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

[dean_siu]

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

Personally, I wouldn't do it....but I wouldn't consider it an insult if a winner did so. These soldiers are putting their lives on the line for a wage that doesn't even begin to cover the risk. If the winner happened to be a metalhead (rather than a parrothead) and Ozzfest would be their preference upon their return from duty.....than let them sell their prize to finance that option.

However, I bet this event might provide just the relief many of these soldiers desire and the chance to see a show by the man himself when their duty is up would be something many of them would look forward to greatly.

[Big Phan]

Personally, I wouldn't dream of selling the tickets, either, but Dean brings up very good points.

It's also quite possible the winner would need the money to buy school supplies for his children, pay the electric bill so service isn't disconnected, or make repairs to a spouse's car so he/she doesn't have to walk to work or quit his/her job because of lack of transportation. Active-duty military service puts a heavy financial burden on the families at home.

IMO, providing some additional funds to the winners would make it more likely they would use the concert tickets since they wouldn't have to worry about where money for a hotel, transportation, etc. would come from.

Like it or not, once a gift (i.e. concert tickets) is given, it is up to the recipient to do with as he/she sees fit.

[RinglingRingling]

Personally, I wouldn't dream of selling the tickets, either, but Dean brings up very good points.

It's also quite possible the winner would need the money to buy school supplies for his children, pay the electric bill so service isn't disconnected, or make repairs to a spouse's car so he/she doesn't have to walk to work or quit his/her job because of lack of transportation. Active-duty military service puts a heavy financial burden on the families at home.

IMO, providing some additional funds to the winners would make it more likely they would use the concert tickets since they wouldn't have to worry about where money for a hotel, transportation, etc. would come from.

Like it or not, once a gift (i.e. concert tickets) is given, it is up to the recipient to do with as he/she sees fit.

I hear what is being said, but I would be personally insulted if they won something, and then turned around and sold it. If we are going to go to the trouble of getting a scarce commodity like tickets to a Buffett concert for someone based on their activities, it cheapens that effort if they don't use it.

I'd rather we just contributed all the money to a charity like Wounded Warriors or the like because then there is no issue of misuse. If Margaritaville wants to put a concert package together for the person, that is up to them. They have better access to the tickets.

[Big Phan]

I wasn't suggesting we purchase concert tickets with the remaining dollars...I was suggesting we may want to think about complementing M'Ville's gift of tickets.

I hear what you're saying also and would hope misuse wouldn't occur, but...

Whatever the majority votes is fine with me. It doesn't hurt to throw darts at the board...the worst thing that can happen is they fall on the floor!

[Mr Play]

Just to clarify my suggestion, let's run some numbers. The final amount is still TBD, but let's say there's $4,000 left over.

Take $2,000 and donate it to the charity.
$1,000 - Buy $600 in airline vouchers (2 tickets @ $300) and $400 in hotel vouchers (2 nights @ $200) for the Buffettfest King.
$1,000 - Buy $600 in airline vouchers (2 tickets @ $300) and $400 in hotel vouchers (2 nights @ $200) for the Buffettfest Queen.

The free concert tickets are great, but providing travel and lodging would help set the event apart and take it to the next level.

Or just give it all to charity. It doesn't really matter to me.

[SharkOnLand]

Just to clarify my suggestion, let's run some numbers. The final amount is still TBD, but let's say there's $4,000 left over.

Take $2,000 and donate it to the charity.
$1,000 - Buy $600 in airline vouchers (2 tickets @ $300) and $400 in hotel vouchers (2 nights @ $200) for the Buffettfest King.
$1,000 - Buy $600 in airline vouchers (2 tickets @ $300) and $400 in hotel vouchers (2 nights @ $200) for the Buffettfest Queen.

The free concert tickets are great, but providing travel and lodging would help set the event apart and take it to the next level.

Or just give it all to charity. It doesn't really matter to me.

I like this idea.

[dean_siu]

You could send the extra money my way and I'll put it all on red....if we could make it hit about 8 times in a row, we'd have enough money to hire Jimmy and have him play at the event!

[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.

The poster says "You could win free tickets to a Jimmy Buffett concert anywhere in the USA".
It isn't explicitly stated, but that can easily be read to imply that travel and lodging will be provided - especially with the seaplane displayed so prominently next to the verbiage.

What good are the concert tickets if they can't afford to travel to a show and there isn't one near them?

[ToplessRideFL]

I wasnt going to post in this thread since I was too involved at work and missed the deadline to order this year's shirt... However since I was involved in last year's event... and headed up the candy drive for the troops in 2005... I have an opinion which I wanted to share.

Offering a trip to a show for a service member or 2 is a very generous idea... and certainly a way to eat up some of the overage.... But did we consider how many people who actually bought the shirt have not or were not able to attend a Buffett show this year,...much less get it paid for it by someone else.

I thought the motivation of this fundraiser was to do for the troops.... giving away a show to one or 2 isnt doing for the troops.

Just my humble thought.....

IMO The simplist thing is to return the extra monies to it's owners.

