.We do have a huge thing planned for the morning we leave here that will include Paper and TV and radio and again when we actually leave Key West. I heard this morning from a paper in the keys! I really do appreciate all your help and will look into some of the things your suggesting. Thank you for the comments. I guess I was thinking no one was even looking at this thread on here because not to many people have said anything. If I couldnt get my own friends to read this how was I going to get the general public ,but I think everyone is reading just not saying much.The hike is going on ,were going with what we have if nothing else comes in to help. We do have our own money to pay for the hike but all the publicity at this point is coming out of our pocket takeing a big chunk out of money we would have to make our hike better.I mean ,we will make it dont question that. It would just be helpful to know we had support.”

“We hit the front page of the newspaper today. and half the second page. I cant believe waht a great artical the standard banner did. i hope they get it on the internet soon. Im so excited!!!!!!”

“Congratulations!”

“We were on the 11 oclock news last night . If you would like to see the report go to www.wate.com scroll down, and look under MORE for East Tennesseans hike to help cancer research. they have the whole vidio on the internet.”

“Thanks ski!”

“The American Cancer Society should be pushing this, as well as your sponsors. I am willing to put a story or link on my website, even though it has nothing to do with my industry. I am also willing to donate some packaging supplies for your resupply lines on the hike (Boxes, Tape, Ziplock bags, labels) Send me a list of supplies that you need to sales@pacsmart.com, and I'll see what I can do.

Also, this may sound crass, but have you approached Phillip Morris? Although they are huge contributors to the problem, I am sure they'd be willing to fork over some significant donation, especially since you are now getting press.

Good luck, and I look forward to hearing from you.”

“Mom's learned how to Yogi already!
That's the long hiker spirit.

For the uninitiated, Yogi(Verb); Trying to get the city folks' picanik basket(shower, ride to town, beer...) Hey, hey Boo-boo.

BTW Mom; I'm still waiting on the flyers.”

“Pay attention towards the end of the news video and you'll get a great example of the yogi.”

“"have you approached Phillip Morris?"

good idea, bear!



on the other hand...

MOM, have you stepped AWAY from the 'phillip morris', yet? that hike is REALLY going to be a hard one, if you're puffing the whole way!”

“Heck, maybe if all the TT'rs sent a couple of dehydrated meals, that might help you as well!”

“plus, it doesn't look too good, to the media and public, to see the spokespeople for this hike smoking away, while hiking for the ACS. just a little PR advice.”