Joanne Ward is fundraising
Help the GearCats Replace their Stolen Trailer
On December 1, 2025, the GearCats' robotics team's trailer was stolen from our build space on Capital Boulevard. Despite the fact that the thief was caught on security video and has confessed to police, no arrests have yet been made and we have been told to expect that the trailer will not be returned. The loss of our trailer is a tremendous logistical and financial blow to the team. The trailer is used to transport all of our materials to our competitions and to help move our team when we must find new build space, which unfortunately we must do every year.
For those who don't know us, the GearCats provides extracurricular STEM opportunities to Raleigh, NC students through participation in FIRST (R) Robotics Competitions. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity, the team is funded entirely by corporate sponsorships and private donations; we receive no funding from any school, school district or the state. The annual costs of the team typically run over $40,000 to pay for build space rent, tools and equipment, robot parts, event registrations and insurance. The purchase of a replacement trailer is not something for which the team has budgeted and will create a major deficit in our already limited funds.
We are hoping to raise as much as we possibly can towards the goal of $5,000 to help cover the cost of replacing our trailer. We are currently researching the most affordable options as well as costs of purchasing identifying logo material (to deter theft), additional anti-theft devices (wheel locks, GPS tracker) and increased insurance premiums to cover loss. We ideally want to have this trailer purchased before it will be needed at our first competition in early March. Any funds donated beyond what we need for the trailer will be directed support to the team's other expenses, primarily rent of our build space, robot parts and equipment.
Donations can be sent through this fundraiser and ALSO directly to the team (with no fees) through Zelle (the Zelle contact is a gmail address with the user ID: gearcats6500treasurer. GoFundMe won't allow emails to be included here for privacy reasons. Please reach out to your team contact if you need more info about Zelle).
We are immensely grateful for any and all donations, no matter how large or small. All donations are tax deductible. We are also happy to list any donors of $500 or more as a sponsor of the team on our website and competition T-shirts.
THANK YOU - the students, mentors and families of the GearCats are so grateful for your support.
The GearCats 6500
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13 supporters
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