Ok, I say we get this thing going. Now, there are some basic guidlines. It should be a SAFE event (no track-time), it should be MORE than just a meet, it should raise money for a cause (anyone know what charitable causes Henry was fond of?), it should be something that benefits the community at large, and it should be something visible in the public eye. Norm and I tossed around a few ideas for a charity run a year or so ago, and naming it after Henry is all too fitting. The concept we initially had was a moving car-show. Basically, we go from city to city in the bay area (maybe from Los Gatos to Palo Alto to San Francisco to Marin) and at each stop, organize a car show type of venue where people will pay a trivial fee to view the cars (hopfully they will be inclined to make more donations and maybe there will be sponsor support). Now, this sounds silly, except that we wanted to incorporate the driving into something where cars / people are sponsored by mileage (sort of like Susan Koman Breast Cancer Research with BMW drives). The other bit is to possibly have a distance-sponsored event where we gives rides to make-a-wish children or other young individuals who are facing terminal illness. That way we give something directly to them (THIS WILL NTO BE A RACE NO MATTER WHAT), we raise money for a foundation, the event is named after Henry, and it's a great good-will gesture from the Ferrari community. Thoughts? I realize that there are liabilities and practicalites that need to be addressed, but those we can cover later on. --Dan
Great idea on the make-a-wish one. Wish I had an F-car to help out with. Any event like that would truly be a great way to give something very meaningful to the community, and I am sure that is something Henry Tran would like to be assosciated with.
Though I never met him, it appears to me that he had friends and family in Northern California and Southern Cali. Why not have both parties meet in the middle, say San Louis Obisbo? Just throwing an idea out. R
Rich, Definetly a good idea. The stronger the force, the better. I'll have to consult with some of the So-Cal folks about this one. Question still remains, what kind of event can we really put on? Cmon guys, I need real input here. --Dan
Boba, Rich and guys and girls, I like the Susan G. Koman type of drive where we gather sponsors for the ride, and they pay either one lump sum, or a $ per mile driven thing. We could incorporate that into a drive down south to meet up with the SoCal guys. The drive could culminate in an car show or wash&shine, or something like that. We could even try to get media coverage for this event. I'm sure someone among us must have some contacts. Even if we have no contacts, I'm sure some media outlet would love to cover such an event. A Ferrari convoy through California for a charity? Awesome. Perhaps we could get some of the dealerships to sponsor us too.
A 2.5 hour drive on a weekend to meet the SoCal folks in the middle sounds nice. A picnick/car show at the destination, perhaps sponsored by a vendor/FoSF/shop would be nice, too. I am not sure about San Luis Obispo, but Big Sur is scenic and a caravan on HWy 1, with cars wearing magnetic stickers (with sponsor names, since I belive that donations from public or AIDS ride type fundraising it too time intensive) would be nice, too.... I once tried to set up a road rally to benefit children with cancer (Lucille Packard Children's Hospital), and even got my employer to match the funds, but ended up running into legal and adminstrative roadblocks. I was also getting married that summer so I dropped it. I can dig up the contact info, and I am pretty sure that kids with cancer would be a good cause. Giving rides is also an option there, legal issues analyzed...Rally could actually start in Palo Alto. A smaller scope could involve going to Monterrey, hitting up one of the businesses over there....perhaps more managable for the Sacramento crowd to make the drive and Laguna Seca might donate track time (people would be more willing to go on a drive, too, and it could be safe with a no passing rule, like the parade during the break in Wine Country Classic with my Alfa club). Let me know how I can help.
When do you guys think it is realistic to organize and raise the charity funds for this drive? I am interested and want to participate when i can drive the pumpkin car...
The recent turn out we had for Toys for Tots had an amazing response. Maybe we could have a similar gathering, but this time the charity would be different and it could be staged as a car show. I also like the idea of meeting in the middle with NoCal.
