The Kelly Jo Dowd Fund

Hooters is about boobs.  Well not all about boobs, but they certainly play a big role.  Yeah, you already knew this, but stay with me here.  So Hooters is about boobs.  Breast cancer - if we simplify a horrible disease - affects boobs.  As such, Hooters donating money for breast cancer research is a pretty good idea.  After all, 1 in 7 women will be affected by breast cancer in her lifetime.  That is an awful lot of Hooters Girls.  We have about 45 girls in my restaurant alone, thinking that five of my friends might have to battle such a horrible disease is a frightening thing.  It's even more frightening to think that I very well could be one of them.

The Kelly Jo Dowd Fund is Hooters way of raising money for breast cancer research.  Kelly was not only a Hooters Girl, but also a calendar girl and eventually a Hooters General Manager.  She used her cancer diagnosis to educate Hooters Girls around the nation about the importance of helping themselves through self-screenings and early detection after unfortunately failing to do so herself.

"I did something pretty stupid," Kelly said in a 2006. "And the only way that I can let myself feel better about it is if I know that people can learn from our situation."

Now, Hooters Girls not only hear Kelly's story - through a video she created prior to her death - but raise money annually in her name.  Right now, you can go to any Hooters restaurant and make your own donation.

I've managed to personally raise around a $100 in the few days since we've began the campaign.  After raising fifty, I got a special Kelly Jo Dowd Hooters top.  Go me!  I like supporting good causes and I love challenging myself to raise more money each day.  It's just the way I am I guess.  As such, I ask every table if they want to donate.  Most will donate a dollar.  Some will donate five.  And some (ok well one) will offend you like this guy did.

Sauce:  "Here's your ticket.  I'll be able to handle that for you whenever you get a spare minute.  Also, we're currently accepting donations of any denomination to support breast cancer research through the Kelly Jo Dowd fund.  Please let me know if you'd like to donate!"

Jerk:  "Well why would I donate without seeing the boobs I'm gonna donate to?"

Naturally, he's staring directly at my chest as he says this.  He is obviously classy like that. 

Sauce:  "Well fortunately I haven't been affected by breast cancer.  So at the moment you won't be helping me personally.  Guess I don't have to show you."
*Note* I put on my best "I'm adorable yet witty" smile.

 Jerk:  "Well you're probably gonna get it one day.  Guess that means you'll show me now."

Excuse me?!  I'm going to ignore the fact that you asked to see my boobs.  This is Hooters, that shit happens.  But did you just tell me that I'm going to get breast cancer?  Maybe it's just me, but I'm pretty sure that's not ok.  I would never wish testicular cancer on you.  I would never hope that they remove one of your effing balls though you probably don't deserve them both.  That's just not cool.

He didn't donate.

But you totally should.  Go to Hooters.  Donate.  Just don't wish breast cancer on your Hooters Girl.

Please Donate

"There's a guy up front who'd like to speak with you," a said to GM as I motioned toward the door.

As GM was walking toward the door I watched expectantly.  The man had that look about him that shouted, "I'm asking for money."  Ready with his business card, the man had the glitter of sponsorship in his eye.  Being that we're in a college town with enumerable sporting organizations, class projects, nonprofit organizations and countless other entities needing money, this is a very common occurrence at Hooters.

Also common at Hooters is the type of things GM donates money to.  While I realize GM could never donate to each and every cause, he has a certain way of deciding what to donate to.  Of course, GM donates to big things - like Griz Football - and things that interest him like funny car racing.  He didn't donate to the Red Hat Ladies (who don't come in anymore) or the Girl Scouts.  He didn't even put up a poster for the volleyball team, but he was all about the cheerleaders.  Needless to say he is a finicky philanthropist.

So as the man turned and exited the building I wasn't surprised.  He obviously didn't represent something big or sexy enough for GM to offer his support.

"You'll never believe what that guy wanted me to donate to," GM scoffed in disbelief.  "Some coach or something for the track team.  I mean the guy seriously thought I'd donate money to the track team?  Really?!"

I stared at him blankly.

Obviously expecting a response signaling my agreement, GM continued, "Well you get it, right? I mean you played a college sport didn't you?  Track isn't even a sport if you ask me.  It's just running.  Definitely not a sport."

I continued to stare.

"What sport did you play again?  Basketball or something?"

"I ran track."

Still Running for a Cause

As I posted earlier, I will be running a half marathon later this summer and have decided to run for a cause. Basically, I decided that if I had something I was actually running for I'd have better luck sticking with my training because, while I have always been a runner, I am in no way the "lets run 13 miles all at once" sort of runner. In fact for being a rather hardcore track athlete I am a rather reluctant runner; luckily track has all sort of short races and events that involve jumping. Sorry, getting off topic here.

Anyway, I am running for Youth Homes, a nonprofit aimed to help at-risk youth within the state of Montana by providing them with "placement, structure, counseling, recreation, culture and access to community resources. Children come to us with emotional, social, protection, behavioral and chemical dependency issues. They are referred by Youth Courts, Child Protection, Mental Health Case Management, Tribal Social Services and families."
Last year the Run 4 Kids team raised $41,000 for Montana youth and this year they are hoping to far surpass that mark in an attempt to raise over $70,000. My personal goal is to raise $1,000 for this worthy cause. So far I have pretty much sucked at this. I have one donation for $250 and it's from my parents (thanks Mom and Dad!). It's not that I haven't been trying, it's that my friends are cheap - and they will all be the first to admit it. So here I am, appealing to my readers to donate if they are able.

If you would like to donate and help me reach my goal you may do so at www.firstgiving.com/sauce. The site is totally secure with all donations going directly to Youth Homes. You may donate anonymously and remember that every little bit helps!

Running for a Cause

This summer I have decided to participate in a half marathon.  Now, I ran track in both high school and college but I was or in no way am a distance runner.  I was a jumper and 400 runner which basically means that most of the time the most I ran during a meet was about ten steps to a high jump bar, 80 feet to a triple or long jump pit, or once around the track (which I will have you know is a lot more painful than you may think when you consider it's an all out sprint).  So long story short I'm no distance runner.

So what would convince a very anti-distance runner (hey I did one season of cross country and hated the whole thing) decide to attempt to run 13.1 miles at one time?  Well besides the fact that it is a great way to maintain a killer bod, I have decided to run for a cause (no, a tight ass is not the cause I am talking about).  I'll be running for Youth Homes, a nonprofit which helps at-risk children in the state of Montana.  Last year the Run 4 Kids team raised over $41,000 for local children and I hope to help surpass that mark by raising at least $1,000 dollars.

I'd love if you'd donate to this amazing cause.  Please visit www.firstgiving.com/sauce to donate whatever you can!  Oh and this also gives my lazy butt more motivation to actually run so please donate!