Re: BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser - upcoming auction?
Can anyone verify information I heard about the upcoming February auction? 53 Berners and 5 Leonbergers? Has anyone heard any specifics? I'm hoping some commercial breeders are going out of business? Pat Long (& Luther) Berwyn PA - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Okay folks, this is just about the "last call" for your donations for the BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser. The drawing will be this weekend... BUT the real message this morning is that IF you still haven't sent in your money for BARC and/or LOC, or even if you have and you want to buy more tickets for these lovely Berner items, you can still join in on the fun. Just be sure to send a note telling me how much you are sending, how many tickets you have and how you would like me to distribute them for you. I'll put your tickets into the drawing and then I'll let you know when your check arrives. Here is the web site for the fundraiser: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/ Check any e-mail over the Web for free at MailBreeze (http://www.mailbreeze.com)
It's almost time for the drawing - BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser....
Okay folks, this is just about the "last call" for your donations for the BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser. The drawing will be this weekend...then the fun begins with me packaging up the 83 items for the winners and taking huge carloads of packages to the post office. People just love to get in line behind me after one of our fundraisers! NOT BUT the real message this morning is that IF you still haven't sent in your money for BARC and/or LOC, or even if you have and you want to buy more tickets for these lovely Berner items, you can still join in on the fun. Just be sure to send a note telling me how much you are sending, how many tickets you have and how you would like me to distribute them for you. I'll put your tickets into the drawing and then I'll let you know when your check arrives. Here is the web site for the fundraiser: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/ If you have already sent your check to me for this fundraiser, don't forget that Terri Zimmerman is doing a fundraiser for the BMDCA Lobby Fund. Artist Lace Smith will do a pencil sketch for the winner (up to 3 dogs) of this fundraiser. Tickets are $5 each or 3 tickets for $10 or 10 tickets for $20. The website is: http://bmdcgs.org/lobby/berner_gallery.htm Lace does beautiful work.. The fundraiser will end of Feb. 22nd. Joye Neff (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA
Last day for the BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser....
Well, this is officially the last day for the BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser. With that being said, I also want to remind you that I always give you another week or so to allow the checks that were sent today to reach me before we do the drawing. I'm planning to do the drawing around Jan. 25th or so. That way people who want to mail cheques from Europe or Australia will be able to send in their money.We have a lot of items in this fundraiser (83 items to be exact) and because of that, the tickets are spread out a little more than usual. that means that you have a better chance to win something. Don't delay - there is still time to get your checks in and to participate in the fun!!! Here is the web site: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/ All you need to do is click on the site ~ you'll find yourself drooling over the gorgeous Berner items that you can win. Grab your checkbook and write a check!! It's that simple AND you are supporting BARC or LOC or both! I'm waiting for your check!!! Joye Neff (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA
BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser Amounts.....
I can't believe how close this BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser has stayed since the launching of the fundraiser. It is just amazing. Here is what we have raised so far: BARC = $1,783.69 LOC = $1,724.00 Total raised = $3,507.69 The BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser will end on January 15th - that means that there are ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT!!! You better get your checkbook out right now We have so many wonderful items - 83 of them to be exact. We have never had this many items in one of our fundraisers. What this means to you is that the tickets are spread out over a lot more items than our other fundraisers, and therefore you have a much better chance of winning something than you usually do. Now, that alone should make you want to send in a donation for tickets. BUT, the other thing that is so important is that your donation will help BARC (Berner Auction Rescue Coaliton) and/or LOC (Light One Candle lobbying effort.)Now, that IS IMPORTANT!!! I know that you are receiving your bills for Christmas and the Holidays. But, don't you have a little left over to help a Berner cause? Here is the web site for the BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/ I'm waiting for your checks to arrive. Winston isn't here to pull them into the house with his cart, but I can guarantee you that he's watching from the Bridge and will be MOST PLEASED to see me bringing in the many donations that I know will be coming in the mail. THANK YOU to the many people who donated wonderful items to our fundraiser. THANK YOU to Karen Pickel for making such a terrific web site for our fundraiser. THANK YOU to all of the generous people who have sent in donations to our fundraiser. THANK YOU to the hardworking volunteers of BARC and LOC for helping to make a difference in the lives of Berners. Hug your Berners and tell them how much you love them. Joye Neff (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA
BARC LOC Challenge Raffle NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!!!
