Fisher House Foundation, Inc.

Greetings friends and family. I NEED YOUR HELP. As most of you know I am a Military Veteran, proudly ride a Harley Davidson, and have been known to do some crazy things. I have always enjoyed challenges, but this summer I will face my challenge of a lifetime, one that will test me like no other, both mentally and physically, and with your help I will be able to utilize this adventure to give back to those that have given so much.
This summer I will be participating in the 2020 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Organized by the Medicine Show LLC, the Challenge is based on the Lakota Sioux principal of WOLAKOTA and the event celebrates all that is pure and powerful in the warrior spirit. A warrior isn’t just a soldier who protects and defends. They are mentors, guides and teachers. They set the example for others and lend strength to the people. The stronger the warriors become - the stronger the people become.
The Organizer shares a vision of strong warriors who are ready to lead the way with virtues like RESPECT, HONOR, INTEGRITY and COMPASSION. Participants in the Challenge will ride a 10,000-mile course, finishing in fourteen days, in a test of endurance, patience, and skill while raising money for their favorite charity. Challenge organizers promote it with the primary objectives of:
• Raising awareness for social issues while sending Challengers through some of the most beautiful places in North America.
• Inspiring a willingness and desire to accept personal accountability with a sense of duty and principle; to cultivate wisdom, community and compassion and to display and foster respect, harmony, peace and friendship.
• Creating an army of warriors with the strength to face adversity; the character to make sacrifices and the desire to come to the aid of others in need.
• Empowering others to overcome obstacles that have physically, mentally or financially challenged them and know they are not in it alone. We are the vehicle that's helps move them forward and refocus them toward success.
The Challenge starts in Panama City Beach, Florida on Sunday August 9th, 2020. Participants will have checkpoints in Arkansas, Vermont, and New Mexico (among other places and not necessarily in that order) and will return to Panama City Beach for the "End of the Road" celebration on August 22nd.
I will be riding to raise money for Fisher House Foundation. Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. Unlike other veteran charities with large overhead costs, Fisher House utilizes 93% of each dollar they spend to directly help the military, veterans and their families.
Would you be willing to help me raise money for Fisher House or donating something towards my expenses during the ride (oil changes, gas, tires)? Donations are tax deductible and I will gladly provide you a receipt, plus you will be able to be a virtual participant in my ride by watching my progress via my GPS Tracker provided by US Fleet Tracking.
Thank you very much for your time and I hope you will carefully consider participating in this worthy cause. Please feel free to call me at [phone redacted]

Friends and Family,

I will be participating in the Bataan Memorial Death March heavy class on March 15th, 2020 in the White Sands Missile Range, carrying a 35 pound pack 26.2 miles across high desert terrain to commemorate the WWII veterans who made this historic forced march and the hundreds of American GI's who died during it after the Battle of Bataan.

While WWII is long since over, America has seen itself in prolonged conflict for my entire adult life and many of yours, where tens of thousands of young men and women have been wounded or killed in combat service overseas in the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and other regional conflict.

While I'm not as young and indestructable as I was in this photo taken near Mahmudiya, Iraq on Christmas Day 2003, I was hoping to channel my efforts to complete the Bataan Memorial Death March in to raising money for the Fisher House Foundation.  Fisher Houses are akin to what the Ronald McDonald House does, except that their mission is focused on providing military families housing close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.

The Fisher House Foundation has provided assistance to countless military families, and I was hoping to count on you, my friends and family, to contribute to this fundraising effort for a highly worthy organization. 

I have set a pretty modest goal of just $1,000. The deal I will make with you is that if for some reason this thing takes off, I will start adding weight to my pack: for every $1,000 raised beyond my goal I will add another pound to what I am carrying. I would be thrilled if I ended up having to carry something much heavier than 35 pounds across the desert.

Thanks in advance for your support of my fundraising effort for the Fisher House Foundation and all it does for our Nation's military families.

Sincerely,

Chris Barrett M.D.