Do You Journey?
Do You Journey?
Thank you to all the kind spirits and volunteers who have helped develop our program since its beginnings in the wake of 9/11. In December of 2004, we received our official charter as a 501c3 organization from the IRS, allowing us to operate within the umbrella of the federal government. We owe special thanks to the dedicated corps of mechanics who have helped nurture our vehicle donation program which has proven successful in the past year. Also worth mentioning is Mission Fish and eBay Giving Works, a division of the Points Of Light Foundation who have made it possible for our supporters to contribute to our cause. If you would like to donate an item to our cause, whether it be a used auto, or used snowgear, please see our directions on how to donate through ebay giving works.
We are always in need of volunteers to make our clinics possible. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer your time to help our cause, please email us at MJSSC@mountain-journeys.org
Lead. If you are based near a ski resort and would like to start up a local Mountain Journeys Clinic to help at risk youth in your area, please contact us to carve out a plan for your satellite development. We currently are nuturing programs in Whistler,BC, Mount Baker, WA, Nederland, CO, Dillon, CO and Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, NJ.
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Donate. If you are in a position to donate a vehicle regardless of its current condition, please contact us at mechanics_on_call@mountain-journeys.org and one of our team of volunteer automotive technicians will follow up with you to arrange pick up and help you claim a tax deductiion for your generous gift. The vehicles are auctioned, and the proceeds are used to offset the cost of gear, transportation and operational expenses of running the clinics.
While we believe there is a great need for our program, we recognize there are many other worthwhile 501(c)3 organizations that will gladly accept your vehicle. One of the ways we differ from other vehicle donation programs, is that we have a team of trained mechanics that volunteer their time to help restore and give TLC to your vehicle. The end result is that you the donor benefit since the vehicle will resell for market value--earning you a greater tax deduction. Typically, other nonprofits just send the vehicle straight to an auction "as is" which really defeats the purpose of the new 2005 laws regarding donations. We create jobs here locally and also teach aspiring mechanics who typically come from underserved areas in the process of restoring your vehicle. We are a grassroots effort with a highly dedicated executive committee willing to listen to your ideas. If you're considering donating your vehicle, please contact us--one of our mechanics will meet you at the vehicle and issue you a tax deductible receipt on the spot. All you will need is a valid title and a big heart :) Thanks for your consideration. |
Make A WIsh . Mountain Journeys aligned with and pledged $3000 to the Make A Wish Foundation to carve out a snowboarding adventure for a terminally ill child.
American Red Cross. Mountain Journeys pledged $1000 of its eBay auction sales to help with Hurrican Katrina Relief and New Orleans redevelopment.
MJSSC wishes to thank techSOUP.org for facilitating software donations and merchant services. If you are a fellow 501c3 nonprofit organization, you are eligible to receive donations from Microsoft, Macromedia and others.
MJSSC recently was donated a subscription to GrantStation Pro which has been a great tool for carving out corporate donations. We thank the generosity of the devlopment team at Grantstation.
A Special Thanks to some of MJSSC's outstanding 2004-2005 spirits
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Wendy Bohm, MJSSC Operations and Navigation - Wendy, a corporate executive for Prudential has been instrumental in our development since she linked up with us in 2003. Her often thankless acts as a financial head, which included help with tax filing, transportation to events, and crucial navigation have been a true force. Thanks Wendy for your help--our program couldn't have taken flight if not for you. |
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Thanks to Sarah "Agent Smiless", Grants and Gifts Chair, a social worker in Bergen County, who heads a Narcotics Awareness group to direct youth who are rehabilitating from drug abuse. Her help with applying for grants has given us hope and we are very grateful for her time. I appreciate her inviting me to hear her speak at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in Bergen County. She was a pro, and has given MJSSC a new insight on how to coach youth in recovery. |
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Tommy Stallone, Transportation Chair, |
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Mark Hemingway, MJAC Asst Director |
Michael Peterson "the son of a preacherman", mike was a big help developing our vehicle donation program.
Mikel Soriano
Mikel was a big help by volunteering his time as a mechanic while in school. If he ever finds the time from his busy schedule, his minivan is still at our garage and he needs to pick it up or it will be donated to a family in need.
Jonathan at NYGC who donated funds that helped renovate our Manhattan Garage Facility.
Special thanks to Duncan, the Mount Baker Crew, Dr. James Holt, Dr. Tracey Ryder and Reiley who hosted us during our winter training camp in preseason 2005.
Preseason Conditiong 2006 -- In the Spotlight - Rob from Rally Fitness
"ANATOMICALLY SPEAKING"
Recently, Rob, a persoanl trainer at Rally Fitness donated his time to train MJSSC staff. Rob focused on abdominals during a preseason conditioning session sponsored by Rally Fitness. He describes the rectus abdominus as "one complete muscle." It is his firm belief that abdominals are what "hold your guts in"
Regarding Rob's Advice on how to do a proper incline situp: "...its important to keep your head straight, do not tuck chin in, and shorten the abdominals. Hold the position at the top and then extend downward slowly flattening the back. Doing a proper incline sit up is not as easy as one might think. It takes a lot of accessory muscles to balance, proper breathing, and proper head positioning
Thanks Rob and Rally Fitness for your generosity and time.
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Mountain Journeys Auto Clinic A Nonprofit Division of MJSSC |
Mountain Journeys Auto Clinic (MJAC) was founded to teach the basics of automotive engineering and maintenance to aspiring mechanics who were not able to attend a vocational school full time typically due to financial or in some cases probational constraints.
At the auto clinic, students are able to learn hands on while donated vehicles are serviced and restored for auction.
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Students have access to modern tools and equipment as well as an automotive library and internet resources.
Students also learn how to restore antiques like Patrick Kuschak's '69 MG in pieces waiting to be reassembled and calibrated. If you have a project car that you think would make a good teaching tool for aspiring mechanics, please contact us.
How the Glynch Stole Christmas and Chase Manhattan Bank came to our rescue
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MJSSC has trusted Chase Bank of Montclair, NJ with the care of its donated funds until recently. While developing clinics in Colorado, it was brought to our attention that Chase Banks from Colorado and the New York Tristate Area are not yet linked. Consequently, several deposits never made it to the account as they should have and MJSSC was heavily penalized for overdraft fees. When MJSSC explained the situation to one assistant manager of the Montclair Chase Branch, Glynnis Christian, to override the error, she refused and was hardlined about it. This was despite a signed letter from the Boulder,CO branch who had explained the error. Fortunately, however, after MJSSC contacted Chase Corporate in Houston, TX, "the Glynch" was overruled and Chase refunded us the penalized funds. This was in light of Chase taking an enormous financial hit in the last quarter of 2005. We appreciate their help, and have since transfered our account to another Chase branch. |
A Christmas Poem by Todd
Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the lodge,
all the at risk youth soundly slept,
they had been rescued from Dodge.
Some donated gear was boxed up with care,
In hopes that Mountain Journeys clinics would soon be there;
The at risk campers tossed and turned in their beds,
While visions of early traumas spun in their heads;
And Todd in his beanie and volleys in thier tuques,
carved out protocols for injuries and flukes,
When out of the blue Todd received a strange call,
It was Heidi from Campcare who had started it all.
He asked her if she had ever gotten the soup,
He had schlepped up the hill to provide for the group.
She said that she had, and thanked him at last,
Then apologized for all the drama she had caused in the past.
He told her his time was best spent with troubled kids,
but wanted to honor the good deeds that they did.
Away to New York, Todd flew like a flash,
And Mountain Journeys was carved out with the last of his stash.
The Colorado sunrise on the new fallen snow,
Gave the hopes of new clinics and lessons to bestow,
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,
A blazing fast skier that showed no fear.
With a 30ft drop and descent in record time,
He knew in a moment it must be Alecia Cline.
Reaching speeds of near sound her twin sticks came,
And she whistled, and shouted, and called them by name...
Now Aspen! Now Vail! Now Breck and Abasin!
On Loveland! On Copper! Eldora and Keystone!
To Dakota Ridge School! To the front range at once!
For the kids we have planned four fantastic stunts!
As Princeton Ski Shops donated gear for our cause,
And Mom and Pop shops help move thier manufacturer's flaws,
So out to the kids all this gear did go,
And thoughts of riding powder had their faces aglow.
And then in a twinkling, Todd heard at the door
A knocking and shuffling of feet on the floor
As the door creaked open he recognized him, Alas
It was none other than Vernon's legendary rider, Danny Kass.
Dressed in a cowboy hat and Burton from head to toe,
He had bags full of beanies and goretex shells that he stowed,
Under the tree for the kids that he didn't even know.
A bundle of handwarmers he had flung on his back,
And he looked pretty chill and handed out a stack,
Of helmets then said, "as a matter of fact",
"Hit me up again later" and "hope they like these in black"
The stump of a bowl he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He talked of the pressure he endured from his fans,
Then unzipped his coat and kicked of his vans,
"Being a Pro Rider isn't all its cracked up to be"...;
"Often, I wish I could just ride for free"
Todd humbly replied "Danny, no need to frown";
"scores of chicks and prize money shouldn't get you down."
"It's the difference you've made today that carves your thorny crown."
And he scratched at his goatie which he died white as snow;
That shook when he laughed like a jolly scarecrow,
A last puff of his bowl, and a twist of his head,
Soon gave way to know he had nothing to dread;
He spoke not another word, but went straight for the door,
And told his PR team he had helped out the poor.
Todd then removed his beanie at last,
The night was passing and thoughts of riding spun fast,
At a frosted window the wind careened with a whistle,
While unchecked voicemails blinked like the down of a thistle.
Retreating to his desk, he tended to letters and books,
Digging up old emails from scraps of paper in nooks,
He reached out to spirits who have helped now and then...
They are the reason he is up at four and out by ten,
Journey and remember as you cross the great divide...
Life ever turns, timeless, like the nature of the tide,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a free ride"