A belated Happy New Year to everyone - may 2003 only hold good things for you and your Berners. I want to remind everyone that you can still make a donation to the BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser. We have 83 super Berner items that you can try to win. If you haven't seen them, then you need to go to the web site that Karen Pickel made for us and check them out: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/ I know that once you see the fantastic prizes for this fundraiser that you will want to run to your checkbook to send in a donation to BARC and/or LOC. This is a terrific way to make a donation to two tremendous organizations and at the same time have a chance to win some very nice Berner items. This is a Challenge Fundraiser - we are trying to raise a lot of money for BARC and LOC and the challenge is to see which group can raise the most money. So far, we have raised a total of $2,192.69. BARC has raised $1,173.69 and LOC has raised $1,019.00. Come on you folks who support LOC - we need to catch up with that BARC amount.I'd like to see this fundraiser end with a lot of money for both organizations and a "Tie" would be fine as far as I'm concerned. There are only sixteen days left for this fundraiser and I'd like to see us raise at least $4,000. We can do it, but we everyone to participate - it will give us all a "warm puppy dog" feeling to help these two groups. Go hug your Bernersthen go write a check!! Joye Neff (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA
BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser.....
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas/Holiday. Since we are approaching the end of 2002, I just wanted to remind you that you can still make a donation to the BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser this year. We have 83 super Berner items that you can try to win. If you haven't seen them, then you need to go to the web site that Karen Pickel made for us and check them out: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/ I know that once you see the fantastic prizes that you will want to run to your checkbook to send in a donation to BARC and/or LOC. This is a terrific way to make a donation to two tremendous organizations and at the same time have a chance to win some very nice Berner items. This is a Challenge Fundraiser - we are trying to raise a lot of money for BARC and LOC and the challenge is to see which group can raise the most money. So far, we have raised a total of $1,862.69. BARC has raised $1,003.69 and LOC has raised $859.00. Come on you folks who support LOC - we need to catch up with that BARC amount.I'd like to see this fundraiser end with a lot of money for both organizations and a "Tie" would be fine as far as I'm concerned. Have a great end of 2002 and may 2003 only hold good things for you and your Berners. Go hug your Bernersthen go write a check!! Joye Neff and Winston (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA
Re: BARC/LOC Challenge
My thanks to all of you, and especially to Joye. What would we do without her! My donation was split evenly between BARC and LOC. While I may have started my Bernerful life with a BARC puppy, and now serve as BARC Secretary, I know only too well how important the lobbying effort is. My dear Sophia was part of the Lucky 17 from March of 2001. When I met her at Amy's house, there were at least half a dozen other puppies exactly the same size as her -- yet her papers indicated she should have been a month older than the rest! Someone didn't do anything more than stamp the paperwork when she was imported. She was certainly removed from her litter too early, and I cannot imagine what she went through being transported from Eastern Europe to the US. Others here have mentioned the onlinepetauction.com site. It is run by the same guy who runs USABreeders.com, and if you have ever read their public forums, you know that they discuss animals as a commodity here for them to profit from. NO ONE involved in that site needs to have a USDA license! it is considered retail activity, and since the server owner and webmaster, Glenn Knox, never takes physical possession of the animals, he doesn't have to be licensed, either. I am still so stunned by this turn of events that I have yet to figure out what can be done, other than lobbying our legislators to close this rather large loophole. The other item to be concerned about is the rumor now making the rounds that Wal-Mart is considering selling live animals. I have seen neither confirmation nor denial on this, and the response that was posted from Wal-Mart looked more like obfuscation than any kind of answer. I hope that this is just a nasty rumor, but I cannot assume that it is. There is no point in trying to flood the onlinepetauction site with e-mails -- Glenn would just see it as more proof that commercial breeders are being victimized by animal rights wackos. If you see any sponsors on his site, however, it would be worth writing to them to tell them you find their sponsorship of live animal auctions reprehensible. There is an enormous amount of work to do, and many of you are working hard to protect this wonderful breed, but we need a lot of help and efforts like LOC can mean a lot -- and I hope that one day LOC can put BARC out of business! But we're not there yet, and every dollar counts. Once I get through our extended family Christmas, I'll be sending another check, in honor of all of the dogs we could not save. Liz Caldwell, with Sophia and Faith Lawrence, KS
