Arapahoe Nation Blasts WeBuildPeople Goal!

It's jaw-dropping.

It's unbelievable.

The mighty Arapahoe Nation, the largest father-child program in the country, set a goal this year to raise $30,000 for WeBuildPeople. We raised $20,000 in 2006. Could we do it?

The program pushed all tribes to join the "One Tribe, One Child" program to donate their wampum to send a child to camp for a week. Longbow Council held several call nights where most all dads in the program were contacted asking for a personal pledge. We only had 6 weeks to meet our goals.

At the WeBuildPeople Victory Celebration on Thursday night, Matt "Moose" Strickland revealed how much money the Arapahoe Nation raised.

$81,762!

This is incredible! Just think of all the needy families and children that will benefit from our hard work.

If your tribe has not made your WeBuildPeople pledge, it's not too late to do so. Contact Matt "Moose" Strickland at 582-2266. We can still take your pledge at the last Fall Outing of the year.

The Alexander YMCA's WeBuildPeople 2007 goal was $675,000, but all the volunteers and donors crushed the goal, raising a record-setting $850,341! This will change the lives of over 1,000 people during the next year!

I want to congratulate everyone involved in the WeBuildPeople campaign. Matt for developing a great plan to take our campaign to the next level, and Steve Motter, our Nation's WeBuildPeople Colonel. We also couldn't have done it without the help of our incredible Longbow Council volunteers.

Princesses Wrap up Fall Outing Weekend

We had the second Fall Outing ceremony for the remaining 1st & 2nd year Princess tribes this past Sunday.

What a beautiful day and evening! I enjoyed welcoming the 1st and 2nd year tribes at the deck and handing out our cool new 2007 Fall Outing patches.

I've never seen so many torches before. There were so many torches, that we actually ran out of kerosene. Lighting them also took longer. The procession nearly got to the torches before all were lit. Seeing all the torches and their reflection in the lake is an impressive sight.

The ceremony was more impressive now that the time has changed. Unlike the first weekend, it was completely dark before the procession came down between the torches.

I had my son Aaron "Tough Bull" (7th year) and my daughter Ashlyn "Fuzzy Kitty" (2nd year) with me this weekend. I'm already looking forward to this Sunday when I'll be bringing my wife Monica and my parents to Kanata to see Fall Outing for themselves.

Attention Guide Tribes! The Princess tribes have raised a ton of money for WeBuildPeople! Can you top them? I know you can! Make sure your tribe has talked about your tribe's pledge for WeBuildPeople by the time you come to Fall Outing. We will be collecting your tribe's WeBuildPeople pledge cards on the Mess Hall deck where you check in. Remember, no money is due now. Just your pledge.

I heard about one tribe having a yard sale with all the proceeds going to WeBuildPeople. That's an excellent idea. The dads matched the sales and then one of the dads' employers matched the total contribution. This is a great way to meet your $500 donation level (or more!) to be eligible to win a free Spring Outing for the entire tribe.

I look forward in seeing all the 1st & 2nd year Guide tribes this Sunday! Don't hesitate to come and say hello. Be the first Little Brave to come up and meet me any time Sunday and mention this blog and you'll win 15 fireballs!

Has Your Tribe Made Your WeBuildPeople Pledge?

As Nation Chief, I'm asking that each tribe pledge their yearly wampum at Fall Outing to the YMCA's WeBuildPeople program, which helps send kids to summer camp who would otherwise not be able to afford the opportunity. This year, it will cost $150 to send a child to camp.

At Fall Outing, your tribe can make your WeBuildPeople Wampum pledge. When you do, each member of the tribe will receive a cool new WeBuildPeople patch. Don't worry about collecting money now. The chief will be billed in Spring 2008.

But wait! There's more! Those tribes that raise $500 or more are eligible to enter a prize drawing for some amazing gifts, including a free Spring Outing for the entire tribe, free Winter Inning tickets for the entire tribe and the ability to choose your cabin at Spring Outing.

For every $100 donated over the $500 level, your tribe will get an additional entry in the drawings. For example, if your tribe donates $700, your tribe's name will get 3 entries!

Can your tribe easily raise $500? Absolutely! For a 10-dad tribe and 15 tribe meetings remaining, dads would simply have to add $3.00 to wampum bag (in addition to earned wampum) at each tribe meeting (twice monthly). This would raise $450. Add in the earned wampum and you'll certainly hit $500.

The WeBuildPeople campaign supports the entire experience at the YMCA and targets the most pressing needs -- scholarship, outreach, youth development and more. 100% of the dollars are used for these needs; no dollars are spent on administrative services or fees. Every gift, regardless of size makes a difference!

In 2006, the Central YMCA (now the Alexander YMCA) raised over $625,000 and used these funds to assist about 775 children and families in the YMCA's youth and membership programs (i.e. afterschool care, summer day camp, tutorial programs, Y-Guides, etc). It also supported the YMCA's subsidized outreach programs for children living in low-income housing communities.

The Y-Guides & Princess program has been asked to raise $25,000 in 2007. We can do better!

If your tribe hasn't discussed WeBuildPeople, discuss it at your next tribe meeting. Push your tribe to make a difference in the lives of kids in the community.

I ask for Big Braves to try to also make a personal donation. Many of you have been contacted by a Longbow Council member about making a donation. If not, you can call Matt "Moose" Strickland at (919) 582-2266. He can take your pledge over the phone. Donations over $100 can be broken into installments beginning in 2008. Also don't forget that some local employers will match your donation! Contact your HR department to find out!

Want to hear and see how the WeBuildPeople program is changing the lives of people in our community? Watch this great video!