Folks, with the rapid expansion of the program here in Florida, we are starting to run into a problem; you see, many of the ranges we utilize have no covered firing line, and while in the Fall, Winter, and Spring months this is no big deal, in the Summertime, when temperatures and humidity levels soar, this becomes a serious health concern.
Many of you have seen the large canopy set that PHenry has kindly allowed us to use; they are 10x20', well built, and provide a much needed respite from the summer sun and torrential rains that are a fact of life here in the Sunshine State.
Unfortunately, we only have two of these, which combined, gives us enough cover for about 20 shooters. As we start adding events scheduled concurrently throughout the summer, we will be forced to decide which event gets a covered line, and which does not... This situation is untenable at best, as the health and welfare of students and instructors alike hang in the balance.
Durable canopies such as the ones provided by PHenry are not cheap. They are made of strong materials, and last years. Each 10x20 canopy costs about $250 SHIPPED, and I would like to add 4 more to the stable, allowing us to run 3 events concurrently.
This totals $1,000. That is a lot of money, I know, especially with the economy and job market as it is.
Please, donate what you can. Every little bit helps! I'd like to have these on hand for the April 19th events, and that means I need to order them mid-March at the latest.
Donations can be made in person at any FL Appleseed event, via paypal link below, or can be mailed directly to me:
Florida Appleseed Donations
C/O Eric McCabe
1018 John Moore
Brandon, FL 33511
Via Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EYFMDYZ4DBCFA
Those who donate will receive the following, depending on amount donated:
$10 & up: Appleseed coffee mug
$25 & up: the above, plus a signed and framed certificate of appreciation
$50 & up: the above, plus 1yr associate membership in the RWVA
$100 & up: the above, plus free admission to the Florida Appleseed 2-day event of your choice.
$200 & up: all the above, plus free admission to any/all FL Appleseed events for 1 year.
PM me for details.
FYI- These are the canopies I'm looking at getting: http://www.carportsandmore.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=153&bc=no
(improved design, better looking, and LESS MONEY!)
If you can find a less expensive canopy that is built as tough, please let me know!
Thank you for your continued support of the Florida Appleseed Project!
-ItsanSKS
I know I want to be under a canopy! :) Check on the way.
Since I am likely to be one of the poor souls actually enjoying the shade, sign me up for a contribution. PM me an address to send a check to.
I think I got last one at a home improvement center - do not recall cost. The ones in pic use the white tarps that are near invisible in terms of stopping sun. The ones I used to see at the discount clubs were silver and had a black paint on back side and they are utterly opaque - no sun gets thru - huge dif in temp underneath.
If anyone has a pipe bender and a wire feed welder - copies of mine could be made and tarps / bungees are easy to come by. Fence top rail or EMT (metal electrical conduit) makes the poles. Likely be more work than it's worth, but who knows? I generally seem to have time and no $, or $ and no time. Lately - very little of either! !@#)
In addition to the canopies - we need active instructors as well - the kind that want to work their way up to shoot boss. With only two active SBs (right now) in FL and an expected 68+ events - yikes! :wb: ~~:) ~~:)
Many thanks, in advance, for anything you can do - monetary is very nice - your time would be incredible! O0
(bump)
$250 pledged so far!
Hawkhavn bought several for use in Indiana from Menards Home store. My wife is a product rep and goes to Menards nearly every day in two states. She has seen them as low as $70 on close out, down from $200. Haunt your home improvement stores and they might be had for a lot less than mail order.
When you get them mark the joints with colored electrical tape and assembly will go much much faster. If we see them next week we will grab some for you.
YHJ
This sounds like a win, win for those of Us who would like to bring more people into the Appleseed Program, but have yet to claim the Riflemans patch!
see below.
Those who donate will receive the following, depending on amount donated:
$10 & up: Appleseed coffee mug
$25 & up: the above, plus a signed and framed certificate of appreciation
$50 & up: the above, plus 1yr associate membership in the RWVA
$100 & up: the above, plus free admission to the Florida Appleseed 2-day event of your choice.
$200 & up: all the above, plus free admission to any/all FL Appleseed events for 1 year.
With this in mind I sent a check! I hope that a few others out there will do the same!
Come on People, if I who just bought a new to Me house can do it, You can send a few dollars toward a much better Appleseed experience, for everyone!
This is just another way to thank, Those Red hats, Orange hats, Who have given their best to help You become a better shooter! Thank You one and All!
TomM1Thumb
I would like to personally thank those of you who have kindly donated so far. Due to your generosity, we are well on our way to making this a reality.
The company, Carportsandmore.com, a US-owned company, selling Made In the USA products, (these carports are manufactured in CT) in recognition of our 501.c.3 non-profit status, has kindly offered to consolidate shipping costs, as well as a $30/unit price reduction.
With your generosity, we can provide a better experience for our attendees, support a gracious American company, AND support American Workers- how could it possibly get better!?
-ItsanSKS
A very generous donation has brought our total to $550 pledged so far. We've made it past the half-way point!
For those who are mailing in their donations, please indicate in your correspondence what your screen-name is.
Thank you for your continued support!
-ItsanSKS
Monday Update:
We have just about met our goal, due to the generosity of many. Funds accounted for so far total $800. I know some of you have mailed checks- I'll update this total as soon as they arrive. I think it is safe to say that I'll be able to order these by the end of the week. Any funds raised in excess of the amount required will be forwarded to the RWVA.
I am stunned at this showing of support. Your response has been immediate and overwhelming. I cannot begin to thank you enough.
Sincerely,
Eric "ItsanSKS" McCabe
ItsanSKS,
Any up date on this thread?
Tom
I was with ItsanSKS over the weekend at an event and he said that the canopies have been ordered. Yay! Shade is a'comin'.... Eric has been busier than a cat in a sandbox so I am answering for him. (You see, my sandbox is already full ;))
Does this mean, I mean could it be, that I might actually git to see my own long lost canopies again! :bow: ^:)^
you just saw them a couple months ago ::)
BTT!!!
Yeah sure, I even touched them, but they still went home with someone else. :'(
UPDATE:
According to UPS, the canopies should be here some time today. If they arrive at an appropriate time, I will set one up and take pictures of it.
A sincere thanks goes out to all who donated, making this possible. I am deeply in your debt.
If you made a donation, please send me a brief notice of the amount made, and an address to send the thank you's to. (I recently had a computer failure which wiped out the spreadsheet I had created for this purpose) I do apologize for this minor inconvenience, but I'll make it up to ya!
-Eric
Canopies have arrived. As it is well past dark, I am going to wait to assemble one of these tomorrow. Looks complicated. Will be marking poles and stuff with phase tape (multi-color electrical tape) to aid in assembly.
Covers for the canopy are NOT LIGHT; this is a good thing, as they are thick material that will block the sun for us.
Can't wait!
-ItsanSKS
Good work sir!
BTT !