Re: BARC/LOC Challenge
Thank you Pat Tackett, Vilma Kistner Briggs and the others who have sent me e-mail telling me that they are making donations to the BARC LOC Challenge Raffle in memory of their previous Berners or in honor of their current Berners. Thanks also to those of you who have made donations honoring Berner friends who have done many things to help the breed. That is the true Christmas spirit. How nice to be able to honor someone and help Berners all with the same gift!!! Joye Neff and Winston (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA
BARC/LOC Challenge
Joye, I'm going to be putting a check in the mail in memory of my 3 Berners I have lost over the years -- Dixie, Ace & Rosie -- I want the $30 to go towards LOC efforts. I can't think of a better way to honor their memory and can only hope our continued lobbying effort helps future BMD's.What great news Ruth N. shared with us, it is only a start of course but what a start! I just hope others will step up to the challenge giving money for dogs of past - present - future whomever they want honor. Pat Tackett Texas Loving memory for: Dixie 1986-1993 Ace 1993-2001 Rosie 1991-2002
Re: BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser
Hi Marilynn and Star, What a thoughtful way to spend your tickets for the BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser!!! That is really great - I'll put MS (Marilynn Star) on each of those tickets so the next 28 people who send in their donations will know which tickets are their "bonus tickets" from you. The winner will know that it was your ticket that won the prize if they are a winner. THANK YOU!!! Here is the website that Karen Pickel has made for the BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/ It takes a lot of time to see all 97 items for the fundraiser. Remember, too, that there is a Pre-Holiday Drawing for the first 15 items (lettered A through O) so you better check those out and send in your money to enter in that drawing NOW. I got the first two donations for the fundraiser already - thank you Lynne Hawkinson and Maria Crifasi!! You are both speedy!! Now the rest of you better hurry and send in your money so you can win a prize in the Pre-Holiday portion of the fundraiser. I'll be announcing the donation totals for BARC and LOC this weekend . the Challenge part of the Fundraiser should be fun - let's see which group will be in the lead at the end of the week!! Thanks again Marilynn and Star for sharing all of the tickets you bought with your Berner-l Friends!! Joye Neff and Winston (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA --On Wednesday, December 04, 2002 9:33 PM -0500 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:r Joye and all Berner-L friends, I have been out to this great raffle website 4 times now and it is JUST to hard for me to decide which items I want to try for on the quick, little mini raffle. SO, this is what I am going to do... I am send a check to Joye for $40.00 which is to be used for 28 BARC tickets and 28 LOC tickets as I feel each cause is the flip side of the coin when it comes to keeping our BMD's out of the puppy mills. Joye, please distribute one BARC ticket and LOC ticket to each of the next 28 people who CAN make up there minds on what they want to try for on the mini raffle. Bless you all for the difference you are making in the lives of many future pups either by supporting BARC, LOC or both! Star said to send you all Berner Hugs and Puppy Kisses so if you'll just move a bit closer to your computer screen.. :-) Marilynn and Star.
BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser
Joye and all Berner-L friends, I have been out to this great raffle website 4 times now and it is JUST to hard for me to decide which items I want to try for on the quick, little mini raffle. SO, this is what I am going to do... I am send a check to Joye for $40.00 which is to be used for 28 BARC tickets and 28 LOC tickets as I feel each cause is the flip side of the coin when it comes to keeping our BMD's out of the puppy mills. Joye, please distribute one BARC ticket and LOC ticket to each of the next 28 people who CAN make up there minds on what they want to try for on the mini raffle. Bless you all for the difference you are making in the lives of many future pups either by supporting BARC, LOC or both! Star said to send you all Berner Hugs and Puppy Kisses so if you'll just move a bit closer to your computer screen.. :-) Marilynn and Star.
