Fund Raising
The Warlocks would like to sincerely thank the following generous people and organizations who contributed to the team:
David CadillacMarilyn Cain
David & Jeanine Chatt
Eric & Carla Crane
Louise Farwell
Kathleen Ganz
William & Sally Hale
Derek Howe
Mr. Jacobson, TransAm Logistics
James McIver, Jr.
Robert Muffler
John & Linda Roberts
Jane Seekins
Norman Sinclair
Ann Strong
Basil Toyota
David Tuttle
Joseph Verdonselli
...and many others who contributed through fundraising programs and who donated anonymously. Your generous donations are the sole reason we'll be able to travel to Atlanta and compete in the Nationals. Thank you very much!
Warlocks Summer Fundraiser
Over the summer months, we plan to get out and show the public what we have been doing. Throughout so much of the year, our robot was either under construction, or shipped off to competitions, so we couldn't really show the robot off. Now that the competition is over, we have the robot, Billy, at out disposal and hope to demonstrate it regularily at fairs, shows and sponsors businesses. This will be a valuable opportunity to meet the public and promote our team and the FIRST Robotics program. We also will be getting a head start on fundraising for next season by asking for donations of any amount. As a token of our appreciation, we have designed the button shown above. For a small donation, you may show your support and tell the world that you love robots too! For our friends out of town, or who are busy and can't seem to get to our events, you can get a button here. |
We believe as part of FIRST's principles of Gracious Professionalism, in giving back to the community. The Warlocks have worked on the following projects this year:
- Project Crayon, collecting school supplies to send to Iraq
- Held a raffle to raise funds for the Tsunami Relief effort
- Delivered Christmas presents to needy families for the holidays
We also hope that we cultivate an interest in valuable careers in fields such as engineering and technology and in teaching leadership skills to go along with the raw knowledge. We feel that the FIRST Robotics experience helps make our students future leaders and contributors to our community and society. We hope you can see that the value in this program goes well beyond the short-term and will bring rewards for years in the future.
The Warlocks have done amazing things for a first-year team and will continue to do so in the future. We were invited to represent ourselves as well as Lockport, our community and our sponsors, in the highest level of the FIRST program: the National Finals in Atlanta, Georgia. This is where the victor of the entire competition is determined. After our outstanding performance at the regionals and at the Nationals, we've proven ourselves as a competitive team with a competitive robot.
Before our performance at the Chesapeake Regional, we had decided that we lacked adequate funds to go to the Nationals if we had earned the right to go. The required and non-refundable $5,000 entry fee, along with the $14,000 needed to send a skeleton crew, seemed out of reach. But after our performance at Annapolis, and our merit as Rookie All-Stars and Highest Rookie Seed, we decided unanimously to do whatever it would take to go. We searched tirelessly around the region for financial support through articles in the local newspaper and meetings with local businesses. After four weeks of hard work, we were able to secure all of the funds necessary to go.
On April 20th, eight students of Team #1507, the Warlocks, departed for Atlanta to compete in the National Championship Event. We battled hard and scouted tirelessly to do our best until we were finally eliminated in the semi-finals of our division.
To add to that, the Warlocks aslo received the Highest Rookie Seed award for the Galileo Division. The Warlocks perceive the outcome of our participation in the Nationals as nothing less than amazing.
We wish to thank all of our supporters for taking the time and money to make it a reality for us to go to the Nationals.
But we're by no means done with fundraising. The Warlocks plan to compete next year, and so, we're always open for financial support of any amount and any type. After this year's competition has ended, we'll be planning over the summer and during the fall for next year's financial needs. Any help you can provide is sorely needed and greatly appreciated.
We are an incorporated, tax-exempt educational organization. No donation is too small and you can contact us through team mentor Al Shaw at (716) 873-1662 or by mail to the Lockport High School, 250 Lincoln Ave. Lockport, NY 14094, or at warlocks1507@gmail.com.
Again, thank you to our sponsors and all the people who contributed through fundraisers and donations. We wouldn't be going to any competitions if it weren't for generous people like you!
