Calling All 37 Forever Members!

[Mark M]

I apologize for the length of this ...

I know there are a great deal of people out there that have shown interest in the 37 Forever Foundation. Now, for those that said they were interested in being members, yet haven’t seen the website ([url]http://37forever.homestead.com/[/url]) [i]please[/i] check out the message board and let us know if you will be at the Sept. 8th meeting. We need to get some kind of count so we know what to expect. If we have 12 people show up, well, I guess us 12 will have a great time. If 200 show up, we’ll have a great time but we might run out of food. So [b]please[/b] respond to the thread about who will be there, and let us know [i]one way or the other[/i] (which is the definition of RSVP :p ).

For those that said they wanted to be members, yet haven’t chimed in on anything, here’s the deal (or at least my take):

1. We are not asking for money (although the dinner will have a charge ... not much, but something to be decided in the next few weeks). The Foundation will be funded primarily through corporate sponsorship. Although we will look for and accept personal donations, it is not being done at this time, nor will you be hit up for check. The only money you will ever have to pay is a membership fee (which will be reasonable and decided, again, in the next few weeks). I don’t make a whole heckuva lotta cash and don’t intend on spending much myself, so don’t worry. We are not looking to bilk you out of your hard-earned paycheck

2. We are [i]not[/i] asking you to drop everything in your professional and/or personal life to spend time working for the Foundation. What we ask is that you spread the word ... let people know about Joe and his actions ... let them know about the Foundation. If you have any knowledge you’d like to contribute, please feel free to do so. If you have any time to write letters or visit corporations in the future to get donations, please do so. Basically, [i]any[/i] contribution at this point is better than none.

3. This is [i]not[/i] a scam of some sort. Now, my wife is still a bit leery (she’s just like that). After all, most, if not all, of us have never met in person (I have met Alan Clubine, who doesn’t hang out on this BB, and he appears to me like a very, very genuine person). We only know each other from what we type, and that makes judging people and their intentions very difficult. Hell, I’ve had my doubts at one time or another. But I’m willing to give Adam a chance. Think about it ... without him, Poznaski never writes that article and without him, Flannigan never gives us space in the Sunday KC Star (the best selling day for them). If this were some kind of scam, he would’ve asked for us to give him money first, he wouldn’t (or at least I doubt he would) have gone through all of this trouble to keep us updated on everything, Otter wouldn’t have created the website, and Adam wouldn’t have gone out of his way to get people tickets to the home opener. Besides, if someone just wanted to scam some cash over the internet, there are a lot of easier ways to do it.

4. The money we raise goes towards three things: 1. A scholarship for underpriveledged youth; 2. An award for someone who has done something akin to what Joe did; 3. provide community swim lessons to inner city kids (we already have the Red Cross’ support on this). No money is going into Carolyn’s pockets, nor any of ours.

I’m writing this because, well, it seems that a lot of people showed interest at first and now it seems like those that seemed gung-ho don’t even check in. I know Adam sent a whole heckuva lot of emails at first, but that has calmed down (not a rip, Adam, just a comment ;) ).

This is not intended to chastise anyone, to whine and cry about people not doing stuff or anything else. The things that need to be done at this stage are getting done, and we are on the verge of something absolutely huge and wonderful.

Now, some of you might ask why I support the Foundation. Well, the fact is, I’ve never been given the chance to do something like this ... something good, something right. Joe was the first Chief I remember being a fan of, and I can still remember how I cried the day he died. I’ve done a lot of crappy things in my life and I guess this is my way of trying to atone in some way or another. I’m proud to be a part of this group. Whether we fall on our faces or not, at least I know I did what I could to help others.

Adam, I apologize if I’m out of line in any way, shape or form. I’m doing this because I feel these things need to be said.

MM
~~Hopes that people are listening.

[tommykat]

:D MM.....
I'm behind you and Adam 100%. I'm doing what I can in Springfield, Mo. and I think what I am getting done for the auction should bring the Foundation some good money.

Anyway, I agree. A lot of people were gung ho and it did slow down, so now is the time to get in and rip through some towns and companies! Help make this come true for Joe Delaney and his wife! She deserves this as much as Joe.:)

Nice post, Mark.

I, too anticipate great things from the foundation. We probably won't change the world, but I hope that we can touch some lives - I believe we already have but I'm not satisfied yet.

