These kids need helmets!

CaddmannQ · 10-25-2006

Normally, I'm kind of a tightwad, and I don't do stuff like this.

Guys, I'm going to be right up front with you. We're looking for some sponsors here. I know some of you have supported worthy charities in the past, but this is one that, as motorcyclists, falls right in our area of interest.

My buddy Pat is a teacher, volunteering in Thailand. He's also a motorcyclist. Unlike here though, over 80% of the people in Thailand are motorcyclists. True, they don't ride Vulcans and Ninjas. If they could afford Vulcans and Ninjas, they could afford a car; but the best most of them can afford is a little scooter or a moped, and everyone, from babies to their grandparents is riding them. Where here, schoolkids would mostly be driving Dad's old Ford or Chevy to school, these kids are all riding their dad's old moped.

And in a land where the accident fatality rate from motorcycle accidents is staggering, almost none of them wear helmets. OK, I can hear some of you already, "BFD! I wouldn't wear a helmet if it wasn't for that damn helmet law!"

I wear one myself, but I'll admit I didn't always, and there are times when I still wouldn't if it wasn't for that law. (Even then I have cheated a few times. Shhhh!)

The thing is, we don't ride in the kind of traffic and on the kind of roads they have there. If you had to ride the main drag through Bangkok or the back road to some small villiage, you'd be wishing you'd brought a helmet. It's that bad, and yet kids all over Thailand are sent out, and taken out, in that every day, and they don't know any better.

This is where Pat and his volunteers at Isara have been trying to help. Armed with donations from friends and family, he has started a campaign for motorcycle helmet safety and awareness, and he (being a teacher) is working mostly with the kids. Through Isara, and with the cooperation of local schools and police, hundreds of motorcycle helmets have been donated to children, who--though some of them may be too young to ride--are riding with their parents daily.

They have sponsored helmet safety poetry contests to win helmets for classmates, and school helmet safety days, and safety training, and other free donations of helmets to Thai kids and their parents.

Maybe you're thinking, "Crap! That sounds expensive. I paid almost $100 for this cheapo lid I'm wearing now."

The fact is that these helmets, made in Thailand, and government approved, are being bought in bulk for only $3.25 each. Think about that. For a miserable $3.25 you might be able so save a little kid's life.

In just two weeks, Pat is taking a 1550 mile trek around Thailand, to distribute helmets to school kids and promote motorcycle safety. Money is still needed to buy helmets and fund this effort, but if you think your donation is going to fund some posh expense account, get this: Pat is riding the entire trip on his little 125cc Honda scooter. The roads ain't like here either. There's going to be some serious territory to cover.

Listen, for a lousey penny per kilometer (OK that's penny and a fourth per mile) you can help sponsor Pat on his journey, and buy helmets for little kids who are probably never going to see transportation better than a used moped. When I found out that for only a $100, I could provide thirty of these kids with helmets, I couldn't click PaPal fast enough.

I hope you can see these photos OK. Please do what you can to help guys. This is a worthy effort, and I'm vouching for Pat. He is the real deal. Dedication like his isn't often seen, believe me.

Can any of you look at these little faces and tell me you wouldn't part with some of your beer money to help save their lives? Look, if you can't send a donation, just clicking on Pat's homepage can help:
http://www.isara.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,162/

CaddmannQ · 10-25-2006

These photos are all from Pat's website: http://www.isara.com

*Svetlana* · 10-25-2006

Your friend seems to be doing some outstanding humanitarian work that reaches far beyond motorcycle helmets (I perused the site

). Just to add a little more info after I have looked it over myself, the site actually works like many websites do- feeding off of advertising dollars so as not to have to resort to fundraising for everything. That is a brilliant idea- every time someone merely goes to the site, or clicks a link, the advertisers on the site fund the mission (via portals). So, even for those that do not/cannot donate, merely visiting the site helps out the charity.

CaddmannQ · 10-25-2006

Yes, this is true. Just clicking the link or re-setting your home page can help.

isara · 10-26-2006

My name is PK (that's my ugly mug in the photo up there). Just wanted to stop by and say Thank you to CaddmannQ for posting this and, also, to let anyone whose interested know that I'm around if you have questions or suggestions.

Really hope to raise as much awareness (and money) as possible so I don't have to do this crazy stunt again.

