BCUMC,

In the next 24 hrs I’ll finish another workday and all that packing. Kyle, Caitlin & I fly to Buffalo on Friday, arriving in Niagara Falls about midnight.

On Saturday, I’ll be reunited with my bike, FedEx- delivered a couple days ago, put it together, go through official check-in and ride the Maid of the Mist (an ESAR tradition). Ride-out is Sunday morning.

I’ll be posting a mobile report daily, complete with pictures, on my blog at www.kickstandup.blogspot.com. Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Day2 Inc.

Tracy Daugherty

Last Minute Donations Can Earn Another $20k for the ARI

Cherished Supporter,

It’s the final countdown to the start of the 2008 Empire State AIDS Ride. My bike’s been shipped and packing has begun in earnest.

I’m really proud of the incredible effort of this year’s ARI Breakthrough Riders. We have 3 new riders this year, 2 more that endured a very scary bike/car accident this spring but stuck it out to join us on the crew which includes a large cast of returnees including all 5 second generation ESAR teammates! We also have the highest fundraising per rider ratio of any other team!

But something is bothering me - a lot…

If our team total doesn’t reach $60,000 by August 8, we’ll leave about $20,000 on the table that could have gone to the AIDS Research Institute. It’s a crazy little formula that takes money raised by riders unaffiliated with a beneficiary team and distributes one portion to teams making more than $32,500 and a second portion to those raising at least $60,000. I’m GREEDY and want that second share to benefit the great work of our beneficiary!

If you haven’t yet gotten around to donating, don’t delay! Click below to donate before August 8! If you’ve already donated, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Will you consider giving just a little bit more? In either case, please consider forwarding this message to YOUR email list and let’s get hundreds more involved in ending this pandemic once and for all!

Each one CAN save one. Bless you for support.

Follow this link or copy and paste to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Empire State AIDS Ride: ESAR6.kintera.org/tracyd?faf=1&e=1827374097

Tracy

Our mission trip to White Swan is fast approaching! This will be our sixth year traveling over to the Yakima Indian Reservation to work with the folks in the little town of White Swan. Some projects our church has been involved with include building a basketball court, replacing a roof, rebuilding a wheelchair ramp, reconstructing shelves in the food back, spreading gravel in the play area behind the church, spreading chips in the community play area, and bringing Vacation Bible School to the children in the community. Our church has made such a positive difference in the lives of people of White Swan!

One of our projects this year will be helping to build a Sweat Lodge for the community. The Sweat Lodge is very important in the Native American culture as it is a means of cleansing and renewal. We will also be bringing VBS to their church and community again this year.

If you would like to be a part of this mission experience, there are many ways in which you can participate:

• You can come to White Swan to work on projects, help with VBS, and meet members of the community (July 27 - August 1).
• You can pray for the community of White Swan and for those from our church who are going over to work this year. Please pray for open hearts and open minds to know God and see God in all places and in all people.
• Financial contributions would be appreciated to help with materials needed for projects and Vacation Bible School supplies. You can place this in the offering plate (memo line White Swan).
• Donate used or new blankets to be used in the Sweat Lodge. These can be brought in to the church on Sunday, July 20 or 27.

If you have any questions you can visit the Missions Table in the narthex. There is information about White Swan and the Sweat Lodge posted, and there will a member of the mission team available to talk to you.

Again, we would be blessed and grateful for your prayers and thoughts alone, that this mission trip would make a positive impact on this community. Thank you, Bear Creek UMC, for making a difference in the lives of the people of White Swan and our world.