I am incredibly pleased and proud to announce that after just a few hours, BABloggers have donated more than $1000 to help the two fifth-graders and their teacher fly to Virginia to see their rocket launch!
Wow. I was hoping this would generate some money, but I did not expect to reach that much money so quickly. In fact, it went up so fast that I have removed the donation button from the website and previous blog entry; we’re done! The goal has been reached, and the kids have enough money to make their trip and see the rocket launch.
I just talked to Pamela Ghaffarian, the teacher, on the phone, and she was thrilled with how wonderful people have been to send her this money. She told me the two students, Cameron Wade and Billy Shannon, are really excited about the trip. I know they’re happy now, but wait until they actually see the launch! Even though it’s a small rocket, it’ll be really dramatic, and they’ll have the time of their lives.
I’m hoping that this won’t be the last time they participate in something like this. And because of all of you who helped, I’m betting it won’t be.
Thanks, everyone. You done good.
May 31st, 2006 at 1:08 pm
Great news hope they have a great time. Sadly read the post to late to donate myself but look forward to future donations.
May 31st, 2006 at 1:27 pm
I’m a bit envious… despite many planned trips to see the shuttle launch that never came to be, I’ve never actually seen a non-model rocket launch except on TV.
May 31st, 2006 at 3:03 pm
Well done Bad Astronomers!
May 31st, 2006 at 3:08 pm
You have more leverage than you think.
May 31st, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Aww man! I was goin’ to donate!
May 31st, 2006 at 7:03 pm
I was planning on donating after getting my financial records up to date. Now it’s over. Thanks a lot for being so generous, you jerks.
Naw, you guys are great. I’ll just have to be quicker if there’s a next time.
June 1st, 2006 at 7:11 am
When I was 13, living in Nevada in 1957, I had the good fortune to watch a model rocket club set off a solid fueled rocket, packed with waxed packets filled with powdered zinc and an oxidizer(potassium chlorate, I think). Took all afternoon to get the 15 foot rocket loaded and set it off. Four or five hours of work followed by 30 seconds of smoke, flame and a rising rocket that must have gone up several miles, before deploying it’s parachute and payload.
IT WAS SO COOL!!!
Half a century and I still can see it going up.
They’ll remember this for the rest of their lives.
Now all we need are power satellites,,,
Gary 7
June 1st, 2006 at 12:15 pm
I, too, am sorry I missed out on contributing. But I doubt Australian Dollars would have been much help, except as souvenirs. Pity the exchange rate, and fees for such a relatively small amount. But I will try to find an alternative. Glad to see the appeal filled so quickly. Wish the students and teacher a memorable trip.
Ivan.
June 1st, 2006 at 12:15 pm
I am very proud of you Phil. You did good. As well as your “fans”. You are a good bunch.
BA MOM
June 2nd, 2006 at 2:05 pm
Add me to those who would have donated if I’d seen this yesterday. I was the grateful recipient of a scholarship to TAM4 this year and I would have been very happy to continue the chain.
I think the message is, you hear about ‘em, don’t be shy about mentioning ‘em.
*g*