Svetlana - Thanks for checking out my site and you're 100% correct. It's a non-profit web portal. Just by people making it their homepage or using it for all their Google searches it helps raise money for our charity projects. Free!!

Oh, I noticed you're in Seattle. Great place! I use to live there before moving to Thailand. Besides riding motorcycles, what do you do there?

CaddmannQ · 10-26-2006

Wow! 107 views here, and Svetlana is the only one who replied?

Come on you guys! Here's a chance to show people in a foreign land that Americans are not all rich, self-centered warmongers.

From the comfort of your chair, you might be able to PayPal a few bucks to Isara and save a kid's life, plus help Pat spread the word about motorcycle riding safety around the world.

Imagine what it would be like if 80% of Americans rode and nobody wore a helmet!

*Svetlana* · 10-26-2006

Well I just like being unique

Really though, I'll send your link onto my friends. I have one friend in particular who has spent quite a bit of time in SE Asia himself and will most definitely be interested in this cause. And I'll also post it on my own forum (which is not related to motorcycling but I don't care).

isara · 10-26-2006

Thanks, Svetlana. Any help is appreciated.

This is one of the few opportunities people have to help and know that 100% of their donation (other than the 3% PayPal takes) will be used for what they intended. Everyone involved is a volunteer and we don't have any expenses. We check out how much was donated and then we buy as many helmets as we can with that money.

**2WheelFun** · 10-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaddmannQ

Wow! 107 views here, and Svetlana is the only one who replied?

Come on you guys! Here's a chance to show people in a foreign land that Americans are not all rich, self-centered warmongers.

From the comfort of your chair, you might be able to PayPal a few bucks to Isara and save a kid's life, plus help Pat spread the word about motorcycle riding safety around the world.

Imagine what it would be like if 80% of Americans rode and nobody wore a helmet!

Hang on there Caddmann...I'm trying to donate but keep getting interupted in my office!

**2WheelFun** · 10-26-2006

OK...Donation has been sent!

Great program! I hope it does well for all of the kids there.

isara · 10-26-2006

2WheelFun - Just got your donation. Thank you VERY much. And tell your office "thanks" for leaving you alone long enough to make the donation.

**2WheelFun** · 10-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by isara

2WheelFun - Just got your donation. Thank you VERY much. And tell your office "thanks" for leaving you alone long enough to make the donation.

You're very welcome!

Sometimes I get to do what I want. It just takes me a little longer.

CaddmannQ · 10-26-2006

Thanks, 2Wheel,

Thank you very much!

**2WheelFun** · 10-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaddmannQ

Thanks, 2Wheel,

Thank you very much!

It was my pleasure CQ!

Anglsxst · 10-27-2006

I just want to say what you are doing is very cool!! Its nice to see people still care. I clicked the link and Im now using it as my homepage, I hope that helps you out bro!!

isara · 10-27-2006

Anglsxst - Cool. Thank you VERY much for doing that. Just by making the site your homepage (and using its Google search, playing its games, etc.) you'll be helping a lot! Hopefully more people will realize how easy it is to make a difference and more people will make Isara their homepage too.

BigJohn · 10-28-2006

Sawadee kap. Say Hi to Takhli, Ubon and Udorn when you pass through. I loved my time in Thailand. 30 years ago I got to ride a 305 Dream from Takhli to Bankok and back. It was hazardous then, I can just immagine what it's like now.

This is a very worthy cause. Caddmanns been matched.

Come on gang, put your money where your mouth is...

isara · 10-28-2006

BigJohn - Just got your BIG donation. Thank you VERY much. I will definitely say Hi to all those places if I drive through them. Although, whenever I open my mouth while driving that's always the cue for bugs to fly in.

This Kawasaki Forum has been a great supporter of this project. Thank you to CaddmannQ and everyone else for their support.

CaddmannQ · 10-28-2006

Yes, many thanks, Big John!

I see from your profile that you're running the Caddmann Kit too, so it's obvious that you have the brains to recognise a good Idea.

BigJohn · 10-28-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by isara

BigJohn - Just got your BIG donation. Thank you VERY much. I will definitely say Hi to all those places if I drive through them. Although, whenever I open my mouth while driving that's always the cue for bugs to fly in.

This Kawasaki Forum has been a great supporter of this project. Thank you to CaddmannQ and everyone else for their support.

You are very welcome. Know what you mean about the bugs. Just don't hit one of these:

One smacked me in the chest on the road to Bangkok. I was doing about 110 clicks. OUCH!

