Perchin for MS NEEDS YOUR HELP - WISH LIST!!!
Hey Everyone;
I hope everyone is having a great year so far and enjoying this true Canadian winter! This cold sure must be making good ice. Looking forward to a little fishing this weekend!
As many of you know, my name is Doug Poirier and I am the Founder andDirector of Perchin For MS - Lake Simcoe's Premier Ice Fishing Event as dubbedby the fishing community. We are a charity ice fishingtournament held on Lake Simcoe, hosted at SibbaldsPoint Provincial Park.
I am a fishermen, hunter and outdoorsman at heart. I have been outsideenjoying our resources since I was a child; and grew up to respect and protectour environment.
In late 2009, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. My MS began toreally affect my life, by making walking, standing, working and playing with my kids hard tasks. As such, doing things like fishingalso became more difficult. I have not given up. Instead, I have kept pushing on and havechose to use this event as my fight!
In noticing how hard my life was becoming physically, and how easyit was to just give up on things that felt too difficult...I also beganto become aware of others who had given up and stopped trying to do things theytoo had once enjoyed, such as fishing!
I decided one small thing I could do to make a difference, was to hold afishing tournament that encouraged people of all abilities to come have somefun, give it a try again and to keep living life. I started atournament called Perchin For MS.
I picked Perch for the ease of catching fish, the ease of access to the fishand how much fun it was. I also decided to keep it cheapso everyone would take part. We thenbegan focusing on getting the best prizes we could, so people could have a chance atwinning some amazing items, all while raising awareness and funds for people withMS.
In March of 2011, I held the first Annual PERCHIN FOR MS Ice Fishing Tournamenton Lake Simcoe. The event was a huge success, much bigger thananticipated...with 158 people from all over Ontario and the USA competing forcash and prizes. The event raised $4000.00 for MS research and supporttowards a cure. InMarch of 2012, the 2nd annual event was held and smashed the success of thefirst year. The 2nd Annual attracted 409 people and raised $10,200 forMS. It was amazing to see such growth in just a year.
InMarch of 2013, again, we were able to have a full field of227 teams (455 people) competing in the PERCHIN FOR MS Fundraiser...and anotherhuge success was accomplished! The event once again drew anglersfrom all over Ontario and into the United States all with hopes ofcatching the big one...while helping to make a difference. This yearwe raised $17 000.
Themoney we raised each year has been donated to the MS Society and is earmarked to help with programs and assistance for MSsufferers. We have helped run yoga/stretching classes for MS sufferers, helped promote the MS walk, helped support ground level programs for MS Sufferers.
Offeringhigh level top prizes and amazing fun contests...helps set us apart from othertournaments and attract such an amazing field of competitors, young and oldalike.
Perchin For MS is a unique event. It is about making a difference, whilehaving fun and raising awareness. It is an event that "ANYONE"can be part of.
Perchin For MS - Lake Simcoe's Premier Ice Fishing Event will take place onMarch 1, 2014 for the 4th Annual Event.
I am coming to you in hopes of securing your support. Each year as part ofour event...we offer cash, amazing prizes off our prize tables, specialcontests, a charity auction and a bbq. With each of these going on...weneed sponsors for all. Also to keep running this tournament each year we need some help!
Iam posting this message in hopes that you might like to join us this year as a sponsor donatingtowards our tournament. All our sponsors are recognized at the event, onour website and through extensive social media and media advertising.
To keep this tournament running and to make it easier on myself/family/friends...we are in need of a few things besides of course prizes! We always welcome prize sponsors!!!
What I am referring to mainly is items to help run the event, advertise the event and make the event that much more organized. Each year I have to rent and buy equipment, storage, insurance, etc... It takes a lot away from our cause, therefore we are hoping some of you will see this and want to help!
What we are looking for:
10 to 15 - green reflective coats or high end vests sized xl to xxxl - Needed for volunteers, organizers, security
A large enclosed trailer - needed for storage, use at the event, to go to shows and events advertising
75 orange construction pylons
Signage - advertising event, directing people at event
Promotional items - toques, shirts, hats, stickers or magnets
A Honda Inverter 3000 A Generator - to be used at the event for the sound system, coffee, computer, etc
3 or more bull horns - crowd control, organization
2 x 4's for enclosing the shelters
strong folding tables (ie: like at Costco) for prize tables, weigh in, etc...
And of course - Cash and Prizes (cash to buy this stuff or prizes)
