Press Room

OUR INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE

A LETTER FROM THE BLUERIBBON COALITION FOUNDER

Dear BlueRibbon Friend:

This photo is of my wife, Rita, and me and our three grandchildren. The oldest, Riann, is 12, Brittany is 7 and our grandson, Jake, has just turned 6. You may have noticed the photo in the ad for our "Legacy Program" in BlueRibbon Magazine. Riann has been riding her own motorcycle since she was very young and even rides a snowmobile now. Brittany is skilled enough on her motorcycle to go on fairly challenging trails and I've taken Jake out on his XR50 a couple of times already. Being a "grandpa" is more fun than I ever imagined.

It's ironic that the kids' mother, Cheryl, was the least enthused of our children about trail riding when she was growing up. Yet, at our board meeting banquet in September she brought tears to my eyes, if not everyone's, when she told of her fond memories of family outings when she was a child. Though generally a quiet person, she insisted on telling our Board and guests how memories of those outings are so special to her now. She spoke of how we taught our kids to respect the areas we used, and to always leave our campsites in better condition than we found them.

I've often said that the BlueRibbon Coalition is a labor of love for me. That's only partly because of the importance of back country recreation to me and my family. It's also a labor of love because of the bond I've developed with our members. I know that you share my determination to preserve our recreation access for future generations.

We will succeed!

I can continue to build the BlueRibbon Coalition, but we need your continued financial support. Please help me preserve our recreation access by sending your contribution today. You don't have to give until it hurts, just give until it feels good.

In the course of our work here at the BlueRibbon Coalition we are often forced to focus on the anti-access groups and how to most effectively deal with them. We've grown to meet the seemingly endless challenges to our recreation access (see the BlueRibbon Coalition List of Accomplishments). Next year promises to be the most challenging ever as our opposition has stepped up their attacks.

There are many large multi-million dollar organizations that seek total elimination of your chosen form of recreation. I am confident that we can stand up to these threats, but it can get discouraging at times.

It's all worthwhile, however, when I remind myself of how dedicated our members are. We may be relatively small, but we've played David to the anti access groups Goliath on more than one occasion due to the commitment of our members.

This is my last letter to you as Executive Director. Bill Dart will be taking the reins as Executive Director on January 1, 2004, but I'll be staying on as Development Director. As founder of BRC, I want what is best for the organization and feel this new position is the best way for me to help us grow stronger.

I've always felt that my greatest contribution to recreation advocacy was building the BlueRibbon Coalition and raising the funding necessary to support it. In the course of doing that I've identified recreation advocacy talent and put that talent to work for BRC. I'm very proud of the professional team I've built.

In my new role as Development Director I will be able to focus more of my attention on organization building. I hope to make the Coalition even bigger and stronger in the future. I can only do that with the support of the resource I'm most proud of...YOU, our friend and supporter.

There are many ways you can help. Our membership dues don't even come close to providing all the support we need. So one of the easiest ways to help is through a direct financial contribution. Please send your most generous contribution today.

Another way is through contributions of stocks, bonds or mutual funds. You can get a tax deduction while avoiding the capital gains tax by transferring appreciated securities to the Coalition. Just call me at (800) 258-3742 ext. 101 for details on how to transfer ownership to the BlueRibbon Coalition.

The BlueRibbon Coalition is nearly seventeen years old. To make a long term commitment, you might want to consider leaving a part of your estate to the BlueRibbon Coalition in your will. Rita and I have. You might even be interested in donating an IRA account, real property, an insurance policy or creating a charitable trust for BRC. Please call me or go to our website for information on our BRC Legacy Program.

I hope you live a long and happy life and can enjoy, or are enjoying your grandchildren as Rita and I are. I want to ensure that our grandchildren are able to share these outdoor recreational experiences with their grandchildren and beyond.

That future is dependent on our success in the land use battles to come. Your contribution is crucial to that success. Your generosity will really make a difference. Please send your contribution right away so it will be deductible on your 2003 taxes.

Sincerely,

Clark L. Collins, Founder
BlueRibbon Coalition
4555 Burley Drive, Suite A
Pocatello, ID 83202

PS: During this holiday season, when your thoughts are with family and friends, please include us in your gift giving plans. Your gift to the BlueRibbon Coalition can help ensure recreation access for now and generations to come.