10-25-2006	#1 (permalink)
CaddmannQ Moto-Nerd BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: California Posts: 119	These kids need helmets! Normally, I'm kind of a tightwad, and I don't do stuff like this. Guys, I'm going to be right up front with you. We're looking for some sponsors here. I know some of you have supported worthy charities in the past, but this is one that, as motorcyclists, falls right in our area of interest. My buddy Pat is a teacher, volunteering in Thailand. He's also a motorcyclist. Unlike here though, over 80% of the people in Thailand are motorcyclists. True, they don't ride Vulcans and Ninjas. If they could afford Vulcans and Ninjas, they could afford a car; but the best most of them can afford is a little scooter or a moped, and everyone, from babies to their grandparents is riding them. Where here, schoolkids would mostly be driving Dad's old Ford or Chevy to school, these kids are all riding their dad's old moped. And in a land where the accident fatality rate from motorcycle accidents is staggering, almost none of them wear helmets. OK, I can hear some of you already, "BFD! I wouldn't wear a helmet if it wasn't for that damn helmet law!" I wear one myself, but I'll admit I didn't always, and there are times when I still wouldn't if it wasn't for that law. (Even then I have cheated a few times. Shhhh!) The thing is, we don't ride in the kind of traffic and on the kind of roads they have there. If you had to ride the main drag through Bangkok or the back road to some small villiage, you'd be wishing you'd brought a helmet. It's that bad, and yet kids all over Thailand are sent out, and taken out, in that every day, and they don't know any better. This is where Pat and his volunteers at Isara have been trying to help. Armed with donations from friends and family, he has started a campaign for motorcycle helmet safety and awareness, and he (being a teacher) is working mostly with the kids. Through Isara, and with the cooperation of local schools and police, hundreds of motorcycle helmets have been donated to children, who--though some of them may be too young to ride--are riding with their parents daily. They have sponsored helmet safety poetry contests to win helmets for classmates, and school helmet safety days, and safety training, and other free donations of helmets to Thai kids and their parents. Maybe you're thinking, "Crap! That sounds expensive. I paid almost $100 for this cheapo lid I'm wearing now." The fact is that these helmets, made in Thailand, and government approved, are being bought in bulk for only $3.25 each. Think about that. For a miserable $3.25 you might be able so save a little kid's life. In just two weeks, Pat is taking a 1550 mile trek around Thailand, to distribute helmets to school kids and promote motorcycle safety. Money is still needed to buy helmets and fund this effort, but if you think your donation is going to fund some posh expense account, get this: Pat is riding the entire trip on his little 125cc Honda scooter. The roads ain't like here either. There's going to be some serious territory to cover. Listen, for a lousey penny per kilometer (OK that's penny and a fourth per mile) you can help sponsor Pat on his journey, and buy helmets for little kids who are probably never going to see transportation better than a used moped. When I found out that for only a $100, I could provide thirty of these kids with helmets, I couldn't click PaPal fast enough. I hope you can see these photos OK. Please do what you can to help guys. This is a worthy effort, and I'm vouching for Pat. He is the real deal. Dedication like his isn't often seen, believe me. Can any of you look at these little faces and tell me you wouldn't part with some of your beer money to help save their lives? Look, if you can't send a donation, just clicking on Pat's homepage can help: http://www.isara.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,162/ Attached Thumbnails

10-25-2006	#2 (permalink)
CaddmannQ Moto-Nerd BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: California Posts: 119	Pat's website These photos are all from Pat's website: http://www.isara.com Attached Thumbnails

10-25-2006	#3 (permalink)
Svetlana Sunshine Mod Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle, USA Posts: 6,644	Your friend seems to be doing some outstanding humanitarian work that reaches far beyond motorcycle helmets (I perused the site ). Just to add a little more info after I have looked it over myself, the site actually works like many websites do- feeding off of advertising dollars so as not to have to resort to fundraising for everything. That is a brilliant idea- every time someone merely goes to the site, or clicks a link, the advertisers on the site fund the mission (via portals). So, even for those that do not/cannot donate, merely visiting the site helps out the charity. __________________ aka Bonnie '97 Moto Guzzi 1100 Sporti Photos

10-26-2006	#5 (permalink)
isara Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7	My name is PK (that's my ugly mug in the photo up there). Just wanted to stop by and say Thank you to CaddmannQ for posting this and, also, to let anyone whose interested know that I'm around if you have questions or suggestions. Really hope to raise as much awareness (and money) as possible so I don't have to do this crazy stunt again. Svetlana - Thanks for checking out my site and you're 100% correct. It's a non-profit web portal. Just by people making it their homepage or using it for all their Google searches it helps raise money for our charity projects. Free!! Oh, I noticed you're in Seattle. Great place! I use to live there before moving to Thailand. Besides riding motorcycles, what do you do there? Last edited by isara : 12-20-2006 at 08:41 AM.

