WOW Goes To Washington!
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The Woodside One Wheelers is a a performing circus arts troupe from Topsham, Maine. Members range from 3rd graders to the oldest performer in 12th grade. Currently, over 60 members, at all levels, practice weekly, many attend week-long camps, and almost 200 have participated over the last 8 years!
Many of us — parents and friends — support WOW because of the enthusiasm, commitment, and respect we see in our daughters and sons, and their coaches. Throughout the school year, students work hard on learning and improving new skills, including unicycling, juggling, walking globe, and much more.
Kids in the group learn the importance of setting goals and working hard to achieve them and also performing in front of large crowds. Those with more experience coach and support younger members. It is truly amazing to see the growth and confidence in each and every student.
• Read more about WOW on our great website!
Over the years, the group has had the opportunity to perform at a variety of events including:
• The 2013 Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, PA
• The 2012 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC
•The 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, DC
• Half time shows at the Maine Red Claws in Portland, ME, and
• Elementary and secondary schools in Topsham, Auburn, Fryeburg, and Turner, Maine
Watch this video news report about WOW at the 2012 Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C.:
This year, WOW has been invited to perform in the NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PARADE in Washington, DC, and at a Philadelphia ‘76ers half-time performance in April, 2015!
More than 50 kids will be eligible to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime trip — and as many as 100 family and friends may join them on the trip, too.
However, for such a large endeavor, there are many costs including:
• Busses: $12,000 (2 at $6,000)
• Team meal: $1,500 (100 at $15 a person)
• Tickets for the '76ers game: $1,750 (100 at $17)
• Practice shirts: $900 ($12 times 75)
• Banner to be carried in the parade: $150
• Members pay for hotel accommodations, additional meals, and sightseeing. However, WOW does provide scholarships to help pay for hotel accommodations for 10 families: up to $4,500 — $150 times 3 nights times 10 rooms.
So, you can see that this trip may cost as much $19,000, and we hope local businesses sponsors will cover up to $10,000, as they have in the past. (Every year, the group grows, and so do the costs!)
This year, for the first time, we are holding a GoFundMe campaign to seek up to $9,000 to pay for these expenses. Contributions are not tax-deductible (because WOW is not a non-profit), but all proceeds will go toward the above expenses. We'll wrap-up this campaign as soon as expenses for this event are covered.
Here is the ABC Philadelphia coverage of the Woodside One Wheelers at the 2013 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade:
We are dedicated to WOW because we see our young people having fun while they build skills for a lifetime.
Please help us help them this year! Please contribute to this GoFundMe campaign!
— Jay Collier, Melissa Cusano, Joelle Wilkins, Willie Stewart, Dot Bowie, Laila Valade, Magda Despradel, Beth Ring, and the many families and friends of WOW
Special thanks to: head coach Eric Pulsifer; coordinator Diane Hall; assistant coaches Jason Carter, Steve Spaeth, Jerry Perron, Nate Hall, Jamsie Datavs, and Willie Stewart; student coaches Courtney Hall, Noah Brilliant, and Sam Aseltine; and advisor Rick Dedek!
Many of us — parents and friends — support WOW because of the enthusiasm, commitment, and respect we see in our daughters and sons, and their coaches. Throughout the school year, students work hard on learning and improving new skills, including unicycling, juggling, walking globe, and much more.
Kids in the group learn the importance of setting goals and working hard to achieve them and also performing in front of large crowds. Those with more experience coach and support younger members. It is truly amazing to see the growth and confidence in each and every student.
• Read more about WOW on our great website!
Over the years, the group has had the opportunity to perform at a variety of events including:
• The 2013 Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, PA
• The 2012 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC
•The 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, DC
• Half time shows at the Maine Red Claws in Portland, ME, and
• Elementary and secondary schools in Topsham, Auburn, Fryeburg, and Turner, Maine
Watch this video news report about WOW at the 2012 Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C.:
This year, WOW has been invited to perform in the NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PARADE in Washington, DC, and at a Philadelphia ‘76ers half-time performance in April, 2015!
More than 50 kids will be eligible to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime trip — and as many as 100 family and friends may join them on the trip, too.
However, for such a large endeavor, there are many costs including:
• Busses: $12,000 (2 at $6,000)
• Team meal: $1,500 (100 at $15 a person)
• Tickets for the '76ers game: $1,750 (100 at $17)
• Practice shirts: $900 ($12 times 75)
• Banner to be carried in the parade: $150
• Members pay for hotel accommodations, additional meals, and sightseeing. However, WOW does provide scholarships to help pay for hotel accommodations for 10 families: up to $4,500 — $150 times 3 nights times 10 rooms.
So, you can see that this trip may cost as much $19,000, and we hope local businesses sponsors will cover up to $10,000, as they have in the past. (Every year, the group grows, and so do the costs!)
This year, for the first time, we are holding a GoFundMe campaign to seek up to $9,000 to pay for these expenses. Contributions are not tax-deductible (because WOW is not a non-profit), but all proceeds will go toward the above expenses. We'll wrap-up this campaign as soon as expenses for this event are covered.
Here is the ABC Philadelphia coverage of the Woodside One Wheelers at the 2013 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade:
We are dedicated to WOW because we see our young people having fun while they build skills for a lifetime.
Please help us help them this year! Please contribute to this GoFundMe campaign!
— Jay Collier, Melissa Cusano, Joelle Wilkins, Willie Stewart, Dot Bowie, Laila Valade, Magda Despradel, Beth Ring, and the many families and friends of WOW
Special thanks to: head coach Eric Pulsifer; coordinator Diane Hall; assistant coaches Jason Carter, Steve Spaeth, Jerry Perron, Nate Hall, Jamsie Datavs, and Willie Stewart; student coaches Courtney Hall, Noah Brilliant, and Sam Aseltine; and advisor Rick Dedek!
Organizer
Jay Collier
Organizer
Topsham, ME
