Wednesday, August 11, 2010

For a Good Cause


Yesterday I participated in an Easter Seals walk with my good friend Angie (you may remember me talking about it here).  Even with a 110 degree heat index and a last minute location change due to flooding,  it ended up being a good walk (thankfully we did not sign up for the 5K run this year!).  A fun time with great people.  Overall, something around $20,000 was raised for Easter Seals to help Iowans who are disabled, autistic, or have special needs.  This was the first year of the Walk With Me event in central Iowa and a lot of money was raised for a good cause, so I am looking forward to this being an annual event.

Thank you so much to everyone that donated, your help is much appreciated by me, Angie, and everyone on our team and with Easter Seals.  Our team's goal this year was to raise $500, we raised closer to $1500!  This placed our small team in the top 5 of all teams.  I hope we can count on your support next year, or even have you join our team and walk with us.


Much like that time I crushed the the family with 8 year old kids at NTN/Buzztime trivia, this event was not all about having fun, doing good, and helping people.  It is about trophies and more importantly...me.  I am arrogant enough to have my own blog after all.

Angie and I basking in the glow of my
newest trophy...if only it was a little
more eagle-ish.
I'll tell you straight, just like Ovaltine - I'm gold, Jerry! Gold!  I knocked this walk out of the freaking park.    Originally, I set out to raise $100, increased to $250, then to $500...and eventually raised around $700.  This placed me as the third highest money raiser in the competition.  The two above me?  One (I believe) was a high ranking employee for Easter Seals of Iowa itself, and the other received a single donation greater than any other team's total amount.  I call shenanigans!  Shenanigans, I say!  

It's OK...well, as okay as cheating ever is (especially since I am cheated and not the cheater); there is no prize for being the top money raiser, I was just saying that I am awesome.  I was a little disappointed when there were no trophies* for the walk because I am an awesome walker.  Right, left, right, left, right, left, left...damn!  They did have 'Spirit Award' plaques which translates to me as awards for losers, but losers with matching t-shirts.  Our team leader went out of her way and got me a trophy for being the top money raiser on our team (Thanks Becky!)...that's right another trophy to put next to the eagle trophy.  

Two completely different events, two trophies.  I can't lose!  In the past 30 days, I have won more trophies (2) than I have in the rest of my life (0), although I have won several medals and awards in my younger days...mostly for Academic Decathlon (yep, I am that type of dork).  Mostly though, I think this means that if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find me...maybe you can hire the Gubby-Team.  I am a golden god right now, you want me on your team...rub my chubby tummy for good luck!


* All events should now have some kind of awesome trophy...eagle or otherwise.  I think this will now be a requirement for almost anything I do.

2 comments:

Angie said...

I echo the gratitude and appreciation for all who helped make this a very successful 1st Annual event!
Unlike Michael, I was involved to do good, help others and have fun. The funds raised will help improve the quality of life for adults and children with disabilities across the state, through resources and services.

Maybe next year's trophy can be more eagle-ish...only if it will go to you. But you certainly deserve a trophy for all your hard work and excellent walking. :)
Thanks again, your Awesomness!

Michael said...

Oh come on, you know you are evil.