TLDR: I flaked. We rucked. 10 Pax enter, 7 Pax leave. Stronger together, sharing weight, sharing burdens. These coupons don’t save you anything. I struggle, “leave no man where you found him” gets proven again.
Just before lunch, just a few days before the start of the year I got a message from Carb Load about helping him with rucking Waxtravaganza. I was having a tough time when I received his message. I was dealing with some mental and physical health issues and had been continually crying out “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24) to God. I left Carb Load hanging until the middle of January and when I finally responded, I told him that I would help, but I made excuses why he should want someone else.
Carb Load let that sit for a little more than a week until he came back with a more direct “You’re the Q, make it happen.”
Back in the summer of 2021, I did a series of ruck events in preparation for the Charlotte GrowRuck. I learned a few tricks, like using waypoints as places to pick up and drop off equipment, and I met some interesting Pax along the way. One brother in particular is Snoop from Metro who did a series of evening rucks. I learned that he has a vast collection of ruck friendly coupons – logs of all shapes, sizes, and colors; in addition to other toys.
I got about two weeks out from this year’s event when it hits me, I have some work to do! First step, see who is coming with me; I have three Hard Commits and myself. Time to put out some additional advertising, but I have a plan and I’m flexible so I can adjust as needed. Next up, connect with my brothers, get some fun coupons and set them out along the route.
I arrived at the start/finish point around 0630 and Turnbuckle and a Girl Scout mom were already there. A few minutes later ruckers start rolling in; by 0700 we are up to ten ruckers – double the number from last year. I am nervous as I go through the DiCCS (Disclaimer, CPR, Cell Phone, and Safety brief). In my initial freakout, I also forgot to grab the flag as we rolled out. Just as we begin our adventure, Carb Load calls a quick pause for a pregame family photo.
I laid out that we would start with a 60lbs sandbag and carry that to the first waypoint then swap out for a two-man log. Conversation starts out light; we have some experienced ruckers, some first timers, and some out of towners – the makings of a magnificent event.
As we make our way to the first waypoint, we move the sandbag around from one Pax to another. I announce that the theme for this ruck is shared burdens. The Pax do not seem too excited about the theme, but they are in it to win it. Just before we arrive at the first waypoint, my brother Chicken Little shows up with Old Glory and we are looking good.
As we pull in for our first gear transition, Jingles spots something out of place and raises a red flag – “that two-man log waiting for us is contraband from Metro”; he says it does not belong in Waxhaw. He and I have a good laugh because we have been under that very log together on one of Snoop’s evening rucks and he remembers that it is a challenge.
I call out that we are dropping the sandbag and that two of our taller ruckers are to pick up the ‘contraband’ and start moving to the Millbridge pool. As we make our way through the mean streets of Millbridge, Pax are moving in and out from under the log. I am seeing first timers and rucking veterans jump at the opportunity to help their brothers shoulder the burden of that log – it is a beautiful thing. We are looking good and keeping everyone together; everyone gets some time under the log.
As we draw near our second waypoint, I start seeing some obstacles amongst the Pax. Sledge-O-Matic is having some ruck struggles; he is one of our first timers, but some of our experienced Pax are talking him through how to arrange and adjust his straps so that the ruck rides differently. Schedule C is also having gear misbehave, he is one of our more experienced Pax, but his hydration bladder is leaking – could be an easy fix or a real problem.
We arrive at the Millbridge pool and drop the log. We rest for a few moments so that everyone can check their gear and take in some hydration and calories. The boot camp runners have not caught up with us yet; I suspect that they will overtake us as we reach the next waypoint, same as last year. Sledge says he is good to go, and Schedule C is all fixed up; time to ruck up!
We swap the two-man log out for a long heavy chain to carry along the Carolina Thread Trail and make our way to the Walnut Creek clubhouse. I selected the chain for the trail because it will ride close to the body and not throw off our balance as we travel the uneven terrain yet still provide a challenge. The trail is mostly single track, and we are getting a little spread out, but the conversations are getting a little bit deeper and heavier burdens are being shared.
As I suspected, just as we were leaving the trail for the Walnut Creek clubhouse the running Pax came upon us. Two brothers, Chastain and Dunkin, grab me up as they pass by – I’m grateful for the encouragement. The runners and ruckers are arriving at the clubhouse together – everyone is swapping encouragement. We are losing two ruckers at this waypoint, Sun Drop and Sledge, they have other obligations, so they are unable to ruck the full event. As the sweep, by the time I arrive at the waypoint the shovel flag is already planted with the chain resting next to it and the other ruckers were able to grab a few moments to rest and regroup. We are not staying (like the boot campers) so we grab up our flag, shoulder the chain and head back for the trail.
