Most people associate a ‘Man of the Year’ award with notable public figures, such as presidents, athletes and celebrities. But in the eyes of the Port Jefferson, NY community, their 2005 ‘Man of the Year’ can be found at Boston University.
When College of Engineering sophomore Jacob Miller and his four childhood friends banded together last summer to start a non-profit organization and provide awareness and funds for cancer research, their small Long Island community recognized them as hometown heroes.
Although the work involved in developing their own company and raising money pooved difficult, the five friends went beyond the call of duty when Miller’s friend Stephen Crawford’s grandfather, John Crawford, was diagnosed with colon caner in May 2005. The boys decided they could not stand idly and sulk; instead, they took a proactive approach and founded a non-profit organization that would eventually raise thousands of dollars to be donated to the American Cancer Association.
After years of longing to take a kayak excursion along the Long Island Sound, the boys agreed to turn their desire into a charitable event. Rather than hosting a walkathon, the boys formed Kayak for a Cure, an event to culminate their fundraising. Soon afterward, they began to solicit local businesses and community members to help support and contribute to their cause.
FIVE GUYS, TEN MILES
Weeks after finishing their first year in college, Miller and his childhood friends Stephen Crawford, Peter Marchildon, Bill Kempe and Trevor LaBarbera spent their days working as lifeguards and their evenings gathered in Miller’s living room. Armed with laptops and inspiration, they typed up letters and sent out mass emails to spread the word about their charity event.
Stephen Crawford’s grandfather, John Crawford, who inspired the five boys to start their organization, was surprised but also happy and grateful for their efforts.
“These are five wonderful boys, and what they did was an awesome, awesome thing,” John Crawford said, tearfully. “I hope they can do it again next year, and that will be enough for me.”
Miller said the group’s motivation was to follow through with a plan.
“We always talked about doing things, but this time we were presented with an opportunity to make it happen,” he said with a prideful grin. “It was something that was definitely feasible because we all were working locally and had our hearts in it.”
Through networking and word of mouth, Miller and his crew received donations and sponsorships from local businesses as well as major corporations including Coca Cola. Monetary donations ranged from 25 dollars to 500 dollars.
AGE IS ONLY A NUMBER
Being 19-year-old college students, Miller said he and his friends faced some difficulty convincing people they were serious about their goal.
“People had problems looking past our age and believing we were going to do what we set out for,” he said. “We had to really prove we were serious.”
University of Delaware sophomore Bill Kempe said he classifies their success as a classic underdog story.
“Once we got publicity and worked past our frustrations, we were able to prove to people that we were serious,” he said.
Although some local businesses and neighbors doubted the abilities of the boys, the support they felt from their families and community members gave them the confidence and resources to orchestrate a large-scale charity. Miller said the generosity from the small Long Island community was overwhelming.
“Everywhere I went I came home with money,” Miller recalled. “I was at a barbeque and people started taking out their checkbooks to make donations.”
Miller and his friends even gained support from another charitable organization, which, although located in Michigan, coincidentally held the same name. The group emailed helpful hints and advice on how to gain support and donations.
The boys worked under immense pressure to organize the large-scale event in the couple months of summer break they were home together in Port Jefferson. In a matter of two months, the friends had to gain certification of incorporation, raise money, campaign for corporate sponsorship, develop a website, advertise and campaign for contributions.
In a period of two weeks, the boys were able to gain permits from the town and village governments in order to put on their biggest benefit, a concert held at a local park. With $1,000 in donations from Coca Cola and snacks provided by a local food distributor, Kayak for a Cure was attracted 200 people from the community who contributed a combined $3,000. Local bands and high school students showcased their talents and performed on the stage that Miller and his coworkers assembled and arranged.
KAYAKING FOR A CURE
At 7 a.m. on Aug. 6, 2005, the boys began their charitable journey. They headed to Patchogue Harbor, about a half hour from their Port Jefferson homes, to begin the excursion. After a summer of practicing and planning, each boy oared 10 miles down the Long Island Sound on a trip that took nine hours. Miller and his friends were sent off by their families and most importantly, by John Crawford, the man they kayaked in honor of.
“It was such a good feeling to see that all of our hard work had a direct impact on someone that we were so close to,” Kempe said, referring to Stephen Crawford’s grandfather.
Looking back on all of the effort, time, sweat and tears, Miller said it was worthwhile.
“[The kayak trip itself] was pretty strenuous,” Miller recalls. “We were all very sore and tired the next day.”
Kayak for a Cure exceeded their initial goal of raising $5,000 when they presented a $6,000 check to the American Cancer Society in December.
“Donations poured in well past our event,” Miller said, “so we kept the account open and decided to present the check when we came home for winter break.”
The large donations and generosity of the community took Kempe by surprise as well.
“We knew it would be a huge endeavor, but once we rallied support, it really took off,” he said.
With the summer of 2006 approaching, the boys hope to continue their charity despite the uncertainty of returning to their Port Jefferson community. Job opportunities and internship offers may lead the boys in different directions this summer, but Miller says they are looking into contacting the local high school, Earl L. Vandermeulen, to pass down the organization to students.
“It was worth all the time and hard work,” Miller said. “It was good experience, and definitely a unique one.”
Despite the stress and pressure involved in such a huge undertaking, Miller and his buddies managed to get along with eachother throughout the process. Miller cites their enthusiasm and drive for accomplishment as a motivating force.
“We would have been spending the time together all summer anyway so we figured we’d be productive,” Miller said with a laugh.
Miller encourages others to try new things and put time and energy into organizing and creating something you believe in. He also pointed out the personal benefits such as networking.
“The fact that we were able to create a corporation for a charitable cause at such a young age,” he said, “just shows what any student can do if they really put their mind to it.”