Have you visited the new BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser Website yet?
You really do need to check out the new BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser Website <http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/> that Karen Pickel did for our current fundraising event!! We have a Pre-Holiday Fundraiser that has 15 items and we will have that drawing on December 12th. You need to get those checks sent in right NOW! The other 81 items in the Fundraiser will run through January 15th and the drawing will be around January 25th. Please crosspost this to other lists you are on and feel free to put it in your club newspapers. This is a Challenge Fundraiser ~ our goal is to see which organization can raise the most money during our fundraiser. We are raising money for both BARC (Berner Auction Rescue Coalition, Inc.) and LOC (Light One Candle.) We all know the tremendous amount of support that BARC has received over the last two years, and we all know that the lobbying effort is equally important. Thus was born the idea of the challenge raffle - we are all being challenged to raise funds for whichever organization we want to support. BARC, Inc. (Bernese Auction Rescue Coalition, Inc.) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating Bernese Mountain Dogs from dog brokers, dog auctions, puppy mills, pet shops and any other dangerous, exploitative or abusive situations. BARC, Inc. places its rescues in loving pet homes as spayed or neutered companions. Donations to BARC are tax deductible; they are a 501(c)3 organization. For donations to BARC, please make your check payable to "BARC." Please check out the BARC website at: http://www.barcinc.com The Light One Candle Fund (LOC) was established in the summer of 2001. It's purpose is to establish, through donations from individuals and organizations, a fund that can be used to fight auctions, puppy mills and careless breeding through public education and pressure on legislators. Donations for lobbying are not tax deductible. Even though Light One Candle is a separate group, the funds are handled by the BMDCA. For donations to LOC, the lobbying effort, make your checks payable to the "BMDCA" and on the memo line, write "LOC." Pease check out the LOC website at: http://141.211.110.76/Candle/lightonecandle.htm If you can't decide which organization you'd like to support, then you can divide your money between the two organizations. In this situation, you can either write two separate checks or make your check payable to "Joye M. Neff" and specify in your note how you want the money to be split and she will place the proper amount into each fund. Joye will keep track of the money raised and report the progress each week. This should be a lot of fun. We already have 96 items for this raffle! Please remember that there is a "Pre-Holiday Fundraiser" portion with fifteen items. The drawing for the "Pre-Holiday Fundraiser" will take place on December 12th, which will allow Joye time to mail the items to the lucky winners in time for them to use them for the holidays! If you have items that you'd like to donate, I can accept them for future fundraisers that I am planning or for the 2003 National Specialty Raffle, which Pat Long and I are co-chairing this year in Long Beach, CA. In fact, we really need items for the Specialty Raffle - please contact Joye Neff for donations at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tickets are $1 each ~ or 6 tickets for $5 ~ or 14 tickets for $10. As usual, I can accept foreign cheques with no extra fee charged by my bank for converting to US Dollars. We are looking for everyone's support!! We have some wonderful items in this fundraiser and I thank everyone who has so generously donated items. Now let's see how much money we can collect for each organization. Everyone can participate!! Show your support for BARC and/or LOC by sending in your check today!! Karen Pickel has done a HUGE amount of work putting together the website for this Fundraiser. With 96 items to win, and complicated directions for making donations because of the "Challenge" portion of the Fundraiser, it has been a lot of work and I thank Karen from the bottom of my heart!! We all owe her a "BIG THANK YOU" - just wait until you see this website: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/ Ohand if you didn't win one of the gorgeous Berner paintings that artist Willem Wijnberg, from the Netherlands, did for our AKC CHF Fundraiser, you can try to win the one that he is painting right now for this fundraiser. It is 10x14 inches and is based on a photograph of Fiona Gordo's puppy girl, Eden, Gladsheim East O Eden, aged 7 weeks. It is item #79 - we have so many wonderful items for this fundraiser - you really do have to go check out the site!!! Joye Neff and Winston (waiting for all the checks to arrive) (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA
ANNOUNCING THE.......BARC LOC CHALLENGE FUNDRAISER~!
