Coasting for Kids 2011

That made me lol, Andy...

A new router is pretty cheap. Maybe borrow someones router to see if it works, to see if yours is broken. Or you could just run a wire to it and make it a non-wireless router. Maybe your cordless phone is interfering with the wireless signal? Move your phone to see if that's the problem. If you have DSL service, maybe you need a DSL filter on your phone line.

If we can get you back online, that's more money we can raise for GKTW! :)

Not to split hairs, but I'm not sure why anyone thinks the fund raiser needs to have computer/internet access. It's only ideal for those giving to have internet access and even that is not a deal breaker. You can get the word out and guide people to your site without ever logging in yourself. Am I missing something with that?

And it's purely subjective opinion on my part and really none of my business to boot...but, why would your employer condone you using a work computer to post to an internet forum on coasters, but frown upon logging into a fund raiser page from time to time to check progress? What's the difference?

Carrie, you are right. You got me. I do believe that without internet access, it would be extremely difficult though. I did pass out business cards last year to people I know directing them to my profile on FirstGiving, and some of those people did go there and donate, si it's possible, I guess.

Because of recent postings here, I want to start a charity that collects old computers and parts to reassemble to give to people who can't afford a computer. I believe that everyone who wants a computer should have one. I've been there before. If my Mac ever craps out (now that the warranty has expired), I'd be out of luck for a while.

There's nothing stopping you from raising cash donations either.

Okay, how exactly does Coasting for Kids work as far as donations wise? Do you get donations while riding? Is the amount of money earned your ride time on said ride. Help me out here guys..

When you get right down to it, what you're doing is asking people to donate to Give Kids the World so that you get a free day at an amusement park with the option of marathon-riding one coaster. :)

Generally donations would be collected ahead of time -- IIRC they won't take cash, but if you have personal checks, they have to be turned in on the day of the event -- but online donations can be taken for some time afterward too. A few days before the event, whoever has raised the most at each park wins a prize package (I think at several parks it was a VIP tour at a later date), so that's a good reason to collect ahead of time. Offline donations can be added to your online profile so they count toward that total as well.

That's the way it worked last year, anyway. No one is required to marathon the coaster, and so long as you've raised at least $50, you gain entry to the park. But, the marathon does make the event more visible and cause the general public to ask questions about it, whereupon they can be directed to a tent outside the ride entrance and possibly make a donation there. The coaster marathon is just a way of drawing attention to the event and making it interesting, and bringing in participants.

The coaster marathoning is what had me confused on the whole Coasting for Kids. Thanks birdhombre.

Bird is correct, they do not accept cash, but you can still collect cash donations. If you do, I would suggest putting the cash money into your bank account near the end of the event, and making a donation to the Firstgiving site with your debt card. It appears that Firstgiving isn't counting the cash and check donations that I received and turned in the day of the event last year. Last year, I wrote a check for all of the cash donations that I received, but it isn't showing up on Firstgiving's site, which is understandable.

I asked everyone I knew if they would sponsor me on a coaster marathon. I then described what that really meant. I honestly told them that I probably wouldn't last more than a few hours, non-consecutively, and I joked that I was planning to get really, really sick, for the sake of raising money for this awesome cause.

Try to hit up some of your local business owners who you may be acquainted with. That's where you can score some great donations.

If you have a Facebook or um...what's that called? OH YEA MySpace account, that is the best place to ask your friends for donations.I found a lot of my online friends to be a little timid about using Firstgiving because they may have been unfamiliar with it. Make sure to tell them that it is a safe way to donate.

I made business cards that told my lesser-known acquaintances what I was doing. It had the web address on it, and also told them that they were welcome to write a check of give me cash and I would take care of it. I thanked those people publicly on my Firstgiving account so that they were assured that I was being honest with their money.

That's all I've got for now. I'd love to see everyone raise more money this year! Does anyone else have any tips or tricks?

Stay tuned... information is coming very soon. Sunday, July 24...

I heard a little detail change about something at CP this year. You guys are gonna love it. :-)

If it's ERT on Mean Streak instead of Gemini, I'll stick with Kings Island. :p

CP & LE Railroad? I had to say it.

LostKause said:
If it's ERT on Mean Streak

Nope...

JoshuaTBell said:
CP & LE Railroad?

Nope...

How about 2 hours on a different ride next door ;)

You didn't have to "Nope" me. I was just kidding around, hence the tongue-stickie-outie face.

And maybe I will do Coasting For Kids at Cedar Point this season instead of Kings Island, if what I think is going to be announced is announced.

I figured you wern't serious. But, if I noped josh's and not yours, people would have been wondering why. Let's just say, if what I was told is true, they'll be keeping it in the family.

Since when does anyone hold back from talking about rumors?

I'm building up the anticipointment ;)

Maggie? (YAY!) Or Mine Ride? (Booooo!) :)

I wonder if Kings Island will be doing additional ERT ride time? Any non-kiddie coaster there would be a win for me!

Michigan's Adventure is doing Thunderhawk and Shivering Timbers...