The 2020 VEGA Challenge
Donation protected
To our Dear and Wonderful Communities of Camas and VEGA Gymnastics,
It has been the greatest honor and privilege of our lives to serve the families of our community. What started in 2004 with ten spunky athletes has grown to serve more than 8000 families in the area, and we've loved every minute of it.
VEGA was founded by a few families who wanted to create an atmosphere where a positive, encouraging environment was as highly regarded as the physical training; where athletes could develop a lifelong love of learning, as well as a respect for one another. For some, VEGA has created opportunities to gain strength, flexibility, confidence and leadership skills. For others, VEGA has provided the means to attend college. Many, many individuals, both athletes and parents, have developed meaningful, lifelong friendships lasting far beyond the final handspring. "Those gym Moms are still my closest friends..."
In recent days, many of you have expressed your support, care and concern for the gym. We've fielded questions about the length of this closure, about our plans for classes, and about the probability of reopening. The truth is, we just don't know those answers. More than 100,000 small businesses have closed permanently in the past 8 months, including hundreds of gymnastics facilities. We do not want to be another statistic.
So we find ourselves in the rare and uncomfortable place of asking for help. Usually, it's VEGA doing the helping, donating more than 50K back to the community over the years. But over the past week, family after family has implored us to run a crowdsourcing campaign. Athlete after athlete has begged their parents to take them to gymnastics. Friend after friend has let us know that VEGA is too vital a community resource to underestimate this current closure.
We agree.
Looking to December, we are presented with a $6,000 shortfall, or as Coach Z would say, "We are in a straddle..." GoFundMe proceeds will go directly toward this shortfall, helping with facility costs and payroll for coaches who remain on staff, serving athletes in limited capacities. We're aiming to raise a total of $18,000, which would cover another three month shutdown. If our doors open sooner, funds will be applied to our 2020 deficit, due to the previous Covid shutdown and severe occupancy restrictions.
Typically at this time of the year, we are preparing for our annual gym meet, the VEGA Challenge. Today, we've hung a VEGA Challenge banner outside the front door. We're inviting the community to bring their sharpies and sign the banner. You can write what you're thankful for during this season of thanks. You can write what gymnastics means to you. You can leave lots of hearts and hugs for our coaches. Until we get back in the gym, we can connect through these words of encouragement and gratitude for one another.
We'd like to offer profound thanks for your tremendous support over the years. And, thank you for anything you are able to do at this time. If VEGA's made a difference in the life of your child or family, and you are able to give, thank you. If you're a current VEGA family who'd like to be sure your kiddo gets back in the gym, and you are able to give, thank you. If you appreciate the way VEGA has trained and elevated the young athletes in our area (as in history making third straight gymnastics state title), and you're able to give, thank you. If you believe the Professional Training, Serious Fun that happens within the VEGA walls greatly enriches the lives of our children and the community of Camas, and you're able to give, thank you.
Thank You.
We thank you from the bottom of our chalky hearts, and look forward to serving the families of this community for years into the future.
Outside of financial gifts, what else can be done?
- Support our Coaches by sending them emails of gratitude. Emails sent to [email redacted] will make it to the appropriate coach.
- Share this GoFundMe page with your greater circle.
- Communicate with our Washington State officials who can influence change. Let them know what gymnastics means to your family. Talk about the physical and mental well-being of our children. Share your experience with VEGA's Safe Start entry and cleaning procedures. Remind them that, due to VEGA's thorough and meticulous efforts, our gym has remained 100% Covid free.
Officials with influence on Washington State health policy:
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
Send a letter or fax to our governor:
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
Fax: [phone redacted]
Contact our Washington State District 18 representatives:
Ann Rivers: [email redacted].gov
Brandon Vick: [email redacted].gov
Larry Hoff: [email redacted].gov
Contact our Congressional representatives:
Maria Cantwell: https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact
Patty Murray: https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme
Jamie Herrera Beutler: https://jhb.house.gov/contact/
It has been the greatest honor and privilege of our lives to serve the families of our community. What started in 2004 with ten spunky athletes has grown to serve more than 8000 families in the area, and we've loved every minute of it.
