Gatlinburg First Responders Fund Raiser

[CarolinaViper]

Fund Raiser for Gatlinburg First Responders

As you have recently heard, the City of Gatlinburg, TN was devastated by deadly out-of-control fires. Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said the wildfires that swept through East Tennessee caused 14 fatalities and more than $500 million in damages to private and commercial properties. The fires affected 17,136 acres and destroyed or damaged roughly 2,460 structures across Sevier County.

The town of Gatlinburg has always been supportive of our Viper families by providing any assistance we needed and asked for during Tail of the Dragon (TOD) events over the past 11 years. For 2017, the VOA has again designated the TOD as a Bucket List event!

The AL/TN & Carolinas Regions are starting a fund raiser for four First Responders and their families from Gatlinburg who lost everything during the fires, two who work for the police department and two more who work for the fire department. Although there are several national/local agencies conducting general fund raisers, the VOA has a chance to reach out and touch the individual families who have specifically helped us make our Gatlinburg events a success over the years.

Attached is a link to our PayPal account through which you can make contributions ranging from $10.00 to $250.00. Unlike most agencies that collect money, all donations that we receive will be provided to the four families. AL/TN and the Carolinas Regions will absorb all PayPal fees up to $400.00, ensuring that these families in need will receive every dollar you donate. Please be generous during this Holiday Season!

Also, for those that would like to contribute but don't have a PayPal account or would prefer to send a check please make the check out to "Carolinas Viper Club" and in the memo section please put Gatlinburg Fund. The check can be mailed to:

Carolinas VOA c/o Jeff Barnes
164 Laurel Ridge Dr.
Old Fort, NC 28762

PayPal Link: http://www.carolinasvoa.com/gatlinburg_fund.htm

We will leave the link open until January 6, 2017

Thanks from both the AL-TN & Carolinas Region for supporting this great cause.

[Wagnut ACR]

Thanks for starting this. Absolutley horrible situation. I was in Pigeon Forge for work this week and took a quick spin into Gatlinburg. When I first came to TN is was instantly drawn to the beauty of the Smokeys. I wish everyone affected the best. Such an unnecessary tragedy. BTW when donating it would only allow me to donate $10 at a time, even when selecting a different amount. I'll just keep donating $10 at a time.

[CarolinaViper]

Thanks for starting this. Absolutley horrible situation. I was in Pigeon Forge for work this week and took a quick spin into Gatlinburg. When I first came to TN is was instantly drawn to the beauty of the Smokeys. I wish everyone affected the best. Such an unnecessary tragedy. BTW when donating it would only allow me to donate $10 at a time, even when selecting a different amount. I'll just keep donating $10 at a time.

Thanks, for responding so quickly. I just tried the $25.00 & $50.00 and it took me to to by check out at PayPal. I see what you are referring to once go go to commit it changes to $10.00. I see if we can't get it fixed quickly.


Jeff



Brian got it fixed...thx Brian hated to bother you on you vacation.

[Special Ed]

Jeff this should be emailed to the entire VOA membership as many do not visit the forums on a regular basis. I am sure that this is important to many outside the Carolina,Tennessee & Alabama regions as this was a bucket list event in 2015 and is again in 2017. This area gives so much to VOA members, I'm sure that many would participate if they were aware of the program that has been set up.

[SmoknTires]

This is an amazing cause and one of the great components of our club. Jeff, a great effort.

SE, I understand the suggestion but unfortunately we can't email all members, as it's not fair to the many other regions who also have many things they'd like to promote. We get requests from regions to use the national lists for a variety of items (charity efforts in addition to region fund raisers and personal and professional items that are also Viper related). It's our policy not to solicit members via email as it wouldn't be fair to them to be solicited as it would send (likely 100 more emails a year) to 2000 people. This was going to be tied to the Tail of the Dragon event, but since needs need to be more timely, the effort is being made now.

Good luck!

[CarolinaViper]

Jeff this should be emailed to the entire VOA membership as many do not visit the forums on a regular basis. I am sure that this is important to many outside the Carolina,Tennessee & Alabama regions as this was a bucket list event in 2015 and is again in 2017. This area gives so much to VOA members, I'm sure that many would participate if they were aware of the program that has been set up.

Ed,

I talked with Alex, even though we can't use the Club-wide email system for this valiant cause we decided to let each region's president decide if they feel this great cause warrants them to disseminate though their region's individual email system. As many know, Tail of the Dragon probably has more members attending from different regions than any other event with the exception of the NVEs. We are hoping this will cover the large gap, as we know only a small percentage of the VOA members access the Forum on a regular basis.

Jeff

[Viper Girl]

The links have been added to our social media accounts.

[Sam Goldfarb]

I sent emails out to our region and made a donation. Good Cause, Happy Holidays to all!

[CarolinaViper]

I sent emails out to our region and made a donation. Good Cause, Happy Holidays to all!

Sam (Ohio Region) and Brent (IN/KY Region), thanks for sending the emails. My wife and I just returned from Denver, and when I was able to turn the phone on, it was nice to see several more Members & Enthusiast from your regions (and others) contributing to the fund. While my wife Donna and I were watching the Bronco's lose to the Patriots, we realized how very fortunate most of us are. These four families which include seven children are homeless, possession-less, and are probably wondering what's next, while most of us are wondering when we can drive are cars again.

I want to thank you guys for disseminating the request to your members.

I also want to thank you guys and the other member & enthusiast (about 15) who have contribute so far and hope that everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday.

Jeff

[Steve-Indy]

Jeff, I hope that this effort is moving along well...especially at this special time of the year.

Thanks for putting this together!!