We are down to eight Pax, and I expect another rucker to drop at the next waypoint; Jingles must bow out to take his son to a basketball game – good man. What I did not expect was to pick up a Pax, Falcon, who has started walking to take a break from running. Falcon takes up Old Glory and carries on.
As we are making our way to the next waypoint, the running boot campers pass us. We are spread thin again but regroup as we arrive at the boot camp location. Most of the ruckers are enjoying refreshments provided by Turnbuckle and the support team when I arrive at the waypoint. Falcon is still hurting so we advise him to drop and not cause significant injury; we leave him with Turnbuckle as we prepare for our next movement. My original plan for this stop was to swap the chain for a single man log – however where I stashed the log and where the Pax stopped for the Commitment bootcamp were not the same. I did not want to fall behind the boot campers, so I called an audible and we dropped the chain and moved on out. From this point forward the runners and ruckers are neck-and-neck; they will pass us and stop for a bootcamp, and we will pass them as we drive on by.
We carry only our rucks and Old Glory for the longest portion of the ruck – the movement from Harvey Clay Nesbit Park to Waxhaw Elementary School, with a quick stop at 701 Main. This is no loss because I have something special planned for our last waypoint. At The Lycan we will have two coupons waiting for us, another single man log and the 60lbs sandbag for the final leg to the finish but… we gotta get there first.
My navigator, Jingles, has dropped as expected and I am a little concerned about our path out of the labyrinth that is Millbridge. I am quickly relieved to learn that Schedule C is also a Millbridger, so he takes on the navigator mantle. As we head out on the Millbridge trail I realize that I have done a poor job of managing my nutritional needs and hydration. I am quickly trying to overcome my mistake by eating and drinking some calories, however by the time I reach the trail exit at Creekview, I am totally gassed. Schedule C and Dana can see it all over me; they hang back with me as I try to recover on the move.
I am still trying to eat sports gummies and drink electrolytes when I receive a call from Jingles. Ever the loving brother, he is checking in to hear our progress out of Millbridge. I give him our current location and he is satisfied that we are on the right route. I am starting to feel a bit better, and we begin to close the gap with the other ruckers.
Animal is in the front – he is in beast mode for most (if not all) of the ruck and showing no sign of slowing down. Kojak and Mighty Mite are hanging right there with him. I caught up with High Hat and checked in with him. He is another first timer, but he is rolling like a veteran rucker. We have covered over eight miles by now; he says he is feeling strong but is battling some aches and pain. He is just giddy that we did not have to go all the way to the Blackhawk AO when we reached Walnut Creek.
It seems like the journey to 701 Main is all uphill, so I am falling behind again, and I am starting to question my life choices. I am feeling overwhelmed and underprepared. Schedule C sees me falling behind and having experienced more than a few rucking events, he knows what to do; he gets me talking. One thing we discuss is how I have stepped out of F3 for a season while I fought some mental and physical battles. I told him that I had convinced myself that I was alone in the battle (a lie), but several brothers reached out to me to remind me that F3 is about shared burdens, and I am not alone. I have been truly humbled and amazed by the outreach of compassion, prayers, and encouragement from my F3 brethren.
Once my mind is off my pain, Schedule C encourages me to start catching up with the rest of our Pax. As we reach 701 Main, I noticed that Mighty Mite has fallen a bit off his original pace. I check in with him and he is dealing with some expected aches and pain as well. We keep pushing forward to our next and last waypoint, Waxhaw Elementary.
As we near The Lycan I am beginning to wonder if I should call another audible and move on to the finish without the coupons awaiting us. We are a few men short and some of us are already experiencing pain. After we arrive at the waypoint, we plant the shovel flag and circle up; we take a few moments for rest and refreshment, then we have some real talk. “Where are we at?” “What is our status as a team?” I lay out the final mission. “Can we complete it?”
Everyone steps up; we are golden. Animal hits his tunes to get his mind right as we prepare for our journey through the pain cave. Dana goes and retrieves the 60lbs sandbag, we have the single man log – we are ready to roll. Old Glory in the lead with the log close behind. We are staying tight, and I am watching as these brothers are passing the coupons back and forth to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way […] fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2)
Dunkin’s family rides by us and brings shouts of encouragement. We see them again as we cross over the bridge. Last bit until we finish, everyone is excited. Runners have been passing us along the way, but we all finish strong and together. I am feeling spent, but the rest of the team is looking strong – these Mighty Men!
