The Cloudcast - Donuts, Donations and Dummies

"Rewards" - Krispy Kreme Challenge 2014 Donations

Last week we announced that we're starting both our training and fundraising for the 2014 Krispy Kreme Challenge (@k2challenge). 8000+ runners, 5 miles, 12 donuts, uphill both ways. And once that stupidity is over, the event makes a HUGE donation to the NC Children's Hospital (@ncchildrens) - for 2013 it was over $180,000. People might laugh at the participants in the event, and they should since it's blatant gluttony, but the impact they make to those families is significant.

This year we've decided to raise our target goal. Last year it was $2500 and we raised $4310 with your generosity. This year we started our goal at $5000, but we really think we can do quite a bit more ($7500?, $10,000??). The hardest part for Aaron and Brian is asking people for money. We know it all goes to a great cause (100%, every penny), but it's tough for us to ask. So we're borrowing an idea from FundAnything.com and giving "rewards" back to you for your generosity and donations.

Here's how it works. At various levels of giving, we're offering something back.
NOTE: These levels are additive. You get all the things at your level and below it.


$10-$25: Recognition on the podcast, website and big check given to NC Children's Hospital

$50: The Cloudcast t-shirt (the good "softy" ones that are popular at tradeshows now)

$100: Your logo (company, blog, podcast, etc.) on our official race-day shirt

$250: Be a guest co-host on an episode of The Cloudcast

$500 (corporate level): Sponsorship of The Cloudcast for one month (4 shows)

$1000 and beyond: Let's talk, we'll coming up with something awesome!!

Team Cloudcast - Charity Challenge for NC Children's Hospital

It's that time of year again. The time when we all begin to give thanks for our health, our families and the good things that life provides for us. Aaron and Brian know they are extremely lucky to have their own health, as well as their health of their daughters. But not everyone is so lucky. Sometimes children get sick, and more than just the kind of sick that keeps them home from school with the sniffles. The children that have extremely illnesses need the help of outstanding medical facilities like the NC Children's Hospital. Words can't describe the amazing work that the doctors, nurses and administrators at this facility do for both the children and their families.

Once again in 2014 (February), we will be running in the Krispy Kreme Challenge, which is not only an incredibly fun event but also serves as an outstanding fundraiser for the NC Children's Hospital. If you life the show, we'd be incredibly appreciative if you'd consider making a donation on behalf of Team Cloudcast. In 2013 we raised $4300, and in 2014 we have a goal of $5000. With your help, we can exceed those goals and make an even bigger difference in 2014. And if you're in the US, donations are tax deductible.

On behalf of Team Cloudcast, we want to thank you in advance for your generosity and support. As much as we love giving back to our industry with the latest Cloud Computing trends, this event is far and away the most important thing we do each year. Collectively, if we're able to make even a small difference for an sick child or their family, then that's a real game-changer!

Thank you,
Aaron & Brian

The Cloudcast - Eps.74.5 - 2013 Krispy Kreme Challenge

5 Miles. 12 Donuts. 2400 Calories. 1 Hour. $4310 raised for NC Children's Hospital.

This year Aaron and Brian were joined by Amy Lewis (@CommsNinja) on their annual quest to combine exercise, gluttony and stupidity. We tried to take it up a level from last year, so we asked our listeners to help us raise money for the charity (NC Children's Hospital) and they stepped up big time! THANK YOU all for making a huge impact to children in need.

 

It seemed like this year was a little more serious than last year, but we'll let you make the decision.

We're proud to say that not only did we all finish the race, but we more than doubled our fundraising goal. We'll now take a few days to recover and then we'll start planning for the 2014 race. We have a new interesting tricks up our sleeves to keep it interesting...

You can find all our Krispy Kreme Challenge videos here (pre-race, sponsor thank you, etc.).

The Cloudcast - Eps.64 1/2 - "The Cloudcast Gives Back - Charity Challenge"

This year we're taking our ability to give back and have fun at the Krispy Kreme Challenge to a new level. We're asking our listeners to (jointly) help us make a donation to the sponsor of the event, North Carolina Children's Hospital. They do amazing work for kids in need, and we'd like to help them make a few more lives better. We're setting a goal of $1000 in listener donations, and Aaron and Brian will match $1000.

Every little bit helps, and donations are tax deductible (US laws apply).

We'll do the training, run the miles and suffer the consequences of sugery gluttony. You listen to the show, give a few $$ and maybe tell a friend. We all help make the kids lives a little better.

It's a win-win for everyone involved. If anyone wants to join us on the run, you're welcome to join the Cloudcast pack (12 donuts is optional). If anyone has creative ideas for costumes that Aaron and Brian should wear, we're open to suggestions. If anyone can get matching corporate sponsorship for the donations, all the better.

Looking Ahead and Giving Back in 2013 - Krispy Kreme Challenge

Ever since we started the podcast in 2011, we've tried to have fun and give back. With the weekly show, we feel like we give a little bit back to the technology community that is interested in cloud computing.

And for some strange reason, we've also incorporated Krispy Kreme donuts into many of our activities. It started in 2010 when Aaron and Brian participated in the Krispy Kreme Challenge and continues to this day. Here's video from last year's event:

 

This year we're taking our ability to give back and have fun to a new level. We're asking our listeners to (jointly) help us make a donation to the sponsor of the event, North Carolina Children's Hospital. They do amazing work for kids in need, and we'd like to help them make a few more lives better. We're setting a goal of $1000 in listener donations, and Aaron and Brian will match $1000. Every little bit helps, and donations are tax deductible (US laws apply).

We'll do the training, run the miles and suffer the consequences of sugery gluttony. You listen to the show, give a few $$ and maybe tell a friend. We all help make the kids lives a little better. It's a win-win for everyone involved.

If anyone wants to join us on the run, you're welcome to join the Cloudcast pack (12 donuts is optional). If anyone has creative ideas for costumes that Aaron and Brian should wear, we're open to suggestions. If anyone can get matching corporate sponsorship for the donations, all the better.