http://ozreport.com/1257347712
Ricker Goldsborough gci <at> charter.net writes:
It is departure day from Ecuador today and I have to say that I have strong and mixed emotions this morning. A good part of me wants to get home to what my brain thinks is normal life, but the other part is compelled to stay in Ecuador. The flying in Canoa is just that good. Not to mention that ridge racing is so much fun. However, the major emotional pull is on my heart as a result of being with the children. To be a part of such a wonderful thing is an honor and gives a new meaning to my life.
It is difficult to put to words the effects that we had on the school and mission here in Ecuador. To say the least would be to say we made a difference. But in fact we did so much more. You and some friends of mine that are outside the hang gliding and paragliding community donated over $4,500.00 allowing us to give both the Mission and the School hope. Our ongoing commitment will require your continued support and will constantly remind the public of our good nature.
Jeff O'Brien, Davis and Belinda, myself and others have decided to continue to support the Mission (Father Frank) by giving $500 each month to go towards medical supplies. In addition to this, we committed to give the school in Canoa $2900 now and an additional $3,100.00 by March of 2010 to build a new class room that will be named and labeled after hang glider (and paraglider) pilots. Additionally, we will provide them with one year's pay to staff this new class room of $3,000.00. A total of $5,900.00 is needed by March 2010 to meet our commitment.
Belinda Boulter had the opportunity and took the time to further develop a very close and personal relationship with the school officials in Canoa resulting in our ability to qualify what we are doing. Many tears were shed when we announced to them our plan and handed them what money we had to offer at the time. Davis Straub (Oz Report) will be assisting in many ways and adds more to this than I can explain at this time. The mix of people and supporters is simply amazing.
The results of the commitment will raise the awareness of hang glider pilots around the world and set a good example for others to follow. However, the primary reason we are doing this is because it needs to be done and our hearts are drawn to do so.
I ask that you continue to support these commitments, but not by donating your own money. It is very important that you go to family and friends that are outside of the hang gliding community and ask for support. Let your hearts guide you along the way as we develop a new organization of hang glider pilots supporting children everywhere we fly. Please help us meet and exceed our commitments.
You can donate here: "rgg1 (at) charter.net" with a credit card or PayPal (or go to the link at the top of this page).
I would love to see wide distribution of Jeff's video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvzRt1d1DOo
http://vimeo.com/7092548
Jeff will be working on another video to document what we have done here in Ecuador. Jeff's first video is very powerful. It would be fantastic if it went viral. It is a great video to watch, very beautiful and moving. If these video links got passed around that would help. Accompanied by the link to the donations above. It would be great if you could help out by passing along this article.
More on this story behind this here: http://ozreport.com/pub/socialresponsibility.shtml
Thanks goes to Alicia Harmon, paraglider pilot, who pointed us toward the school in Canoa.
Davis Straub
http://ozreport.com
http://ozreport.com/worldrecordholder.php
http://ozreport.com/location.php
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Ricker Goldsborough gci <at> charter.net writes:
It is departure day from Ecuador today and I have to say that I have strong and mixed emotions this morning. A good part of me wants to get home to what my brain thinks is normal life, but the other part is compelled to stay in Ecuador. The flying in Canoa is just that good. Not to mention that ridge racing is so much fun. However, the major emotional pull is on my heart as a result of being with the children. To be a part of such a wonderful thing is an honor and gives a new meaning to my life.
It is difficult to put to words the effects that we had on the school and mission here in Ecuador. To say the least would be to say we made a difference. But in fact we did so much more. You and some friends of mine that are outside the hang gliding and paragliding community donated over $4,500.00 allowing us to give both the Mission and the School hope. Our ongoing commitment will require your continued support and will constantly remind the public of our good nature.
Jeff O'Brien, Davis and Belinda, myself and others have decided to continue to support the Mission (Father Frank) by giving $500 each month to go towards medical supplies. In addition to this, we committed to give the school in Canoa $2900 now and an additional $3,100.00 by March of 2010 to build a new class room that will be named and labeled after hang glider (and paraglider) pilots. Additionally, we will provide them with one year's pay to staff this new class room of $3,000.00. A total of $5,900.00 is needed by March 2010 to meet our commitment.
Belinda Boulter had the opportunity and took the time to further develop a very close and personal relationship with the school officials in Canoa resulting in our ability to qualify what we are doing. Many tears were shed when we announced to them our plan and handed them what money we had to offer at the time. Davis Straub (Oz Report) will be assisting in many ways and adds more to this than I can explain at this time. The mix of people and supporters is simply amazing.
The results of the commitment will raise the awareness of hang glider pilots around the world and set a good example for others to follow. However, the primary reason we are doing this is because it needs to be done and our hearts are drawn to do so.
I ask that you continue to support these commitments, but not by donating your own money. It is very important that you go to family and friends that are outside of the hang gliding community and ask for support. Let your hearts guide you along the way as we develop a new organization of hang glider pilots supporting children everywhere we fly. Please help us meet and exceed our commitments.
You can donate here: "rgg1 (at) charter.net" with a credit card or PayPal (or go to the link at the top of this page).
I would love to see wide distribution of Jeff's video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvzRt1d1DOo
http://vimeo.com/7092548
Jeff will be working on another video to document what we have done here in Ecuador. Jeff's first video is very powerful. It would be fantastic if it went viral. It is a great video to watch, very beautiful and moving. If these video links got passed around that would help. Accompanied by the link to the donations above. It would be great if you could help out by passing along this article.
More on this story behind this here: http://ozreport.com/pub/socialresponsibility.shtml
Thanks goes to Alicia Harmon, paraglider pilot, who pointed us toward the school in Canoa.
Davis Straub
http://ozreport.com
http://ozreport.com/worldrecordholder.php
http://ozreport.com/location.php
Guayaquil, Ecuador
