Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Generosity Recognized in Sports Illustrated Article!

March 8, 2010 by

Besides putting money into the camp, CU volunteers
like Mark Curran of Palmetto Cooperative
Services have logged many hours at VJGC! See
more pictures on the CCUF page on Facebook!  

In the early days of Team Little Guy, the focus was all about running. We did the Blue Ridge Relay Race a couple of times – 12 people … 208 miles … one foot at a time.

Then we figured out that biking was a faster means of “getting there.”

At any rate, those early days of TLG also featured a little bit of fundraising on behalf of Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, NC. The TLG efforts were a tiny, tiny part of the money credit unions in both Carolinas ponied up for the camp for seriously ill children.

As a result, credit unions have left a tremendous imprint on VJGC – and stand as the largest non-NASCAR donors to the camp to this day!  While credit unions didn’t do it for the glory or recognition, your combined gifts to VJGC made through the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation earned a mention in a March 5th Sports Illustrated column by Tim Tuttle.     

For each credit union in North Carolina & South Carolina that gave so generously to the camp through bake sales, raffles and volunteerism, Team Little Guy says WELL DONE!

The sheer size and magnitude of the credit union gift is not reflected so much in the $1.7 million total figure – but in the commitment, cooperation and generosity of so many people over such a long period of time.

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Posted in Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, Credit Unions, Fundraisers, Victory Junction Gang camp | Leave a Comment »

Hope for the Warriors Bike Tour: Skip “Perhaps” & Ask Yourself “What If?”

March 3, 2010 by

The Team Little Guy blog is a place for credit unions to come together and celebrate the way we work together to help others. It’s also intended to be a fun place where the jokes flow freely (whether any of them are funny I’ll leave up to you). :)

But today I wanted to make a serious appeal to you to consider riding in the Hope for the Warriors Bike Tour, scheduled to begin at 8:30 am on March 20th in Lewisville.

Fundraising for the ride is going pretty well, but we very much need riders! 

There are any one of a number of reasons you may not have committed to or even thought about riding:

  1. Perhaps you relish relaxing on your Saturdays.
  2. Perhaps you haven’t ridden your bike in years.
  3. Perhaps you don’t feel like you’re ready to do a ride this early in the year.
  4. Perhaps you don’t want to take your chances with the fickle March weather. – Or -
  5. Insert your own Perhaps here ____________.

 While we all recognize the weather can be back-and-forth at this time of the year and many of us haven’t had a lot of “saddle time” lately, it’s worth remembering that all the proceeds will benefit young people (and their families) who have bravely fought for this country and who have lost limbs or suffered other very traumatic injuries.

So my hope is as you read this, you’ll set aside the ”Perhaps” statements for a moment and consider asking yourself a few ”What If” questions:

  1. What if I decided to skip the sofa and do something meaningful – really meaningful – on a Saturday?
  2. What if I decided that March 20th will be the day I ride my bike for the first time in years?
  3. What if I decided to do the ride even though I feel I’m not in tip-top shape?
  4. What if I decided to laugh at the fickle March weather and take it as a challenge? - Or-
  5. Insert your own ”What if” here ____________.

Keep in mind that the short route is less than 24 miles. The longer route choices are about 35 and 68 miles respectively. So there are routes for every level of cyclist!

If you can’t ride, you can still help. If you click here, you can make a secure individual donation online using a credit card. Or consider recruiting riders!

A little more information about Hope for the Warriors is available here. 

Complete ride information is available here. 

And by all means, keep asking yourself ”What if?”.  

 Jeff Hardin

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Posted in Hope for the Warriors, Hope for the Warriors Bike Tour, Team Little Guy | 4 Comments »

Greetings from Iraq!

February 21, 2010 by

Hello from Iraq. I hope everyone is doing well. The team is doing great over here. I would like to thank everyone for the emails, packages, thoughts, and prayers. They mean more than you will ever know. Don’t worry; I’m not going to get mushy.

As my Team Little Guy teammates embark on their unbelievable challenge this year to raise $100,000 for Hope for the Warriors program my thoughts and prayers are with them. I wish I could participate. With the support of Credit Unions, Members, and other “Partner Sponsors” like CUNA Mutual Group (you know I had to throw that plug in) this goal will be reached and surpassed.

Recently, I had the unique opportunity to run into an amputee Soldier in Kuwait. MAJ David Rozell lost his leg in 2004 from and IED, and he is back doing what loves to do, and that’s being a Soldier. He’s back in the fight, because of people like you that support programs like Hope for the Warriors. He was the first amputee Soldier to return to a combat zone.

