Not entirely sure what we’re thinking when signing up for this event. Sure, last year we jumped out of a plane, but once you’re out the door, gravity (and your tandem instructor) does the rest. This is a whole different ball of wax. You’ve gotta watch the video to get a real idea of what this is all about.
The Tough Mudder boasts “hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.” Now, we can’t adequately describe all four of our current physical fitness status with a single word or phrase, but suffice to say we have some work to do before September.
Once September comes, we’re doing this thing whether or not the aforementioned have spent their time wisely training for the course, or vegging out on the couch for the previous eight months.
We welcome any involvement you’re able to muster. Form a team of your own, or enter as an individual. Either way, you can help push, pull, and kick us over the finish line. Maybe you want to volunteer to help at the course. Cool. You can also purchase a spectator ticket, and snap some awesome candid shots of us hurling on the sidelines, bawling in the fetal position ten yards from the starting gate, or the crème de la crème, the shot of three of us carrying numero four across the finish line. We’d love to see you there!
For our Tough Mudder run, we’ve chosen the Wounded Warrior Project as our charity, because only a course this tough gives us a tiny ability to live vicariously through our service-men and women. As we’ve seen our fellow Americans step forward to do the impossible job of keeping our country free, protecting our families, and giving so much of themselves, we felt compelled to answer the call of making the transition home for them, a better one.
The Wounded Warrior Project does an amazing job of helping service members recover and transition back into civilian life.
Please join Tonic Sol-fa in raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps provide programs and services for our injured service members!
Tonic Sol-fa will be taking part in the 2012 Tough Mudder (Wisconsin) event as a way to raise awareness for this cause, excite our fanbase, and challenge our physical and mental abilities. We encourage you to make a tax-deductible gift of any amount, and watch as we work towards our goal.
In addition, you might consider joining us at the event. Take some pics, cheer us on, point and laugh! Better yet, sign up to run the course as an individual, or form another team. We can use all the help we can get!
I was asked on Monday what I thought TSF’s image would be and I stopped. Were we the “boys next door” or Midwestern vocalists? Soulful? Innovative? Quirky? Did we push envelopes or play it safe? Were we at the top of a genre or somewhere in the middle? Humorists remembered for a lawn ornament? Underrated? Overrated? How would our friends, family or fans describe us in a tweet to someone without seeing a picture or hearing a song?
People typically relate very short stories to others about someone who is not familiar. Typically these colorful anecdotes follow a similar vein… “My Grandmother always dresses in orange pantsuits” or “Our third grade teacher was that guy with a lisp.” Hmmm… Tonic Sol-fa in 10 words or less?
A huge thank you to Blue Bunny, our fabulous corporate sponsor, for allowing us to give away free ice cream to winners at each of our holiday tour stops! Too, we have enjoyed our backstage meet and greets with others who “texted to win” this holiday season and thank everyone for entering. We feel it is such a good fit to be collaborating with a company that wishes to engage people across all mediums in a new and innovative way… just like us!!! Here’s to Blue Bunny Ice Cream!
Yes, you read that right! Our very own John W. of Des Moines, IA and the winner of our “March of the Kings” CD design contest, wants to have his artwork forever inked on his person. Of course, we had to get in on the excitement, and with the help of our friends at Bigfoot Tattoo make this little hoedown, a bigger hoedown. One of the four of us is sure to get our own tattoo as well, so come check it all out. We’re going to hang out at the shop from 1pm-4pm, this Thursday, October 27th, and there will be some Tonic Sol-fa swag, as well as autographs and photo opps. Watch us on Twitter for special tweet-up giveaways.
We wanted to give a final announcement of funds raised for Neighbors, Inc., as well as post all the videos in one easy spot (as opposed to spread all over Facebook and YouTube). With the help of every participant, there was over $17,000 raised for Neighbors’ social service and food shelf programs. Our fans alone helped raise over $2200, and that was in less than a month and mostly just through Facebook and Twitter! Thanks for being a part of this experience.
Now onto the ridiculously entertaining…
Jared’s Perspective
Greg’s Perspective
Shaun’s Perspective
Mark’s Perspective and hugs from Greg
Neighbor’s Inc. fundraiser highlights (with some TSF cameos)
Thanks to everyone who donated to our “Skydive for Hunger” fundraiser! With your help, enough money has been raised to throw three of us out of a plane. The group is anxiously awaiting this Saturday with only minor butterflies (that we’ll admit to).
We were going to go the democratic route and draw straws to see who the lucky one was that got to stay behind, feet planted firmly on the ground, but it appears Mark’s pitiful sobs are more than any three persons can handle. It’s bad enough listening to him whine incessantly here on the ground, let alone the thought of having to hear that awful noise the entire flight up to the spot we jump. At this point, we welcome a plane ride, or a boat ride, or a train ride, or even a wagon ride, anything to get away from the awful sounds.
Mark will, however, be watching safely from the drop zone, umbrella overhead, cooler by his side, teddy-bear in hand, waiting for his much braver counterparts to finish the job they set out to do. You are welcome to stop by and watch the excitement above, and make sure he remembers to put on his sunscreen and floppy hat.
There will still be amazing video asap!
Thanks again for helping us raise money for this great organization! Follow Neighbors Inc. as they continue to fight hunger and provide emergency assistance to people in need. Your donations and/or volunteerism are always welcome through their site.
I never thought I would have jumped out of a plane. I was part of the majority who had always dreamt of skydiving, but never had the drive to make that dream real. Where? When? How? Why? Those were all questions that I could not answer, and thus delayed my skydiving. Recently, I was handed the responsibility of organizing an event for my non-profit called Skydive For Hunger. My executive director explained, “We raise money through pledges, all the funds go to our food shelf and social service programs, and people jump out of a plane.”
What an un-traditional way towards fundraising! So in March, I took my first test skydive jump. I supposed if I were to organize such an event, I had to lead by example and prove to everyone it was safe. As people reading this blog know, I did survive.
I am so happy to see TonicSolFa interested in, Skydive For Hunger. It’s such a great way to help out a local Minnesota community, while also challenging themselves in conquering their own aspirations. Neighbors, Inc, is the primary food shelf and social service agency in northern Dakota County. In 2010, there were more than three million emergency food shelf visits in Minnesota. This year, in 2011 alone, demands have gone up by 26% percent. By donating and supporting those that skydive, you will also be helping those in our community who really need the assistance during these recent times of economic hardship.
As my friend Lee Walker, a 72 yr old Neighbors volunteer, and fellow Skydive For Hunger participant, said, “I figured, it’s for a good cause, why not try it?” Walker said, chuckling as he explained his impulse decision. “I’m kind of looking forward to it. I’m kind of looking forward to it being over, too.”
Daniel Zhu | Communications & Events Manager
_________________________________________________________________
Neighbors, Inc. | building community
daniel@neighborsmn.org
Tel. 651-306-2154
We are happy to announce the winners of our “March of the Kings” CD design contest! There were so many great submissions, it was truly difficult to pick just two winners. Thanks to everyone who participated, and we look forward to future contests with our many talented fans!
Please be advised that winners are expected to adhere to the Terms and Conditions set forth on the Tonic Sol-fa CD design contest page.
TSF vs. Tough Mudder Not entirely sure what we're thinking when signing up for this event. Sure, last year we jumped out of a plane, but once [...]
Feb 2
Tonic Sol-fa and Wounded Warrior Project For our Tough Mudder run, we've chosen the Wounded Warrior Project as our charity, because only a course this tough give [...]