VEGA was founded by a few families who wanted to create an atmosphere where a positive, encouraging environment was as highly regarded as the physical training; where athletes could develop a lifelong love of learning, as well as a respect for one another. For some, VEGA has created opportunities to gain strength, flexibility, confidence and leadership skills. For others, VEGA has provided the means to attend college. Many, many individuals, both athletes and parents, have developed meaningful, lifelong friendships lasting far beyond the final handspring. "Those gym Moms are still my closest friends..."
In recent days, many of you have expressed your support, care and concern for the gym. We've fielded questions about the length of this closure, about our plans for classes, and about the probability of reopening. The truth is, we just don't know those answers. More than 100,000 small businesses have closed permanently in the past 8 months, including hundreds of gymnastics facilities. We do not want to be another statistic.
So we find ourselves in the rare and uncomfortable place of asking for help. Usually, it's VEGA doing the helping, donating more than 50K back to the community over the years. But over the past week, family after family has implored us to run a crowdsourcing campaign. Athlete after athlete has begged their parents to take them to gymnastics. Friend after friend has let us know that VEGA is too vital a community resource to underestimate this current closure.
We agree.
Looking to December, we are presented with a $6,000 shortfall, or as Coach Z would say, "We are in a straddle..." GoFundMe proceeds will go directly toward this shortfall, helping with facility costs and payroll for coaches who remain on staff, serving athletes in limited capacities. We're aiming to raise a total of $18,000, which would cover another three month shutdown. If our doors open sooner, funds will be applied to our 2020 deficit, due to the previous Covid shutdown and severe occupancy restrictions.
Typically at this time of the year, we are preparing for our annual gym meet, the VEGA Challenge. Today, we've hung a VEGA Challenge banner outside the front door. We're inviting the community to bring their sharpies and sign the banner. You can write what you're thankful for during this season of thanks. You can write what gymnastics means to you. You can leave lots of hearts and hugs for our coaches. Until we get back in the gym, we can connect through these words of encouragement and gratitude for one another.
We'd like to offer profound thanks for your tremendous support over the years. And, thank you for anything you are able to do at this time. If VEGA's made a difference in the life of your child or family, and you are able to give, thank you. If you're a current VEGA family who'd like to be sure your kiddo gets back in the gym, and you are able to give, thank you. If you appreciate the way VEGA has trained and elevated the young athletes in our area (as in history making third straight gymnastics state title), and you're able to give, thank you. If you believe the Professional Training, Serious Fun that happens within the VEGA walls greatly enriches the lives of our children and the community of Camas, and you're able to give, thank you.
Thank You.
We thank you from the bottom of our chalky hearts, and look forward to serving the families of this community for years into the future.
Outside of financial gifts, what else can be done?
- Support our Coaches by sending them emails of gratitude. Emails sent to [email redacted] will make it to the appropriate coach.
- Share this GoFundMe page with your greater circle.
- Communicate with our Washington State officials who can influence change. Let them know what gymnastics means to your family. Talk about the physical and mental well-being of our children. Share your experience with VEGA's Safe Start entry and cleaning procedures. Remind them that, due to VEGA's thorough and meticulous efforts, our gym has remained 100% Covid free.
Officials with influence on Washington State health policy:
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
[email redacted].gov
Send a letter or fax to our governor:
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
Fax: [phone redacted]
Contact our Washington State District 18 representatives:
Ann Rivers: [email redacted].gov
Brandon Vick: [email redacted].gov
Larry Hoff: [email redacted].gov
Contact our Congressional representatives:
Maria Cantwell: https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact
Patty Murray: https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme
Jamie Herrera Beutler: https://jhb.house.gov/contact/
Co-organizers (4)
VEGA GYMNASTICS
Organizer
Camas, WA
Shannon Michael
Co-organizer
Ryan Dietzman
Co-organizer
Matthew Jr.
Co-organizer