News You Can Use, from TLC : Polar Bear Challenge

Mo-Ranch, Friends of TLC

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 12:55:46 +0000

Polar Bear Challenge, last Updated: 01/05/2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Texas Lions Camp, Inc.

(830) 896-896-8500 | news@lionscamp.com

From the Office of the President & CEO

Stephen S. Mabry

Mo-Ranch, Friends of TLC

Kerrville, TX - January 5, 2021. Words seem inadequate to express our appreciation to Mo-Ranch for having selected TLC as the beneficiary of the 2021 Polar Bear Challenge. The Hill Country Community has much to celebrate in the character of this great organization who has operated the Polar Bear Challenge for more than 28 years now. Clearly, there is nothing forcing Mo-Ranch to offer a fundraiser for other charities when they themselves are a charitable organization. So, in addition to accomplishing their own mission, Mo Ranch has been lending their good-name and facilities for the sole purpose of helping others and they are to be commended.

I am also very proud of TLC, the Polar Bear Court, Texas Lions and the many generous donors who responded to our invitation to become involved. TLC began work on the PBC in December of 2019 (when it was just a possibility), before Covid-19 made it to our shores and at that time, we set a goal of $250,000 in support of TLC’s Building Fund, should we be selected. To date, TLC has raised $230,037.45 an amazing feat considering the pandemic that prevented most fundraisers from being held as planned.

Since the planned slide was unable to occur due to Covid concerns, the Crowned King & Queen, Kent Basinger and Terry Hawkins, will be taking a dip in TLC's pool during the semi-annual, Board Meeting at TLC. The event will be live-streamed on TLC's Facebook page on February 6, 2021. Our fundraising efforts will remain open until that time in hopes of reaching our goal of $250,000.

In our fundraising approach, we saw some very creative and overly generous things being done to raise these funds, including but not limited to: cash gifts during uncertain times, gifts of appreciated stock, online concerts from Country Music recording artist Eric Paslay, the World Piano Man, Martyn Lucas and a Lion who took pledges and ran back-to-back marathons (53 miles) in one day, just to name a few. In all, approximately 275 gifts ranging from $10 to more than $23,000 were given to support the effort. These funds have been given for and are restricted to TLC’s Building Fund, to help replace buildings that were severely damaged during the March and May thunderstorms at TLC.

If you would like to be apart of the final push to reach the goal of $250,000 it's not too late. Join us by clicking here and giving online or send your tax-deductible gift to Texas Lions Camp | PO Box 292047 | Kerrville, TX 78029 and write "Polar Bear Challenge" on the envelope.

Respectfully yours,

Stephen S. Mabry
President & CEO
Texas Lions Camp, Inc.

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Stephen is President and CEO of Texas Lions Camp, Inc. and recently celebrated 30 years ofservice to this 70 year-old, 501(c)(3) charitable, organization in August of 2019. TLC, Inc. has a large Board of Directors consisting of 94 voting members and over 300 volunteer members that serve on one of 10 standing committees. As a corporation, TLC has more than 200 full-time and seasonal employees (who are organized into 7 departments) and over 2,000 volunteers per year that areresponsible for creating an atmosphere of success for more than 1,500 children with physical disabilities per summer. Stephen is a Certified Association Executive with the American Society of Association Executives, a past Certified Fund-Raising Executive with the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Stephen is a father of three and resides on TLC’s Kerrville campus together with his wife Shawn, who as luck would have it, is a professional editor.

Martyn Lucas - the Show Must Go On!

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 15:32:39 +0000

The Show Must Go On!: 07/12/2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Texas Lions Camp, Inc.

(830) 896-896-8500 | news@lionscamp.com

From the Office of the President & CEO

Stephen S. Mabry, CAE

Martyn Lucas & TLC to Host Benefit Concert - August 27, 2020 @ 5:30 PM

Kerrville, TX - July 12, 2020. Every now and then, you meet someone and recognize the fact that you have made a genuine and meaningful connection. Martyn Lucas is one of those connections I recently made and I am excited about an event that he has taken the initiative to produce as a benefit fundraiser and concert for TLC.

To tell you a little bit about Martyn, he was voted "World Piano Man" by Sir Elton John. He has performed as the Phantom of the Opera in Covent Garden, London and has appeared in 195 countries around the World. Martyn sings over 650 songs in 14 voices and 7 languages.

To raise public awareness of TLC's mission and to promote the fundraising success of TLC's effort to raise both of these things during the Polar Bear Plunge Challenge, Martyn will donate his talent, professional grade studio and event planning prowess to provide an additional promotional event and layer to TLC's effort. TLC's, The Show Must Go On event is scheduled for August 27, 2020 at 5:30 PM and will be brought to you LIVE from Martyn's professional studio.

