What happened to the Conga Spirit? Lots of Love!
From a Conga III Rider
OMG! What happened to the Conga spirit?? It saddens me to look at the Conga for the cause group. After joining in at the beginning of Conga III, I ran home every night anxious to see what happened while I was at work. All the fundraisers that went on for months before the meet in Cheyenne. The smiling faces, the stories of survivors, the women fighting for their life, the prayers and the many many cyber hugs. We became a family united for the cause and the money poured in. I could hardly wait for July to get here so I could make that trip to meet the awesome women and men that I become such good friends with via FB. One by one you all show up and it’s like seeing an old friend climb off a motorcycle with the biggest smile and waiting for hugs.
The pics are fabulous and you all did a good job but what happened to the spirit and the love for each other? I know I haven’t been there in person, one week isn’t enough time to go all the way to Shell and my personal funds wouldn’t support the trip but the reason is still there and breast cancer is still a killer so get over whatever it is that’s going on, stop the drama, Keep track of the funds and post how much money was raised and where it went and start planning for Conga VI. It’s not about you, it’s about kicking cancer to the curb..
What happened she asks!!
I have no idea.. I really don’t know what this person is talking about honestly..From the bottom of my heart… I feel/ felt, the love, the spirit, the camaraderie of this Conga more than ever. I knew it was different. I had lost my mojo, from the get go.
2 years agoI moved to a new town, and had no one to help me fundraise. I didn’t want to do it myself, and I didn’t. I felt guilty as hell, but couldn’t bring myself to do it. I lost my mojo for sure. But… the Conga had to go on, even if it were going to be the last one! It was becoming too much for me, although it was my fault. Year 5 and the Conga still owed me money from all the t-shirts, koosies, shot glasses, bandannas, bracelets etc that I had purchased to make the Conga work. My goal was to take a little back at a time, so we could all see the fundraising reach its goal faster. There was no money in the bank so to speak, we didn’t keep money aside, it was never even discussed. I am not sure where people thought the money came from. I just believed, they trusted me as they always had done before. When we had sales on the silent auctions and the money went to my pay pal, I would then deduct more off what the Conga owed me. Finally this year, we are square.
This year was different, yes… less money, more love… We saw some of our local friends in the Shell and Greybull area, stricken with cancer. We went to the Cancer Clinic, as hard as it was, we did it.. I ran. Biird stayed… I saw her tuck in Jims feet under the blanket, tuck them in, kiss them, smile with him, what does Flobee do?? Run!! I couldn’t handle it.. Love.. it was there.. it was in the air.. but you weren’t there, so how dare you, say… where is the love and the Spirit!
There were people from Shell, and Greybull, that had given, their heart and sole, their money, their hair, their things, to help donate in any way they could. Time, and efforts and gifts, more than you could ever imagine. People bidding against each other, just to up the anty, to make more money for the cause. I for one was bidding against a coat, that Lori donated, only for the winning bidder, to turn around and give it back to me…. Love.. yes it was there. Again, my fault, that I did not keep on top of my blog.
Wilbur giving his pink hair, to the upcoming young Wilbur, who worked his lil butt off with his sister, to help raise money for the cause. Wow, I could go on and on and on to tell you how much love and less money was donated, for the Conga V
OMG..Karen of all people, handles it so damn well. She is out their passing out her love and her strength in every waking moment. She pops in when she is needed with out even knowing she is needed, like when…
Natalie’s friend from Canada, breakss down, and admit, she had the same type of cancer as Biird… You wanna see love…it was fucking there… she wanted to curl right up in the fetal position and cry, Then she met Biird… She was so thankful, and told me me how much this journey meant to her. She thanked me of all people, and said Biird was her newest and best friend, and the only person, she could really relate to. This chick, rocks, rides a cool bike with ape hangers, and I am sure she will be on the next Conga, if for nothing else but to connect with our Biird.
