Help Sector67 and Chris Meyer
Tax deductible
The Accident - What Happened
On September 20th, 2017 Chris Meyer, the founder and driving force behind Sector67, was seriously injured in a freak accident caused by a propane explosion while working to help build out the new Sector67 facility. Now Chris and Sector67 need your help!
We are all very thankful that Chris survived. He is in stable condition and in good spirits. However, he has an extremely long way to a full recovery (over a year) and will be in the hospital for at least a month. This means the leader responsible for building this amazing community and a core driving force behind making sure the new Sector67 facility is completed on time will have a long road to recovery in front of him, and he needs our help.
UPDATES (be sure to checkout the "Updates" tab above for details):
• 2/2/2018 - A final THANK YOU to everyone who supported this GoFundMe campaign to help Chris and Sector67! With your help we raised over $113k and will now officially be concluding the GoFundMe campaign. There are still many ways you can get involved and support Sector67: http://www.sector67.org/blog/supporters/
• 12/1/2017 - A Build Project update, call for Volunteers, and details for upcoming fundraiser events in the Updates tab (Update #13). Check them out!
• 11/16/2017 - Read a recap of Chris's appearance this week at the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium in the Wisconsin State Journal here.
• 11/10/2017 - Read a building project update from the Sector67 team in the Updates tab (Update #12). Plus for $150+ donors, find out how you can get your t-shirt here.
• 11/7/2017 - Read an update on Chris and Sector67 in the Wisconsin State Journal here.
• 10/20/2017 - Chris is home! Read an update from Chris and Heather in the Updates tab (Update #11).
• 10/10/2017 - Read an update on Chris in the Updates tab (Update #10). Also be sure to join for Nerd Nite tonight at 8pm at High Noon Saloon , which will feature the Sector67 campaign.
• 10/6/2017 - Read an update in the Wisconsin State Journal here. Also a big shoutout and thank you to the in-kind construction project supporters that have helped out: Chris Elke Plumbing, Dannon G, Heritage Movers, J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., JP Cullen, Krupp General Contractors, Reynolds Transfer & Storage, Inc., and Tormach.
• 10/5/2017 - Read an update on Chris and a building project need in the Updates tab (Update #9).
• 10/2/2017 - We've hit our stretch goal of raising $100,000! Thank you to everyone who donated to the campaign, everyone who reached out to volunteer their time to the build project, and everyone who shared the campaign with others! We may have hit the goal but our work isn’t over yet. Read the latest update for more (Update #8).
• 9/29/2017 - Read coverage in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel here .
• 9/28/2017 - See a building construction and volunteer needs update in the Updates tab (Update #6).
• 9/27/2017 - Join us at Live on King Street on Friday evening for a special viewing party hosted by Bendyworks. Proceeds benefit Chris and Sector67, donate $50 or more during the event and get a special edition shirt! See full details in the Updates tab (Update #5).
• 9/27/2017 - Chris had surgery yesterday, which went well! Read the full update about it from Heather in the Updates tab (Update #4).
• 9/27/2017 - View the "Helping a helper" call to action from Neil Heinen, editorial director at 'Madison Magazine' and WISC-TV here.
• 9/26/2017 - In less than 48 hours, we’ve hit our initial $50,000 goal thanks to the incredible outpouring of support from the community. We’re setting a new challenge of raising $100,000 through this GoFundMe page. See the Updates tab for more info (Update #3).
• 9/26/2017 - Read coverage on Hackaday here, Madison Magazine here, and WKOW here.
• 9/25/2017 - Read coverage in the Wisconsin State Journal here, the Cap Times here, and Xconomy here.
• 9/24/2017 - John Neis and Chele Isaac have contributed a very generous $25,000 gift (this is in addition to the GoFundMe total raised so far). Read their story on the Updates tab (Update #1).
• 9/24/2017 - Kick off of the campaign to raise $50,000 for Chris and Sector67.
Chris in the Hospital - Burn Unit
Sector67’s Permanent Home Project
Chris and a work crew of volunteers and contractors are in the middle of literally jacking up the roof to add a second story to the new home of Sector67. Chris has been the leader and heartbeat of this massive undertaking.
