A few weeks ago, I signed on for my very first charity ride. Okay, it’s not really the first first, but it’s the first at which riders were encouraged to not only enter for the cause, but to do a little fundraising as well. It looked like a fun ride, a friend had done it last year, and the cause was worthy…MDA, or what most of us think of us as the Muscular Dystrophy Association. You know, Jerry’s kids. I signed on for the longest distance available, logged onto my fundraising page, and began the time-honored process of annoying friends and neighbors by asking for donations.
Charity rides are becoming commonplace in the cycling community. And why not? Charity rides give riders a chance to get together with others who share that same interest, go on a hopefully fun group ride, maybe even challenge ourselves with a distance beyond our normal routine. In the process we can put that time to good use, and hopefully raise some money for a worthy cause, all before gorging on the post-ride pasta-and-soup extravaganza, or what I like to refer to as the “eating food I would never normally touch at this hour of the morning” portion of the event.
It’s a fun time for all. Or maybe not…
My first indication that trouble may be afoot was when a family member (I’ll protect their identity) resisted my suggestion to tell their friends about what I was doing. In this person’s view, everybody is suddenly asking for money. Last week it was the breast-cancer walk, this week it’s me and MDA, next week who knows? Time’s are tough, and people like me are getting, well, annoying.
Then, I heard that person tell someone I was just doing it for the free jersey. And he or she (how’s that for careful!) wasn’t joking. Was I that shallow?
Maybe a little. To me, that’s all part of the fun of a lot of these events — the participant gets a t-shirt or jersey that says they did it. It’s a souvenir, the kind that bike geeks seem to love. Am I wrong to think the incentive for doing the ride is cool?
More to the point, why is something I originally thought would just be a nice day for a good cause turning into something I feel bad about?
I thought about that for a while. Then I went to the charity’s web site and watched a video about what the money raised is used towards. One of the main goals is to send kids with neuromuscular diseases to a summer camp. That might not sound like anything earth shattering, but if you learn more you’ll see that kids who attend these camps frequently note that it was the one, special time in their lives when they didn’t feel different. When they could relax and have fun, and just be accepted as themselves. The one time they remember when they weren’t the kid in the wheelchair, or the kid with the leg brace, but just a kid, with friends, having fun. Think about that for a moment. If you have healthy children of your own, think about it for a moment longer.
Yes, times are tough, and friends asking for money are annoying. But come on, can’t most of us spare a few dollars? And as a participant, if we can raise that money by doing something that we’re uniquely qualified to do, is it wrong that we also enjoy the event…right down to the souvenir jersey?
As long as we don’t overdo it, can’t we annoy our friends every so often if the cause is just?
In two weeks I’ll be riding for a great cause, sharing the generosity of some truly kind friends and family, and maybe even wearing a free jersey.
And feeling good about all three…
Sounds like your family member was trying to assuage his/her guilt by making you seem petty.
Good luck on your fundraising, and enjoy the ride!
I decided some time ago that if I could not afford the minimum required fundraising amount for the ride myself, I wouldn’t do the ride. I really feel like I am asking friends and family to fund my own personal past time because, to be honest, are we really riding for the cause or because it is fun to ride on a supported ride with rest stops (food!) and other cyclists? And better still if we can get others to fund it for us.
I think a good test to see whether you are riding for the cause or because you just want to go on a fun ride is do you support that cause out of your own pocket? If not, why are you asking others to support it now? Rides and all the other various fundraising events do raise a lot of money for many worthy causes, and I do think is is ok to pick one that perhaps you have a personal connection with to focus on and solicit donations, but I can’t blame people for getting tired of getting hit up for so many of them – especially when the activity is something the person does for their own enjoyment.
If no one asks, no one gives. Those who don’t want to donate should be comfortable with their own limits and not be offended by you asking. I say go for it. It’s not like you are asking the same few people for money every few weeks. This is a unique and worthy situation.
IF you put your webpage up. I will pledge. Never feel bad about raising money – ask, and preface it with “You are perfectly free to say no, but I want your money, and here is why…”
It’s also good to put a big donation in out of your pocket and have that on the top line of your donation sheet.
Truth be told, I like to get the jersey, or the T shirts as well.
Thanks for the comments everyone. Lori, those are definitely some things to think about. And Matt, Missy, and Justin, thanks for a few more opinions. It’s a tough one…this particular ride did not require fundraising, and required the participant to put up a decent entry fee, so hopefully not using others to support my fun.
I do think it’s true that if no one asks, no one gives. Non-profits are really struggling in this economy, and even if I think I’ve got it bad, I know a lot of people have it a LOT worse. Maybe something like this makes us feel as though we are at least doing our part, or at least retain some sense of perspective.
I made it very clear in my emails to people that I completely understood if they did not give, as it has been a difficult year for a lot of people. But if someone can afford $1, $5, $20, I can think of a lot worse ways to spend it than on something that helps kids.
Justin, thanks for the generosity. Hopefully my blog post explained how this money makes a differece.
Here’s the website: https://www.joinmda.org/bikechallenge2009/jeffh
Donation made. Have a nice ride.
Thanks…that was very generous!
I’m curious to know where the idea that donations to the charity are somehow paying for the fund-raiser to ride (or run, or walk.) Typically, participants pay a registration fee, and take care of their own transportation, lodging and meals. Certainly there is no prize money for the event.
It’s difficult (for lots of us) to ask others for money, no matter how worthy the cause. The ride (run/walk) is an incentive and a thank you for doing so.
The important part is raising the money, and you did that. The ride is gravy. Enjoy!