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NEWS & OPINION
Trading Links for Drinks
Posted: 8/14/2005
Pub Tour of Salt Lake raises over $2,000 for FOSPAC as centerpiece of ISC fund raising events.
Salt Lake City, Utah - In a world of special interests, soft political money, and political action committees with large war chests, fund raising has become a fact of life for Snowmobilers. But just because it has to be done, doesn't mean it can't be fun! Several of the key social events at ISC 2005, centered around fund raising for the Friends of Snowmobiling Political Action Committee, and ISC hosts from the Utah Snowmobile Association knew how to put the fun in fund raising.
The annual FOSPAC fundraiser had a unique twist to it this year... or maybe it was served with one. Instead of the traditional walk of the links with a bag of clubs, those that turned out for the ISC fund raising event toured the lounges of Salt Lake, along with a few private clubs. The "Tour de Froth" as named by one of the 100+ people who signed on for the $20-a-head tour (price of drinks not included) were escorted from well to well by red shirted congress members walking the revelers in and out of Salt Lake's best watering holes. As the night wore on, the pace slowed from a walk to a crawl, but tour host Barb Collard said that was O.K. because the money continued to flow along with the beverages. "Deputies" issued tickets to Congress members attending the event. Harry and Barb Collard of Salt Lake also served as local interpreters of Utah's unique libation culture. Attendees turned over their car keys before the event then climbed on the local light rail line, heading from one tavern to the next. The event raised over $2000 dollars along with every body's spirits (served in bottle or on tap).
On Friday fund raising took on a much quieter tone than the Thursday pub tour as ACSA hosted a silent auction in between sessions of the Congress. Several practical gifts for snowmobilers, along with many unique items were placed on display and people were invited to write down bids and submit them. When the offers were tabulated, the highest bidder got the donated prize and ACSA got the contribution.
A not so silent auction, conducted at the Annual Groomer reception, by veteran auctioneer Roger Lampitt of Washington State also brought in precious funds to serve chapters. Items donated for the auction included original paintings and a limited, one-of-a-kind Western Chapter belt buckle.
Of course, as is the long-standing tradition of ISC, the Saturday night Thirsty Dog fund-raiser quenched the thirst of convention goers, while replenishing ACSA and CCSO coffers with more money for Snowmobile causes. The Thirsty Dogs started many years ago as an informal way to raise contributions at ISC. It has blossomed into quite a cottage industry now with badges and pins that must be purchased to enter the event. Even members of the press covering the event had to purchase Thirsty Dog tags just to cover the event.
Fund Raising is a very important part of ISC and snowmobiling in general. Each year thousands of dollars are needed to counter environmental assaults on public land access for snowmobilers. Safety and education also receive money from fund raising sources at both local and national levels.
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