Author Topic: Something I want you guys to think about... (Read 5045 times)

Blade · « **on:** January 04, 2006, 09:17:59 PM »

A LOT is happening with Smokin' Thunder this year. This is a preface of what I will be posting once everything is firm.

The Smokin' Thunder Team

First and foremost, I want to introduce the Smokin' Thunder Team!

Smokemaster - Brian Pauley(Blade)
Equipment Manager - Kenny Blankenship(Big Bankowsky)
Presentation Chef - Brent Pauley
Grill Cook - Mike Elswick
Food and Beverage Manager - Mike Spurgeon

This team was put together to compete in the tristate area with hopes to make it to the world's largest BBQ competition "Memphis in May" in 2007. We plan on entering Smoke on the Mountain at Snowshoe, and the Charleston & Huntington Rib Fests, among others.

Marshall Fundraisers

As of today, I have offered to do fundraisers for 4 groups; Charleston QB Club, Thundering Spikers, M Club, and the Women's BB team.

I have confirmation that Smokin' Thunder will perform at the Charleston Spring practice in March and Royce Chadwick's picnic in August.

I would like for the board members here to sponsor our efforts so we can give even more to the programs. As I finalize the details, I will submit a detailed cost of the food and ask Herd Fans if they can cover it. You guys in?

Dale and Huff are working on setting up a fund via paypal and they will control the Herd Fans money that is donated.

Like I said earlier, this is in its infancy but I'm just too excited to keep it off the boards. I hope you guys will chip in and help the programs that do this university proud! :-D

W0lfman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:57:21 AM »

Brian, your tireless energy is awesome PR for the University. I'll help and donate what ever I can for you efforts and I should have a PayPal donation link setup for you in a couple of days. You are priceless my friend!

BHFIOHIO · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2006, 03:58:38 PM »

But have never used PP...got two puter whizzes here at the house that should be able to help

GO HERD

GO SMOKIN THUNDER

TomorrowHERD · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2006, 04:27:35 PM »

I'm in. And I'm hungry.
:-P

carolinaherdfan · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2006, 06:18:45 PM »

I'm in, and by the way. Keep an eye on that grill cook! :smile:

YAKS · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2006, 07:56:48 PM »

Blade, I think you need to start a club. " Smoken' Thunder Club". Have a membership and meet once a month or so to help keep things running . You do a hell of a good job. Go Herd.

Blade · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2006, 08:26:51 PM »

Guys,

Thanks a lot for the support! YAKS - great idea! This is going to be very aggressive. I have just been contacted to do another fundraiser for Marshall and it is a worthy cause. I want to raise as much as we can to these worthwhile programs.

The team is going to meet in Milton for the superbowl. We should have a good idea of what we need from there.

Thanks again for your support.

Go Herd!

HerdAlum00_01 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2006, 08:35:13 PM »

Blade, Im kinda new to the forum, but would love to help. Can you tell those of us who might not know a little about what Smokin' Thunder is or how to get involved?

Thanks

Blade · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2006, 05:29:50 AM »

Quote from: "HerdAlum00_01"

Blade, Im kinda new to the forum, but would love to help. Can you tell those of us who might not know a little about what Smokin' Thunder is or how to get involved?

Thanks

I'll be coming out with a detailed plan before I ask for donations but for those that are unfamiliar with Smokin' Thunder...

Smokin' Thunder is my over-the-road smoker. Though it is somewhat average for competition smokers (2400 sq in cooking space), it is adequate for tailgaiting. At USM and ECU, we fed over 400 people.

We open our tailgate to all our visitors and roll out the red carpet to make their stay in Huntington a memorable one. We have had several visitors write/email Marshall complimenting us on our hospitality. It is a great outing and it grows every home game.

This year, I plan on using the smoker to help out at fundraisers in the off season. It's a large undertaking and I need help.

We can sell plates of bbq and all the proceeds after expenses will go to the fundraiser. If you guys help pay for the expenses, it will mean even more money to the organization and then the concessions will be sponsored by Herd Fans.com. This will make a small amount of donations go a long way (food/supply cost should be about 30% of total take).

