 John Capes, Executive Director
of the Moosehaven retirement community, announced this
week that in mid-August, he will ride his Harley-Davidson
motorcycle the 786 miles north from the Moosehaven campus
in Orange Park, FL to Hagerstown, MD, the site of the
2009 Maryland/Delaware/DC Moose Association Convention,
where Capes is to serve as Moose International's official
visitor.
In so doing, he has asked each of the six state Moose
Associations along his route--Florida/Bermuda, Georgia,
South and North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland/Delaware/DC)
to sponsor his round-trip of 1,572 miles on a per-mile
basis.
"I am asking for a contribution of $1 per mile
for a total of $1,572 from each Association," for
a total of some $9,432, Capes said. "Proceeds will
be evenly divided between Moosehaven operations and whatever
other Moose supported charity your Association may choose," he
explained, adding, "Mooseheart comes to mind."
Capes emphasized that "no proceeds (of the fundraising)
will be used to pay my expenses"; that his own contribution
will be to pay all of his own trip-related expenses.
Checks, Capes said, should be
made payable and sent to Moose Charities, and noted
as contributions to the "Moosehaven
to Hagerstown Fundraising Ride," with a notation
added either on the check or in an attached note as to
whether Mooseheart, or another charity recipient is to
be the other designated beneficiary.
Capes said that he plans to depart Moosehaven on Tuesday
morning, Aug. 18, and arrive in Hagerstown on the evening
of Wednesday, Aug. 19, in time for the opening of the
Maryland/Delaware/DC Association Convention on Aug. 20.Â
The bulk of his journey will be on Int. Hwy. 95 from
Jacksonville to the I-495 Beltway around Washington DC,
then northwest on I-270 and I-70 to Hagerstown. (A
Google map of the route is available here)
Capes said he will spend the night
of Aug. 18 in or near Fayetteville, NC, and that he
invites any and all Moose Riders members or groups "to join me at whatever
point they choose," asking them to contact him with
phone numbers via his email address of jcapes@moosehaven.org,
to discuss particulars.
Capes asked members to "please
join me in this opportunity to raise nearly $10,000
(or more) for our two great causes."
(July 29 Update: With $.10/mile commitments
from numerous Moose leaders, pledges have crossed the
$10,000 mark! Said Capes: "However, there is no
reason to stop now. Should we try for $12,000? . . .
Thanks to everyone for their generous support!")
August 13 update: $12,000 milestone
has been surpassed!
Iron Butt Run 'Morning After' Statement from
John Capes
August 24, 2009
Well, the Iron Butt ride is completed. Tina and I arrived back at Moosehaven
today at 2:00 PM. That made it a total of 13 hours from Hagerstown. Total
mileage on the motorcycle for the trip was 1,631.7 miles. Miles for contributions,
however, remain 1,572 miles.
It was a great run, Mike O'Harrow, President of the South Carolina Moose
Riders joined us just north of Florence SC and rode with us to Fayetteville
where we all visited the Fayetteville Lodge.
The reception in Maryland was overwhelming, both in terms of rain and
in the turnout of 22 Moose Riders and a Sheriff's escort across the state.Â
Special thanks go to Tim McElwain who coordinated the Moose Rider Escort,
the Sheriffs patrol and numerous lodge visits on the way from the Maryland
State Line to Hagerstown.
While we are still counting proceeds from this fundraiser, it appears
very likely that we will break $30,000 in total funds raised and dedicated
to the Iron Butt Run! (To be evenly divided between Moosehaven and Mooseheart.)
Congratulations and thanks to everyone for your support of this fundraiser
on behalf of our two great M's - Mooseheart and Moosehaven.Â
John "Iron Butt" Capes |
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