[ExtremeChief]

Nice post Mark...

I'll be there on the 8th just so I can meet some of you a$$holes ;)


looking forward to it...

[KS Smitty]

Mark I would think there will be at least 13 members present.;)
Your post is well put, with the Posnaski article now's the time for everyone to get on board and do what they can. There are no small jobs only small people. And every member I've been in contact with so far are committed to it's success as much as Adam. Even going so far as offering capital until such time as corporate sponsors are lined up. There is some real dedication going on here. Looking forward to the weekend of the 8th.

Smitty,

Does your first name start w/ a K?

Just putting nicknames w/ email addy's. :D

[AJKCFAN]

Mark:

I wholeheartedly support your post. Allow me to offer these thoughts in addition.

There is NO chance of this being a scam. I've used my actual name, my picture, and made it way too easy to be found in Kansas City. Sh*t, I'll be on the same friggin' floor at the Adam's Mark with some of you guys for an entire weekend.


Now, the one thing I'll dissent here is that from what we are planning to do... with the Scholarships, Community Award, and swimming lessons, and even the golf outing. This will carry a price tag and right now, we need to build a reservoir of sorts for 37 Forever. When one considers how big this is going to be (and let's just say that it won't be long before 37 Forever surpasses Third and Long as Kansas City's most identifiable and powerful Chiefs-related charitable organization), this is how we need to do it.

Fact of the matter is, as we're getting more and more new members added (and we're definitely approaching 100 now), it's extremely apparent that some "members" have only given us lip service and have really let us down.

As far as membership goes, we need to involve a fee. Like what Mark said, it won't be much. As Mark said, it won't be used for any other purpose besides legitimate 37 Forever Foundaton business operations.

There are some waiting for the Letterhead... that's coming out to you by week's end.

As for me, I've concentrated on Fundraiser memorabilia items (along with Alan and Scott) and it's going to be really impressive to see what we'll have for this.

Business is about to pick up....

[KS Smitty]

Yeah Phobia, it starts with a K. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone.

[California Injun]

Mark M,

"If we have 12 people show up, well I guess 12 of us will have a great time. If 200 people show up....."

Now you've done it!! My family was all pumped up to eat like hogs on the 8th with only 12-13 folks attending (i.e. multiple trips to the kitchen for 2nds and 3rds) and now we'll be fighting for table scraps!!!!:p

Let's see what this "scam" entails;

A - Numerous print media will be attending the meeting.
B - Possiblity of former Chiefs players dropping by for support.
C - Killer grub for less than $15 a plate. (Portion goes to 37 Forever)
D - You get to meet a majority of the BB gang on this site.
E - Plenty of Chiefs memorabilia to bid on to help 37 Forever.
F - The inaugural Delaney Golf Tournament that Saturday morning.

Oh, and BTW..... the next day just happens to be the SEASON OPENER at Arrowhead against the stinking Raiders with a new staff coached by Dick Vermiel!!!

Did I mention the tailgater in Arrowhead?

The obligatory KC BBQ potluck?

An entire group of 37 Forever folks sitting in some sweet Loge seats at the game?

The Chiefs kicking butt on the Raiders?

The obligatory post game celebratory KC BBQ potluck?

Yep, this is one SCAM the rest of you want to steer clear of. Everything in this thread screams SCAM so do yourself a favor and save your hard earned dollars for something more pressing in your day-to-day 9-5 existence.

After all, you've been burned in the past when it comes to joining a fan based organization to support a former Chiefs player, and we can't blame you for your apprehension.

Now about that extra food......

[Lightning Rod]

Barring the unforeseen (and life seems to be full of the unforeseen these days) I plan to attend the meeting and the Golf game. I'm rather looking forward to seeing Bob Dole dressed up as the beer girl :)

[Bob Dole]

Be advised, Rod, that Bob Dole will demand to be addressed as "Mistress Helga" for the duration of the dress-wearing event.

[url]http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/home.pat,local/3accd774.723,.html[/url]

~sees a poster child for the 37 cause.

[Bob Dole]

Bob Dole would have to agree, Iowa.

[Mark M]

Iowa--
Looks like we have a potential innaugural winner of the Community Award!

MM
~~Sees good things coming ... and soon!