Appalachian Trail (2,178 mile) Hike

Hi,

My name is Dan Cecil.  Hopefully you have heard about the A. B. Graham Memorial Center and Museum’s exciting fund raiser that runs through the fall of 2009.  I have set a personal goal of raising $100,000 in donations for the Center by the time I complete my 2,178 mile hike of the Appalachian Trail in the October time-frame of 2009.  To do this I could look for one person willing to donate $100,000 or I could look for 100,000 people willing to donate $1.00.  Neither scenario is very likely, but I have decided to seek many small contributions rather than a few large contributions.  To be successful I will need a lot of help from a lot of people and I am asking for your support.  My goal is to get 4,600 people or groups to sponsor me by making a tax-deductible donation of a penny per mile to the Center.  The trail is 2,178 miles long, so that would result in a $21.78 donation.  If I get 4,600 donations of $21.78 each, I would just exceed my $100,000 goal.  Now I don’t know 4,600 people so that’s one place I will need your help.  Hopefully you can contribute a penny per mile (or more), but just as importantly, hopefully you can find other people or groups willing to donate.  I believe this could be a fun and learning experience for individuals, families, civic organizations, school and church groups, outdoor enthusiasts and others who might enjoy following my progress along the Appalachian Trail during the summer of 2009.  I kept an on-line journal of my 2007 hike and intend to do it again during this 2009 fund raiser so donors can follow my progress throughout the summer.  I have given several public talks about my 2007 hike from Georgia to Maine and would love to continue to do that for interested groups.  Call me at (937) 206-2970 if you have questions, want to schedule me to speak to your group, or have ideas about how I can better reach my goal.  Will you help?

Download a contribution form if you want to contribute and please give some to your friends and family.

Happy Trails…Dan

Go to http://www.trailjournals.com/357magnum to learn more about my 2007 hike or to follow my progress this summer. 

Click on the picture for a larger view or
to start a slide show of the pictures

What will we do with the funds we raise?

Well the list is long.  Some of it will be used for day-to-day operating costs like utilities, but much of it will go to capital improvement projects and to improve our programs and services for area residents.  A partial list and ways you might be able to help follows:

 

Capital Improvement Projects

    (Facility Preservation/Energy Efficiency)

            Tuckpoint Masonry

Replace 300 linear feet of window lintels

Replace 140 windows

Replace 14 exterior doors

Replace gutters and downspouts

Extend new heating system to third floor

 

Capital Improvement Projects

    (Usability/Accessibility of Facility)

Install wheelchair ramp

Install elevator serving all floors

Renovate Restrooms

Renovate Locker Rooms

Renovate Auditorium

Install Central Air Conditioning

Black Top Parking Lot

Renovate Third Floor Rooms

Programs and Services Projects

 

A/V Equipment – A projector, speaker system, DVD player, etc is needed for numerous programs.  We regularly have educational programs and guest speakers in need of this equipment and we want to start offering dinner-and-a-movie nights for families as well as dinner-and-a-movie nights featuring some oldies-but-goodies for area seniors.

Fitness Equipment – One of our Exercise Bikes and Treadmills are in need of immediate replacement.

Lighted Sign – A common complaint we hear is that there is no sign along the road reminding passers-by of upcoming events.  We’d like to install a lighted/programmable sign on US Route 36.

Landscaping Projects

 

Mr. Graham had many of the mature trees at the center planted when he worked here.  In honor of his foresight, we’d like to plant trees for future generations to enjoy.

We’d like to add shrubs and flower gardens to beautify the grounds.  If anyone would be interested in “adopting” a flower garden to plant and maintain, please let us know.

Replace sidewalk/flagpole in front of school.

 

How can you help?

 

This section lists ways you might be able to help out around the A. B. Graham Memorial Center.  If you would like to be added to the list of volunteers willing to help out when needed, please go to the “Communicate With Us” page and drop us a note.

 

Money – Tax-deductible cash contributions offer us the greatest flexibility in meeting the center’s needs

Materials – Please contact us if you have any building/construction materials to donate that we might need

Labor (volunteer) – from serving food to painting walls to tending plants to construction…we need it all

Professional services – Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, construction, remodeling expertise is appreciated

Sponsor a project (redecorate a room, paint a wall, fund a specific event, etc.  Contact us with/for ideas.)

Adopt a section of the grounds and maintain a small flower garden or plant a tree

Donate items for the museum

Let us know about grants geared toward organizations like the A. B. Graham Memorial Center

Remember the center in your will (or even create an endowment fund in your family’s name)

Use (and promote the use of) our facilities and services.  Rooms/Gymnasium for rent, catered meals, etc.

Tell us how we can serve you better…if there is some way we can meet a community need, let us know

Add your name to the list of volunteers willing to be called when help is needed

Please don’t be worried about saying “no” when called if you can’t help with a specific event

Even if you can only help during one event per year, we’d still love to have you

Visit the “Communicate With Us” page and drop us a note if you want to be added to our volunteer list.