I'm talking about Mr. Jimmy Patterson, local hero, all around nice guy and celebrity showman. He's our equivalent of P. T. Barnum, and he's at it again. But he doesn't do it for himself, he does it to help others. What a guy!
It's his annual fund raiser for Midland Fair Havens. It was once called a blogathon, and our blogging friend Eric Siegmund was the brave pioneer who first did this a few years ago, staying up all night blogging, and raising money for MFH. Hats off to Eric for being the first to have the confidence and courage to take on such an endeavor.
Eric handed the ball to Jimmy who has run with it ever since. Last year Jimmy came up with the idea of riding a lift way up into the sky and staying there for the duration of the 24 hour event. To see his blogging efforts of that night click Blogathon 2007. I tiptoed onto the scene around 3:30 a.m. thinking I might catch him snoozing, but no, there he was, wide awake, chatting with a policeman who was eyeballing the night owls at the Whataburger drive-through lane. See photographic evidence on these pages at He Did It!.
The next one is coming up this Saturday, July 26, 2008, from 7 a.m., till July 27, 7 a.m. at the H-E-B parking lot at 3325 West Wadley, Midland, Texas. Jimmy tells us all about it here and here.
It's a good cause. MFH provides a very good service to the people who need it. Take a look at the Success Stories -- something every nonprofit should have, by the way -- and see for yourself.
He has recruited some celebrities and one local bum (me) to assist with the blogging for the duration. I'll be there while the rest of the world is in quiet slumber so as not to scare away the real donors (picture Quasimodo). But go there to see Jimmy and the celebrities. You are sure to be inspired to give big, so plan ahead and bring your checkbook!
Can't make it? Give directly by going to Midland Fair Havens webpage, scroll to the bottom, and follow the instructions for giving online.
George: Thanks for the mention, George, and I look forward to having you come out.
jp
Posted by: Jimmy Patterson | July 22, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Jimmy, it should be lots of fun.
Posted by: Geo | July 22, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Good luck, George, Jimmy and Bleu.
Posted by: Jeff | July 23, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Thanks, Jeff. Be sure to stop by. Don't forget your wallet.-)
Posted by: Geo | July 23, 2008 at 08:05 PM