Terry Howard

Personal blog of Terry Howard, guy from Orlando, Florida that likes fishing, literature, technology and saying what's on his mind.

Terry Howard
Orlando, Florida

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When Heroes Let You Down

Posted by Terry Howard @ 6/09/2006

For over a year now I have been volunteering on the executive board of the local Orlando chapter of a major charity. This was a grassroots type thing, started by a group of friends whom a certain serious illness has had an impact on, either directly or through family and friends (which could define nearly everyone.) We organized some great events that raised money for the national organization until we met the quota needed to become recognized as a full regional chapter. Some of the great events were poker tourneys, chili cook-offs (thanks Pit Row!), among other things.

I learned today that the organization as of January 30, 2006 was sold to a corporate non-profit controlling company. Hey, every charity has a mountain of logistics to deal with, and the bigger the organization grows, the more help they need in managing it all. I fully understand that, but what I don't understand is the manner in which the local chapters that worked so hard got treated. Our chapter president attended 6 meetings with the new corporate overlords to determine the small branch's fates and apparently they were none too cooperative. All operating chapters have been pulled, despite how much time and work on this worthy cause the volunteers have put in and despite how much money for the ________ was raised. That is just tactless. That money could still go to help people in their respective communities surviving this illness. Instead it goes into the corporate coffers. If you want to know more about the events we held, you can check out our local chapter website, oh no... wait... you can't, because I got a damned cease and desist letter from corporate to shut it down.

So I have to give a big hug and pat on the back to all the people who served on the executive board of the Orlando chapter of the ________, all the volunteers who helped make this thing work, all the vendors and sponsors who were so helpful, and all the supportive public who attended the events and gave so generously. To ________ and the ________ National people who sold their name and souls to a corporate group of jerk-offs... well, douche bag award of the year goes to you sirs.

Note, for the purposes of preventing further cease and desists, for the time being the name of the organization, the main figurehead that founded it and the disease it regards have all been ommitted from this post. At the time that it becomes legally safe to disclose, I will do so. In the meantime, please feel free to replace ________ with colorful expletives. Have fun with it! It's like Mad-Libs!

Terry Howard

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When Heroes Let You Down

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