TrueBMX.com needs your help! (Closed)

[BLong]

Well it is official, digital cameras do have a finite number of photos that they can take.

I have taken tens of thousands of photos over the last 22 months. Over 70,000 of which were posted on TrueBMX.com. I am sad to say that without your help, this may all end. My trusted Canon took its last photo during the second round of motos last night. It will be missed .

Over the last 2 years I have personally donated over $4,000 to keep the site and the photos going. Thanks to Bear River Mutual, the expense of the website itself has been minimal since mid 2008. However the largest expense, camera components, is showing its ugly head. I am currently facing a $700 - $1,100 expense for replacing the camera body (depending on model purchased), and I suspect the primary lens is not far behind. Sadly, I can no longer absorb the full equipment expense on my own.

I have set up a donation link using PayPal if you wish to donate to the cause. You do not need a PayPal account, just a CC. If you donate and the combined donations do not cover the cost of a camera body, you donation will be returned. I will post the running total in this forum if this thing gets legs.

[[[[ Link Removed ]]]]

Please help out if you can!
-Brian

Note: if you do not have a PP account, use the "Continue" link on the left side of the PP login after you input and update your donation amount

[joeynsophia]

Brian,
My donation is posted....Thank you for all you do! Your pictures and website has added another dimension to our program. As you know we have used your photos many times and can say that the kids will have many high quality photos to look back on as the years pass. I know our extended family out of state appreciate seeing them as well.

I hope others feel the same and you can continue with the site.

Thanks again,
Steve

[BLong]

Thanks, Steve. In the past many have suggested that I set something up for donations, however taking help is something that I am good at. Having the camera break after taking the site private made me think about things a bit differently. I never really viewed the site as part of the UT BMX program until seeing just how many account requests and kind comments came in after doing so. It is a humbling experience to learn that the site is no longer my personal space, but rather part of something larger that others depend on; I am sorry that my other financial commitments are preventing me from funding this without assistance.

I am certain that your support is appreciated by many others that look to the site as an extension of the sport.

-Brian

[Lee_Geddings]

Brian,

Please check your inbox.

Thanks,

Lee

[ogr13]

Brian,
Your pictures have allowed us to share our racing adventures with out of state family & friends, even the great shots of my great wreck!
I'm not smart enough to figure out PayPal (and my wife hides the credit cards) but I do have an envelope for ya!
See ya @ the next race!

[BLong]

If I count the verbals, the pot is at $200. Most of it is already sitting in the PayPal bucket. I am not sure if this will grow enough to get a body by the next indoor, but I am willing to pull the trigger if it gets close enough.

Thanks again to those that have and are planning on contributing!

-Brian

[BLong]

Only 2.4% of the prior 371 registered users, and less than 6% of those that have requested new accounts, have expressed interest donating to the site. Given the numbers, I cannot see burning up equipment in less than 2 years on the dime of a select few when it would otherwise last at least 2x as long. Most user accounts have been removed. Accounts that still function for viewing photos will stay functioning unless I inform you otherwise.

All donations-- while very gracious and appreciated --have been returned. I have also ordered a new 40D body that should arrive in time for the SCQ, so those that still have accounts should get some good shots for personal consumption. Bottom line- taking photos for a select few will cost me less than 1/4th of what it takes to photograph the entire community, and my MBA tuition is more important than keeping everyone happy --Sorry.

-Brian

[bnd]

Sorry that there wasn't more support Brian but join the club. Even when times were good, raising money for worthy causes was & is really tough. Personally, I just sent about $150 worth of $$$ & equipment to a friend of mine that is basically homeless. Money I really don't have right now as I'm barely working.

Gallo runs this site on his own dime, all those shirts you see around the track, I've bought on my own dime, my 9 yr. old video camera I use to take all the vids with is on it's last leg but it's all good, we do it for the love of the sport & the benefit of the community.

Anyways, I've been meaning to get over to TBMX & update my account, thanks for doing what you've been doing, supporting the local scene.


b.

[b2]

Sorry Brian, that just bums me out. People are going to really miss out.

[BLong]

Sorry that there wasn't more support Brian but join the club. Even when times were good, raising money for worthy causes was & is really tough.

b.

I am sure! Hard time, competing resources, my lack of enthusiam for asking (much better to give ), makes the program hard to sustain. Hopefully putting some numbers on it will help raise awareness of what it takes. Heck, I remember when Gallo was saving for his 35mm digital. He struggled during those “good” times . From my corner I wish things were different. Even with the effort involved, and my occasional moaning, it was still fun. Hopefully I will come up with a way to bring the site back to the level of the past, but I cannot do it with my new gear. After all, the reason I started taking photos in the first place was to get quality shots of my son and share them with family. Funny how hard that is to do when the camera is broke

-Brian

[mervin]

Brian,
Dude that sucks! Arlene and I wanted to give but at this time well you know our situation really sucks I wish we could have done something to help.

Micheal

[BLong]

Brian,
Dude that sucks! Arlene and I wanted to give but at this time well you know our situation really sucks I wish we could have done something to help.

Micheal

I understand completely. Just think, if you were a bank you could have pushed me a cool billion or so on the side. Better yet, if you were a senator you could have just taken the money from Bruce and sent it my way with no questions asked!

It will all work out, I just need time to think of a better plan.

-Brian
PS - got your PM and will talk to you at the track.

[dilleyboys]

I have plenty of camera gear i could bring to the track if you dont mind shooting on a different camera body. would be happy to have you shoot with it for the weekend. i know it wi;; not fix problem but might help for the weekend. just let me know.
thanks kevin
PS i have canon mark II with all the goodies

[BLong]

I have plenty of camera gear i could bring to the track if you dont mind shooting on a different camera body. would be happy to have you shoot with it for the weekend. i know it wi;; not fix problem but might help for the weekend. just let me know.
thanks kevin
PS i have canon mark II with all the goodies

Kevin,
Wow-- that is a very generous offer, especially considering the class of camera. My 40D is on the truck and slated for delivery tomorrow, so I will have gear for the weekend. I know that Ritter would love to have some photos for UtahBMX, so if you still want to offer, I can use your gear on Saturday and pass the photos on to him. Your call, and again, very generous.

-Brian

[dilleyboys]

I will just bring it out and if it gets used great if not cool to. i hang out with dave cote and the boys over in the stands.