Bad News St. Jude/Mean Dog.

[DragonRider]

I am afraid that St. Jude will not be able to accomodate us on the 18th. They already have a group of 500 scheduled for a tour , and I was also told they dont normally tour on the weekends, even though we did the tour last year on a Saturday, someone from St. Jude is going to get back to me and we are going to try to figure something out. I am hoping we can get this thing done, and not by having to cancel it all together. Stay tuned to this thread, as soon as I know more I will post it...........

 

 

Edited October 10, 2008 by DragonRider

[Ozark]

Touring St. Judes would be nice, but I'm good with just getting together and presenting the money to them if that could be worked out. Of course the tat's and food would still be expected.

[DragonRider]

That is the alternate plan I am going to purpose to them, hopefully they can have someone accept over $3000.00:mo money: in donations for the Kids, cant let a good day go to waste without lunch and a ride.......So just waiting to hear back from them and get it set up.

[Snarley Bill]

That is the alternate plan I am going to purpose to them, hopefully they can have someone accept over $3000.00:mo money: in donations for the Kids, cant let a good day go to waste without lunch and a ride.......So just waiting to hear back from them and get it set up.

ozarks idea sounds fine to me. we could meet one of their people in the lobby and present the money to them and leave. may work out better for people going back home the same day. bill

[DragonRider]

That would be ideal, could even squeeze in a ride down to Tunicia and check out the casinos, they arent that far from Memphis, a ride along the Mighty Mississippi would be fun...........

 

 

How about some input folks, cant let the day go to waste we got too many people committed to this................

 

 

ozarks idea sounds fine to me. we could meet one of their people in the lobby and present the money to them and leave. may work out better for people going back home the same day. bill

[Bummer]

I'd really rather not tour the hospital. Frankly the emotional side of all the kids who won't make it comes off a little heavy, even from here. Since I got run over I've been way too wheepy anyhow. Kind of hard on that whole biker image thing.

 

I also don't want thanked. I'd rather hand 'em cash in a blank envelope and say it was from some guy in the parking lot. I want the recipient to be obligated to pay it forward freely so that good can just flow across the world. Deep down I'm a starry eyed idealist, but don't tell anyone.

 

All in all I'd rather go riding. Bond with well meaning people. Meet brothers and sisters I don't yet know. That sort of thing.

Edited October 4, 2008 by Bummer
Misunderstanding reduction - I hope.

[DragonRider]

Not to worry, on our tour last year, we didnt see many sick kids at all, it was mostly a tour of the facility, and it was very joyful place to visit not depressing at all. The lobby looks as does the rest of it like a day care or playroom for kids, and you can rest assured our donations go for research not for such things you mention. I came away with a very good feeling for what we did. After all this is all about the kids and their well being and health. We also do this because we know someone who is a cancer survior or has lost a loved one to cancer, and there are some members here who have had loved ones treated at St. Jude Children's Hospital.

 

 

I'd really rather not tour the hospital. Frankly the emotional side of all the kids who won't make it comes off a little heavy, even from here. Since I got run over I've been way too wheepy anyhow. Kind of hard on that whole biker image thing.

 

I'm not even sure I want to do it in the lobby. I've worked at a hospital and know way too much about government regulation of not for profits. I'd prefer to think of our $3k going for research and not a new carpet to fulfil a federal requirement.

 

I also don't want thanked. I'd rather hand 'em cash in a blank envelope and say it was from some guy in the parking lot. I want the recipient to be obligated to pay it forward freely so that good can just flow across the world. Deep down I'm a starry eyed idealist, but don't tell anyone.

 

All in all I'd rather go riding. Bond with well meaning people. Meet brothers and sisters I don't yet know. That sort of thing.

[Bummer]

I didn't mean that to come off as critical. I'm good with it how ever it turns out. The giving is the important part.

[Squidley]

The tour would have been nice, but I'm in agreeance (is that a word

) with lets show up and donate the monies and ride. Mean Dog would have wanted it that way and when we ride from St. Judes...Mark WILL be with us.

Lewis,

I can't thank you enough for grabbing the bull by the horns, your the stuff leaders are made of. Let us show up and share eachothers company as has been mentioned and have a great day knowing that what we are about to do will make a huge difference. I want to thank EVERYONE that donated to this cause and we will see you folks in Memphis on the 18th

[Snarley Bill]

as lewis said the hospital is not at all depressing. it was a heartwarming experience. really nice place and i really respect danny thomas, and family for the amount they have sacrificed to build and maintain this fantastic facility. they are what good people are all about. learned alot and became a much better person after the visit last year. boy i left myself open on that statement. let her eat ozark. lol. what ever lewis works out i'm in. by the way dragonrider is a pretty good guy and deserves alot of credit for his part in supporting st. jude.

[Bummer]

I'm proud of what this group has done. An internet forum that isn't dedicated to back biting and yelling at one another. That alone verges on the miraculous. Then to raise money for a childrens' hospital and dedicate it to a lost Brother. It chokes me up just to think of it. (Seriously.)

 

I respect Lewis immensely for what he's done. I don't believe any of us can thank him enough. I'll be proud to shake his hand at the ride, or pretty much any other time, no matter how it turns out.

[Snarley Bill]

hey lewis what time are we meeting at flying j ?

[DragonRider]

I think we got there last year around 11:30 am, so I am going to say between 11:00-12:00, that should give everybody ample time to make it there, since some are traveling a long distance to get there, we will have lunch there, then a short ride to the hospital to present the check (hopefully shouldnt take to long to present donation and take a few group pics), then I will have a ride planned for those that want to ride down to Tunicia,Ms, where the casino's are located.

 

Thanks to everyone, especially Brad and Bobbie for continuing the drive to help the kids at St. Jude, you guys all made this possible.

 

You guys would make Mean Dog proud.........

 

 

hey lewis what time are we meeting at flying j ?

[Ozark]

Would someone be so good as to post the address or full name of the Flying J? I've never been there, but will be on the 18th. My personal thanks to all of you.

[DragonRider]

For those you that will be coming to Memphis, Tn, St. Jude Childrens Hoespital for the St. Jude/Mean Dog Memorial Ride, here is a map and address and contact number for the Flying J. We will be meeting between 11:00-12:00 for lunch at the FJ.

 

It is located right in the middle of where theI-55 & I-40 intersect, it can be accessed from either one, cant be missed.

 

Flying J Truck Plaza

(870) 735-8500

3000 Service Road Loop

West Memphis, AR

 

It is exit 4 on I-55 and exit 280 on I-40. Hope this helps.

Flying J Truck Stop

 

 

 

Would someone be so good as to post the address or full name of the Flying J? I've never been there, but will be on the 18th. My personal thanks to all of you.

[DragonRider]

Since St. Jude is having a major media event on the 18th and cannot accomodate us for a tour, we are going to be doing the donation and have a tour at the Ronald McDonald House, which is directly across from the hospital. St. Jude patients are the only residents at this RM House, so we will likely be able to meet some patients as we tour the facility. I am looking forward to this and hope we have a good turnout for this event.

[RoadKill]

Since St. Jude is having a major media event on the 18th and cannot accomodate us for a tour, we are going to be doing the donation and have a tour at the Ronald McDonald House, which is directly across from the hospital. St. Jude patients are the only residents at this RM House, so we will likely be able to meet some patients as we tour the facility. I am looking forward to this and hope we have a good turnout for this event.

 

I have personal experience with Ronald McDonald House in St.Louis. It was a godsend. We stayed there for 5 weeks when my son was born. The cost for parents is extremely low and helps to take one other worry off your mind while you are caring for your child.