posted 03-26-2006 10:34 AM               

100% of the proceeds of these astronaut signed aviator teddy bears will benefit the public charity Corporate Angel Network. CAN helps arrange for air transportation for cancer patients going to treatment by using empty seats on corporate jets already flying on normal business. While medical expenses can be covered by insurance, transportation costs are not. For example, if you need to get from Middletown, NJ to Houston, TX every two weeks for specialized chemotherapy, Blue Cross isn’t going to pick up the tab for your plane fare and hotel stay. This is where Corporate Angel Network tries to be of service. Since it's inception in 1981, CAN has arranged for almost 25,000 flights at no cost to the patient.

This whole teddy bear idea was hatched between Victoria Campbell and me last fall when we had teddy bears signed by Wally Schirra and Dave Scott. It was too late for them to make it to the auction catalog, but we were able to raise $1100.00 from people sitting in the auction room. This year, Victoria was able to enlist an entire slew of Apollo astronauts [and Gene Kranz] to sign bears to help benefit CAN. While I advise that you consult your accountant, since CAN is a public charity, this should be considered as a donation to CAN [since your check will be written directly to Corporate Angel Network] and, less the price of the actual bear, should be fully tax deductible as a charitable donation.

I’m sure that each and every one of us has had our lives touched by this dread disease in some form or another. As the late Harry Chapin said “When in doubt, do something!” Here’s your chance to help. Bid high and bid often. The money is going to a great cause.

I am a volunteer at Corporate Angel Network. You can find me there on most Thursday’s, looking for corporations to fly people for treatment. I’ve had three close relatives with this dread disease – I’ve already lost one of them. I don’t want to lose the other two. There are tens of thousands of people out there facing the same unfortunate reality. As space collectors, we can continue to pursue our passion, while helping an incredibly good cause. Whoever wins Lot #765T deserves a laurel and hardy handshake for their potential incredible donation.
http://www.corpangelnetwork.org

Thanks a bunch in advance!

Tracy

posted 03-29-2006 11:21 AM               

The Bill Anders teddy bear is the only one with a stipulated [by Bill] high reserve. While all contributions are wonderful, some people may want to consider getting together and pooling some funds on this one - and, maybe, donate the teddy bear somewhere where it can be displayed properly - while still taking advantage of the possible tax deduction.

While it would look great on my coffee table, if the funds are pooled, it may even look better in a custom made display dome in a museum or the Corporate Angel Network offices at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, NY.

Corporate Angel Network arranges for flights at no charge for cancer patients flying to and from treatment using unused seats on corporate aircraft flying on routine business flights. CAN is a public charity and your donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
http://www.corpangelnetwork.org

Thanks again. Buy Bears - you're doing a GOOD thing.

Cheerz!
Tracy

posted 04-03-2006 01:43 PM               

Kind of disappointing.

posted 04-03-2006 02:27 PM               

Maybe there are those out there who will see fit to cut a check during the second chance auction next week - or by sending Victoria an e-mail.

This is 100% for charity, folks - you're writing your check TO the charity, not the auction house. Going back and asking the astronauts again for their help won't exactly be easy in the future.

Remember, CAN is available to everyone, regardless of age or financial need.

posted 04-03-2006 02:34 PM               

Or, as Tracy suggested above, you could bid and donate the bear back to CAN for presentation to an ill child or for display in their headquarters. That would allow you to claim the entire purchase as a tax-write off...

posted 04-03-2006 02:36 PM               

It's amazing, though, how we all opened our hearts and checkbooks for the hurricane victims last year because we felt we were helping and saving lives - and got nothing in return but a good feeling [and a possible tax deduction]

Well, this time you were getting something back for helping to save a life.

posted 04-03-2006 09:58 PM               

Please remember that you're writing a check to charity. If you don't collect teddy bears or don't care for them, I will make sure that, if you so desire, that your bear is placed in the hands of a cancer patient that is flying for treatment. I will follow any stipulation to the letter.

So, once again, I'll ask everyone to reconsider writing a check for a hundred or two or a thousand or two to help transport cancer patients to treatment. You'll get an astronaut siged bear in return - what you choose to do with that bear is up to you: keep it, give it to your relative, give it back to CAN to give to a kid, give it to CAN as a reminder of what we all can do.

