Buddies At Battle
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Gary Bock and Jim Mains take friendly competition to a whole new level
Meeting at Downtown Vancouver’s Java House for an interview a week before Christmas, both Gary Bock and Jim Mains are on the phone. When they finally end their respective calls, the two quickly begin bickering over who should have happier holidays.
“YOU have a delightful holiday.”
“No, YOU.”
…And so on…
This is the team that brought Vancouver its most successful, and possibly its first, guerrilla fundraiser-slash-online-community-spectacle in the last half of 2011. The two created “Gary Bock vs. Jim Mains” almost accidentally, when they started a friendly competition over who could get more mentions in The Daily Insider, a local e-newsletter.
The two set up a Facebook page for their battle in mid-June, and announced plans to donate $50 to the Children’s Justice Center if they reached 150 “likes” on their page by July 1.
“We met our goal within a couple of days,” says Bock, and matching donations poured in. They ended up presenting a check for $750 to the Children’s Justice Center.
“We thought it would remain jokey,” explains Mains. “But it became more real once we realized people were actually supporting our lunacy.”
Shortly after that first success, Bock and Mains began planning their next event: a charity “wrestling” match in which supporters would “bet” with donations. Bock, executive director of Vancouver Watersheds Alliance, and Mains, president of the Board of Directors for the Vancouver Farmers Market, decided to support their organizations with the “Clash in the Couve.” To do so, they “wrestled” on a sweltering summer day in sweatshirts filled with balloons, entertaining a crowd of about 100. They raised $818.
After the wrestling match, the two decided to take a break from fundraising and started “Think-Vote,” a mock political campaign designed to, well, encourage people to think and vote.
“As social media comes about as a way to communicate, connect and raise funds,” says Mains, “someone needs to experiment with it.”
“I can’t afford to experiment with my own organization,” adds Bock, “but there’s no reason we can’t have fun as ourselves!”
So what’s next for Bock vs. Mains?
“Surprises,” says Mains, noncommittally.
“We make this stuff up as we go along,” says Bock.
Well guys, as soon as you figure out what you’re doing next, it sounds like Vancouver is ready to support it.
Attention all volunteer-for-nature types! Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, would like to invite you to come out to help out. A celebration of Public Lands Day is planned for Sept. 24, 2011. Volunteers will clear overgrown vegetation, remove invasive weeds, fix trails, as well as construct and maintain facilities on the north side of the Monument. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center. Follow signs along SR 504 to get there.
Come join us ready to get some work done. Bring boots, gloves and sunscreen. All activity levels are welcome. The Mount St. Helens Institute will provide a continental breakfast and coffee. Plan to stick around for a barbeque and raffle after the work-day at 3:30 p.m.
For more information on how to get involved with this and many other events celebrating National Public Lands Day, please go to:
http://www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites/search?state=Washington.
On Sept. 24, fees will be waived at day use sites operated by the Forest Service only. No fees will be waived at recreation rentals and campgrounds. Johnston Ridge Observatory will also be free to enter this day.
Friday Fiver: Organic Boutique!
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Michael Patrick Parker won $5 to spend at Organic Boutique in Ridgefield from North Bank's Facebook Friday Fiver program.
Organic Boutique is located at 218 Pioneer St. in downtown Ridgefield, 360-727-3588. The shop carries clothing, cosmetics, linens, pet supplies and other products that are organic and geared toward a holistic lifestyle. The store also retails online at its robust website.
Would your shop like to get new customers by giving away $5 on Friday? Email me at jswanson@vbjusa.com.
J.
Hollypops gives away sweet Fiver
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Jamie Carroll won $5 from Hollypops Candy Shoppe last Friday in North Bank Magazine’s Friday Fiver giveaway.
Hollypops is located at at 426 NE Cedar in downtown Camas. The shop specializes in vintage and classic candies and local handmade goodies.
Want to get new customers into your shop? Try the Friday Fiver!
J.
Fiver winner awash in cupcakes…
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Vancouver resident Anni Becker won a half dozen cupcakes during last Friday’s Facebook Fiver, courtesy of Treat.
Treat, located in the Vancouver Marketplace at the corner of Broadway and Evergreen, sells cupcakes, cookies, bars, ice cream, cold and French press coffee and other delectable goodnesses. For catering and special orders, call 360-750-0811.
Next up: Ecolution NW. And then, it could be your business. Write on our wall.
J.
