We are one of only a handful of public high school crews in Montgomery County. As a club sport, we receive no financial support from the school system. Coaches’ salaries, equipment purchases, and race fees all come from team dues, parent donations and our Holiday Wreath Fund Raiser, Yard Sale, Car Washes, After school pizza sales, etc.
Please consider a donation today – our rowers need your support.
Ergathon Information:
1. What is an Ergathon?
An Ergathon is a classic Crew Team fundraising event where team members row a specified distance on rowing machines (ergs) and ask contributors to sponsor them. Coxswains participate by coxing rowers while they are “erging.” This year, team members will set their own personal erg time or distance. If a rower chooses, they can erg the equivalent of rowing the course of the famous Head of the Charles Regatta – 4800 meters- to be completed in one or two rowing sessions.
2. Why is the team holding the Ergathon?
To help raise funds to pay for equipment and other expenses so we can continue to compete at the top levels of U.S. high school rowing. Blair Crew does not receive money from the school or the county. Without contributions, we will not have a crew program. Contributions help us buy necessary equipment and cover key expenses including equipment and coaching staff.
3. Where and when?
Sunday, January 29 from 12 to 4 pm at the Blair SAC.
4. What is my fundraising commitment?
Blair Crew team members will collect pledges for the Ergathon and record them on the sponsor sheet. A pledge can be based on total time, distance or a simple total pledge. Sponsors should be obtained before the Ergathon and donations can be collected before or after the Ergathon - total donations are due February 13, 2012. Team members use various strategies to obtain contributions: Some ask for donations from family, friends, local businesses and neighbors. Others use the proceeds from yard work or babysitting jobs. Some parents have helped with fund-matching with their employer.
The fundraising goal for the year is for each Blair crewmember to contribute at least $200 in tax-deductible contributions between the Ergathon, wreath sale, and hat sale (fifty percent of total hat and wreath sales counts towards the total donation.) For the Ergathon, raise the amount needed to meet or exceed your yearly contribution total. Half of the amount raised over $200.00 will go towards your spring dues (in the form of a reimbursement).
5. What do I do with my pledges?
Your sponsors can pay you before or after the Ergathon. The sponsor will get the top half of the sponsor form as a receipt and you keep the bottom part to hand int with the check. Checks should be made payable to Blair Crew. Please attach the check to the pledge form and bring them to the Ergathon or mail them afterwards to Lora Griff.
6. What do I get out of it?
Lots: (A) it shows your commitment to a great team that is getting a lot of attention in school, and from the local rowing community; (B) you are helping build Blair Crew into a powerhouse; (C) you are getting in shape; and (D) your teammates will be sharing this effort with you and want you to be there to contribute.
7. How can parents help?
- Help your rowers obtain pledges from family and friends
- Help with set up and clean up on the Ergathon day.
- Contribute healthy snacks and drink to keep our rowers energized!
- We will need families to bring their erg from home so we have more machines available.
- To sign up to help out at the Ergathon send an e-mail to Lora Griff, loramsw@yahoo.com.
To download all of the information pertaining to the Ergathon, click here.
To download the sponsor form, click here.
Blair Crew will be selling holiday wreaths again this year!
Last year’s sale was quite successful and this year we want to do even better! Orders are due on November 5th (the day of the Occoquan regatta) and the wreaths will be delivered over Thanksgiving weekend. Wreaths will cost $20.
More detailed information is provided in the attached instructions:
Check your email boxes for the same information.
If you have any questions, please email me at bayeager@verizon.net.
Rowers: detailed information on the hat sale fundraiser is provided in the attached instructions:
Check your email boxes for the same information.
If you have any questions, please email me at tina.mbhs@gmail.com
