Help an engineer out,, $1500 to go in the SAE fundraiser. Options

[slowTA]

I feel kind of funny about asking this, but I’m desperate. I’m the captain of one of my school’s SAE Mini Baja teams and it looks like I wont have my team unless we raise some money real fast. I go to the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and raising money is like pulling teeth. Most of the larger companies only give donations to charitable causes that help out the community in some way. Unfortunately, the engineering community doesn’t count in their eyes, can’t say I blame them really.

Our faculty advisor will not let us build or even order parts unless we raise $2,000 by the end of the year. Right now we are looking pretty good for getting half of that, but we’re still scratching our heads over the other half. Once we raise the 2 grand he will give us access to another 2 grand we will get from the school. If we can’t do so, whatever money we raise, as well as the money from the school, will go to our other team. I’m under the impression he wants to support one team instead of two.

So far my team has most of the frame and suspension designed, we have 2 rock crawler guys on board this year who have a ton of ideas for their trucks that were scaled down some for our buggy. We should be ready to start crunching numbers soon, and start building over the winter break.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the competition, we have to build a buggy from scratch, use a 10hp Briggs and Stratton engine, and follow an 80 + page rule book. The frame has to be made out of 1” OD x .083” wall tubing or better, should be covered with some kind of padding to protect the driver, have a brake light and backup light if equipped… the list goes on forever. There are three competitions in the U.S. (East, Midwest, and West). NJIT participates in the Midwest since the east has a water crossing, and the west is just plain too far, but they have a rock crawling section as well. The dynamic portions consist of braking, accelerating, a sled pull, hill climb… and yes, even an autocross!! Static judging is based on overall design, presentation, craftsmanship, driver comfort, innovation, and feasibility of mass production. The Midwest competition will be held in Ohio during the second weekend of June.

We’re willing to take any kind of donation possible… parts, money, tools, guidance, a box of cookies, anything we can get money from really. If you can help out in any way please pm or e-mail me and I will send you all of the information. Your donations will be tax deductible and should be sent right to the school.

These links are to the rule book and our website for last year’s team.
http://www.sae.org/students/mbrules.pdf
http://web.njit.edu/~ejp2/baja.html


Thanks for reading and any help possible,
Chris.

FYI, I asked trackbird if it was OK to post something like this and he doesn’t seem to mind.

[trackbird]

Chris asked me if it was ok to ask for support from the racing community here. I didn't see why not. If we could get every member of the board to donate $4.00, we'd surpass the goal Chris has set. I know that we'll never see 100% participation, but can we spare $10 or so out of the racing budget?

If needed, we can send it to my paypal address and I'll send one check when we hit the deadline. I'm open to suggestions, if anyone has a way to help Chris and his crew raise funds (I'm open to suggestions? If I can setup a GP [with the blessing of our sponsors of course] and donate the proceeds to the SAE club? Anyone have any thoughts?).

Or, anyone who can spare a few dollars, feel free to post that you can donate (if you don't want to list the amount, send a pm, I'll keep a list, or e-mail me at trackbird (at) columbus.rr.com - replace (at) with @ and remove the spaces).

This is not something I'd usually do on the board, but I know many members are engineers and many more are working on it. Besides, these guys may be desiging our next favorite car when they get out of school.

I'm in for a few dollars. I'll start at $10. Anyone else? (Don't feel obligated, the holidays are a bad time to try to raise funds and I understand that, but if you'd like to help, please do).

[firehawkclone]

I can do $5 just let me know when.

[94bird]

I'm in for $50 if it will get Chris to his goal. I feel for you, since we had a very tough time raising the money for our Mini Baja team at Memphis State when I was going to college. I didn't help build the car, but many of my friends did.

[Crazy Canuck]

you should put a countdown on how much is left... and update it... can motivate more people to participate.
I'll chip in... probably throw paypal is the best.
It's the HOLIDAYS SPIRIT ... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

[trackbird]

That's $65 (plus Eugenio). $1935 to go!!!!

And I made it a sticky (and edited your topic to show the total and get attention to the fact that it's an SAE fundraiser).

[Tony99SS]

Count me for $25.00, from an ex-engineering student turned roughneck and part-time grease monkey. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Tony

[Teutonic Speedra...]

I went to NJIT also. Who's the faculty advisor these days? I always wanted to do SAE while in college, but between 18-21 credits and an internship, I never seemed to have time.

[trackbird]

Count me for $25.00, from an ex-engineering student turned roughneck and part-time grease monkey. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Tony

$1910 to go.

[slowTA]

Sweet... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif) You guys are the best!!

Kevin, thanks for all the help. I didn't expect to get a response like this, every penny helps.

Dennis, professor Miller is the faculty advisor. He's been doing this for a number of years so far.

To everyone who has chipped in so far, you have all my thanks. Since this is a sticky I'll post updates and pics. We're going to cover the car with sponsor's decals so I'll have to get a couple FRRAX logos on there too.

[Guardsman]

Kevin, I just Paypal'd you $10.....good luck Chris, let us know what happens. JOhn

[trackbird]

Kevin, I just Paypal'd you $10.....good luck Chris, let us know what happens.  JOhn

Thanks! I'll add it to the fund.

$1900 left!

[slowTA]

Thanks again for all the help guys, that's $100 in the first 24 hours. I also want to say that this money will ONLY go to my team, if my team doesn't raise enough money then all of your donations will be returned.

Does anyone have a few suggestions for running a fund raiser that would raise money from a bunch of engineering students? We were thinking of a car show, but we would have to make enough to pay for additional security. Newark is the car theft capital of the world!

[trackbird]

I'll keep track of the donations and amounts (most will be in the thread). And, if it does not make the needed total, I'll have the list of who gets what (minus any paypal fees for those who paypal).

Thanks again guys!

[felton316]

Thanks again for all the help guys, that's $100 in the first 24 hours. I also want to say that this money will ONLY go to my team, if my team doesn't raise enough money then all of your donations will be returned.

Does anyone have a few suggestions for running a fund raiser that would raise money from a bunch of engineering students? We were thinking of a car show, but we would have to make enough to pay for additional security. Newark is the car theft capital of the world!

Have you ever seen "The Full Monty"? You might be able to raise some money like that. But, I'll throw in $10, if you keep your clothes on. Do we just paypal trackbird?

[trackbird]

Thanks again for all the help guys, that's $100 in the first 24 hours.  I also want to say that this money will ONLY go to my team, if my team doesn't raise enough money then all of your donations will be returned. 

Does anyone have a few suggestions for running a fund raiser that would raise money from a bunch of engineering students?  We were thinking of a car show, but we would have to make enough to pay for additional security.  Newark is the car theft capital of the world!

Have you ever seen "The Full Monty"? You might be able to raise some money like that. But, I'll throw in $10, if you keep your clothes on. Do we just paypal trackbird?

That's the plan.

Thanks guys!

$1890 left!

[felton316]

Paypal sent...

[CMC#5]

Just sent in $25...I'm a former SAE President with three Mini-Bajas and one Super Mileage Vehicle under his belt, I understand where you're at. Good luck man, sorry I can't do more.

[slowTA]

Thanks again to everyone who has made a contribution. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

[trackbird]

$1865 Left!