Main fundraiser photo

Kevin Hinman appreciation fund

Howdy! My name is Chris Rasch (aka Archer T. Ships). I've been a long time volunteer and attendee of Ephemerisle, and I'm putting together this fundraiser for Kevin Hinman.   In brief,  I'm aiming to raise$12 K to help express appreciation for Kevin's many contributions to past Ephemerisles, and to encourage Kevin to contribute in the future. Other generous donors have already offered the first $6 K, so this fundraiser is aiming to match them for the rest.  All funds raised will go to Kevin, less any transaction costs. Read on, to find out why I created and donated to this fund, and why I encourage other Ephemerisle folk to do so as well.

Kevin has contributed all of the following to Ephemerisle:

  • the pushboat, a 1970's era military boat designed for building bridges during wartime. The pushboat has been a key part of Ephemerisle infrastructure for many years, used to push Bargey, the walkways, the Blues house, the Movie Barge and many other pieces of infrastructure.
  • the Blues House floating bar and music venue - home to many tent campers, and a venue for live music, spoken word performances, and chill space. 
  • the walkways - Kevin has lent out hundreds of feet of pre-built, sturdy walkways, and helped to place and remove them.
  • the Movie Barge - used for showing movies, holding Memocracy talks, and as a dance platform
  • the Flying Saucer - a comfy lounge area and chill space

No doubt I'm forgetting some contributions.  In addition to contributing substantial amounts of his own infrastructure, Kevin has helped many others bring their art / structures to Ephemerisle, such as Bargey. Kevin provided all of this for free or low cost because he believed in the vision of Ephemerisle as a unique opportunity to build community and art on the water.

As anyone who has helped put together the infrastructure for Ephemerisle knows, it's a demanding event.  Kevin has arrived early and stayed late to help setup and break down the structures and return them their permanent locations. In addition--with optimism and good cheer--he's powered through engine breakdowns, collisions, failing anchors, intoxicated / mentally ill people, injuries and many other costs.

However, even someone as competent, generous, and energetic as Kevin can't bear such loads by himself. For example, his pushboat needs ongoing, expensive maintenance as a result of the hard demands placed upon it. His floating structures need ongoing maintenance and upgrades, as water is an inexorable, pervasive solvent that eventually destroys everything it touches.

Therefore, after years of support, Kevin has decided to personally step back this year. However, even now, he's generously offered to make available his Movie Barge and other infrastructure, if the funds can be raised to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the infrastructure he's provided.

He estimates that it would take about $12 K to do the maintenance and repairs required this year.  Other generous donors have stepped up to offer the first $6 K, so this fundraiser will attempt to raise the rest.  

That's where you come in. Have you enjoyed your time at Ephemerisle? Did you enjoy listening to live musicians at the Blues House? Did you dance your ass off on the Movie Barge? Have you had deep conversations on Bargey or the Flying Saucer? Then you're invited to help make that happen again, both this year and into the future.

Feel free to say no of course. Ephemerisle will happen regardless. However, your donation will help express appreciation for the pleasure you've received from Kevin's contributions in the past. And it will help incentivize Kevin and people like him to contribute in the future. Every little bit helps, even $20.  Thanks in advance for any support you may wish to provide.  

Donations 

  • Michael Wright
    • $300 
    • 3 yrs
  • David Weinshenker
    • $50 
    • 3 yrs
  • Christopher Cantor
    • $100 
    • 3 yrs
  • Michael Wright
    • $200 
    • 3 yrs
  • Lolita Goldman
    • $50 
    • 3 yrs

Organizer

Christopher Rasch
Organizer
Palo Alto, CA

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