10-26-2006	#7 (permalink)
Svetlana Sunshine Mod Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle, USA Posts: 6,644	Well I just like being unique Really though, I'll send your link onto my friends. I have one friend in particular who has spent quite a bit of time in SE Asia himself and will most definitely be interested in this cause. And I'll also post it on my own forum (which is not related to motorcycling but I don't care). __________________ aka Bonnie '97 Moto Guzzi 1100 Sporti Photos

10-25-2006	#4 (permalink)
CaddmannQ Moto-Nerd BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: California Posts: 119	Yes, this is true. Just clicking the link or re-setting your home page can help.

10-26-2006	#6 (permalink)
CaddmannQ Moto-Nerd BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: California Posts: 119	Wow! 107 views here, and Svetlana is the only one who replied? Come on you guys! Here's a chance to show people in a foreign land that Americans are not all rich, self-centered warmongers. From the comfort of your chair, you might be able to PayPal a few bucks to Isara and save a kid's life, plus help Pat spread the word about motorcycle riding safety around the world. Imagine what it would be like if 80% of Americans rode and nobody wore a helmet!

10-26-2006	#8 (permalink)
isara Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7	Thanks, Svetlana. Any help is appreciated. This is one of the few opportunities people have to help and know that 100% of their donation (other than the 3% PayPal takes) will be used for what they intended. Everyone involved is a volunteer and we don't have any expenses. We check out how much was donated and then we buy as many helmets as we can with that money.

10-26-2006	#10 (permalink)
2WheelFun the "fun old" guy Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albion, Washington "Pacific Northwest" Posts: 30,372	OK...Donation has been sent! Great program! I hope it does well for all of the kids there. __________________ *KING KAHUNA* *2007 V2K LT* ****PICS** 2007 Brute Force 650i **PICS** I love the smell of SeaFoam in the morning**

10-26-2006	#11 (permalink)
isara Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7	2WheelFun - Just got your donation. Thank you VERY much. And tell your office "thanks" for leaving you alone long enough to make the donation.

10-26-2006	#13 (permalink)
CaddmannQ Moto-Nerd BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: California Posts: 119	Thanks, 2Wheel, Thank you very much!

10-27-2006	#15 (permalink)
Anglsxst Almost Heavenly BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 481	I just want to say what you are doing is very cool!! Its nice to see people still care. I clicked the link and Im now using it as my homepage, I hope that helps you out bro!! __________________ Never Ride faster then your Angel can fly!!!

10-27-2006	#16 (permalink)
isara Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7	Anglsxst - Cool. Thank you VERY much for doing that. Just by making the site your homepage (and using its Google search, playing its games, etc.) you'll be helping a lot! Hopefully more people will realize how easy it is to make a difference and more people will make Isara their homepage too.

10-28-2006	#17 (permalink)
BigJohn Power Hungry V2K Rider Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 6,279	Sawadee kap. Say Hi to Takhli, Ubon and Udorn when you pass through. I loved my time in Thailand. 30 years ago I got to ride a 305 Dream from Takhli to Bankok and back. It was hazardous then, I can just immagine what it's like now. This is a very worthy cause. Caddmanns been matched. Come on gang, put your money where your mouth is... __________________ '00 Nomad '06 V2K LT Because RED is the fastest color...

10-28-2006	#18 (permalink)
isara Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7	BigJohn - Just got your BIG donation. Thank you VERY much. I will definitely say Hi to all those places if I drive through them. Although, whenever I open my mouth while driving that's always the cue for bugs to fly in. This Kawasaki Forum has been a great supporter of this project. Thank you to CaddmannQ and everyone else for their support.

10-28-2006	#19 (permalink)
CaddmannQ Moto-Nerd BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: California Posts: 119	Yes, many thanks, Big John! I see from your profile that you're running the Caddmann Kit too, so it's obvious that you have the brains to recognise a good Idea.