As Team Little Guy gets ready for their first ride this year during The Hope for the Warriors Bike Tour in Lewisville, NC they will have a new team member representing her proud father. My daughter, Madison will be taking my place in the saddle. I’m so proud of her for doing this for me.

All I asked her to do was make sure that she completes the race before Mr. Slack.

Thanks for the support in the great cause to help fellow Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen. I’m so proud to be associated with such great and generous people. I miss everyone and wish you all the best. Pedal fast Madison!!!

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Posted in Credit Unions, Hope for the Warriors, Team Little Guy | 1 Comment »

Filling the Gaps: More on Hope for the Warriors

February 18, 2010 by

Most of us have seen the stories about troops injured in combat – the pain they suffer … the difficult rehabilitation process … the adjustments people who are coping with the loss of a limb or a traumatic brain injury have to make. These heroes are fortunate to receive excellent medical care and rehabilitative services from the military along the way – but still there are other issues that arise during the recovery and rehabilitation process:

  • Who will work with and support the needs, emotional and otherwise, of family members?
  • Who can provide emergency assistance to troops and their families?
  • Who can offer community - the healing touch that comes from people who have been down the same road?

Hope for the Warriors is that organization – a supportive network of wounded warriors, family members and others who care.

Recently, Team Little Guy Members John Radebaugh & Eric Gelly traveled to Camp Lejeune to meet with the people who make Hope for the Warriors a unique support network for America’s heroes. John & Eric got to meet Ed Salau, a US Army Veteran who lost a leg in Iraq in 2004. In the above video, Salau relates his experiences with Hope for the Warriors and the unique role the organization plays.

With the Hope for the Warriors Bike ride in Lewisville about a month away, please consider registering and riding, or making a donation to this worthy cause. As NC credit unions strive to raise $100,000 for Hope for the Warriors by the time of the NCCUL Annual Meeting, we need your credit union’s support (and individual support as well) of this terrific organization – and the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.

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Posted in Fundraisers, Hope for the Warriors, Team Little Guy | 1 Comment »

Hope for the Warriors Visit

February 13, 2010 by

Friday Eric and I visited with the Hope for the Warriors folks at Camp Lejeune. I gotta tell you here’s some people that have dedicated their lives to helping wounded warriors and their families deal with their injuries. Most of us can’t even imagine what these troops go through after losing a leg or arm or their sight but these folks have established programs that the military is not able to provide and fills the gaps that for years before went unfulfilled. That’s why with the encourgagement of Marine FCU, the NCCUL and Team Little Guy has taken on a fundraising effort to raise $100,000 for Hope for the Warriors. After personally experiencing what these folks do for our troops it is time for everyone in the NC credit union movement to get involved in our fundraising efforts. If you are leery about getting involved, hop in the car with me and I will take you down to Camp Lejeune and I guarantee you that will change your mind. Here’s some photos’ of our trip.

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LTC Thomas Heyden’s Ride

February 10, 2010 by

Thomas has traded his CUNA Mutual Chevy Malibu for this…  

Check out the Team Little Guy magnet!!!

When Tom sent me these pictures he said…

“LTCTLG goes rollin’ down the road each day with pride.  Not only does Team Little Guy roll in NC, SC, VA but now they roll in the great country of Iraq.  We have gone international.”

I think we have a new team vehicle…Slack can you drive that thing?

We are proud of you!  Be safe!

Eman

Support Team Little Guy and Hope for the Warriors http://www.active.com/donate/HopefortheWarriors10/EGelly1 

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Posted in Team Little Guy | 15 Comments »

Snow Runs

February 3, 2010 by

The last few days have brought some white stuff to the Southeast.  It is no fun to drive in but I haven’t let it interrupt my running schedule.  I thought I would share some pictures of good snow runs.

 I was in DC for the weekend…

Then BadRad and I ran 5 on our favorite trail in Greensboro…

I takes more than snow and cold to keep Team Little Guy off the roads!!

Eman

Support Team Little Guy and Hope for the Warriors http://www.active.com/donate/HopefortheWarriors10/EGelly1 

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Posted in Running, Training | 1 Comment »

Routes Announced for Hope for the Warriors Bike Tour!

February 2, 2010 by

Plans continue to come together beautifully for the Hope for the Warriors Bike Tour on March 20th in Lewisville! The bike event, co-sponsored by the Northwest Chapter and Mock Orange Bikes,  will feature three separate routes …

A short loop of 23.6 miles

A medium loop of 34.6 miles

A long loop of 68 miles

For complete ride details and registration information, please check out this earlier post.

Register.

Recruit.

Ride!

The heroes who have given so much for freedom are counting on you!