I am thrilled to announce our new Fundraiser which will run from today, December 1, 2002 through January 15, 2003! There is even a "Pre-Holiday Fundraiser" portion to the fundraiser, so you better send in your checks for those items right away since the drawing for these fifteen items will take place on December 12th! This is a Challenge Fundraiser ~ our goal is to see which organization can raise the most money during our fundraiser. We are raising money for both BARC (Berner Auction Rescue Coalition, Inc.) and LOC (Light One Candle.) We all know the tremendous amount of support that BARC has received over the last two years, and we all know that the lobbying effort is equally important. Thus was born the idea of the challenge raffle - we are all being challenged to raise funds for whichever organization we want to support. BARC, Inc. (Bernese Auction Rescue Coalition, Inc.) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating Bernese Mountain Dogs from dog brokers, dog auctions, puppy mills, pet shops and any other dangerous, exploitative or abusive situations. BARC, Inc. places its rescues in loving pet homes as spayed or neutered companions. Donations to BARC are tax deductible; they are a 501(c)3 organization. For donations to BARC, please make your check payable to "BARC." Please check out the BARC website at: www.barcinc.com The Light One Candle Fund (LOC) was established in the summer of 2001. It's purpose is to establish, through donations from individuals and organizations, a fund that can be used to fight auctions, puppy mills and careless breeding through public education and pressure on legislators. Donations for lobbying are not tax deductible. Even though Light One Candle is a separate group, the funds are handled by the BMDCA. For donations to LOC, the lobbying effort, make your checks payable to the "BMDCA" and on the memo line, write "LOC." Pease check out the LOC website at: http://141.211.110.76/Candle/lightonecandle.htm If you can't decide which organization you'd like to support, then you can divide your money between the two organizations. In this situation, you can write two separate checks or make your check payable to "Joye M. Neff" and specify in your note how you want the money to be split and she will place the proper amount into each fund. Joye will keep track of the money raised and report the progress each week. This should be a lot of fun. We already have 95 items for this raffle! Please note that there is a "Pre-Holiday Fundraiser" portion with fifteen items. The drawing for the "Pre-Holiday Fundraiser" will take place on December 12th, which will allow Joye time to mail the items to the lucky winners in time for them to use them for the holidays! I have a few more items to be added to the Fundraiser and some photos to add to the website. If you have items that you'd like to donate, I can accept them for future fundraisers or for the 2003 National Specialty Raffle, which Pat Long and I are co-chairing this year in Long Beach, CA. In fact, we need items for the Specialty Raffle - please contact Joye Neff for donations at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tickets are $1 each ~ or 6 tickets for $5 ~ or 14 tickets for $10. As usual, I can accept foreign cheques with no extra fee charged by my bank for converting to US Dollars. We are looking for everyone's support!! We have some wonderful items (95 total items in the fundraiser!) and I thank everyone who has so generously donated items to this fundraiser. Now let's see how much money we can collect for each organization. Everyone can participate!! Show your support for BARC and/or LOC by sending in your check today!! Karen Pickel has done a HUGE amount of work putting together the website for this Fundraiser. With 95 items to win, and complicated directions for making donations because of the "Challenge" portion of the Fundraiser, it has been a lot of work and I thank Karen from the bottom of my heart!! We all owe her a "BIG THANK YOU" - just wait until you see this website: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/ Ohand if you didn't win one of the gorgeous Berner paintings that artist Willem Wijnberg, from the Netherlands, did for our AKC CHF Fundraiser, you can try to win the one that he is painting right now for this fundraiser. It is 10x14 inches and is based on a photograph of Fiona Gordo's puppy girl, Eden, Gladsheim East O Eden, aged 7 weeks. We have so many wonderful items for this fundraiser - you have to go check out the site!!! Joye Neff and Winston (waiting for all the checks to arrive) (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA
Re: BARC LOC Challenge Raffle....
