Where did the excess BuffettFest funds go? end of p.2

[Quiet and Shy]

Well, a very interesting "problem" has surfaced with BuffettFest and we need your help. So, please answer this poll and post additional comments in the thread (or you can send me a PM, if you like).

Bunches of great stuff have been contributed for the Sept. 3rd Anaconda BuffettFest, so things are going great! (Thank you, everyone! )

On the t-shirts, we planned for 300 (150 for the troops) and ended up ordering a whopping 1222 shirts! As you know, Crash felt he could only effectively give away so many shirts during the event (500 were sent to him this week), so there were some extra $$s from that.

Additionally, because so many more shirts were ordered, the price per shirt went down, too.... So now we've got more than enough money...in fact, given all the contributions from BNers, Clubs, Margaritaville, etc., Crash and his crew are getting about all they need and can handle for the event. Crash and I have looked at the wish list and there really isn't anything else that's needed...so, it's looking like there are indeed, extra $$s.

I don't yet have a final figure (there's still a bit of shipping to be done and I've got a powdered smoothie order to place tomorrow...for virgin margaritas ), but it's looking like somewhere between $4,000-$4,500 will be left over.

As the money was collected to help make BuffettFest happen for the troops, it seems these extra funds should go for something involving the troops with perhaps a Buffett link or Buffett-esque feel to it.

An easy solution might be to just tell Crash to do another event for the troops...e.g. Christmas/Holiday, Halloween, etc. However, politics are such that his employer, Haliburton appears to have lost their contract with the army (which expires in November), so there's no guarantee that Crash will still be over there to do another event for the troops.

Crash and I have been looking at a favorite charity of his -- Homes for Our Troops ( http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer )-- that adapts/builds accessible housing for severely injured soldiers. We thought an appropriate option might be if there is an injured ParrotHead on their project list, this could be a worthy place for the money to land. I'm awaiting a reply from their organization to see if there might be an appropriate parrothead recipient. One of their typical rehab/new construction projects often runs $100,000-$150,000.

Another solution, of course, is to place a couple $$s in with each t-shirt you ordered. (I don't want to make any assumptions about folks not deciding they want $$s back since the t-shirt price went down and these are extra funds....)

We're just looking for some input and guidance (for BNers to be our barometer, if you will), since you all (along with many others) helped to create this "quandry". Please let us know your thoughts.

And the latest on when you'll receive your t-shirts...we're needing to finish the print run (which won't happen until this Friday), and then it looks like our shipping assembly line for stuffing, addressing, etc. will most likely take place on the 27th, so if we don't hit any more delays, they'll be sent out shortly after that.

Thanks again for your thoughts and for helping BuffettFest be a great event for our troops.

[Mr Play]

Why not use the extra money for big giveaways at the event. You could give it away in increments of $500, $1,000, or even $2,000. Or you could work with an airline, hotel chain, and a ticket agency to negotiate vouchers for a Buffett weekend package when the grand prize winner returns to the states.

[RinglingRingling]

I like the idea of the home rehab charity more than the idea of lump-sum giveaways.

[Tiki Bar]

That's quite a dilemma!!

BuffettFest 3...

[tequilajoe]

Check out this orginization. They do some great work. There might be a way to work together with them.

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/si ... C/Home.htm

[dean_siu]

Why not use the extra money for big giveaways at the event. You could give it away in increments of $500, $1,000, or even $2,000. Or you could work with an airline, hotel chain, and a ticket agency to negotiate vouchers for a Buffett weekend package when the grand prize winner returns to the states.

I really like the idea of giving the most of it to the charity Crash mentioned (particularly if we can find a parrothead which it benefits)....however, I also like this idea of a grand prize trip to a Buffett show for a soldier upon return.

However, whatever you decide is fine with me.....just do not return any money with my shirt. I feel like I'm getting a good enough deal as it is and Crash put a lot more work into this than any of us so he can determine the outcome.

[nyfloridays]

I second the Wounded Warrior Project! That is a great organization. I have seen what they do first hand and the wounded heroes love the it.

[LIPH]

However, whatever you decide is fine with me.....just do not return any money with my shirt. I feel like I'm getting a good enough deal as it is and Crash put a lot more work into this than any of us so he can determine the outcome.

I agree with dean, I don't want any money back.

[Mr Play]

I really like the idea of giving the most of it to the charity Crash mentioned (particularly if we can find a parrothead which it benefits)....however, I also like this idea of a grand prize trip to a Buffett show for a soldier upon return.

Maybe there's enough to do both..

[PackPhanGirl]

However, whatever you decide is fine with me.....just do not return any money with my shirt. I feel like I'm getting a good enough deal as it is and Crash put a lot more work into this than any of us so he can determine the outcome.

I agree with dean, I don't want any money back.

ditto

[SharkOnLand]

Give it to charity... The idea of the Buffett show trip is a good one, but possibly a nightmare logistically. If the soldier that wins doesn't come back until December, you're looking at somebody holding onto the money for a while until tour dates are announced, and tickets go on sale, etc...

