The finale as the DVSF III fades away

Double Venom · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 06:21 AM

I went to London yesterday for the first time since our little event took place. I met with the Business Association of London to bring them up to date and to hear any complaints that they may have had. Approximately 20 people in attendance and absolutely no complaints. Only requests that "we" come back once again.

It appears that many of you have written the Editor, Don Hartley of the Madison Press thanking the citizens and leaders of the community for allowing us to wake up this sleepy little town in central Ohio. If you have the time and the energy, please feel free to contact the Press at this link. They will print it!

http://www.madison-press.com/NF/omf/madison/contact.htm

I did tell the board about "your" comments. I filled them in about having the SCCA Autocross at OSU, I told them the "RipChords" demanded to be allowed to come back to London, but they would like a larger stage. At that point I was interrupted by one of the members and was advised that the City is in the process of making a huge portable stage for all downtown events and will be available to all groups on a first come basis! ( Oh the story behind getting a stage!)

I filled them in on the Airport events. I also told them about Jenny not being able to make it this year as she was in the hospital at the time. (Jenny is now home by the way!)

Of course the question of how many Cobras were there arised, and how much money did we raise for Jenny? I told them with London and Madison County's help we raised over $44,000.00 the weekend of the Fling. You could have heard a pin drop! Then the entire room burst into applause. I actually had to stop them, to tell them the rest of the story.

283 total Cobras in attendance--with that they said they needed to close of more streets for us!

I then told them that by the time the Fling was over we had raised over $95,000.00 for Jenny and CF. I then told them that I went back to the "well" on more time and pleaded my case, asking our Cobra family to somehow donate another $5000.00 over this last weekend.

No T-shirts, no tickets, no rewards, just send more money. I told them the credit card donations started coming in to our web site in a furious pace, my E-mail was twice what it was over the entire event, and come Monday morning our mail box was full of letters with checks in them.

I also told them about an Anonymous Flinger, who shall, at his request, remain anonymous, wrote me the first night I posted my latest request for more money. He didn't care how much money, if any that we needed to make that impossible dream come true, he would gladly donate what ever it took to go over the top!

Monday, July 1st mail delivery time plus 5 was my cut off time. The letters were opened, the Internet donations were once again counted, and the calculator went to work.

Lady's and Gentlemen...I just have no words left to express my gratitude for what "our family" has done. Right now all I can give back to you is a simple Thank You.

DV----DVSF-III for Jenny and Cystic Fibrosis $100,057.00

snake oil · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 06:31 AM

Congrats to all that set it up and worked so hard to pull it all off!

Cobra20646 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 06:31 AM

Fantastic Ed.......

But the memories of the past three flings will never fade away.

Thanks again for the show! See ya next year

- Jim -

Wade Chamberlain · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 06:36 AM

Holy cow, that's great!

Of all three flings, I had the most fun at this one. I can't wait till next year!

Lowell W · #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 06:52 AM

DV, I'm impressed!!! SFIII was great-can't wait 'til next year.

Thanks again.

Lowell

klayfish · #6 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 07:01 AM

Standing ovation for all!!!

That's awesome.

Just think what we'll be able to do next year....

Steve

petek · #7 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 07:07 AM

WOW! Darn near brings a tear to the eye to think of the generosity of a bunch of old-fart, type-A personalities!

Ed, does this mean you'll be signing up for DVSF IV????

Tom Wells · #8 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 07:10 AM

Hey DV,

Back atcha: CLAP, CLAP, CLAP !!

Tom

Turk · #9 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 08:49 AM

Good show!

It seems the natives were less disturbed by us than some who were NOT there.

I don't know if Ed is doing Spring Fling IV or not, but we are going to be there either way.

If Ed is not there, he will be missed!!!

TURK

Dirty Harry · #10 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 09:04 AM

Absolutely fabulous. There are those who would criticize us for having these expensive toys. No one, though, can deny that raising 100K for Cystic Fibrosis research is a noble and notable accomplishment. If, some day, this nasty disease is controlled or eradicated, it will be partly due to the efforts of the _obra replica community.

The Flings have been the highlight of my last 3 summers, with DVSF3 being the very best. I continue my standing ovation for DV, the Kirhams, and all those with the kindness in their hearts to help sick children. Heaven must surely have a special place for those who work tirelessly to ease the suffering of another.

Drive safely, friends, and let's get another 100K next year.

BT SNAKE · #11 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 09:32 AM

Boy! it makes me feel good just to know that I was a very small part of it. Ed, you must really feel great with all you have done.
I can't wait to help again for next year . Lets get the ball rollin early so we can make 125,000 for DVSF IV.

Hersh

petek · #12 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 11:00 AM

Great idea Hersh! $125,000 is a great number to shoot for!

Turk, with the experience you have with vehicle transport and hotel lodging, I'm sure you'll have no problem putting together the DVSF IV (if Ed decides to rest this one out).

(Still can't get over it... $100,000 raised, WOW!)

Jamo · #13 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 11:53 AM

Only one word comes to mind...excellence.

CobraDan · #14 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 12:19 PM

Congratulations

Dan & Jean

wilf leek · #15 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 03:06 PM

Jolly good show!

Top hole, what?

Pip Pip!

What a good egg that DV fellow is!

Well - what did you expect from an englishman?

Double Venom · #16 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 03:49 PM

You guys are my motivation. Jenny is my motivation. The Fling is my motivation! It just can't be done without everyone of you. I mean look at Wilf for an example, even Craig from Austrailia who couldn't be with us this year. It AINT me they are coming to see!

It IS about the "family"

DV...Sorry if I offend anyone but God Bless you all! It is a good thing you do! As of noon today, $100,257.00 I think I will have that beer now!

mikiec · #17 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 09:01 PM

I just checked the DVSF site and the countdown is on for the DVSF-IV. That put a big smile on my face!

It has been said many times, by many people in the past few weeks, but a HUGE THANKS to Ed & Diane and the DVSF gang for all that they did to make DVSF-III such a success.

Congrats to all that participated and contributed in raising such an incredible amount of $$ for Cystic Fibrosis.

For years I have taught my kids that individuals may not be able to CHANGE the world, but they can make a difference. Our 'Cobra family' (certainly an interesting group of individuals) has proven that making a difference for Jenny and other children afflicted with CF is definitely possible. Thank you one and all.

Mike and I have already made our reservations for June 2004 and look forward to having our cobra with us this time. (Somehow no one bought the idea that our rented KIA was a Cobra in disguise)

So, the clock is counting down and I have started the process to calculate and plan for the quilts for next year. I find myself thinking about it all night in my sleep. I guess I should get them done early so that I can get some sleep and rest before DVSF-IV.

Thanks for the wonderful memories that we brought back to Phoenix with us and we look forward to our return to Ohio in June 2004 and seeing everyone again.

Best Wishes to all,

Ginny (Mrs. MikieC)