Thanks to all the ruckers who joined me. Thank you for letting me lead. Thanks to all the Pax who have come back for The Six, who have not left this man behind or left me where you found me.
Or City Mouse comes to visit Country Mouse
Pre-run
My brother Snoop from Metro kicks things off with a pre-warm up slow mosey.
Warm Up
Snoop has already set out most of the on-site cinder blocks and calls for us to grab two blocks and follow him. We cross the parking lot and circle up for a little warm-up; some side straddle hops, etc.
Grab the blocks again and cover more ground.
Circle of Pain
Before we get too deep into the workout, I mention to Snoop that here in the waxy haws we do DiCCS. Can’t sue, got CPR folks (thanks Surge), got at least one cell phone, and we’re going to cover some ground but we’re staying in the lit parking lot (although Posse does question “why are you wearing a headlamp?” – I don’t know? Safety?).
Snoop and I each call out some exercises, and Snoop notices that I’ve gravitated towards variations of the merkin.
Grab the blocks and let’s go back to where we started. Trash truck shows up and we plank it up until he leaves. Did he stop to take a break!?
The Real Thang
Line up by height and move over to Snoop’s trailer, where we find our new Moon log along with the Sun, Fire, and Water logs. Snoop breaks us up into three teams of five; shorties are the first on a log.
After Snoop trains us of proper lifting technique and some right shoulder, left shoulder, and overhead work, we move out.
Snoop steers our groups towards the entrance of the church parking lot. We learn about log curls and how to properly set down our logs. We do some squats and other things to loosen up and then we swap logs.
We relocate to Mt. Chiseled and Snoop asks some questions about it. Those who know are tense. Snoop decides to navigate around for today and we swap logs. Are these things getting heavier? I’m starting to remember some of the tough times of GrowRuck 24: The Muthaship.
Back to the trailer, Fire and Sun logs get reloaded for another day and time. Our new Moon log stays off the trailer and we begin an assembly line to the on-site storage. Clean up our borrowed cindys and back to the…
Circle of Trust
Prayers for the men, women, and children in Afghanistan.
Ball of Men and Snoop takes us out with a prayer and a call to action to be High Impact Men.
Moleskin
I got excited about our telephone pole/log well before the GrowRuck. Snoop had gone to GrowRuck 22: GrandStrand at Myrtle Beach and came back to teach others what to expect from the Charlotte GrowRuck. He setup a series of Saturday Night Rucks around Uptown Charlotte; during those I was introduced to the logs from Metro’s Hotbox. I experienced and embraced the command to carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2). I wanted to share the experience of shared burden and how we are greater together with my Waxhaw brothers, so I jumped at the chance to snag one of the GrowRuck logs. I connected Snoop to Turnbuckle and the rest fell into place.
Thank you, brothers, for sharing my burdens, reminding that I’m not alone, and that we are a group of Mighty Men when we join together.
My brother Kenneth McCuistion doesn’t have an F³ name. He’s never even been to a workout. But, he is the first man to have EH’d me. On the last stop of my active-duty journey in South Korea, he introduced me to the 3F’s. He saw me and knew I needed to join him in workouts, he connected with me and took me along to bible studies, and he became my friend.
In Junior ROTC we called it camaraderie and esprit de corps, but after a few years of ending my active duty time, I began to miss something I didn’t even realize I had. I looked for it for a long time. I looked in the North Carolina Army National Guard, but it wasn’t the same. One weekend a month, 2 weeks a year, didn’t prove to fill the empty. I looked by getting married, and by going to school, and by taking jobs. And each glimmering mirage failed to fill the void.
I went looking for it again when I saw an F³ sticker on the back of a truck window. I got really excited when I saw that F³ stood for fitness, fellowship, and faith. I knew that I needed more development in each, but I stayed a sad clown because the Nation was growing, just not close to me. Flash forward a few years and I live closer to the birthplace of F³, and so I go looking again, and I find just a glimpse of what I’ve been looking for.
