2015 was a banner year for disc golf. 2016 looks to be even bigger. It’s been fun to watch our sport grow up and really start to mature.
As with anything or anyone that matures, a big part of that process is going from thinking only about one’s self to starting to really think and care about others. What we realize as we get older is that things we take for granted are things that others can only dream of. We start to see just how fortunate we are.
I realize the you can’t go 5 minutes any more without someone being in your face with their hand out. It’s one of the reasons I took the ads off of this site. Enough is enough, right? My theory has always been that if I want to spend or give my money or time, I’ll do it without any one else’s help thank you very much. I’ll select where that money and time goes. I simply can’t keep up with all of the things, animals, places, and people that need help in the world.
But every once in a while something comes along that transcends what we normally see in this world. And that’s where St. Jude comes in. St. Jude helps kids. Not just any kids, but kids with life threatening illness and disease that have no hope of getting help any other way.
These are real kids with real needs. Needs more important than many of the things we disc golfers regularly throw our money behind. We are quick to put in on new baskets for our home course. We buy fundraising discs to support our favorite pro on tour. We put in on 50/50 pots at tournaments to help pay for new tees or a bench for our park. We do a lot of things to help ourselves.
Starting last year, we have been given the opportunity to do something for others in the name of the sport we love. And we have the opportunity to do it again this year. In the spirit with which many of our “ice bowls” are run, we have been given an even larger opportunity to give back.
Last year, disc golfers came together and raised over $225,000 as part of the first annual St. Jude Disc Golf Charity Invitational. One of the great things about St. Jude is that almost all of that money makes it to the kids they help. They are widely considered to be one of the best and most efficiently run charities in the world.
I’ll be honest. I didn’t donate last year. I knew about it. I thought about it. I planned to do it. I just never got around to it. This year I want to make up for that. In doing so, I’m also asking for your help.
I don’t just want to write a check and be done with it. I want the money I donate to not only help St. Jude, but I also want it to motivate as many of my readers, fans, and followers as possible. That’s why I started the Mind Body Disc fundraising team.
My pledge is that for every dollar one of you donates as part of the Mind Body Disc team, I’ll kick in another .25. And I’ll do that up to a total donation on my part of $500. It is my sincere hope that you all put me to the task and make me donate the entire $500 limit.
It will take a true group effort to reach this goal, but I know we can do it. Whether you can give $1 or $100, it doesn’t matter as long as you give something. Give $20 and do without one disc this month. Give $50 and do without a few. I urge you to do what you can to help this very worthy cause.
And in the process you are helping the sport we love to grow and mature. To be an adult. To help the world see us as something much more than a bunch of hippies running around in the woods with frisbees and up to no good. Help show the world what our community is really about. This is our chance to be on the world stage in front of people who may one day return the favor and really help our sport grow.
It’s super easy to be a part of this effort. Just go to the Mind Body Disc team page, sign up for the team, and make a donation. It couldn’t be easier. Don’t do what I did last year. Don’t put it off until tomorrow. Don’t say you’ll get to it eventually. Just take 5 minutes and do it now. The kids and disc golf will be better for it if you do!
When you do, tell the world!
[tweetthis]I donated to @StJude as part of the @mindbodydisc #discgolf fundraising team[/tweetthis]
Beautifully spoken.
I, too, have come to realize the importance and profound nature of this partnership between sport, youth, and healing. Thank you for your words that truly reinforce my commitment and passion towards the 2nd Annual SJDGCI, and this amazing game we play. It’s a wonderful feeling to help these incredible champions of the future. Congrats on this FUN P2P concept and generous goal! I hope to see you there in Seaside! cjb- stjude.org/discgolf
Thanks John!
Tim thanks for your support in helping Disc Golfers grow in the sport and thanks especially in also supporting and promoting St. Jude! I’m a life long Memphian and very proud to have St. Jude’s Headquarters here. Keep up the great work and know your making a difference on and off the course.
Thanks Jack! I’m hoping for big things in this fundraising drive!
Seeing as I’m not a pro player with a bunch of sweeeeeeet plastic to sell as a fundraiser, I just sold a bunch of used discs and an old bag to a new local player. All that cash is going straight to a donation. I think this is a great way to both grow the sport and support the cause! Great work Tim!
That’s amazing Paul! Thank you so much, it is very, very appreciated!