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Posted in Credit Unions, Fundraisers, Hope for the Warriors, Team Little Guy, TLG Fundraisers | Leave a Comment »

Sunday Long Run

January 25, 2010 by

Sunday morning I woke to the sound of rain and the light thumping of African drums in my head. I dragged my butt out of bed and headed to Salem Lake to run 14 miles. During the drive to the lake I thought about how much fun I had Saturday night. Our company holiday party was Saturday night…I know its mid January. For years we have celebrated the holidays with our employees well after the holidays. People love a party in January. We also have a different theme each year, this year…African.

First, I must say that all the League and Corporate employees that worked on this event out did themselves. It was awesome! The decorations were great. The African dancers and musicians were very entertaining. The food was spectacular. All and all it was the best holiday party we have had in my 12 years of attending this function.

I jumped out of the car at Salem Lake, it is 38 degrees and a nice steady drizzle. Lovely! I start running and quickly drift back to the party. A few quick observations about the evening:

1. I need the recipe for the Kenyan beef stew…that stuff is an amazing pre-run meal.

2. Would Cous Cous make a good GU flavor?

3. Bud Light is great because of drinkability and improved danceablity!!

4. Who knew that John “BadRad” Radebaugh could beat David Brehmer in an African dance off?

I’ve completed one loop of the lake, 7 miles. It is raining harder. As I start my second loop I think of one of my many New Year’s resolutions. Team Little Guy has set a goal to raise $100,000 for “Hope for the Warriors” by June 20, 2010 and I made a resolution to do all that I can to help the team reach this goal.

So I’m planning to participate in a few events over the next few months to raise money and awareness for this great cause.

1. Winston-Salem Short Course Duathlon on February 6, 2010

 http://www.fsseries.com/index.php?action=event&event_id=47

This is a great event that several members of Team Little Guy have competed in over the last 2 years. The duathlon is a 3 mile run, 14 mile bike race, 2 mile run. You can compete as an individual or you can have a team of a runner and biker. Come join Team Little Guy and race in my hometown of Lewisville.

2. 2010 Hope for the Warriors Bike Tour on March 20, 2010

 http://www.active.com/cycling/lewisville-nc/hope-for-the-warriors-bike-tour-2010

The Northwest Chapter of Credit Unions is sponsoring this bike ride. There are 3 different distances that you can ride 15, 30 and 62 miles. Please consider jumping on your bike and riding with us. If you can’t ride please make a contribution to “Hope for the Warriors” at http://www.active.com/donate/HopefortheWarriors10/EGelly1

A cold driving rain does make me run faster even after 12 miles. I jump in the car, dry off and head home. One last thing comes to mind…Thomas Heyden. Thomas is a member of Team Little Guy who is currently deployed to Iraq. We finally have his address in Iraq. Please take time to send Tom and his troops a note or care package to let him know how much we appreciate the sacrifice he is making for our freedom.

LTC Thomas Heyden

MNSTC - 1 USF-I I-TAM Army

COB ADDER T-1

Tallil, Iraq

APO AE 09331

I hope to see many of you out on the roads supporting “Hope for the Warriors” and Team Little Guy in 2010!!!

Eman

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Posted in Hope for the Warriors, Support Team Little Guy, TLG Fundraisers, Training | Leave a Comment »

Hope for the Warriors Bike Tour Details Set!

January 19, 2010 by

Team Little Guy is pleased to announce that the Northwest Chapter of the North Carolina Credit Union League & Mock Orange Bikes are finalizing plans for the first annual Hope for the Warriors Bike Tour!  Here are the basics …

Date:                        Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time:                       8:30 am until 2:30 pm
Start/finish:          The Pavilion at Lewisville Town Square
Registration fee: $50

To register online, please click here. (Note: online registration through Active.com includes an additional processing fee that is charged to you.) To avoid this fee, you may send your printed application along with a check made out to the Northwest Chapter to:

Misty Fisher
c/o Lion’s Share FCU
850 Harrison Road
Salisbury, NC 28147

The ride includes three route options – 24, 35 or 68 miles. The ride includes snacks and drinks along the way as well as a post-ride meal! There will also be door prizes and a lot of other goodies for you as well!

Right now, we need riders to support this very worthy cause, and some caring volunteers to make sure the riders are taken care of from start to finish. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please contact John Spivey at jspivey@allegacyfcu.org.

Also, please contact John if you or your credit union can assist with door prize donations or anything else from the above list of needs.

Team Little Guy will be providing more information as  details emerge – in the meantime, we hope you’ll consider signing up (and recruiting friends) to rise in this very special inaugural event!

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Posted in Hope for the Warriors, Team Little Guy, TLG Fundraisers | 4 Comments »

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