Coasting For Kids 2013!

Got an e-mail today..date is Sunday June 9. I'll be at Dorney. I was actually considering doing it at KD, but then I gotta think about a motel for two nights and taking Monday off from work. So Dorney's where it's at for me, to borrow a phrase from Carrie.

That's the same weekend as Cedar Point's Coastermania. It looks like I'll be making a weekend out Coastermaia after all, despite the event being only one day this year.

Can't wait for this year's event!

Know where you'll be hanging out yet, Kara?

As usual, Dorney's the last park to announce their details..all of the other ten parks have done so.

I see Carowinds participants will be riding the Goldrusher and Ricochet. While I thought Goldrusher was a pretty good ride and Ricochet is what it is, I'm surprised they're not featuring Intimidator or Afterburn.

My donations have dried up already, and I'm well behind the last two years. That's how it goes, I guess.

Less than a month to go! How many 'Buzzers do we have participating this year? I'll be at Cedar Point as usual, glad I can ride again this year instead of just being a 'virtual rider'.

I'm making the switch from Dorney to KD after my hiatus last year. I've got $120 so far, not including the $50 check I haven't yet deposited. Any 'buzzers for the Virginia excursion?

Dorney FINALLY announced their details. They're mixing it up a little this year, providing time on four coasters:

30 minutes on Stinger (Ow.)

2 hrs on Steel Force (for old times sake.)

1.5 hrs on Talon (mmm...)

1.5 hrs on Hydra (meh)

Now that they've announced, I sent a follow-up e-mail to past contributors to my page who had not yet come through in 2013. That resulted in one $50 contribution from an ex-boss. I also received a substantial contribution from someone which was not as a result of that e-mail. So, all of a sudden, I've exceeded my total from my first year, 2011. Today was a good day for CFK!

Ouch, Stinger and Hydra. Last time I rode Hydra (Oct. 2011) it was running pretty rough, and I don't think it was even that cold outside. I would enjoy the middle 3.5 hours though!

Hydra's not bad from the front and from the second to last seat. I can't believe they even put Stinger on the list though.

Mike, don't feel bad about your donations. I'm gonna have to cover the rest of mine myself because my friends and family all stink! Was hoping to raise a ridiculous amount of money, so I'm pretty bummed.

Several Coaster Buzzers have helped me out the last coupla years. So whattya say, ladies and gentlemen? Let's give our Bunky a pick-me-up for her first go-round!!

I've got some friends sharing the links on Facebook...still gotta get out the flyers to my gym.

A week and a half to go, and we're up to $78,599! Cedar Point has raised the most so far, with Dorney not far behind.

Hopefully in the remaining days we'll surpass last year's $114k. I still have a few verbal pledges coming in soon, plus an employer match.

I'm likely done. Several CoasterBuzzers contributed to my $1001 total (Thanks!!) So I've done better than my first year, but not as well as last year.

To quote the Temptations, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," whether it be for more money or the back seat on El Toro. So, there's still room on my train if anyone wishes to contribute.

A coupla co-workers have promised me a few bucks, but they're people I can't depend on.

Can't wait!!!...but I HAVE to :(

Someone at Dorney Park received $8000 in donations over the weekend!

Wasn't me :(

He's actually participating at Kings Dominion, though -- it's just showing up on the Dorney page for some reason, he said. So you're in 3rd place. :)

Oh. Is he a CB'er? I don't recognize the name.

I was hoping NOT to "win" third place. It's a gift bag, and I don't want to lug it out to the car and come back. If I get that, I'll either give it to another participant, or more likely, donate it back to the organization for use at the village. I seem to remember it contains board games and sundry other items. And btw, bird, congrats on your fund-raising! Kudos to all the other CB'ers participating as well!

Nah, I read his post on another site which I can't link to from here. ;)

I got the 3rd place gift basket last year. There was a GKTW edition of Candy Land, a picture frame, an awareness bracelet, a book (I think with pictures and testimonials from families who had been there), and some other things with their logo I can't remember. There was also a *very* nice duffle bag that I now use for all my weekend trips.

Presuming this year's basket would be similar, if I do finish 3rd I would probably let them give it to someone else too. Of course the prizes aren't why we do this, but it's a fun incentive, and obviously it gets some people to open their wallets -- last year I was in 2nd place until someone else got a $1,000 donation just minutes before the deadline!

I think it's kind of cool that we'll be getting Fast Lane passes for that day too, although I'm not sure how much I'll want to ride other things after a full day of Geminizing.

Last year at Dorney, they gave ALL participants Fast Lane bands for use on the day of the event. This year, it's only for fund-raisers of 1K or more. So even though I'll get one, I may not even use it since my companion and frequent riding partner (I hope to share a few rides with bunky666 as well) will not receive one. I offered to buy her one, but she balked. I'd mainly want it for Thunder Canyon, as I'll have plenty of laps on Steel Force and Talon during the event.

"Geminizing"...I love that!

You could always give me the FastLane bracelet if you really don't want it. *wink*

I just want the lap counter, but my friends who all promised me donations seem to have balked. I believe I am in 5th place (maybe 6th now). Not too shabby for my first time though! I wish I was a creative fundraiser though. I just keep thinking about the waitress at my favorite restaurant who lost her little boy to the same cancer as Alex (the lemonade stand child) and how she could have benefited from a GKTW trip, and it makes me wish I figured out something to get a ton of funds. However, I kind of did this on a whim (have never participated in something like this before), and I'll have more prep time next year.

Does anyone have any good suggestions for last minute fundraising?