Whatever you decide, don't send any back to me...

[bigcreola69]

[color=green][/color]I think the wouned warrior fund is a outstanding idea,lets hope they are all home soon....

[McGee]

I know it's a lot of pressure, but whatever you feel is best I'm sure is fine with most of the pholks here. Just please don't send me any money back.

[Quiet and Shy]

Why not use the extra money for big giveaways at the event. You could give it away in increments of $500, $1,000, or even $2,000. Or you could work with an airline, hotel chain, and a ticket agency to negotiate vouchers for a Buffett weekend package when the grand prize winner returns to the states.

FYI, (and you can perhaps deduce this from the event posters/ads posted in the BuffettFest thread), the Margaritaville contribution includes 2 pair of tickets to a future Buffett show -- to be given to the BuffettFest King and Queen.

[911FINS]

I think we should donate all the left over money to the charity. We got a great deal and because we had such a great response the price went down. So lets not even attempt to send money back. Yall did a great job. Thanks 911FINS

[Mr Play]

FYI, (and you can perhaps deduce this from the event posters/ads posted in the BuffettFest thread), the Margaritaville contribution includes 2 pair of tickets to a future Buffett show -- to be given to the BuffettFest King and Queen.

That's awesome - so why not take some of the surplus and make it a complete package with lodging and transportation? There are enough travel agents around here that I'm sure vouchers could be arranged. I'm all for the charity, but it sounds like there is enough money to do both. When the winners do return home they may have a narrow window stateside, and this would allow travel to a show of their choice instead of having to pass because there isn't a local show.

Ultimately whatever you decide to do with the extra money is fine, and I don't want a refund either - just trying to offer up a creative solution...

[Quiet and Shy]

FYI, (and you can perhaps deduce this from the event posters/ads posted in the BuffettFest thread), the Margaritaville contribution includes 2 pair of tickets to a future Buffett show -- to be given to the BuffettFest King and Queen.

That's awesome - so why not take some of the surplus and make it a complete package with lodging and transportation? There are enough travel agents around here that I'm sure vouchers could be arranged. I'm all for the charity, but it sounds like there is enough money to do both. When the winners do return home they may have a narrow window stateside, and this would allow travel to a show of their choice instead of having to pass because there isn't a local show.

Ultimately whatever you decide to do with the extra money is fine, and I don't want a refund either - just trying to offer up a creative solution...

No problem, Mr. Play.... We want to find the right balance/endpoint for these funds; everyone's suggestions are appreciated and welcome.

[Big Phan]

FYI, (and you can perhaps deduce this from the event posters/ads posted in the BuffettFest thread), the Margaritaville contribution includes 2 pair of tickets to a future Buffett show -- to be given to the BuffettFest King and Queen.

That's awesome - so why not take some of the surplus and make it a complete package with lodging and transportation? There are enough travel agents around here that I'm sure vouchers could be arranged. I'm all for the charity, but it sounds like there is enough money to do both. When the winners do return home they may have a narrow window stateside, and this would allow travel to a show of their choice instead of having to pass because there isn't a local show.

Ultimately whatever you decide to do with the extra money is fine, and I don't want a refund either - just trying to offer up a creative solution...

I like the idea of donating a chunk to charity.

I also like the idea of adding to M'Ville's generosity to provide a complete concert package - hotel, transportation, and food/beverage allowance. Because we don't know what city the winner will attend a concert in, maybe just provide a cash allowance for the extras. I realize the winner could take the money and use it for other purposes...but that is their perogative - just as it would be their perogative to sell the tickets.

[RinglingRingling]

FYI, (and you can perhaps deduce this from the event posters/ads posted in the BuffettFest thread), the Margaritaville contribution includes 2 pair of tickets to a future Buffett show -- to be given to the BuffettFest King and Queen.

That's awesome - so why not take some of the surplus and make it a complete package with lodging and transportation? There are enough travel agents around here that I'm sure vouchers could be arranged. I'm all for the charity, but it sounds like there is enough money to do both. When the winners do return home they may have a narrow window stateside, and this would allow travel to a show of their choice instead of having to pass because there isn't a local show.

Ultimately whatever you decide to do with the extra money is fine, and I don't want a refund either - just trying to offer up a creative solution...

I like the idea of donating a chunk to charity.

I also like the idea of adding to M'Ville's generosity to provide a complete concert package - hotel, transportation, and food/beverage allowance. Because we don't know what city the winner will attend a concert in, maybe just provide a cash allowance for the extras. I realize the winner could take the money and use it for other purposes...but that is their perogative - just as it would be their perogative to sell the tickets.

No, it isn't. Doing that would be an insult in my book

[El mojito]

I think the wouned warrior fund is a outstanding idea,lets hope they are all home soon....

Repaired
Great idea and maybe even a small placard for the house