Toys for Tots summary

This is a posting that Ron Young, the organizer and one of the judges made to the NADAC yahoo news group about the toys for Tots trial this past weekend. I think it gives you a good feel for the trial...

Toys for Tots Fundraiser

I just wanted to provide the annual summary of the Toys for TotsFundraiser. Due to scheduling issues, this year we tried a "NADACToys for Tots Fundraiser, Christmas in July, Midnight MadnessTrial." This trial became a success as soon as the first competitorentered. This particular event isn't so much about Q's and titlesand ribbons, but more about making Christmas special for kids, andas soon as we make Christmas special for ONE kid, the event is asuccess. Each additional child that we can bring a Christmas smileto only builds on that success.

Entries this year were down significantly compared to previousyears, with entries being about 1/3 of what they have been before.The reduced entries did not reduce the fun we had, and thosecompetitors who dodged thunderstorms, bugs, and heat were quitegenerous. Even though we had only 1/3 of the previous entries, wewere able to raise about ½ of what we have in the past.

Friday afternoon started off sweltering hot and humid. Just afterthe presentation of colors by the Marines, and before we could getour first dog on the line, a nasty storm came up, dumping torrentialrain, and thunder and lightning on us. Fortunately, we were able tocomplete the presentation of colors, and have everyone personallysay "Thank You" to the Marines for their service to our countrybefore the storm came up. After about a 30 minute delay, we wereoff and running (literally) and in no time, Natalie Lewis and herJRT Eddie finished their NATCH with a very nice jumpers run. Wewere also graced with another NATCH run by Linda Anderson and Ezri.Since the storm had knocked out the electricity, we were reallystarting to sweat (ok…maybe it was the heat also) since darkness wasfalling and we still had no lights. Fortunately, just aboutnightfall, the electricity came back on and we were able to keeprunning.

Saturday we had quite a few more entries than on Friday, but sincewe did not have any rain or darkness delays, we still finished atabout the same time. At one time, a storm looked imminent, as thewinds picked up and a few raindrops fell, but the storm skirted us.

The raffle, as always, was expertly handled by our Raffle Queen andher Raffle Princesses and was once again a huge success. Manythanks to Sydney Armstrong, Becky Spring, Joanne and Megan Crayton,Laura Ann Welch and everyone else who made the raffle a success.Even bigger thanks go out to all of the people, companies, and clubsthat contributed items to be raffled. And the biggest of thanks goout to our exhibitors who were extremely generous, purchasing $947worth of raffle tickets. With the generosity of our anonymousdonor, once again matching the raffle proceeds, our raffle ended upbringing in $1894.

Once again, the trial was held at the Teamworks Dog Trainingfacility in Youngsville, NC, and a HUGE Thank You goes to Teamworksfor giving us one of their trial dates for the fundraiser, and aneven bigger Thank You goes out to Michele Godlevski for being anever-gracious host and a true joy to work with. And we cannotforget Greg Godlevski for putting up with Michele, and also forworking hard to make sure the grounds were mowed prior to the trial.Since this is a NADAC fundraiser, not hosted by a club, we relyheavily on volunteers, and while there were so many people thatstepped up to help, a special Thank You goes out to Tim and BeckySpring for ALWAYS helping, and to Bruce and Emily Glatzel for comingall the way from Georgia, just to help with scoring. Their calm,cool heads at the scoring table are always welcome, and they are ajoy to spend time with.

Finally, I want to thank the NADAC staff for all that they do tomake this trial a success. Sharon has been a HUGE supporter of thisfundraiser from day one, and it simply could not happen without hersupport. In addition, Marj Vincent came in all the way fromWashington State, just to make sure I had enough judging help. Sheis a great judge, a great competitor, and a great friend and herjudging made it a Midnight Madness trial instead of a "Stretched into Morning" trial.

And of course, it goes without saying, that all of the exhibitors should be thanked. Those guys and girls braved wicked heat,thunderstorms and bugs to come out for a good cause. The smiles,jokes, and camaraderie of this group of people ALWAYS make trialsfun.

Okay….enough about the obligatory "Thank Yous"…..and on to whateveryone really wants to know. How did we do?

Entry Fees - 3855
Day of Show Entries - 280
Raffle Proceeds - 947
Raffle Matched - 947
Total Going to Toys For Tots - 6029
Making Christmas special for kids......PRICELESS

Thank you all for making the 3rd annual NADAC Toys for Totsfundraiser a "Wags to Wishes" success. I'm already planning for next year!Regards,

Ron Young

Thanks to Ron and everyone else that made this trial so much fun...