Right now, I have 5 possible fundraisers, 4 have made contact and 3 have confirmed. 4 are in the area and one is in Cincinnati, where I am trying to work out the logisitcs.

As each fundraiser becomes planned, I will post the particulars(menu, food cost, locaton, time) and we'll try to get the bulk of it donated by you folks.

I am also going to make contact with suppliers to see if we can get some items donated (paper supplies, cokes, buns, etc). Anyone with any connections or working for companies that donate these type things, please speak out! I'm sure that some of these organizations have their contacts as well.

The organizations are:

Women's Basketball Team - August Picnic (confirmed)
Women's Volleyball Team - Functon pending (contacted)
Charleston QB Club - March Laidley Spring Football Practice (confirmed)
M Club - April Green/White game (no response)
Cincinnati Alumni Club - Paint Cincinnati Green (confirmed/pending)

I really think we internet folks can make a large impact on the success of the fundraising for these worthy Marshall programs.

Go Herd!

Michigan Steve · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2006, 01:44:32 PM »

This is sounding great Blade. Way to go! Count me in for any support you may need. Looking forward to watching you go up against the big boys. Every time I see those cook offs on TV, I wish I was there. This might give me a good reason to actually do it. Good luck with everything.

:-D

Blade · « **Reply #10 on:** January 06, 2006, 02:59:10 PM »

Quote from: "Michigan Steve"

This is sounding great Blade. Way to go! Count me in for any support you may need. Looking forward to watching you go up against the big boys. Every time I see those cook offs on TV, I wish I was there. This might give me a good reason to actually do it. Good luck with everything.

:-D

Well, if you come, you're bringing the microbrew. :mrgreen:

Lake Norman Thunder 1 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 06, 2006, 04:40:42 PM »

Blade this is a great idea!! I made it over to your tailgate a couple times last year & the food was great. Once the details are out let us know & I will donate to the cause.....

HerdAlum00_01 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2006, 05:28:01 PM »

Thanks for following up with me Blade. Im definitely interested and would be glad to help with donations and course help eat, lol

Herd Fan 4-Life · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2006, 07:20:55 PM »

I admire your efforts and will gladly contribute to Team Blade!!

mxman870 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 09, 2006, 11:36:04 AM »

Blade,,,, another terrific idea brother. I`m in and excited.

God Bless
dave

Liv4daherd · « **Reply #15 on:** January 14, 2006, 02:53:04 PM »

Blade...I'm in! Look forward to seeing you at the spring practice at Laidley.

NC Thunder · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2006, 07:33:03 AM »

I'm in, Blade! Thanks for your effort and dedication. You are a great
ambassador!

becels1 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2006, 05:05:56 PM »

If any of you are going to be in the Milton WV area on SuperBowl Sunday, the Grill Cook and Blade are going to be "rehearsing" for the fund raisers at the Elswick annual Superbowl party. Feel free to stop by and test it out from about an hour before game time on. :mrgreen:

Blade · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2006, 10:09:36 AM »

Quote from: "becels1"

If any of you are going to be in the Milton WV area on SuperBowl Sunday, the Grill Cook and Blade are going to be "rehearsing" for the fund raisers at the Elswick annual Superbowl party. Feel free to stop by and test it out from about an hour before game time on. :mrgreen:

Great hearing from you guys! Yes folks, 5 of the 6 Smokin Thunder team(didn't ask Photoby considering he's in Tenn.) will be at the American Legion in Milton on the 5th!

We will be warming up Smokin Thunder for its first cookout of the year and just before it gets a facelift (new wheels/tires, paint job(green!) and new logo.)

Tenative schedule...

February
Milton - Elswick's Superbowl Party (5th)

March
Charleston - Marshall Spring Pactice Laidley field (?)

April
Charleston - Feed the homeless BBQ picnic (?)

May
Cincinnati - Paint Cincinnati Green (13th?)

July
Snowshoe - Blues & Brews BBQ Competition (?)
Charleston - Ribfest (27th-30th)

August
Huntington - Rvierfront Ribfest (?)
Proctorville - Herd Lady's BB picnic fundraiser (?)

September - November
Huntington - Herd home game tailgates! Go Herd!

bigblankowsky · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2006, 10:09:22 PM »

Welcome aboard Becels :o