The Making of Wacks Make-A-Wish Ride
Ever since I started this magazine I have been intrigued by how much effort is must take to organize a ride and then execute it. During the Schedule of Events Meeting February I asked Wack if I could sit in on the organizational meetings that are held for Wacks’ Make-A-Wish Ride and he graciously said sure.
In May I received a call from Wack inviting me to the first of several organizational meetings. I went to the meeting not knowing what to expect. What I discovered was the fact that if you have a great staff and you keep them intact from year to year it is somewhat easier than I would have expected to get the thing organized.
What impressed me during the first meeting was that as Wack walked down the checklist how many things were already done or well in progress. The discussions of how many pigs to have for the pig roast and how much propane was needed were two among many that were held.
Plastic ware and plates - Done
Tents, chairs and tables - In progress and well under way
Entertainment - Committed to
Prizes for silent auction - In progress and well under way
Items for the live auction - In progress and well under way
Hot dogs and rolls for the first stop - Committed to
I was invited to the second meeting held in June and this was interesting. It was proposed that instead of a pig roast the ride have an all you can eat Spaghetti dinner. There are large amounts of benefit for this proposal. For one thing, it takes time and money to roast a single pig, never mind to roast multiple pigs. Then there is the problem of portion control so that you are sure there is enough pig left for those at the end of the line. If the weather is bad there is a large investment in pig that will not be eaten. A spaghetti dinner solves all of these problems. It is relatively cheap to produce, it is an all you can eat affair so portion control is a non-issue and if the weather is bad you have not lost a large investment. Based on these factors it was decided to give it a try. During the second meeting some items that were in progress were announced as having been completed. This list of things to do grows smaller.
In July we attended the third and final organizational meeting. It was announced that the Leatherworks had kindly donated 300 gift cards worth $10.00 apiece to be used as part of the giveaway package. The other items that are to be part of the giveaway package are in or will be in shortly. Jake Thomas of 107.7 WGNA always acts as the host and master of ceremonies and was on hand to discuss how the various events are to be scheduled etc. The remaining items on the checklist were marked as completed and with the planning done, meetings were set and assignments given out to complete the physical implementation of the ride.
What does it take to make a successful Make-A-Wish Ride? It takes a dedicated staff that believes in the cause as much as they believe in their leader. It takes a staff that know what needs to be done and how to get it done. It takes a leader that is a people person and one who people are willing and eager to work with. It seemed so effortless from the outside but I would imagine that getting this ride organized is like a duck. Nice and calm on the surface and paddling like hell underneath.
I will see you at the Full Moon Bar and Grill on August 13, 2011.
It will be one heck of a good time.