I start going out regularly to workouts, and yeah my fitness improves, and I’m seeing the same guys, but I’m still on the outside, still seeking that feeling, still lacking the secret sauce. I start doing Sanctuary on Monday nights, connecting with other men who carry a similar passion for Christ, getting a little bit deeper in fellowship and faith, and a little closer to the taste. Then we did some serving and some giveaways for Christ’s Closet and in the deepened relationships I found what I hoped would end my craving. But that mental battle of being worthy of that level of fellowship, of really being in it together with a common mission was always a struggle.
Go forward a few more years and I learn about a Grow Ruck happening in Charlotte. Now I am always down for a CSAUP and my brother is leading Grow Ruck training on Saturday nights. Right there, after the first ruck, I have a realization that feels novel and profound: the Bible commands us to carry each other’s burdens.
I remember carrying my load when on active duty, but I don’t remember much about others helping carry my load. I wasn’t a believer back then and couldn’t see the others bearing my burdens with me. Collins, Brother Dan, Ski, AJ, and McCuistion all knew about the depression, the suicidal thoughts, the anxiety.
In that moment I started to really see what it was like for others to carry my burdens. I got smacked in the head and realized that I’m not carrying my burdens alone, I’ve got brothers who are next to me, who are helping me carry my weights. I got to see again, and maybe in more living color, the 3F’s and what they mean. The why we should pass it on, the why it’s important that we give it away. When we are brave enough to give it away, we unlock and unshackle other men.
I failed the Grow Ruck 24 PT test. I wiggle-wormed my way through push-ups and didn’t have the ability to complete the two mile run in the time allotted. That was no big surprise to me. When we were asked by the Cadre to bear crawl and crab walk I was ready to throw in the towel. While we were going through the water, I considered tapping out. Walking toward the Community Matters Cafe, I felt light-headed, nauseous and was cramping, ready to quit. The spiral ramp of the Muthaship seemed to never end and I was so weak I had to rest our Old Glory on my shoulder. I didn’t spend enough time carrying the coupons. I spent a lot of my time in the six just trying to keep up.
I’m grateful for my brother’s words of encouragement and wisdom at sunrise. I really needed to hear Romans 5:3-4; suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; character produces hope! We had come through the dark of the night and into the morning light and I finally had hope that I could finish!
Truly my hope was born in those who believed in me and believed I could finish. Born in those who were already carrying my weight. My brother took me aside and said “look at my eyes… I believe you can do it” and so I looked through his eyes, through all of their eyes, to keep going. When I wasn’t so self-focused I could look to my right and my left and see those trudging beside me hurting like me and wanting to give up as much as me, but just like me, they kept pounding, kept pushing.
I’ve lost Brothers to war and to suicide and have lost my connection with most of the men I served with because of the burdens they bear. Kenneth McCuistion doesn’t have an F³ name, because he never made it to a workout. I let him down and didn’t help him carry his burden. He committed suicide while we were in South Korea and that really messed me up for a long time.
I didn’t find out until recently that what I was searching for was more than camaraderie, it’s a brotherhood, a family, a connection… I know that it’s hard to ask for help, and sometimes it’s even harder to accept, but we are commanded to carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2) When we go it alone we deny others the opportunity to serve, to be like Christ.
Thank you to F³ Nation. Thank you for Sanctuary, for workouts, for Qsource, for all those opportunities to build the esprit de corps, camaraderie and brotherhood that I’ve been searching for since I left active duty. Thank you for the unshackling.
It has been really tough to write this pre-blast. I’ve be fighting mental battles, battles with IBS, challenges at work, and challenges at home.
My dad passed away, unexpectedly, two years ago. “Actions speak louder than words” was one of his go to phrases. I am not entirely sure what my actions have been saying about me lately, but today that is not what I am here to discuss. Today we are discussing what the actions of the PAX are saying.
Our mission is to plant, grow, and serve small workout groups for the invigoration of male community leadership. With this blood drive we have an opportunity to step forward as leaders to help our community and save lives. As PAX we are called to step up to serve and lead. Are you registered to donate? https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=F3
Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer donors. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished, according to the American Red Cross. The Red Cross urges community members to donate blood and help ensure that patients in local hospitals have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs. Blood is routinely transfused to patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients and trauma victims.
Have you donated blood before, and it did not go well? I have donated blood several times now. I really do not care for needles, and I have been intimidated to donate on more than one occasion. However, I have donated whole blood, power red, and platelets over the years. I have had really great experiences and super terrible ones too. I keep giving because with a simple blood donation, I have the opportunity to help save the life of someone who could be a friend, neighbor, or loved one. What are your actions saying? https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=F3
Let our actions show we are willing to be heroes and are committed to helping save lives!
