“Some people run marathons to raise money for charity. Some hike Machu Picchu. Others bike across the U.S. Why? I have no idea. I’ve never understood it, but it seems to work.
And I’m bitter. I’m bitter because I’m not a runner. If someone runs for 3½ hours, they’re called a precision athlete. If someone surfs for 3½ hours, they’re called a bum. Well, I’m trying to put my bum-ness to good use.”
-Keith Chapman, Founder of Trinity Dental Clinic
WHAT: On January 28 I, Keith Chapman, plan on surfing for 12 hours straight: sun up to sun down. 12 hours in the water, no breaks, no touching land (unless you count the sand bar). I’m already accruing a team to bring me food, water, more sunscreen, take pictures, keep me from drowning, etc. We’ll keep a tally of the waves to keep things interesting and keep me motivated.
WHY: I hope it’s so pointless and silly that people spread the word and help us to raise some funds and awareness for Hope Smiles and Trinity Dental Clinic. Specifically, we need some new equipment and a chair in our NEW denture lab and we’d like to renovate an old house for our recently trained dental therapist, Edward, so that he can live near the clinic.
HOPE SMILES?: Hope Smiles is the new organization I will be working with when I return to Nashville this May. Hope Smiles will start a charity clinic, very similar to Trinity, for the lower income and uninsured population of Middle Tennessee to be a model for filling the gaps in dental care across the U.S. But the focus of Hope Smiles will not stop there and will be key in continuing to support TDC and start new projects and clinics like TDC around the world, most likely beginning in Haiti. Keep your eyes peeled for more news about what Hope Smiles will be up to.
THE RESULT: A few fun waves, a few horrible waves, one big pink prune, new equipment and a new staff house, and the start of filling the gaps that exist in dental care in the U.S. and around the world.
AFFORDABLE DENTAL CARE, ESPECIALLY RELIEF FROM PAIN, SHOULD NOT BE A LUXURY.
YOUR PART?: You can make a pledge per hour, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, we will
keep a wave count, so you could pledge by wave. In twelve hours, I could
have 20 waves, or I could have 50 or more. Give me some motivation!
E-mail admin@trinitydental.org to pledge or CLICK HERE TO DONATE right away.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
