Tri-Calendar to Benefit Affordable Housing

As I was trying to think of ways to fund raise for Bike and Build that didn't involve begging or bowling, Courtney actually hit the nail on the head.

It's time for the new year, and we're all ready for a new start. With that, there is the inevitable--we have to buy new calendars. And yet, so many of them are trite, or boring, or just meaningless.

So, I want to make a tri-calendar; it will be in return for a $20 donation, all proceeds of which will go towards Bike and Build, the organization with whom I'm riding across the country and building affordable housing this summer. The donation is completely tax deductible, and the calendar would be a perfect Christmas present or stocking stuffer. For those who were wondering, Bike and Build is not directly affiliated with Habitat for Humanity, but the two groups have done quite a bit of work together; Bike and Build has donated huge amounts of money to Habitat, and there is a mutual respect between the two not-for-profits.

I was in the gym this morning lifting weights, and I saw a news clip about Brad Pitt getting involved with rebuilding the Ninth Ward in New Orleans. I'm so glad to see that the affordable housing crisis from Hurricane Katrina damage is being acknowledged, and it's always admirable when celebrities use their fame positively. However, the problem is not just in New Orleans, and 100 houses is not going to fix the issue as a whole. Yes, every little bit helps, but we need more than Brad Pitt. We need to each do the little bits ourselves or we'll never get off the ground. This is my little bit.

But back to the calendar. I have some ideas about what the theme of the calendar should be, but before going ahead with it, I wanted to ask you for your input. What would you be interested in having in your office or home?

One idea is to have a 'tri-bloggers' theme, with pictures of your favorite bloggers and blogger meet-ups. Another idea would be a 'picturesque races' theme, with views of the most memorable and popular races. Or else I could try to contact pros and ask for their favorite race picture and a brief paragraph about the picture. Or it could be something completely different, even something unrelated to triathlon. I'm open to anything.

I also thought it would be possible to have the calendar double as a training log--so it would be a weekly desk or pocket calendar with a log format on one side of the page. Most people probably use some kind of computer software for that by now though, so I don't know if that's useful or not.

So, what do you think? What would be the best way to raise money for this worthy cause? Please leave comments or email me your thoughts. I'm hoping to get it together in the next couple weeks, so there is hope of getting it out before Christmas and the New Year.

I of course have other fund raising plans in mind (a series of spinning classes featuring a 'Spinning Across America' profile, for one), but I just thought this would be a cool way to get all of you guys involved tangibly, and also a purposeful jump-start to the year.