Thanks to Our Dirty Friends

As a member of the board of the EFWO and a parent of a child who has epilepsy, I want to say thanks to the record number of people who turned out Saturday for MUDSTOCK 08, the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio’s annual charity fundraiser event.  It was a huge success, drawing in roughly 2,400 people from the Miami Valley and beyond, and raising over $80,000 in the process.   Here are some pictures courtesy of the Dayton Daily News.

Thanks also to the long list of corporate sponsors, the hundreds of volunteers, and to everyone who was involved in making MUDSTOCK 08 successful.  Special thanks to Jim Hausfeld from ClearChannel, who served as the ringmaster for the event, and to EFWO Executive Director Janine Poppa.

The money raised will represent nearly 1/3 of the operating budget for the organization, which serves residents of Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby counties in Western Ohio.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio, contact me or visit the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio home page for more information.  We are always in need of volunteers.

Volleyball players get muddy for a good cause

Mud

Thanks to the Dayton Business Journal for the wonderful article they wrote about the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio’s Mudstock 08 Mud Volleyball Tournament.  Like every non profit, we don’t have much budget for advertising - so free publicity is really appreciated.  So again… THANK YOU!  

As is stated in the article, we are anticipating a record turnout this year, and spots are going fast.  If you plan on playing, make sure to get your team together now.  The event is an all day party, filled with fun beyond muddy volleyball players.  There are bands and spectators, food and fun for all.  Even if you don’t want to play, consider coming out to watch and enjoy the experience of it all.  We also need volunteers to help with parking, making mud, and keeping the day on track.  

If you are interested in playing, attending, or volunteering check out www.daytonmud.com - which was put together by Jon Brooks and the crew at Hafenbrack Marketing. (Thanks guys)  I hope you will be able to attend.

This event funds many of the programs put on by the EFWO throughout the year, so know that just by showing up you are helping thousands of people across the Miami Valley who need help dealing with Epilepsy.  Mudstock is the perfect way to have fun and help the community all at once.  Join the fun, and get involved today.

For more information on the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio, visit www.ohioepilepsy.org

http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2008/06/02/daily18.html?surround=lfn

Help! I Need Somebody…

Do you live in or around Dayton, Ohio?  Are you interested in spending an hour or two per month making new connections and sharpening your professional skills - all while making a huge difference in the lives of people in need of help? If so, please consider volunteering to help the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio.

How can you help? The EFWO has numerous functional committees such as Marketing, Finance and Fundraising, Volunteerism, and Programming, which can serve to connect you with other talented professionals in your chosen field. This is a great way for young professionals to build connections and credentials, and for more seasoned practitioners to stay fresh. And, the time you spend, which is probably only about an hour or two a month, goes to help people with Epilepsy right here in the Miami Valley.

There are also numerous event committees in need of help within the EFWO. Currently, we are gearing up for the annual Mud Volleyball Tournament, July 12. This is an event that always needs helping hands because it is so much fun.  We are always in need of helping hands and creative thinkers, so if you are interested in lending a hand, contact the EFWO.  In addition to MUD, there is Wine and Jazz in November, Mardi Gras in February, and numerous other fundraising events - all of which need people.

If you are a seasoned professional looking to get even more involved in the community, consider applying to join the board.  We currently have a few open seats, and would welcome experienced leaders who are looking to contribute their skills to a great cause.  The process for this is understandably more rigorous than for joining committees, as the commitment and responsibility associated with being a board member is substantial.

Finally, if you just want to help out here and there - without being committed to anything - please volunteer to help our staff.  Like any good non-profit we run a lean operation, relying heavily on the kindness and generosity of others to get everything done.  There is an endless to do list, and a limited number of hands, so any time you can donate, even 30 minutes here and there, would be appreciated.

For more information on how you can get involved with the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio, call (937) 233-2500 or (800) 360-3296 or visit us on the web at www.ohioepilepsy.org

Dirty Video from Dayton

When is it alright to do something dirty with your friends and co-workers?  When you enter a team in the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio Mud Volleyball Tournament on July 12, 2008.  This year the theme is “Mudstock - Peace, Love, Mud.”  Starting at 9:00am and lasting all day, it will be located at Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark 1301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue in Dayton, Ohio.   This event brings in almost 25% of the annual funding for the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio - so it is just as important as it is fun.  Get a team together, get dirty, and have some mid summer fun.  Registration is easy, and if your team registers in May it is only $275 per team.  Not convinced?  Check out these “dirty pictures” from last year’s event.  Need more proof?  Take a look at this cool video that Mike Kurtz and his team at UD put together.  Still not convinced.  Perhaps you are just not the dirty type.  You can still be a part of the fun.  Help the cause by volunteering to help with running  the event.   There are also opportunities for sponsoring the event, if your company is looking for a great way to give back to the community.  All we are saying is give mud a chance.  Seriously, there are very few events that allow you to have this much fun while doing something meaningful for others.  For more information contact the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio.  I look forward to seeing you there.

Thanks to all of the sponsors and volunteers who have already worked so hard to make this event successful.

Mud Volleyball 2008