I promise to get off of my soapbox after this. [it's just a litte personal, that's all]

posted 04-04-2006 12:40 AM               

Also it was 3.30 AM in the morning for most Europeans at the time the bears came up....I assume not everyone was still awake then, me enclosed.

Well, just two thoughts, I'd love to see a list of what's still available for next weekend !

Florian

posted 04-04-2006 06:46 AM               

I've dropped a note to Vicky asking which Bears remain. I'm sure I'll hear from her sometime today or tomorrow and will put the list up here and in e-mail.

I'm sure that you can put in a bid towards the "CAN Bear Lots" and your offer will be put where it's needed the most.

Thanks, again.

Tracy

posted 04-04-2006 10:58 AM               

please keep us posted here when you hear from Victoria about what is going into the next round this weekend...I'd love to add one or two signed bears to my collection and still kick myself I fell asleep after Apollo 16.

posted 04-04-2006 05:57 PM               

I think it was a great idea to have items in the auction to support the cause. But if you do this again (assuming the astros will participate again), I would also suggest getting signed items that will be a little more attractive to the space collecting crowd. Signed lithos, photos, or models would probably fetch a premium. I suspect there are plenty of collectors here (myself included) who would be happy to donate some of their extra unsigned lithos. Another idea would be to find a model Saturn V or a moon globe (or perhaps an Earthrise litho) and have all participating astronauts sign a group item. Having Anders, Young, Lovell, Cernan, Borman, Scott, Aldrin, Bean, Collins, Duke, etc. on one item would definitely bring a premium price (regardless of the cause it supported). Or having the 8 moonwalkers who participated sign a moon globe would also fetch a great price...with maybe even the Apollo 8 crew signing the "far side" of the globe, being the first humans to see the far side in person. That would certainly bring the bidders out in droves!

Another possible idea would be to hold a charity auction like the Yahoo Astronauts group did after Katrina. It was a very successful effort where collectors donated items and all money went to help those in need.

Anyway, that's just an idea or two...and in no way is meant as a criticism of the teddy bear idea. It was a great idea, but somehow just failed to spark enough interest. Let's hope the remaining teddy bears are sold for a good price...

[This message has been edited by mjanovec (edited April 04, 2006).]

posted 04-04-2006 07:29 PM               

Funds CAN [joke intended] be pooled. Let the gang at Aurora know that you intend to send a check to Aurora [made out to Corporate Angel Network] in whatever amount. They'll assign you a bear - and we'll give it to a CAN passenger, if you so choose. Or, if the donors want to pass the bear around, so be it.

It's truly amazing how many people love the Aviator Teddy Bears. I'm pretty sure that every astronaut wife now has one in the house [and I think a few of the astronauts have theirs in their offices]. I'm not the teddy bear type, but I have an unsigned one sitting on top of my computer - and one next to the TV.

When you see one of these, you smile. The intention was to make YOU smile as well as make a CAN passenger smile. Travel expenses are ENORMOUS for patients traveling for treatment. One of the major hotel chains withdrew their support a few months back, so the gap needs to be filled.

The other idea behind the bears was to create awareness. Each bear has a CAN logo on it's scarf - along with the astronaut signature. Hopefully, no one here will need our services. However, if you do - or has a friend or relative that does - you may think of CAN and pick up the phone and, hopefully, be on the next corporate aircraft to the city where treatment is administered. So many people are unaware that this charity exists and is just a phone call away. [Not to be too obvious, too, being a tax deductible charitable donation, we really don't want you reselling the item for fun and profit - as can be tempting by "other" space items]

So, every 10, 20, 50, 100, 1000 or more dollars helps. Cancer is a big killer. This is a way of giving back a little.

When you work the phones like I do, you become VERY aware of the need out there. Cancer doesn't discriminate by wealth, color, location, age, etc. It can hit when you least expect it and, always, it's the worst possible time.

The Orlando Magic did a flight for us several weeks back. The coach called the passengers their lucky charms. It made everyone feel REAL good.