Chris fills numerous roles - from raising funds, to acting as a contractor, to spending 18 hour days getting his hands dirty at the site (and this is even an understatement for those who know Chris). Funds were successfully raised to complete the project, and because of Chris's work ethic and ability to inspire a team around him, the new project was able to break ground and set forth on a very ambitious schedule with a lean budget.
The new building will be the long term permanent home for Sector67. It will double the size of the space, offer a substantially improved workspace, improved technology and equipment, and provide additional capacity for both member support and increased outreach into the community. Read more about the new space here.
Sector67 and Chris Need Our Help
The project can’t be put on pause to wait for Chris’s return following his recovery. The construction has been set in motion, and there is a looming deadline that Sector67 must be moved out of their currently leased building. His drive and expertise will be extremely tough to fill, but in order to keep the project on track, we’ll need to bring in more help.
We will continue to move forward with the vision Chris has set. We know that it is important to him to keep everything progressing, but we need your help to fill his shoes while he recovers as well as raise additional funds to ensure the project can be completed.
Donations will be used to supplement the day-to-day oversight, engineering expertise, and manual labor that would have normally come from Chris. Funds will be given directly to the Sector67 501(c)(3) and used in a way that follows Chris’s plans as closely as possible, as well as provide additional support to him as he recovers.
Ways to help
• Give Money: Contribute what you can to this GoFundMe page. Sector67 has set off on an ambitious project to create a new facility on a shoestring budget. Without the help of the community, it will not be able to continue.
• Give Time and Talent: Chris is great at gathering teams of people to help out. If you can lend any expertise, materials, or general labor, that would be immensely helpful. You can signup here: https://goo.gl/forms/ByrOjjwHkERE1Ji22
• Give Meals: Let's ensure Heather and Chris are well stocked with easy-to-eat meals. You can sign up to provide a meal here: https://mealtrain.com/qv2l05
• Share This Page: Send this off to anyone in the community that has been impacted by Chris and Sector67’s mission. As you share the news about the accident, include this link. We will be updating it with building progress and updates about Chris.
• Write Your Stories: Reflect back, and write a sentence or two on the wall here about Sector67 or about Chris, and the impact that he has made on you or the community.
Chris has given so much to Sector67 and our community, and now is the time for us to give back and help him.
Please check back often to this page as we’ll use it as a way to keep everyone updated with the project’s continued progress as well as Chris’s personal recovery.
Thank you for your support!
About Sector67
Sector67 is a non-profit collaborative space in Madison, WI dedicated to providing an environment to learn, teach, work-on, build, and create next generation technology; including software, hardware, electronics, art, sewing, metalwork, apps, games, etc. Sector67 provides inspiration, tools, equipment, and resources for anyone interested in making things. It’s a community of tinkerers - some are hobbyists, others entrepreneurs, and many are young people learning a new skill.
Sector67 was founded by Chris Meyer in 2010. Since opening, they’ve hosted hundreds of classes and thousands of visitors of all ages. It’s been named the most interesting makerspace in the country by Make Magazine, and a top 5 space in the world to watch by Gizmodo Magazine. See a video tour of Sector67 here and read some stories of how Sector67 has impacted people here .
"Sector67 is the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory of creativity and innovation in Madison. Room after room is filled with people exploring, learning, tinkering, experimenting. Madison Community Foundation is thrilled to be part of this campaign, establishing a permanent home for this wondrous space and helping build capacity and staffing as Sector67 expands its scope as one of the most unique educational and entrepreneurial spaces in town."
- Tom Linfield, VP of Community Impact, Madison Community Foundation
A big part of the equation [at Sector67] is Meyer himself. Referred to as the "benevolent dictator," he can easily command attention during one of Sector's monthly meetings or while leading a class, but does so without losing his infectious enthusiasm or his genial nature. He's a kid from Milton, Wisconsin, in the best way possible.
Attend one of the open-to-the-public monthly meetings and you'll get a sense of how Meyer creates a welcoming culture and tight-knit community.
"I can say very confidently that Chris is the most competent person I've ever met, but he's also the most humble. And that transfers to the whole space," says Scott Hasse, who now sits on Sector's board in addition to being a regular member. "His vision has been spot-on for how to make a space like this."
