Team Moose Tracks

The Sparrow’s Nest Connection to Moose

I just discovered something pretty cool (or at least interesting, depending on your point of view).  Try to follow my train of thought…if you dare.  Here goes:

·     The Sparrow's Nest is based in Jelgava, a town of approximately 100,000 people approximately one hour drive south of the capital Riga.

·     The main image on the crest of Jelgava is a moose.  Check it out here.

So, don’t you think it’s ironic that it’s Team Moose Tracks that’s riding to raise money for an organization based in a town where a moose is the main part of the crest?

OK, maybe it’s just me.

What Your Dollars Can Do

According to The Sparrow’s Nest website, a little support can go a long way in changing a child’s life.  For instance:

·     $10.00 each month will provide for tutoring to help one school age child who has never studied or is developmentally delayed

·     $15.00 each month will provide for the school needs for one child including their transportation, school lunches, and books

·     $25.00 each month will provide the clothing needs for one child

·     $50.00 each month will provide food for one child for one month

·     $50.00 each month will provide for a half-day Christian preschool program with a hot lunch to help little ones prepare for first grade

·     $100.00 each month will provide for the dental needs of ALL children each month

·     $150.00 each month will provide for physical therapy, speech therapy, and counseling for those children who have suffered severe trauma

·     $200.00 each month will provide for the normal medical needs of ALL children for one month

·     $500.00 each month will pay the salary of one qualified, full-time caregiver

·     A one time gift of $700.00 will pay for the children to attend Christian Summer Camp

·     A one time gift of $6,000.00 will support a child fully for an entire year

Email from Alissa Stemple

I received an email from Alissa Stemple, the director of The Sparrow’s Nest, today and wanted to share it with all of you.  She said:

“When I told the staff that there was a team of people coming together to raise funds for us by riding bicycles, they cried. It is amazing to see how God cares for our children and is bringing together a family of people to help us care for them. What a wonder and thrill it is to live each day and know that there is a purpose and a plan for each one of us.”

I’m so proud of what we’re doing and glad that we’ll have such a big impact on these children’s lives.  Thanks to all of you who are riding and supporting our efforts.

What You Can Do to Help

If you’re reading this and you’re not part of Team Moose Tracks, you may be wondering what you can do to help out our cause.  Here are some suggestions:

·     Join the team – If you like to ride (and like ice cream), we’d love to have you.  Shoot me an email and I can give you details.

·     Tell others – Talk to family, friends, business associates, church group members and anyone else about what we’re doing.  Encourage them to visit this site.  Maybe they’ll want to join the team or donate to the cause.

·     Find corporate sponsors – If you know businesses who would like to support a good cause, please refer them to us.  We’ll work hard to represent their products in an exemplary manner.

·     Give – You can donate to our cause by simply emailing me with your pledge.  Or you can give directly to The Sparrow’s Nest.  We’d certainly appreciate your support.

And, as always, if you have any questions, feel free to drop us an email or add a post. Thanks.

The Benefits of Corporate Sponsorship

For anyone reading this blog who wants to support our efforts to help The Sparrow’s Nest, there’s a way you can do it and help out your business at the same time.

The team will be wearing official jerseys (purchased by our main sponsor, Moose Tracks ice cream) during training and the Holland Hundred.  Businesses that contribute $2,500, $5,000, or more to the effort will have their logo on the jerseys (size to be based on contribution) as long as they commit to their donation by March 15 (we need to design and order the shirts – which takes forever).

In addition to this great benefit (and the satisfaction of helping The Sparrow’s Nest), I promise to write kind and beneficial statements about your business on this blog.  Your only problem will be fighting off all the customers headed your way. J

If you want to give, send me an email.  I’ll get back to you with more details.

Updated Website for The Sparrow’s Nest

For those of you who haven’t checked lately, The Sparrow’s Nest has been updating its website – and it looks good!  (They even have a cute sparrow logo on the site now.)  Check it out here.