Ok guys, perhaps we should start collecting the real ideas and have a discussion about it. To be honest, I am afaid that if we're overly ambitious on timing, we'll get foul weather AND run into roadblocks as Luke as alluded to. Perhaps this can be a spring-time event? Luke - would love to chat more about your experiences / discoveries / headaches as related to the drive (don't gimme the rest! ). I'll give you a call. --Dan
Thanks for the words of support - but until something comes of it, it's all talk. When I see smiles on children's faces and people asking who Henry Tran was, then I'll know we did something. --Dan
I was fortunate...I got to become friends with Henry over the past 3 years. I live in Crystal Cove and every Saturday that Henry was in Southern California, he'd come over to the house after the Crystal Cove Event. I went to the memorial service and his brother Tran gave some really great compliments to the Ferrari Club. Anyway, I would love to be part of any charity event or drive in Henry's honor.
What an excellent idea, I think that no matter how the event turns out, its a good idea to proceed with it. Henry was a great man, rest in peace my friend.
Sorry guys, been off FC for 5 days. Luke and I chatted a bit more about it - I would say simplicity is key. Also, figuring out which potential cause to donate to is an important first step. I'm partial towards children-related causes. Few things in life pain me more than to see suffering kids. Of course, if anyone knows what (if any) causes Henry was particularly fond of, I'd go for that. Other suggestions? The reason I say pick a cause first is because that will dictate the kind of event we'll need to create. I am shooting for late spring / early summer for this. These kinds of things take a lot of paperwork surprisingly. --Dan
I say that the donation should go to some cancer society, since Henry passed from liver cancer.... just an idea though
I would like to contribute with any help I am able to provide. Although I do not have a Ferrari, Henry, Ben, Faisal, and the Stockton gang have always made me feel welcome. If there is anything I can do in the name of my friend, please let me know. Thanks, Joon
All are welcome, naturally. We are still formulating a concrete idea - unfortunately a lot of the decision is based on legalities and the willingness of certain causes to get involved. --Dan
This might be worth another try, my attempt was more than 8 years ago, and it sounds like there are no limits. This, coupled with Dan's idea of a caravan with 2 or 3 car shows might be doable, no?: Here is the Lucille Packard Children's Hosipiatal Cancer Ward and their Memorial and Tribute Program (we can name Henry, I would be more than happy to design a tasteful, but somewhat Ferrari themed card) http://www.lpfch.org/fundraising/makeagift/memorial.html http://www.lpch.org/clinicalSpecialtiesServices/COE/CancerBloodDiseases/servicesCancer.html Memorials & Tributes A memorial gift is a special way to remember a deceased family member or friend by making a gift in his or her memory. A tribute provides a meaningful way to make a donation in the name of a friend or family member, perhaps for a special occasion or event. Both ways demonstrate your commitment to the quality of care for children who are treated at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. When you make a memorial or tribute gift, the person or family you designate can be sent a card acknowledging your donation (the amount of your gift will not be shown), as well as information about how this gift will enhance the care provided to Packard's young patients. Please be sure to provide the address of the person(s) you're honoring on our online giving form. Without that information, we unfortunately can't send a letter to the person you're honoring. If you have questions, please e-mail [email protected].
Following Henry's funeral I spoke briefly with his wife Stepahnie and presented her with some of the ideas that had been expressed. She felt that anything having to do with children was something Henry would have cherished. At the time I shared with her the Make A Wish idea that was made...and she was very fond of everyone's consideration of Henry and was pleased with the idea. We should definitely keep his family in the loop. Thanks to all moving forward with this great tribute.
When one of my friends had his kid at Lucille Packard (well, his wife did the work), I got a little bored of waiting and wandered off. I stumbled onto the kids' cancer ward. There is nothing more terrible than being diagnosed with a terminal disease at such an age. I could not sleep that night after just getting a glimpse. One of my parents is also a pediatrician, so I often hear of the stories, the families....It puts all the little crap that goes wrong everyday in perspective. I would be more than happy to join Dan and talk with the administrator of the giving programe at LPCH, or lend out my cars for "Make a Wish".