- Madison Magazine, “People of the Year 2013: Chris Meyer and Heather Wentler”
On September 20th, 2017 Chris Meyer, the founder and driving force behind Sector67, was seriously injured in a freak accident caused by a propane explosion while working to help build out the new Sector67 facility. Now Chris and Sector67 need your help!
We are all very thankful that Chris survived. He is in stable condition and in good spirits. However, he has an extremely long way to a full recovery (over a year) and will be in the hospital for at least a month. This means the leader responsible for building this amazing community and a core driving force behind making sure the new Sector67 facility is completed on time will have a long road to recovery in front of him, and he needs our help.
UPDATES (be sure to checkout the "Updates" tab above for details):
• 2/2/2018 - A final THANK YOU to everyone who supported this GoFundMe campaign to help Chris and Sector67! With your help we raised over $113k and will now officially be concluding the GoFundMe campaign. There are still many ways you can get involved and support Sector67: http://www.sector67.org/blog/supporters/
• 12/1/2017 - A Build Project update, call for Volunteers, and details for upcoming fundraiser events in the Updates tab (Update #13). Check them out!
• 11/16/2017 - Read a recap of Chris's appearance this week at the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium in the Wisconsin State Journal here.
• 11/10/2017 - Read a building project update from the Sector67 team in the Updates tab (Update #12). Plus for $150+ donors, find out how you can get your t-shirt here.
• 11/7/2017 - Read an update on Chris and Sector67 in the Wisconsin State Journal here.
• 10/20/2017 - Chris is home! Read an update from Chris and Heather in the Updates tab (Update #11).
• 10/10/2017 - Read an update on Chris in the Updates tab (Update #10). Also be sure to join for Nerd Nite tonight at 8pm at High Noon Saloon , which will feature the Sector67 campaign.
• 10/6/2017 - Read an update in the Wisconsin State Journal here. Also a big shoutout and thank you to the in-kind construction project supporters that have helped out: Chris Elke Plumbing, Dannon G, Heritage Movers, J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., JP Cullen, Krupp General Contractors, Reynolds Transfer & Storage, Inc., and Tormach.
• 10/5/2017 - Read an update on Chris and a building project need in the Updates tab (Update #9).
• 10/2/2017 - We've hit our stretch goal of raising $100,000! Thank you to everyone who donated to the campaign, everyone who reached out to volunteer their time to the build project, and everyone who shared the campaign with others! We may have hit the goal but our work isn’t over yet. Read the latest update for more (Update #8).
• 9/29/2017 - Read coverage in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel here .
• 9/28/2017 - See a building construction and volunteer needs update in the Updates tab (Update #6).
• 9/27/2017 - Join us at Live on King Street on Friday evening for a special viewing party hosted by Bendyworks. Proceeds benefit Chris and Sector67, donate $50 or more during the event and get a special edition shirt! See full details in the Updates tab (Update #5).
• 9/27/2017 - Chris had surgery yesterday, which went well! Read the full update about it from Heather in the Updates tab (Update #4).
• 9/27/2017 - View the "Helping a helper" call to action from Neil Heinen, editorial director at 'Madison Magazine' and WISC-TV here.
• 9/26/2017 - In less than 48 hours, we’ve hit our initial $50,000 goal thanks to the incredible outpouring of support from the community. We’re setting a new challenge of raising $100,000 through this GoFundMe page. See the Updates tab for more info (Update #3).
• 9/26/2017 - Read coverage on Hackaday here, Madison Magazine here, and WKOW here.
• 9/25/2017 - Read coverage in the Wisconsin State Journal here, the Cap Times here, and Xconomy here.
• 9/24/2017 - John Neis and Chele Isaac have contributed a very generous $25,000 gift (this is in addition to the GoFundMe total raised so far). Read their story on the Updates tab (Update #1).
• 9/24/2017 - Kick off of the campaign to raise $50,000 for Chris and Sector67.
Chris in the Hospital - Burn Unit
Sector67’s Permanent Home Project
Chris and a work crew of volunteers and contractors are in the middle of literally jacking up the roof to add a second story to the new home of Sector67. Chris has been the leader and heartbeat of this massive undertaking.
Chris fills numerous roles - from raising funds, to acting as a contractor, to spending 18 hour days getting his hands dirty at the site (and this is even an understatement for those who know Chris). Funds were successfully raised to complete the project, and because of Chris's work ethic and ability to inspire a team around him, the new project was able to break ground and set forth on a very ambitious schedule with a lean budget.