Waxhaw Blood Drive
Five Stones Church
1117 Cuthbertson Rd
Saturday, June 19
09:00 AM – 01:30 PM
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=F3
Through our three completed blood drives, F3 Waxhaw has collected 163 pints for the American Red Cross, and we are hoping to collect at least 50 more pints at our next drive. To do that it is going to take PAX willing to HC, EH friends and family, and follow through. The Red Cross is not expecting us to use up all their supplies; they expect some people to cancel or be no-shows, and others to be deferred. If you are interested in donating and you cannot find any slots available online, then give us your contact information and be ready to step up and answer the call. Not sure if you can donate? Come in and check your eligibility – stick around for some 2nd F and volunteer where needed. Actions speak louder than words!
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=F3
I’m late with this backblast, it’s from my Q on April 20th at The Appetizer – Tuesdays 1730 at Rea View Elementary. If you haven’t been, you should come check it out and bring your 2.0s, it’s awesome! If you have been, you should do C3PO and High Hat a solid and Q!
So since this is not “hot off the presses,” all the announcements are no longer news.
I hope that you got to experience the trail run on the 21st in preparation for WTF.
The WTF (Waxhaw Trail Fest) is on Saturday May 1st at Walnut Creek Park in Indian Land, SC.
Maybe you happened to participate in Episode 1 of The SOB Wars on the 24th.
Some actual news…
We’re having our next Waxhaw Blood Drive at Five Stones Church (1117 Cuthbertson Rd) on Saturday, June 19 09:00 AM – 01:30 PM.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=F3
Also if you’re looking for a ‘local’ non-virtual 5k, I’ll be running in Ablemarle’s 17th Annual Beachblast on May 8th. All are welcome to register and join me. I’ve done it before and it’s a pretty fun course. They’ll have tie-dye race shirts if that’s your thing.
https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Albemarle/11thAnnualBeachBlast5K?raceRefCode=AIXj2Wwd
Alright so here’s the low-down, it’s lunchtime on the 20th and I go outside to receive my messages (little-to-no cellphone service where I work). I am surprised to see a text message from Bottlecap on behalf of C3PO asking for me to step up and lead that evening’s edition of The Appetizer. I hesitate for a moment, out of fear, but then I say “I’m all in!” I have no idea what I’m going to do and I have only attended The Appetizer once before. Blinded with fear and trepidation, here is what I remember about how it went down.
The pax circles up for the
Disclamer – I am not a professional and was asked to Q just a few hours before launch; don’t sue me, F3, or the school; modify as needed.
Cell Phone – I’ll have mine with some notes, ideas, and a timer; I think Rubbermaid had one too.
CPR – We have a few pax raise their hands (Good work Surge).
Safety – We’re staying on campus but keep your head on a swivel and watch out for cars in the parking lots.
We mosey to back parking lot and circle up for some warm up exercises. I really don’t remember what we did or if my cadence was right.
So the first thang we do I borrowed from Johnny 5:
Run around the school stopping at each corner to do 5 merkins; seemed to be a crowd pleaser the first time. We finish in the back parking lot where we started, do some flutterkicks then recover.
Next we mosey to a parking space for something I borrowed from Rockwell:
Use a timer to do exercises for 1 minute each with a 20 second rest in between.
A few of the exercises we do:
Broad Jumps
Derkins on curb
Seal Claps
Bobby Hurley
Overhead Claps while squating
Toe Taps on curb
Shoulder Taps
Burpees
Somewhere in there we do something we call Hillbilly Walkers; there is probably a proper name for this exercise but I couldn’t think of it. Basically it’s a Hillbilly with forward motion.
Next we mosey to the track, P1 runs a lap, P2 planks and we do a few plank exercises; including something I remember from basic training about watching tv. Switch until all pax runs two laps.
Most of the 2.0s decide to bug out and head over to the swings and playground. That’s okay I was struggling to keep them focused on the mostly stationary exercises.
Next we use the basketball court to do something I borrowed from Scuba:
Line the pax along courtside and do various ‘walks’ across the court.
A few exercises:
Lunges
Billhilly – a backward Hillbilly Walker
Bear Crawls and Crawl Bears
Still have some time left so we call over the 2.0s and we do a brief round of Pax Called Mary.
Times up! Jail break back to COT.