"Through this exciting event, TLC's Polar Bear Court will be provided yet another enticement (other than their taking a plunge into the frigid river) to attract individual and corporate sponsorship of the Polar Bear Challenge to benefit TLC's Building Fund," said Stephen Mabry. The "plunge" will be taken from the Mo-Ranch slide on January 1, 2021, when we will ALL celebrate the passage of 2020 into archival history.

Why are these funds needed?

Storm Damage and Covid-19: the Show Must Go On!

As many of you know, TLC suffered significant damage to at least five structures from three major storms that were visited upon us in March and May of 2020. The result of these storms was the loss and total destruction of Bunkhouse 2, significant structural damage of Bunkhouse 1, significant roofing damage to Jackson, and Real Dorms and some of the equestrian center facilities. At the same time, TLC was not allowed to operate its leasing program and gave up more than $250,000 in lost revenue from partnership programs that had to be sidelined due to Covid-19. All gifts donated to the Show Must Go On! concert or the Polar Bear Challenge will be restricted as brick & mortar and deemed as having been received by TLC's Building Fund for CAMPaign Vision 2020 & Beyond.

Thank you Martyn for joining your talents with TLC's to benefit Texas Children who have special medical conditions. Together, we will have the privilege and opportunity to ensure that the Show Goes on for future generations of children, some of whom have yet to be born!

Until then, remember: Children Can...With TLC^TM.

To learn more about Martyn Lucas, visit his website @ https://www.martynlucas.com or any of his social media channels.
To learn more about Texas Lions Camp, visit TLC's website @ https://www.lionscamp.com
To learn more about the Polar Bear Challenge, visit Mo-Ranch's website @ https://www.mo-ranch.org
To learn more about the Benefit Concert, visit us @ https://bit.ly/TexasLionsCamp
To donate to this effort: visit https://www.lionscamp.com

or send your tax deductible gift to:

Texas Lions Camp, Inc.
PO Box 290247

Kerrville, TX 78029

Attn: Polar Bear Challenge/ #"person sponsored"

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_______________________________

Stephen isPresident and CEO of Texas Lions Camp, Inc. and recently celebrated 30 years ofservice to this 70 year-old, 501(c)(3) charitable, organization in August of2019. TLC, Inc. has a large Board of Directors consisting of 94 voting membersand over 300 volunteer members that serve on one of 10 standing committees. Asa corporation, TLC has more than 200 full-time and seasonal employees (who areorganized into 7 departments) and over 2,000 volunteers per year that areresponsible for creating an atmosphere of success for more than 1,500 childrenwith physical disabilities per summer. Stephen is a Certified AssociationExecutive with the American Society of Association Executives, a past CertifiedFund-Raising Executive with the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Stephen is afather of three and resides on TLC’s Kerrville campus together with his wifeShawn, who as luck would have it, is a professional editor.

Polar Bear Court

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:38:54 +0000

Meet Your Polar Bear Court

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Texas Lions Camp, Inc.

(830) 896-896-8500 | news@lionscamp.com

From the Office of the President & CEO

Stephen S. Mabry, CAE

TLC's Polar Bear Plunge Court

Kerrville, TX - April 23, 2020.TLC's Polar Bear Court has been selected and will soon be getting to work to promote the 2021 Polar Bear challenge. As you will recall, TLC was selected as the charitable beneficiary of the 2021 Polar Bear Challenge, sponsored and administered by our friends and partners at Mo Ranch.

The Polar Bear Court is equivalent to the fundraising arm and volunteer steering committee for TLC. I want to publicly say how proud I am of the team we have assembled. They have earned my respect and admiration for volunteering their time, talents and energies to take the Polar Bear Challenge to the Next-Level.

Please join me in thanking the 2021 Polar Bear Court for their service and when contacted, say an emphatic, "Yes!...I will happily pay to see you take the plunge into an icy river!"

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_______________________________

Stephen isPresident and CEO of Texas Lions Camp, Inc. and recently celebrated 30 years ofservice to this 70 year-old, 501(c)(3) charitable, organization in August of2019. TLC, Inc. has a large Board of Directors consisting of 94 voting membersand over 300 volunteer members that serve on one of 10 standing committees. Asa corporation, TLC has more than 200 full-time and seasonal employees (who areorganized into 7 departments) and over 2,000 volunteers per year that areresponsible for creating an atmosphere of success for more than 1,500 childrenwith physical disabilities per summer. Stephen is a Certified AssociationExecutive with the American Society of Association Executives, a past CertifiedFund-Raising Executive with the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Stephen is afather of three and resides on TLC’s Kerrville campus together with his wifeShawn, who as luck would have it, is a professional editor.

