Re: Shamrock Run 2016
ShamRock Run 2016. The dates are Friday (3-18) through Sunday (3-20). This ride will be held at Morris Mountain Off Road Park in Delta, Alabama.
This year, the ride will benefit the park. There will not be an auction. For several years, we did this ride for Shwachman Diamond Syndrome. That is a children's disease that was very close to my heart due to having two grand children die from it. I was very passionate about it and we raised a lot of money to help train doctor's on how to diagnose the disease. As important as it is, I now have a 5 year old healthy grandson (carrier of the disease, but can never get it), and life goes on. I decided two years ago not to continue to raise money for them, and was going to let the ride go. Stephen A. and Steve G. did not want to let it go, and Stephen had a new charity that was dear to his heart, so we raised money for Rett's Syndrome in 2014. Last year, we really did not have a charity, Steve G.'s wife suggested Autism. We researched different Autism charities and decided on Autism of Alabama. All monies raised over the years have gone to good, needy organizations that were small enough to really appreciate the $12,000 to $16,000 we were raising each year. I thank all in the off roading community for making all these events a success.
Great, but what has changed. I have talked to Randy M. and Steve A. about letting the park have the ride to benefit the park, and both have agreed. While giving to, and supporting charities is important, ShamRock run was the first in this area done as a charity ride. But, in the past few years, many other good charities have come up, some charitable groups, some needy individuals. All very worthwhile causes, but there are now many charitable events in off roading. So, I think it is time to give back to the park that has supported us in the charitable giving all these years.
This had been a hard decision, and one done with multiple face to face meetings. So, let's support the Morris' and Morris Mountain at 2016 ShamRock Run.