Redacted brought his daughter as the Friendly New Girl. She’s a 2nd degree black belt amoung other notable things, so we named her Roundhouse.
Special thanks to Bottlecap, C3PO, High Hat, and Zinfandel! Thank you pax for letting me lead!
I can’t wait until my 2.0s can join me for the fun on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30pm. If you can’t make the morning workouts, or just have 2.0s that need expend some energy, come join us at Rea View Elementary on Tuesdays and Cuthbertson Middle School on Thursdays!
TL;DR
Be someone’s hero! Sign up to donate today!
Waxhaw Blood Drive
Five Stones Church
1117 Cuthbertson Rd
Saturday, January 30
09:00 AM – 01:30 PM
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=F3
Hey if you haven’t heard we’re having another blood drive; and you don’t want to be like me. I registered for the last blood drive but had family commitment come up and I had to cancel. Couple of phone calls and conversations later and I’m scheduled to Q the next blood drive. So you should HC and follow through, otherwise you’re Qing the next one!
So, I have a WHY I donate but I didn’t have a how to Q a blood drive – that’s where my man Turnbuckle comes in.
Let’s start with my WHY…I’m O-Neg and I’ve been donating blood for more than 25 years. I didn’t know my blood type until I joined the Army; they put it right on your I.D. tags. It wasn’t long after I arrived at my first duty station that my unit had a blood drive; that’s when I discovered that my blood type is considered universal – anyone can use it. So my blood had the opportunity to help lots of service members and their families. I really don’t care for needles and I’ve been intimidated to donate on more than one occasion, but I’ve donated whole blood, power red, and platelets over the years. I’ve had really great experiences and super terrible ones too, but as an O-Neg I feel that it’s a way for me to serve others – especially after I learned that O-Neg is often used in trauma and emergency situations where they don’t have time to type the patient’s blood.
Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished, according to the Red Cross. The ARC urges community members to donate blood and help ensure that patients in local hospitals have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs. When my dad was in the hospital and needed blood I thought that I could just donate right then and there, but I was told that they could only give him blood that had been screened and tested. When Goodfella’s wife was in need of a blood transfusion, someone’s donation was ready and waiting to be used. With a simple blood donation, we have the ability to help save the life of someone who could be a friend, neighbor, or loved one. Blood is routinely transfused to patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients and trauma victims. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative. Part of the F3 mission is to invigorate male community leadership, and with this blood drive we have an opportunity to step forward as leaders to help our community and save lives.
Fuse Box started Waxhaw off on the right foot and Turnbuckle took the bull by the horns for the second round, so they partnered with me for round three. Turnbuckle has been amazing at connecting with the ARC and finding a place to hold the drive but he asked me to stretch myself and be the marketing department and donor whisperer. It’s been challenging (I really don’t know how Zin does it) and I’ve really stunk at it a few times, but I can always go back to my WHY – serving others.
So 2020 was full of Goliaths: quarantine, civil unrest, job loss, mental and physical health challenges, etc. F3 Waxhaw has partnered with Five Stones Church to take down a different kind of Goliath, one started by F3 Nation in 2020 – the launch of a Freed to Bleed campaign to collect 10,000 pints of blood by December 31, 2021 in celebration of our 10 year anniversary. Through our two completed blood drives, F3 Waxhaw has collected 111 pints for the American Red Cross and we’re hoping to collect another 50 or so pints this Saturday. It’s going to take PAX willing to Hard Commit, EH friends and family, and follow through. The Red Cross isn’t expecting us to use up all their supplies; they expect some people to cancel or be no-shows, and others to be deferred. Let’s show them that F3 is different! If you’re interested in donating and you cannot find any slots available online, then give us your contact information and be ready to step up and answer the call. Not sure if you can donate, come in and check your eligibility – stick around for some 2nd F and volunteer where needed.
I thought that it might be fun to add a little challenge in there too, so I took the time to look at the donors and donations from the last two Waxhaw drives and created a scoreboard. You earn a point for every Waxhaw pint donated. You earn a point for stepping out of your comfort zone and being a First Time Donor at a Waxhaw blood drive. You earn a point for every EH’d Waxhaw pint donated – you can only earn points for the non-Waxhaw Pax donors you EH’d.
Here’s the link to see where you stand: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KiVW3TkLZzj0JLdrw-ceGay0OK46aLfpLCqWLx0Ni8w/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you for the opportunity to lead a great group of brothers!