Charity begins at home?

In talking to a friend one day, I noticed that she made an assumption: that, in addition to riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge, each year I also made a financial contribution toward my own fundraising minimum for the ride.

So, Ornoth, do you actually contribute to the PMC?

Actually, usually not. I made a $100 donation in 2001, the first year I rode, but since then I have not made a contribution or “sponsored myself”. I’ll give you two reasons for that.

The first is that riding is actually pretty expensive. This year I gave the PMC $150 just to register, spent $430 on hotels, another $65 on food, and $335 on bike stuff just before the ride. All tolled, I’ve spent over a thousand dollars just in order to ride! Between that and the time I devote to fundraising, I think it’s probably okay if I don’t actually make a donation in my own name on top of it all.

The other reason I don’t make a donation is because I give to other charities, and to other charity riders. Last year I sponsored three friends who participated in MS rides, which came to $110. This year I only sponsored one for $50, but my total charitable giving so far this year is up around $350. So I’m not uncharitable; I just give in different ways in different places.

But ultimately, the answer is still no, I usually don’t give any money to the PMC myself. Hopefully that’s not an issue for any of my sponsors. Despite the fact that I’m not donating cash to the cause, I’m contributing in a larger way, as I stand today on the verge of having raised $22,000 for the Jimmy Fund since 2001, which is something I’m very proud of accomplishing.