Sue wrote: >This is a great opportunity to remind BMDCA >members that if they would like to see >changes on the board, that there is an >election coming up with several vacancies on >the board. >I have sent my paperwork in to the BMDCA announcing my intention to >run for the board. > Jeff & Mary Chapdelaine - SnoBear berners wrote: > > Change is GOOD! > > Marjie wrote: > What kind of change would you like to see? Mary wrote: >First of all a board and officers who are >concerned more about the dogs than politics. >More about the dogs than personal agendas. >More about the dogs, less about egos. >I think Sue could help bring about change >and I send "cheers" to her for >standing up. : ) Marjie wrote: >Yes, there's always room for improvement. >I applaud those who, rather than complain, >have stepped up to make it a >better club. Mary writes: I agree! Thanks for stepping up Sue!!! Thanks also to all of you who have worked hard making a difference "for the dogs" this year in whatever way you could. "Officially" or your own personal contributions. It all counts. : ) Jeff & Mary Chapdelaine SnoBear Berners [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://snobear.freeyellow.com
Re: BARC LOC Challenge Raffle....
Sue wrote: >This is a great opportunity to remind BMDCA >members that if they would like to see >changes on the board, that there is an >election coming up with several vacancies on >the board. I have sent my paperwork >in to the BMDCA announcing my intention to >run for the board. > Jeff & Mary Chapdelaine - SnoBear berners wrote: > > Change is GOOD! > > Marjie wrote: > What kind of change would you like to see? Mary wrote: >First of all a board and officers who are >concerned more about the dogs than politics. >More about the dogs than personal agendas. >More about the dogs, less about egos. I think Sue could help bring about change and I send "cheers" to her for standing up. : ) Marjie wrote: >Yes, there's always room for improvement. >I applaud those who, rather than complain, >have stepped up to make it a better club. Mary writes: I agree! Thanks for stepping up Sue!!! Thanks also to all of you who have worked hard making a difference for the dogs this year in whatever way you could, "officially" or just in whatever way you could contribute, it all counts. : ) Jeff & Mary Chapdelaine SnoBear Berners [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://snobear.freeyellow.com
BARC LOC CHALLENGE RAFFLE.........
There is a new kind of raffle on the horizon!! I am now collecting Berner items for this raffle ~ all of the prizes that I receive are going to be combined into one HUGE MEGA Raffle. It's a raffle that EVERYONE can contribute towards and support, because you can choose which organization (BARC ~ OR ~ LOC) will get your money!! If you don't choose who the money goes to, then your money will be split equally between the two organizations. Now you might ask, "What is the Challenge part of the subject line above." Well, that's easy. The Challenge means that we're going to see which organization can raise the most money with this raffle. This is a raffle that is for EVERYONE - you can all support either the Berner Auction Rescue Coalition or Light One Candle. Both groups NEED to have money to carry out their missions. Actually, their missions are quite similar - they both want to help Berners - if the public is educated about how to purchase a berner puppy from a responsible breeder instead of from backyard breeders or pet stores, then we will be spreading the word effectively. If our lobbying efforts are successful and they continue to be funded, then the puppy mills will find themselves under scrutinty and it will curtail some of their activity. BARC would LOVE to go out of business because our educational and lobbying efforts have worked. Now, here is what you need to do to help this raffle be a HUGE success: (1) Send me an e-mail telling me what Berner item you are going to donate to our MEGA Raffle (2) Mail the item to me so I can photograph it and send it to Karen Pickel for our Raffle Website (3) Start saving your $$ Money $$ so when I launch the raffle you can send me a nice check for raffle tickets - don't forget to tell me who you want your money to go towards in the Challenge!! The Raffle will start around mid November and will run until the end of the year. I think that it's best to not try to send prizes to people with the holiday rush at the post office, so that's why it's running until the end of the year. And, besides, if any of you get some money as a gift for the holidays, you can always spend some of it on the BARC LOC Challenge Raffle. I already have a lot of raffle items that have been donated by the BARC supporters for the raffle...now we need some really good items to be donated by the LOC supporters. Let's make this a raffle we will always remember!!! You all knew that I couldn't go very long without a Raffle on the "L"!!! ;-D Joye Neff and Winston (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA