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Scroll down for recent RATPOD results
2007-2008 Clothman Car Giveaway
Clothcounter: 74 vehicles since 11/05 15 since 11/07
Financial Donations since 11/07: $2100.00
Organizations who have helped this year: Holiday Service Station on Brooks
Wide World of Travel
Sharkey Insurance Center
Midas Muffler
Rosauers Food Store
Hawthorne Elementary School
Batteries Plus (3 batteries)
Safelite Auto Glass
University Motors
Missoula Body Works
Scroll down for details on how you can be a part of this amazing and fun project...
8/2/08 High Gas Low Groceries
Higher gas prices have forced me to change my policy regarding the Clothman Car Giveaway. I used to fill each car up with gas and groceries; however, I no longer can afford to do both. The last truck I filled with gas cost $104 and the last car was $54. Yikes! Therefore, I’m now just get the vehicles cleaned up and filled up.
No doubt my dilemma is a great example of the problem high gas prices exacts upon those in the lower income bracket. How many of those folks are finding themselves at one time or another deciding between food and gas?
The good news is that vehicles are still coming in because despite high gas prices we are still a vehicle centered economy. Trying to fill a gas tank is better than having no gas tank to fill. Getting to and from work, doctor’s appointments and shopping can be hugely challenging without a vehicle. So thanks to all those who continue to donate vehicles to the Clothman Car Giveaway. I just gave away our 74th vehicle and have three more in the pipeline to pass on next week.
If you don’t have a vehicle to donate; please consider sending some financial support to cover my expenses to just fill up these gas tanks. Frankly, my resources are starting to run a little thin this summer months.
7/12/08
Just gave away two more vehicles this week. I can't believe how generous folks just keep calling with their vehicles. The stories of those receiving these vehicles are almost always quite sad. It is a humbling and emotional moment to give the keys to a vehicle to a person who has been beaten down by life and to be able to tell them that God sees their need and pain.
It is getting more expensive however. The truck we gave away this week took $104 to fill up. Holy barrels of oil, that's a lot of money. Even the sedan took $45 to fill this week.
12/20/07
How could anyone have seen how big this was going to get. Already, since 11/17/07, 12 vehicles have been donated and over $1600 for gas and groceries. By the time I get all of these out to needy individuals and families the total number of vehicles will be at 67.
I can't tell you how exciting it is to see people's lives changed in a matter of minutes. Our society is centered on the automobile and all it takes is for us to be without one for a week to see just how true that is. The freedom and peace that come with a vehicle cannot be overstated.
Thanks to all who are making this happen. If you'd like to join in, it's easy. See below for details.
How You Can Join The Clothman Car Giveaway
It's time to once again fire up the amazing Clothman Car Giveaway. Of all the great projects the Clothteam does every year, this is my favorite. Last year we gave away a staggering 35 vehicles!
Here's how it works:
1) You get donate that vehicle which is just setting most of the time in your garage or driveway - or that vehicle which will fetch as much of a tax donation as it would a down-payment on your next car purchase. Or, if you don't have a vehicle to donate, you can make a financial donation to help us fill these with fuel and food. (Please, working vehicles only.)
Yes, this is indeed a sacrifice for you, but the joy you will receive for truly helping a desperate person/family will greatly surpass your financial sacrifice. I know because we donated the first two vehicles that started the Clothman Car Give Away. One is still running and the other got totalled while parked in front of the new owner's home. However, the insurance payment helped that family to buy an even newer vehicle which is still running like a champ!
2) We have a crew who cleans up these vehicles and several auto repair shops who donate labor and parts to help out with minor repairs.
3) Then we fill each vehicle up with gas and groceries from funds other Clothteam members have donated.
4) Finally, we have an independent panel who determines who receives which vehicle based upon need and vehicle type. I insure that each new owner is legally licensed and has insurance coverage. Then I personally oversee all the title transfers at the Missoula County Courthouse and pray with the receipants of each vehicle.
So:
If you have such a vehicle or would like to donate funds for gas and groceries please contact me at clothmail@clothman.com or PO Box 3561, Missoula, MT 59806. Or call me at (406) 549-7722.
Make checks payable to:
Clothman Adventures
PO Box 3561
Missoula, MT 59804
100% of your financial donation goes directly to the Clothman Car Giveaway. Clothman Adventures covers all of the overhead for this project.
2008 Camp Mak-A-Dream / RATPOD
TOTAL GIVING AS OF 7/12/08: $1177.00
GOAL: $1000 (by June 15, 2008)
2008 RATPOD A GREAT SUCCESS
Another RATPOD (Ride Around The Pioneers in One Day) under my butt.
This was not an easy ride for me. The training for my Ironman last year allowed me to breeze over the high mountain passes and sail into Dillon without a sore butt. This year I covered the 130 miles without any trouble, but not with ease or without a sore butt. By the end, finding a comfortable position on my tiny bike seat was like searching for water on Mars.
Thanks for all the support again. This year the Clothteam raised $1077 for Camp Mak-A-Dream. Go Clothteam!!
We had one of those riding with us who had to stop at about 100 miles because he was nearing heat stroke, but other than that we had no problems. The best part of the ride was not having the ferocious head winds for the last 40 miles. Last year I found myself saying things pastors aren’t supposed to say when the wind was so strong that I couldn’t even break 10mph at times – on the flat.
The best news is that this year’s RATPOD raised over $280,000 by race day and will probably top $300,000 by the time all the money comes in. WOW!
YOU CAN HELP!
Make your check payable to Camp Mak-A-Dream and send it to:
Clothman
PO Box 3561
Missoula, MT 59806
4/2/07
I did it; I signed up today for the 2008 RATPOD.
Each year I call upon the Clothteam to help me with two great causes. One is the Clothman Car Giveaway (see below). We have given away 64 vehicles in just over two years!
The other is the RATPOD, the annual fundraiser for Camp Mak-A-Dream - a camp that offers cost-free programs for children, teens and young adults with cancer. Last year RATPOD raised over $240,000 for the camp.
RATPOD stands for Ride Around The Pioneers in One Day. It is a 137 mile bicycle ride through the beautiful mountains in Western Montana. It starts and finished in Dillon, MT. and includes over 9000 feet of climbing. This will be my 4th time doing it (I missed one year because of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever).
Last year the Clothteam raised $1650 for the camp. It was fun because we had a nice size group who rode with me plus all of those who support me in the ride. I got a really sore butt; however, we really made a difference in lives of these young people stricken with cancer and their families.
I’ll give more updates as the ride draws near (it is in June) but I’m getting started on my fund raising now. Of course all donations are tax deductible and I pledge to ride the whole ride – no matter what my butt may tell me.
Without Clothreaders, Clothman is just Clothwho?
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The Clothteam is when Clothman and Clothreaders join forces to accomplish good on this 3rd Rock from the Sun.
There are lots of newspaper and magazine columns out there. Almost without exception, they are static, meaning the writer writes and the readers read - period. Some time ago I began dreaming of something better.
What if The Adventures of Clothman was interactive? What if the writer and the reader did more than just write and read? What if Clothman and Clothreaders occationally joined forces to accomplish humanitarian missions?
That idea became reality in the summer of 2002. Since then the Clothteam has done several projects:
2006-2007 Clothman Car Giveaway
We gave away an astounding 35 vehicles this year. Unbelievable. That's 35 individuals and families who were without transportation that were shown the love of God in a practical - rubber meets the rode - way.
2007 RATPOD (Ride Around The Pioneers In A Day)
The Clothteam donated $1650 to benefit Camp-Mak-A-Dream. You donated the money, I rode the 157 miles in one day on my bicycle.(Clothwoman raised an additional $700.) We also had two others ride with us. Total money raised by RATPOD this year: $240,000!
2005-2006 Clothman Car Giveaway
Then came the Clothman Car Giveaway in the spring of '05. Clothreaders donated 12 vehicles full of gas and groceries to needy households. I can't hardly describe how exciting that was to do. In fact, Clothreaders have since donated 3 other vehicles. Amazing!
RATPOD '06
(See RATPOD above.) After taking '05 off because I contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, this year we raised $1000 for Camp Mak-A-Dream. I'll be more dilegent next year and have a goal of raising $2000. RATPOD raised over $180,000 in '06.
Clothman Katrina Relief Project '05
We raised almost $30,000 for 7 specific New Orleans families who fled to Atlanta after their homes were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. We were able to give away 6 vehicles and outfit 6 new homes for these 7 families.
UPDATE: A year later only 1 family has returned to New Orleans, the rest are doing well in Atlanta. And all but one of the vehicles is still running, the other was involved in an accident.
2004 RATPOD (Ride Around The Pioneers in One Day)
Our next joint mission was summer '04 when we raised $800+ for Camp Mak-A-Dream (a camp for children with cancer). I rode 157 miles on my bicycle and Clothreaders supported me.
Clothman Neato Thermometer '02, '03
For two years we teamed up to send donations to The Poverello Center (a homeless shelter in Missoula, MT). Because donations were sent directly to The Poverello it was difficult to track, but it was in the $1000's.
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How Do I Join
The Clothteam?
The Clothteam is an organic relationship between the writer and reader. There are no gimmicks, no formal membership, not even lovely party gifts. I keep things simple.
You're on The Clothteam when you do things like:
*Read The Adventures of Clothman
*Join me in special humanitarian projects
*Give me feedback about The Adventures of Clothman
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Other things
Clothteam Members do:
Talk to your favorite newspaper or website
Forward this website to others
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Editors and Webmasters listen to their readers more than anyone. We have a marketing plan, but it will never be better than you. Furthermore, your letters to the editor about the column mean far more than you can imagine. Thank you for taking time to let them know you appreaciate them publishing The Adentures of Clothman.
If your favorite newspaper doesn't carry The Adventures of Clothman please ask them to consider doing so. We are delighted to send information packets to newspapers or websites.
Thank you for getting the word out about The Adventures of Clothman!
Again, there is no better advertisement than word of mouth, even if it is spoken electronically. Thanks!
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All gifts are tax deductable.
Clothman Adventures is a federally registered non-profit corporation.
You will receive a receipt on all donations for tax deduction purposes. |
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CLOTHTEAM FAQ's
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If I join The Clothteam do I have to wear a cape and tights?
I leave that completely up to you; however, the only one who wears Clothman's tights, is Clothman. The cape, I'll share.
What does Clothman get out of the Clothteam?
The tremendous satisfaction of being linked with my readers in a relational way. We are more than just writer and reader. Together we make a difference in this world when God gives us opportunity.
When I set down to write a column I always do two things. I first ask God to give me ideas and words that will do more than just make the column a fun read. I desire it to help people. Second, I visualize you, The Clothreader. I write every column with you in mind so that, again, it isn't just a column, it is a column of help and hope.
So I already feel a connection to you and I pray you do to me. When we come together as the Clothteam it is incredibly rewarding to me.
Does Clothman keep a percentage of project donations for overhead?
No. 100% of all donations made toward specific projects goes directly to that project. I always cover all of the overhead expenses.
Is my donation to Clothman Adventures tax deductible?
Yes. Clothman Adventures is a federally registered nonprofit corporation so your donation is tax deductible. You will receive a letter from Clothman Adventures signifying your donation that you may use for your tax records.
If Clothman Adventures is a federally registered nonprofit corporation, don't you need donations to cover operating expenses?
I do have monthly expenses such as office equipment, phones, postage, Internet service providers, letterhead, etc. For that reason donations from Clothreaders for operating expenses are both greatly appreciated and tax deductible.
Where do I send my donations?
Whether it is for special projects or to help cover operating expenses, send your donation to:
Clothman Adventures
PO Box 3561
Missoula, MT 59806
Be sure to indicate what you want your donation to go toward. Please include your name and address so we can send your tax receipt.
What is Clothman Adventures' code of ethics?
In a nutshell, it is Psalm 15 (From The Message Bible).
"God, who gets invited to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?"
"Walk straight,
act right,
tell the truth.
Don't hurt your friend,
don't blame your neighbor;
despise the dispicable.
Keep your word even when it costs you,
make an honest living,
never take a bribe.
You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this."
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