WIX donations to restorations (suggestion)

Nathan · **Posted:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:40 am

I mentioned this before but I think WIX should pick out one restoration project a month and set up a donation/paypal for that project and raise funds for that month. Then once the month is over donate that money to the project then pick another project for the next month. :idea:

There are many projects out there that just need a little push and perhaps the help of WIX would influence these projects to closer completion.

Just a suggestion.

Thanks,
Nathan

Charlie Cartledge · **Joined:** Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:43 pm **Posts:** 70

Nathan,

I think that is a great idea! My TBM is coming along and the R-2600 overhaul will be completed in a couple months. I could really use a little $ support to help pay for the engine and prop overhaul.I have put $20,000 down on the engine overhaul but it will take about another $20,000 to pay the rest of the bill when it's done. Most of the rest of the aircraft is nearing completion. The only other big expense is the center fuel tank bladder ($6000.00). I have put thousands of hours and dollars into the restoration over the last ten years to make it one of the finest TBMs around. Many of my friends have helped me many,many hours to get the TBM to where it is today and I owe them a big Thank You. Not too many people take on a restoration of this magnitude with only a couple helpers and limited funds but I am almost there!
I have some pictures on a Blog under (charlie's tbm restoration ) if anyone wants to look at my progress.
Since I spend my time working on the TBM I don't have time to post a bunch of pictures,develop a web sight,PayPal etc so a WIX sight to do this would be very beneficial. Or if someone has time to help me with the websight etc. that would be great too. Also anyone that is interested in volunteering to work on the TBM and lives anywhere nearby please contact me. It should fly within two years and I will need a crew to help keep her flying.
Let me know what you think! Thanks, Charlie Cartledge Ohio

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

Scott did this for the CAF B-24 and it was a real hassle for him and he seemed unwilling to do it again. I made a plea for donations to the Planes of Fame B-17 and maybe $250 was donated (including $50 of my own), but I don't really know the true total because some may have donated anonynously. POF doesn't accept PayPal, but does accept credit cards and checks. I was reluctant to accept donations on behalf of the museum because I am merely a member of the museum and most on the WIX have never even met me in person, nor would I expect them to trust some dude posting in a discussion group.

If you can figure out some good way to do this I am all for it. In any case, nobody is preventing anyone from making donations, so just do it! I think that all museums are having a hard time staying out of the red these days because of the economy. People are saving for a rainy day right now due to the economic uncertainty rather than giving it away even to the best of causes.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:17 am

It's a great idea to back up charlie's TBM. He was nice enough to show me and clair all around it one day. A great looking aircraft. I was in on the B-24 fund and am donating to the POF B-17 while I'm there in person in the spring. I can't wait to spend a few days at Chino.

warbird_patrick · **Posted:** Thu Dec 31, 2009 2:43 am

Nathan it is a great idea, I sure could use some support to help get the Yale restored. I have had great people locally donate money, and items to sell on ebay to raise funds for the restoration and start of the Legend Of Aces Flying Museum out of Howell, MI.

Patrick

PJ · **Posted:** Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:11 am

"Hot Stuff" always operates on a shoe string and often out of our own pockets. Those two years of a bad engine and no airshows really set us back.....and, the AMHF does accept PayPal :wink:

PJ
PV-2 Harpoon :Hot Stuff"
http://www.amhf,org

TAdan · **Posted:** Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:29 am

I like the idea of Wix "adopting" a project, but as we can see there are so many important projects going on here on WIX that I think it might be a little unfair to pick just one. If I hit the lotto I'd love to support them all (but unfortunately I can only afford to donate to about one project a year) Perhaps there could be a post or a link to each of these projects and then let each person choose which worthy cause they would like to donate too.

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

Umm.....

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

Here's an idea:

http://www.cafb29b24.org/a/index.htm

After Gary's death, lots of people said they were going to donate to the B-29 and B-24 in his memory. As of a couple of weeks ago, the number of donations from WIX members that had came in could be counted on your fingers, with a couple left over.

The B-29 can be back in the air in time for this upcoming airshow season. The squadron desperately needs the financial help to make sure it happens. This was Gary's dream and it can be accomplished with some more donations.

http://www.cafb29b24.org/a/index.htm

CrewDawg · **Posted:** Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:53 pm

Here's an idea that I'll toss out there. Scott and Ryan, what about setting up a separate topic (Like the RA Maintenance Hangar, or Photo Gallery) called "Support Your Favorite Warbirds" or what ever sounds good to you, that all of us various museums and restoration projects can post our contact information on that people can use to donate money.

That way WIX is not responsible for any money, museums and restoration projects have another avenue for fundraising, and everyone has a one-stop shop to find out contact information do donate money to thier favorite warbird.

ZRX61 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:16 am **Posts:** 2308

mustangdriver wrote:

donating to the POF B-17 while I'm there in person in the spring. I can't wait to spend a few days at Chino.

Airshow weekend? We're taking the Tigercat again

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:05 pm

It's clear - as posted above, good intentions don't translate into cash, all to often. Also there's a lot of 'worthy' organisations - some listed above, many not.

Another suggestion to build on Nathan's original good idea might be for an organisation to post a profile of themselves and why they are deserving of our hard earned in particular, with links to how to donate. Maybe that organisation can have a sticky for a week (52 organisations a year) and after that it's up to them and their members to keep that thread floating to the top afterwards.

Can't hurt anyway.

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:19 pm

I think that a number of us that are actually involved in a current operation, or museum, are pretty much trying to keep them going with out worrying about the multitude of other museums, etc... I think you should support your local guys as much as possible, then worry about a WIX target - unless WIX actually has the time and resources to have our own project, but I think it's a little too diverse of a group for it to really work out. There'd be a few worker bees who did a lot of work, a few who had fun, and the rest of us would occasionally enjoy watching.
I'm still interested, however to see how well ASB does with some of their current projects which I find encouraging. The difference is that ASB is basically a company / marketing strategy for airshows (and that's a good thing!) with a really good media and social networking group for fans and those who have a fan following, while WIX is more of a community hosted by a few very generous individuals and some hobbyists that draws some of the pilots, mechanics, researchers, etc... because of the networking and research opportunities, as well as a few other reasons (and dare I say because some just have fun with it?).

Ryan

Nathan · **Posted:** Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:03 am

Just for the record I have donated to B-25 Devil Dog, the Geneseo B-23, and several times to WIX. All in the last two months.

I also think the reason that some don't donate such as to Gary's B24 and B-29 not being successful was because there was no information up on WIX on where to send it. I mean it's got to be advertised more then on a single post in a 3+ page thread. In short if people have an easy way to donate and know where to go then I think that would help in getting more donations.

I really don't see this as a problem. A banner for the top forum or a sticky post could be made for that said donation for that month.

Just my $.02

seabee1526 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:18 pm **Posts:** 459

...or how about a good ole' fashioned barn raising and build a new hangar for YAM.... :Hangman:

Warbird Information Exchange

WIX donations to restorations (suggestion)

Who is online