I know Crash may not be there this time next year... but if you can be sure he will be there through the end of the year.....The second easiest thing is to keep the reserve in an account for other charitable troop related events. Halloween and Christmas are coming you know!

Whatever you decide will be right I am sure... just wanted to share my feelings.

[shakerofsalt]

I like the idea of splitting the money between charity and airline/hotel packages. I live in a fairly small town. Our reserves-all branches- have been called up at least once for active duty in Iraq. I have watched as families struggled to make ends meet because the primary bread winner is no longer winning the bread, but fighting for us and our country. When they come back, they are trying to pay off debts and get back on their feet. An expense paid trip would be wonderful for them. Many haven't seen their significant others for a year or more. Wouldn't that be a nice little vacation for them and a big thank you from us for all they do for our country?

[BahamaBreeze]

I like the idea of giving to the charity that helps adapts/builds accessible housing for severely injured soldiers.

Believe me, the VA moves so slow to help their men. If this charity can help make life easier for them back home, I am all for it.

Look around your house. Stairs to your house? They need ramps built.
Doorways only standard width? Not wide enough for a wheelchair. If they are in a wheelchair, they need their bathroom remodel to have a roll in shower and redo the sink cabinet so tehy can roll up under their sinks to just brush their teeth.

This isn't cheap as we have just had it done. But gosh, anything to make their day to day life a little, is well spent money.

[ToplessRideFL]

I like the idea of giving to the charity that helps adapts/builds accessible housing for severely injured soldiers.
=.

That does sound like a solid effort!!!

My mom uses a wheelchair / scooter for most of her mobility.... and yes... it gets pricy getting the home handicap accessible.

[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.

The poster says "You could win free tickets to a Jimmy Buffett concert anywhere in the USA".
It isn't explicitly stated, but that can easily be read to imply that travel and lodging will be provided - especially with the seaplane displayed so prominently next to the verbiage.

What good are the concert tickets if they can't afford to travel to a show and there isn't one near them?

I see where you're going here, and I appreciate you championing your idea. I'm not at all intending to express an opinion on this either way, but I do want to clarify....

The ad says "tickets" as opposed to "trip" or "expenses paid". The ad does not imply that additional expenses will be covered beyond the (two pair of) Buffett tickets to be given away. It may be an option (as suggested) for additional expenses to be covered, but this is not part of the ad. (The seaplane is the front t-shirt logo, designed by an army soldier serving at Anaconda; it explicitly links the event sponsor, the Air Force, to Buffettesque themes.)

[Dezdmona]

^^^ I'm assuming that M'ville is giving away these tickets.

Is there any way they can coordinate with the winner to ensure that they are to a show at a Venue that would be after the Soldier returns home and close to where s/he lives?

[Quiet and Shy]

^^^ I'm assuming that M'ville is giving away these tickets.

Is there any way they can coordinate with the winner to ensure that they are to a show at a Venue that would be after the Soldier returns home and close to where s/he lives?

Yes, Margaritaville will take care of getting that done.

[Quiet and Shy]

UPDATE

Okay folks, you've seen pictures and emails from the event, but here's the "final report" on the additional BuffettFest dollars....

First, thanks so much for your generousity, creativity, flexibility, and most of all, your trust. Given your inputs, Crash and I have arranged the following:

$400 to the BuffettFest King and Queen. When each winner redeems their certificate, Margaritaville will send a $200 gift card (e.g. American Express or Visa) for related expenses along with their concert tickets.

$500 Crash will do something for the troops over the holidays.

$4,815 to Homes for our Troops. The money will help buy land to build an accessible house for severely wounded veteran Russ Marek (Melbourne, FL). http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/P ... GRussMarek

As you may recall, HFOT is one of Crash's favorite veteran-related charities. They build/adapt housing for severely wounded veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars. Since HFOT didn't have any ongoing projects to specifically benefit a Parrot Head, we looked at the location (proximity to a large number of BuffettFest contributors) and the soldier's need, and decided on this one.

Our thought is some who were involved in BuffettFest might take an active interest and contribute needed resources, talents, do additional fundraising, etc. for Russ Marek's home, or if a "volunteer day" for the project is held in the Spring (towards completion), pehaps lend a hand. If you have an interest in helping out, you can find specific info on Russ Marek's project at the link above. Also, you can contact HFOT at: info@homeforourtroops.org. (I've enjoyed introducing HFOT staff member Tom Benoit to the world of Parrot Heads )

(Per suggestions, we also looked at contributing some funds to Wounded Warrior Project. Unfortunately, they didn't reply to repeated communications. On the other hand, Tom at HFOT has been very good to work with, so we chose to direct the funds to HFOT.)

Thanks again to everyone who helped make BuffettFest happen and in turn, provided these additional gifts for our troops.

[Elrod]

Wow!

[SMLCHNG]

I had a lot to say, and couldn't put it into the right words.. so I'll just settle on ..




WOW!!

[pojo]

No matter where the funds go (Wounded Warrior, Homes for Troops, etc) would be a wonderful donation to the charities. I'm sure they would welcome the donation.

[~Hippolyte~]

Wow!

wow is right!