Here's a little more info about why we need all flavors of contributors, sponsors and supporters:
Dear Potential Sponsor and Iditarod Fan,
One of the many delights of being human is the ability to dream, then overcome challenges and, with lots of work and support, achieve that dream. For nearly a decade, I've dreamed of training my own team and competing in and finishing the 2008 Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska .
I know a little about challenges. My partner and I run a small inn in rural southern Oregon , and business success is a continuous effort. I've succeeded in surviving on one kidney, a result of childhood cancer at 4 ½. In spite of severe scoliosis (a result of cancer-treating radiation), I've developed the strength to train, care for, and control a high energy dog team. Add in my shrimpo stature (5'1'', 110 lbs.), a few other physical ailments, and the demands of owning a business, and you'd rightfully have to ask why in the world I would ever think this dream could possibly bloom into reality. Incentive! I know I CAN do it, and what a way to celebrate my 50 th birthday and demonstrate what can be done with a little perseverance.
My team of 28 Alaskan Huskies and I train year-round, both here in Oregon and in the fall in Togo , MN, where my friend and accomplished distance racer Jamie Nelson shows us the ropes in superb dog care and expert training. But the real work comes from the dogs, each with a distinct personality—shy, silly, serious, boisterous. They are my friends, my teachers, trained athletes, and a few are true born leaders. Our lives become deeply intertwined and we share a closeness only those on a common adventure can know.
Together we have invested many thousands of hours, miles and dollars, but payoff came when we successfully completed our Iditarod qualifiers this past race season. I can now look everyone in the eye and say for sure, “Yes, we are going to do the Iditarod in 2008.” While we've demonstrated the ability to overcome challenges, and it's obvious we know how to work, the 3 rd component is support, specifically financial support. Some $50,000 will be required to accumulate everything from Arctic clothing and Iditarod sleds, to specialized booties, coats, medicines, and a mountain of dog food to get us to the finish line in Nome .
I would like to encourage you to become either an individual or business sponsor. Individuals can sponsor specific dogs, purchase t-shirts, and make general donations toward our training and racing expenses. Customized business sponsorships will include benefits tailored to needs, which can range from personal appearances to photography use, website mention, links, and more. Please contact me for a discussion on how a package might be created for your benefit.
All 24 of us have come so far, but that ultimate race is something we're driven to do, a primal urge, if you will. In the words of Karen Ramstead , a fellow musher and Iditarod veteran, “I'd be the last one to coax anyone into this. It will beat you raw, emotionally and physically. It will strip you bare , emotionally and financially. It will test all your relationships because of the time, emotional and financial burdens. And in the end, if everything goes well, you get a belt buckle and a patch. If you don't want this more than anything else in the world, it isn't for you.”
This is for me, and I hope supporting it is for you. I thank you for considering supporting this dream and look forward to hearing from you with any questions you may have.
Best regards from me and “ woooo-ooo ” from Gerry and Coast and Sinclair and Rope and …. . . ,
Liz Parrish
Musher and Chief Pooper Scooper
Briar's Patch Sled Dogs LLC
So How Can I Help?
As you can see from the above, pretty much ANY type of contribution or donation will be put to good use and MUCH appreciated. Funding is always the best, as it gives us flexibility to get the team exactly what they need, when they need it. In kind donations are also useful, especially items such as medications, ointments, travel supplies, booties, etc.
Here's some of the suggested contribution/donations which the team needs:
Suggested Donations:
One set of booties for one dog………………………………………………..……$5
One set of chemical warmers for Liz……….………………………………..…$12
Purchase one dog blanket for the trail………………………………........…$25
Get one shoulder jacket with warmer pockets……………………………..$35
Buy a bottle of Algyval liniment………………………………………………....$40
Underwrite a mile of Iditarod Expenses…………………..…………………..$48
Feed the team for a day during training………………………………………$64
Each Arctic Headlamp……………………………………………………………….$80
Buy a set of “clothes” for your favorite dog……………………..………..$160
Get the Team Vaccinated…………………………………………………………$400
Arctic Weight Sleeping Bag (req’d equipment)……………….………….$400
Custom Sled Bag for Iditarod Sled…………………………………………....$500
Set of racing harnesses for the final team…………………………………$560
Food drop bags shipping fees…………………………………………………..$900
Set of arctic clothing for Liz……………………………………………………$1000
Return dogs and myself from Nome to Anchorage……………………$1200
Fuel Round-trip to Minnesota…………………………………………………$1500
Fuel Round-trip to Alaska………………………………………………………$2500
Iditarod Entry Fee………………………………………………………………….$3000
Prepare food drop bags………………………………………………………….$3000
4 wheeler for fall training………………………………………………………$3750
Obtain expedition sled for Iditarod (Gatt Sled)…………………………$4000
For those folks who would like to participate with and directly follow one or more of these special athletes, dog specific and team position level of sponsorships are available:
Lead Dog Contributor Level: Suggested Donation of $100
Many thanks to our Lead Dog Contributors – Machelle Nelson, Anne Huckabee (supporting Coast), Denise Currin (supporting Oslo)
Wheel Dog Contributor Level: Suggested Donation of $50
Many thanks to our Wheel Dog Contributors – Susan Palmer
Team Dog Contributor Level: Suggested Donation of $25
Many thanks to our Team Dog Contributors -- Krisann Meyer-Corcoran
Puppy Contributor Level: Other Amounts
Many folks have asked about making general use (undesignated) contributions. All are most welcome! We would like to thank our generous general fund contributors:
Mary Desaro
Robin Schoh (Wax in the City and B&B for D.O.G.)
A special thanks goes out to the Friends of BOW…attendees, staff and instructors at the 2007 Winter Becoming an Outdoorswoman workshop, whose generosity of donations was only exceeded by their enthusiasm for our dream. You'll all be with us as we head down the trail!
For those folks who would like to have their business provide a level of sponsorship, custom packages can be developed that meet your needs.
Array BioPharma
Everett Veterinary Hospital and Boarding House, Inc.
Trekker Designs
A special thanks to Janet Erl of Trekker Designs for donating her considerable artistic talents to provide the graphic design for our 2007 fundraising T-shirts (see below).
We are also raising money by selling souvenir T-shirts, long and short sleeved, in a variety of colors, and all sporting the 2007 Briar's Patch graphic:
( example with green background)
All T's are heavy weight 100% preshrunk cotton. Short sleeved Ts come in Ash (light grey), Purple and Forest Green for $20 each. Long sleeved Ts come in Royal Blue, Purple, and Black for $25. You can download and print this order form , and please remember to include shipping if appropriate. For those businesses interested, shirts can be customized with sponsor's logo -- please contact me for pricing details.
As always, feel free to contact me with any ideas, suggestions or questions. I love sharing this passion and the dogs with all who are interested.