One other piece of love, and spirit I will never forget… The dear love of our friend Boots… yes.. Debbie Baldwin Payne. One of the main reasons, this Conga V went on wether I felt like doing it or not. We had love.. she was there, not only was Sonny, her best friend Traci Dillard was there, I was there!! People were there, that only knew her on line. It was a ride in memory of our dear Boots.. you didn’t have to meet her in person, to know how special she was. Marci raised over $800 to have her head shaved in memory of her.. She passed on her birthday… Love… lots of love in Shell and Greybull for the Conga V
By the way… I missed out on every breakfast in Greybull to blog, while everyone gathered and visited, but I was determined the blog, pics, donations had to be posted, to keep every one informed. It is tiring, very tiring, but I feel it is my job, and this proves it… it has to be done. Do you think I want to?? No, I want someone to take the work away from me, more than anything the money… I HATE, handling the money more than anything. I did ask a few people if they would take it over, and no one wanted to do it, do to, the fact they are working and it would be an income. Okay so I am not working …so to speak., yah, I work, on the Conga, but non profit, for me, lol
So you all may think we need to go non-profit.. yup, we could do that, the more you spend on it, the less the Conga raises. Not only that, I have no clue how to do it.. Do you?? Would you please help me take this over? We have grown, to where, it is not just friends, getting together, for a good cause and hey take this money and put it on line for me would ya… to… hey you sure you put all that money online that I gave you.
Okay,now we have come to another situation.. the Conga HAS changed… There will be no tshirts, no coosies, no shot glasses, no bracelets, no things to sell to double our money for the cause.. Guess where all the money came from and how many years it took to pay for the items to be paid back, because I was so excited about the money going on line for the cause..
Bottom line… I am asking for help… Yours!! Anyone that can step up to the plate, and help this Conga, keep on kicking Cancer to the curb. Please do!! I am so open to ideas, advice, help!
Flo. Please don’t let any of this get you down. Your enthusiasm and spirit is needed. Love & hugs
I can’t believe anyone would have anything negative to say about what you are doing. I can’t tell you how tremendous I think this whole thing is. I wish I could be a part of it. There’s always someone that will try to ruin something good because it was not there idea and they are not getting the attention for it. Ignore the negative and concentrate on your goal. You are doing a great job. You are a wonderful and unselfish person. Long live the Conga.
Wish I were there. Thanks for all you do for those who can’t.
Flo, I salute Janet’s suggestion. Go to a Western Union or to one of Dianna’s banks IF there is one there. This is the first town you’ve been in that may have her bank in it. Get a money order and then, go to the public library and print out the pdf form and mail it in. NBCF will be able to receive the money. Conga may not get the “credit” for it and so the anyone looking at the Activity page will still wonder where the money is at. But you’ll have the receipt to show folks it was done. I know how much WORK goes into Conga, I saw you, Dianna and Eric at EVERY event in GB and Shell when it would be more comfortable doing something else at that particular time. I’m sorry there has been gossiping, finger pointing and purpose-filled division that has personally hurt you… especially since you are STILL out there getting donations every day. Keep up the good work. People can bring up a concern, but they should bring a solution with it, too. People can quit if they don’t like the goal. People should bat for the same charity if they are on Team Conga not use it to benefit a separate charity. ily
See you tomorrow, sweet lady. I really think I can help with this, if you will let me.
Love,
Lani
Lani, I have the papers you sent. I see only a few concerns. Let’s talk after NWC, ok? Thank you very much for what you’ve done. It is so appreciated.
Flo – Haven’t been on facebook much, so I missed most of the drama. thank god. I really appreciate all that you have done. I believe you can either get money orders and send the funds direcltly to Bcrf, or you can call them and get their bank account number and make a direct deposit into their account. I would also guess that they have offices in many major cities and you can walk in and hand them the money. Almost any bank can wire funds to bcrf. Don’t take all of this personally ple
ase. It is all a sign of transition.
Janet L.
omg Doc, what we would have loved better than you being there with us cheering us on sis! We miss you!
Hi Flo! I was not able to make the Conga this year, but, I feel that the Conga Spirit is alive and well in my heart and many others. I don’t know why some folks feel they have to rain on everyone’s parade, however, I want you to know that there are so many of us out here that love you and appreciate all that you do for the Conga each and every year.
If I was there, I’d be able to help you at least deposit the moola like we did last year, I know you, Di and Wilbur are doing a top notch job and I trust you completely. Don’t let the negatives of a few get you down, it only makes me more determined to make next year’s Conga even better! We are going to kick cancer to the curb and the only way to do that is Conga ON!
Love,
Doc
We love you Doc, the only way the Conga 6 could be better is if i were there… see you next year,our friend,,love and miss you