Lions, Rivers & Polar Bears...Oh My!

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 14:29:56 +0000

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Texas Lions Camp, Inc.

(830) 896-896-8500 | news@lionscamp.com

From the Office of the President & CEO

Stephen S. Mabry, CAE

Lions, Rivers & Polar Bears...Oh My!

Kerrville, TX - February 24, 2020. Texas Lions Camp was recently notified that we have been selected by Mo Ranch as the designated beneficiary of the 2021 Polar Bear Challenge. To be considered, charities submitted an application, proof of their charitable status and an essay as to why they should be showcased as the charitable beneficiary of the event. The event will take place at Mo Ranch on January 1, 2021 and will involve Lions, volunteers and the general public who will pay an entry fee and then garner sponsorships to take a plunge down the Mo Ranch 35-foot, 116-foot long water slide into the frigid Guadalupe River.

Previous Polar Bear Plunge beneficiaries include Partners in Ministry, Christian Women’s Job Corps, Star Ranch, Hill Country CARES, Hill Country College Fund, Christian Assistance Ministry, Kid’s Advocacy Place, Habitat for Humanity, K-Star, BCFS Health and Human Services, Kerr County United Way, The Salvation Army of Kerrville, Kerr County Young Life, Texas Hill Country —Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Texas and West Kerr County Youth Sports.

This year's recipient, Hill Country Youth Ranch, garnered $70,000 in donations/sponsorships and set the bar high. By inviting the public and challenging the Lions of Texas, TLC has the capacity and the goal to take prior year successes and expectations to the next level and exceed six figures.

As you can see, we join a distinguished list of other fantastic charities who have benefited from this event and this is a huge win for TLC as we kick off CAMPaign Vision2020 & Beyond and focus on raising our local, community profile.

(Photo: Courtesy HCYR - 2020)

When asked about the event, Stephen Mabry, president & CEO of TLC had this to say:

"TLC will use funds from the Polar Bear Challenge towards itsnew campaign (Vision2020 & Beyond) in order to provide new and improved facilities for future generations ofTLC campers. Our capital campaign was kicked off on February 8, 2020 whichwill run for 24 – 36 months and be phased to facilitate 3-5 year pledges from our donors.
The emphasis of Phase I of the CAMPaign will be to address the bunkhouses, care-takerdormitory and revitalize aging infrastructure. Specifically, we would like for the Polar BearChallenge to be used for the purposes stated but more specifically to showtraction and support, to provide much needed capital funds, to raise awarenessof TLC and to give the community an opportunity to get to know Texas LionsCamp."

Stephen went on to talk about the importance of TLC's mission to build self-esteem in others, as follows:

"The truth is, one can spend a life time working to achieveand improve self-esteem and may or may not succeed in feeling good aboutthemselves and the things they have accomplished by the end of their lives; however, the greatmultiplier of self-esteem is not found in working to achieve merely for self,but in working to help others achieve and improve how they feel aboutthemselves. That is the magic of TLC, to lend your story to help others valuetheir story. It is the great multiplier of what it means to value yourself andothers."

The Polar Bear Challenge will be open to the general public and will have contests and awards available, such as:

Largest fundraisers (individual and team competitors)
Crowning of the Mo-Ranch Polar Bear King and Queen
Longest slider
Biggest splash
Slider farthest from home
Oldest polar bear and
Best costume

A special shout out to PCC Tom Blase and Lion Ben Gardner who encouraged TLC's application. And of course, thank you to Dick Powell, president and CEO of Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly, Breanna Larsen, Jenna Carpenter, the selection committee and all of the fine folks at Mo Ranch for their tireless work on behalf of so many others.

"The Marketing Department and I will be working to provide tools and promotional materials soon, so keep your eyes out and start thinking about your role as we plan to make a splash for TLC's future," said Stephen. Congratulations TLC!!!

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_______________________________

Stephen isPresident and CEO of Texas Lions Camp, Inc. and recently celebrated 30 years ofservice to this 70 year-old, 501(c)(3) charitable, organization in August of2019. TLC, Inc. has a large Board of Directors consisting of 94 voting membersand over 300 volunteer members that serve on one of 10 standing committees. Asa corporation, TLC has more than 200 full-time and seasonal employees (who areorganized into 7 departments) and over 2,000 volunteers per year that areresponsible for creating an atmosphere of success for more than 1,500 childrenwith physical disabilities per summer. Stephen is a Certified AssociationExecutive with the American Society of Association Executives, a past CertifiedFund-Raising Executive with the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Stephen is afather of three and resides on TLC’s Kerrville campus together with his wifeShawn, who as luck would have it, is a professional editor.