2008 Ride for Kids - Huge Success
 
Yesterday's Ride for Kids event brought in a whopping $138,500 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. I set my personal 2008 fundraising goal rather high at $9,000. I am proud to say that we surpassed that number, and raised a total of $ 9,365   Hundreds of people donated to my fundraising websites. Friends and family helped spread the word.  The speeder-bike Limited Edition Star Wars prints were ordered by donors all over the world.  People everywhere helped me reach this goal.  From right next door, to Malaysia.  From the UK to New Zealand.  Just really super cool.  Such an honor for me. And it doesn't stop there. Because of all the support, I was designated as the "Grand Champion Fundraiser".  The $9365 put me in first place, raising the most money of any single donor.  I really did not expect this, and was honored with a medal on stage.  I share this award with all of my supporters, as I could not have done it without them. The list of people and organizations who aided me in this year's Ride for Kids fundraiser would take up pages of email.  But some of them can't go without a quick mention.  A very special thanks goes to Steve Sansweet.  Also a shout-out to Pablo Hidalgo and everyone @ Lucasfilm, Cheralyn Lambeth @ the 501st, Jeff Vaughn @ Scoop, Dustin @ HeroesOnLine, Matt Pennachi, Vinny Neumann, Future Graphics, Adam Hughes, Alison Sohn, Mark Millar, J.J. Torres, and TONS more.     The weather was gorgeous.  Jordan Lake was calm.  Over 600 motorcyclists attended the police-escorted ride around Chatham County.  Members of the 501st Carolina Garrison visited (as Darth Vader and Biker Scouts) and took photos with patients and their families- Creating memories that these kids will have forever. This staggering number of generous donations will go a long way toward funding pediatric brain tumor research, and will help ease the battle for numerous kids and their families in the form of financial aid and scholarships.   Thanks again for the support, everybody-  more soon- _TLE pertinent links.... http://www.pbtfus.org/rideforkids/calendar/2008/trianglearea08.html http://web.mac.com/tommyleeedwards/iWeb/Site%20charity/RIDE%20FOR%20KIDS.html http://trianglerideforkids.org/ http://www.ncrider.com/photogallery/RFK-08/index.htm http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2008-05-04-0011.html http://www.pbtfus.org/ http://www.pbtfus.org/rideforkids/calendar/2008/trianglearea08.htmlhttp://web.mac.com/tommyleeedwards/iWeb/Site%20charity/RIDE%20FOR%20KIDS.htmlhttp://trianglerideforkids.orghttp://www.ncrider.com/photogallery/RFK-08/index.htmhttp://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2008-05-04-0011.htmlhttp://www.pbtfus.orgshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4shapeimage_1_link_5
EDWARDS ILLUSTRATION
Monday, May 5, 2008