Three items in this update:
- Wounded Airmen and Guardians Program (WAP) – New software
- Sharing Hotel Rooms
- Extra M2M Bike Jerseys
Item 1. Wounded Airmen and Guardians Program
Fortunately, we have the ability to help our wounded Airmen and Guardians through the M2M. I think the charitable aspect of the M2M is simply wonderful! We are helping some wounded already and will help an increasing number in the future as this ride grows. To those that have already considered donating this year, a big thank you. Over the past year, the Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) has worked to improve the M2M software we use to attract and encourage donations to the Wounded Airmen and Guardians Program (WAP). The AFA has succeeded! You can view new software under the “Donate to WAP” on our website, M2MRide.com. Check it out, you will like it and many of the features like the fundraising thermometer allowing everyone to see how we are doing against our fundraising goal.
We have set a goal of raising $15K for this year. I think the way we achieve this ambitious goal is to set up peer to peer fundraising by those so inclined. The new software makes this easy. (Please note: I realize that everyone has his or her own financial situation and many already have important causes they support…so please know there is no pressure to donate, just the opportunity).
This year, we will likely have some of the wounded (that the WAP is supporting) ride part (or even all) of the M2M. I hope it happens. How lucky are we that this may come to be.
How to donate to the Wounded Airmen and Guardians Program (WAP).
- Go to M2Mride.com and scroll down to select “Donate to the Wounded Airman Program”
- To donate select “Donate now” and make your valued contribution
For those who wish to create a personal fundraising page (peer to peer fundraising):
- Click on “Become a Fundraiser”
- Select “As an individual”
- Set your personal fundraising goal
- Write a headline for your personal fundraising page
- Click Next and you will have the option to upload your profile photo
- Click “Continue” to finish setting up your profile.
When viewing your profile, you can select “Manage” in the top right corner to edit your personal story, write an update, or view your recent donations. If you run into any issues setting up your fundraising page, Joe Macias and Paul Schneider at the AFA are standing by to help you.
Joe Macias jmacias@afa.org C: 202.281.9590
Paul Schneider PSchneider@afa.org C: 484-326-1423
Finally, on this first item, there is a releasable vignette describing how the WAP has helped one of us in need by supplying a recumbent bike. I add it because sometimes one story means more than a set of statistics. You can read it below the my signature block below. Thank you AFA for this work.
Item 2: Sharing Hotel Rooms (An option for those interested)
A few riders have expressed the desire to share hotel rooms to reduce the cost of the M2M and have asked that I make a bulletin board similar to our bulletin board for travel to and from the M2M. So, I have created a bulletin board for those offering or wishing to share a room and its costs.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11E0-mrc14vRBchqDTsaXMCp2ghl0qL-7qzAcVhOnj-o/edit?usp=sharing
Item 3: M2M Bike Jerseys
Knowing we would have people signing up in July and August after the M2M Kit Store closed, we ordered a few extra M2M cycling jerseys. If you are interested in one, drop me a note and tell me your desired size. I may be able to help. (And depending on how the August rush of registrations goes, we will likely have some extra T-shirts for those interested. Emilie will have them at the M2M.)
We are getting close. This M2M is going to be great…bigger and better!
I owe you at least one more update toward the end of the month with the routes for downloading into your navigation equipment and all the pertinent phone numbers.
And finally, a big shout out to our sponsors this year that have paid for the lion share of the M2M: Raytheon Technologies (RTX), Lockheed Martin, BGI, Kihomac, Penske, USAA, and Campus Cycles.
Excited to ride with you!
Surf
M2M Director
AFA Wounded Airmen Program in action:
Eric Fisher is a retired Technical Sergeant who suffered a heart attack while deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. After an intense rocket attack, he was evacuated to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, for treatment then sent home. At the time, Eric was serving as an air transportation specialist with the Air Force Reserve and as a special education teaching assistant in his civilian life. During his follow-up treatment and recovery, Eric was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and was later diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer. His ongoing health concerns are related to his PTSD, heart condition and residual effects from the chemotherapy that include neuropathy and memory dysfunction. He was placed on the permanent disability retirement list.
Carrie Fisher, his wife, took on the role of caregiver for her husband after this life-altering incident. They were both forced to quit their full time positions, Carrie took on a part-time position to help with their finances and together, they focused on Eric’s care. Through the help of AFA’s Wounded Airmen & Guardians Program and support through DoD programming, Eric found his way back to the camaraderie of the Air Force through adaptive sports. In addition, through the help of an emergency assistance grant from AFA’s Wounded Airmen & Guardians Program, the family was able to negotiate a better option with the bank and move forward in improving their financial and living condition.
Carrie expressed her heartfelt thanks to AFA’s Wounded Airmen & Guardians program for the continuous support.
“He [Eric] fell in love with recumbent biking and archery. With many physical and cognitive limitations, these two sports opened up a new world for him to be active again. With approval through AFA’s Wounded Airmen & Guardians Program for a recumbent bike, he was able to obtain the equipment necessary to continue biking. That step toward a more active lifestyle also inspired him to seek out options for expanding his interest in archery. Your [AFA’s Wounded Airmen & Guardians Program] generosity with that first piece of biking equipment helped him learn he was not too broken to live actively.”
Carrie Fisher, Air Force Caregiver
Comments are closed