I'd love Steve to comment on this "what is MOT" theme, since he created the first three years.
My take is much like Richard.
MINIsOnTop is a gathering of MINI enthusiasts and MINI friends. We meet, chat, have fun, drive, chat, eat, have fun, drive to the top of somewhere very high and scary, maybe see a view ... all that stuff.
The charity is accidental.
In 2003 there was no charity. We had a few giveaways, provided I think by individuals such as Mr Secco.
In 2004 I picked up a nice signed poster from Mark Cooper at
JCW; it seemed too valuable to just give away as a "door prize" so we auctioned it and raised some money. Steve also had a custom Whalen shift knob made and raffled it, raising a bit more money.
Since the auction was on MINI2 we asked Paul Mulletts permission; we also decided to send the proceeeds 50:50 to USA and UK and asked Paul where - he said
Whizzkids so in a similar vein we chose
Make-A-Wish for USA
In 2005 the amazing prize of a two year MINI lease was offered by Herb Chambers MINI thanks to lots of slog by Steve. Again too valuable to just give away so we raffled it. Steve also chose to send the proceeds to a favourite charity of his, the
Kennedy Donovan Center
In 2006 Herb Chambers again gave a two year lease; MINI of Peabody also gave a big prize (the
JCW kit) - we raffled both.
In 2007 who knows.
My personal opinion is that we should
not make "raising money" the theme of MOT; I doubt we can beat last years amazing total and frankly it doesn't matter. We'll have just as much fun if we raise no money at all.
On the other hand, assuming we again get donations, large and small, it's a nice thing to do to turn some of that donation into supporting a charity (for 2007, Rosie's Place).
I'd hate to put people off MOT because it's too charity focused, too "commercial" or whatever. but I'd hate to get an amazing donation (like the MINI lease worth $5K+) and simply give it away to someone based on if they pick the lucky number from a hat. I hope that what was done in 2005 and 2006 walked the fine line and pleased most people.
