Moto Crew Event Volunteers Needed – June 14/15 in Seattle

[Tyler]

Last year, I volunteered to be a part of the moto crew for the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk benefitting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)… website located here. It was my first time doing an event like this and it was a really incredible and rewarding experience. Sam/nightshine and SacMike both participated on the crew as well. Last year’s planning thread here. Some photos from last year’s event here.

This year, will be held in Seattle, WA, on June 14-15. The crew coordinator, Joe Polizzi, who has become a good friend through this experience, asked me if I might know of anyone up in the area that might like to participate so I’m sharing the details with my friends in the PNW in case anyone would like to.

The Out of the Darkness Overnight, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is a 16-18-mile journey through the night, from dusk until dawn. It's a unique opportunity to bring the issues of depression and suicide into the light as thousands of participants walk together to turn heartbreak into hope for tomorrow. Every step they take and dollar raised for the event will help AFSP continue to develop research and educational programs that will benefit those affected by mood disorders and suicide.

We are in need of volunteers with motorcycles to be a part of the Crew who support Walkers along the Route. Motorcycle Safety is tasked with assisting at difficult intersections and alerting Walkers to dangerous situations. While it’s only January, I am working full time to assemble an all-star Crew comprised of community members willing to volunteer their time to the event. I am seeking opportunities to meet with local motorcycle clubs to discuss the event and register interested members.

Joe’s contact info is:

Joe Polizzi, Crew Coordinator
Out of the Darkness Overnight Seattle
(310) 227-4237 | [email protected]

Tell him I sent ya! B)

 

[owsley]

Thanks for posting this. Nothing more noble than volunteering and recruiting them

 

[n2osx]

Tyler, thank you for posting this. I will be contacting Joe to be able to help. I will also let my brother know and find out if there are ways that he could help as well. My brother is the lead Drug Coordinator and Suicide Preventionist for the US Army in Salem. I am sure that he would be happy to help and maybe be able to get help from the Army with it as well.

Carl

 

[Tyler]

Tyler, thank you for posting this. I will be contacting Joe to be able to help. I will also let my brother know and find out if there are ways that he could help as well. My brother is the lead Drug Coordinator and Suicide Preventionist for the US Army in Salem. I am sure that he would be happy to help and maybe be able to get help from the Army with it as well.
Carl

Thanks, Carl... there are other volunteer opportunities for non-riders as well so your brother sounds like he would be a godsend to help out if he is able! B)

P.S. Is that turtle that you're dragging knee on in your avatar?? :lol:

 

[n2osx]

Tyler, thank you for posting this. I will be contacting Joe to be able to help. I will also let my brother know and find out if there are ways that he could help as well. My brother is the lead Drug Coordinator and Suicide Preventionist for the US Army in Salem. I am sure that he would be happy to help and maybe be able to get help from the Army with it as well.
Carl

Thanks, Carl... there are other volunteer opportunities for non-riders as well so your brother sounds like he would be a godsend to help out if he is able!

P.S. Is that turtle that you're dragging knee on in your avatar??

LOL Yup, that is a wooden turtle that was part of an art project in Bandon, OR. This is where it is. 43.120144,-124.414355 . We saw it while riding down to the Red Wood to go motorcycle camping.

 

[Lauren_TK]

Thanks for posting. The event has garnered two more volunteers.

 

[Shel_TK]

Thanks for posting. The event has garnered two more volunteers.

Aaaand lost two more volunteers. I'm very willing to volunteer for this event. I'm not so willing to pay $50 apiece for the privilege of contributing my time, gas, and vehicle.

To clarify for folks who don't know, this event expects volunteers to pay the same $50 registration fee as walkers.

 

[Tyler]

Thanks for posting. The event has garnered two more volunteers.

Aaaand lost two more volunteers. I'm very willing to volunteer for this event. I'm not so willing to pay $50 apiece for the privilege of contributing my time, gas, and vehicle.

To clarify for folks who don't know, this event expects volunteers to pay the same $50 registration fee as walkers.

It's to help defer costs for the event which include meals, crew shirts, etc. But I understand your point of view.

 

[Shel_TK]

Thanks for posting. The event has garnered two more volunteers.

Aaaand lost two more volunteers. I'm very willing to volunteer for this event. I'm not so willing to pay $50 apiece for the privilege of contributing my time, gas, and vehicle.

To clarify for folks who don't know, this event expects volunteers to pay the same $50 registration fee as walkers.

It's to help defer costs for the event which include meals, crew shirts, etc. But I understand your point of view.

I've volunteered for many events like this in the past, such as the AIDS Walk and similar events, that gave me a t-shirt and some food. This is the first one that's ever asked me for money beyond an unspecified voluntary donation.

Don't get me wrong - I'm a suicide survivor myself and would really like to support this cause. But the $1000 minimum fundraising goal for walkers kept me from ever signing up to walk in the past, and now to find that I'm expected to pay for the privilege of volunteering as well? That just does not sit well with me.

 

[Tyler]

I've volunteered for many events like this in the past, such as the AIDS Walk and similar events, that gave me a t-shirt and some food. This is the first one that's ever asked me for money beyond an unspecified voluntary donation.
Don't get me wrong - I'm a suicide survivor myself and would really like to support this cause. But the $1000 minimum fundraising goal for walkers kept me from ever signing up to walk in the past, and now to find that I'm expected to pay for the privilege of volunteering as well? That just does not sit well with me.

It is a hot button and Joe is aware of that... if you'd like to volunteer but have issue with the fee, reach out to him as he is very open to speaking with people about this. I looked at it as my donation to supporting the event/cause. YMMV.

 

[Lauren_TK]

I'm in the process of composing a polite email to Joe.

I've been thinking about the email since last night. I want to express my firm opinion without coming across as angry/bossy/whiney/annoying etc.