The new building will be the long term permanent home for Sector67. It will double the size of the space, offer a substantially improved workspace, improved technology and equipment, and provide additional capacity for both member support and increased outreach into the community. Read more about the new space here.
Sector67 and Chris Need Our Help
The project can’t be put on pause to wait for Chris’s return following his recovery. The construction has been set in motion, and there is a looming deadline that Sector67 must be moved out of their currently leased building. His drive and expertise will be extremely tough to fill, but in order to keep the project on track, we’ll need to bring in more help.
We will continue to move forward with the vision Chris has set. We know that it is important to him to keep everything progressing, but we need your help to fill his shoes while he recovers as well as raise additional funds to ensure the project can be completed.
Donations will be used to supplement the day-to-day oversight, engineering expertise, and manual labor that would have normally come from Chris. Funds will be given directly to the Sector67 501(c)(3) and used in a way that follows Chris’s plans as closely as possible, as well as provide additional support to him as he recovers.
Ways to help
• Give Money: Contribute what you can to this GoFundMe page. Sector67 has set off on an ambitious project to create a new facility on a shoestring budget. Without the help of the community, it will not be able to continue.
• Give Time and Talent: Chris is great at gathering teams of people to help out. If you can lend any expertise, materials, or general labor, that would be immensely helpful. You can signup here: https://goo.gl/forms/ByrOjjwHkERE1Ji22
• Give Meals: Let's ensure Heather and Chris are well stocked with easy-to-eat meals. You can sign up to provide a meal here: https://mealtrain.com/qv2l05
• Share This Page: Send this off to anyone in the community that has been impacted by Chris and Sector67’s mission. As you share the news about the accident, include this link. We will be updating it with building progress and updates about Chris.
• Write Your Stories: Reflect back, and write a sentence or two on the wall here about Sector67 or about Chris, and the impact that he has made on you or the community.
Chris has given so much to Sector67 and our community, and now is the time for us to give back and help him.
Please check back often to this page as we’ll use it as a way to keep everyone updated with the project’s continued progress as well as Chris’s personal recovery.
Thank you for your support!
About Sector67
Sector67 is a non-profit collaborative space in Madison, WI dedicated to providing an environment to learn, teach, work-on, build, and create next generation technology; including software, hardware, electronics, art, sewing, metalwork, apps, games, etc. Sector67 provides inspiration, tools, equipment, and resources for anyone interested in making things. It’s a community of tinkerers - some are hobbyists, others entrepreneurs, and many are young people learning a new skill.
Sector67 was founded by Chris Meyer in 2010. Since opening, they’ve hosted hundreds of classes and thousands of visitors of all ages. It’s been named the most interesting makerspace in the country by Make Magazine, and a top 5 space in the world to watch by Gizmodo Magazine. See a video tour of Sector67 here and read some stories of how Sector67 has impacted people here .
"Sector67 is the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory of creativity and innovation in Madison. Room after room is filled with people exploring, learning, tinkering, experimenting. Madison Community Foundation is thrilled to be part of this campaign, establishing a permanent home for this wondrous space and helping build capacity and staffing as Sector67 expands its scope as one of the most unique educational and entrepreneurial spaces in town."
- Tom Linfield, VP of Community Impact, Madison Community Foundation
A big part of the equation [at Sector67] is Meyer himself. Referred to as the "benevolent dictator," he can easily command attention during one of Sector's monthly meetings or while leading a class, but does so without losing his infectious enthusiasm or his genial nature. He's a kid from Milton, Wisconsin, in the best way possible.
Attend one of the open-to-the-public monthly meetings and you'll get a sense of how Meyer creates a welcoming culture and tight-knit community.
"I can say very confidently that Chris is the most competent person I've ever met, but he's also the most humble. And that transfers to the whole space," says Scott Hasse, who now sits on Sector's board in addition to being a regular member. "His vision has been spot-on for how to make a space like this."
- Madison Magazine, “People of the Year 2013: Chris Meyer and Heather Wentler”
Organizer
Justin Beck
Organizer
Madison, WI
Sector67 Inc
Beneficiary