Reflection before the coming new year
December 24, 2024The GoHawkeye Foundation – Goodness Born Out of Conspiracy!
In last month’s newsletter in recognition of it’s 10 year anniversary, Hawkeye outlined the birth and growth of the GoHawkeye foundation. One element that was mentioned, but I felt underplayed in Hawkeye’s telling, was the “Conspiratorial Aspect” to the organization forming to help adaptive athletes. When Steve Hodges, Craig Stein and Hawkeye were plotting in 2013, theirs was a rogue and disruptive approach to philanthropy that inspired many others to join their clarion call when the organization was born.
I was one that heard the call. In fact, while I didn’t engage in those planning discussions, I was present when their conniving was going on at Poachers in 2013. I was a bar stool over and couldn’t help but eavesdrop. The three of them looked so suspicious as they leaned into each other to create their plan. Let’s face it, when you see three guys leaning in, deep in discussion at a bar…occasionally checking to see if someone is listening and often breaking talk with laughter…it’s hard not to be immediately drawn in to finding out what was going on. I mean who wouldn’t eavesdrop.
There was no disappointment when I heard about what they were planning and the audaciousness to their plan. Here were three guys with pretty much zero experience in the non-profit world who were looking to fill a gap on helping adaptive athletes to participate in sport and the outdoors. Most people in their place, would see the difficulty and their lack of experience and just back off. They’d find an excuse to NOT move forward. Hawkeye, Craig and Steve moved forward. I remember Hawkeye saying something to the effect of, “Nothing will happen or get better, if we don’t take the first step. What we don’t know we can figure out as we take each additional step.”
As someone who has stopped himself many times in pursuit of doing something because I didn’t know something, this impacted me a great deal. The fact that they also discussed using video and media to both promote fundraising and recognize and tell the incredible stories of these disabled athletes was also inspiring. Their focusing on helping fund equipment or activities has helped hundreds of people recreate in the outdoors. The goal of finishing a grant (Providing those elusive last dollars needed for a purchase) has changed lives…not just of the grantees but their family and friends.
The funny thing is, prior to my eavesdropping on their “GoHawkeye Conspiracy Session,” I wasn’t sure I knew or liked Hawkeye. I’d seen him around of course. Who in town hadn’t. Back then I wondered, however, if he was just a look at me kind of guy who was an empty shirt. My listening in answered this. He was a Pirate Captain moving forward to help others without fear. This eavesdropping over fourteen years ago not only led to my many years of involvement in the GoHawkeye Foundation but also to gaining many cherished friends. This includes Hawkeye and many GoHawkeye volunteers.
Hawkeye has utilized his local notoriety to the benefit of the GoHawkeye grant recipients in promotion of the organization and raising funds. The fact that my GoHawkeye friends have all donated their expertise and time has meant that over 97% of funds donated to GoHawkeye go directly to the grant applicants.
I hope your support of GoHawkeye has brought you even a fraction of the rewards it has brought me. It’s that time of year where a donation to GoHawkeye can really help our grantees. One of the great aspects of this organization that has happened for me is that my giving to this organization has returned a gift to me. The great feeling I get from helping others and the friendships I’ve gained I wouldn’t trade for anything . If you too want to spread this goodness you can make your donation here.
Have a Great Holiday and Happy New Year.