Year of the USO

Our largest fundraising effort is the "Year of the USO", to raise money for the USO of Missouri. This organization has given so much back to the troops and their families, and Gateway Harley-Davidson has been a proud supporter since 2003. In the year 2012 we were proud to present the USO of Missouri with a check for $20,000. Check presentation will be on April 19, 2013 at 4:00pm at Gateway Harley-Davidson. For the 2013 year our goal is to raise $50,000 to donate to the USO of Missouri.

History of the Event (As told by Rene Creed)

Gary Surdyke, my father, has always had a special place in his heart for the USO. As an airman in the United States Air Force, Gary shared in the benefits of the USO.  He actually met his wife (my mom) at a USO function. First he actually hit Linda with a volleyball in the pool and then, as he states, did “the best thing to get to her, by asking her friend to dance (not her) at the sock hop that night.” The rest is history.  When opportunity blessed Gary, he wanted to give back to such a great cause that played an important role in his life.  This desire was carried forward with Chris and me, and has been instilled as a company-wide commitment to support an organization that gives so much back to our military families and community. In 2003 we started the “Gypsy Rendezvous Event” which featured a multi-dealership memorial ride and ceremony; a weekend of drag racing partnered with the AHDRA and NHRA drag races at the local race track; a bike show; and a motorcycle raffle. The event was successful, continuing on an annual basis for next six years. With the closing of the local race track, the Gypsy Rendezvous event had to be altered. The event was re-branded as the “Year of the USO” and extended from one weekend to a year-long fundraising effort that has raised just under $100,000 for the USO of Missouri over the years.

-Rene Creed
(Owner/Operator of Gateway Harley-Davidson)

 

 

About the USO of Missouri

“The USO of Missouri, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization, whose mission is to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families by providing a ‘touch of home’ through our facilities, a shoulder when needed, and fun family events” (http://www.usomissouri.org/). The USO of Missouri serves 300,000 troops annually and has an outreach throughout the state of Missouri and Southern Illinois.

The “USO of Missouri” is financially independent from the “National USO”.  Just as the National USO is a nonprofit, charitable corporation that relies on donations from individuals, organizations and corporations to support its programs, so does our local USO of Missouri. Since 1981, over 4 million traveling military and their families have benefited from the services provided by the USO of Missouri. They provide services and smiles to more than 270,000 military personnel and their families annually.  Check out their web page for more detail on all the types of ways the help.  http://www.usomissouri.org/about-us.

Stateside Military Financing Program

Reduced rates, no down payment and flexible term options available through Eaglemark Savings Bank, a subsidiarty of Harley-Davidson Financial Services let you finance your whole ride. Designed specifically for active duty military personnel, our options may allow you to add Harley-Davidson® Genuine Parts & Accessories, Harley-Davidson MotorClothes® and Protection Plans from Harley-Davidson Financial Services into your motorcycle loan.

Active Military includes: Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves. Contact us for more details.

 

Events

Currently the “Year of the USO” is our dedicated fundraising effort and has been every year since 2003.  It is comprised of a series of events at our Dealership throughout the riding season where each event has a special element to raise money for the USO of Missouri. These events have included open house lot parties; the Gypsy Rendezvous Memorial Ride; The Gearhead Invasion Car and Bike Show; Bike Washes; Tee Off for the Troops Charity Golf Scramble; etc. Each event includes a strong USO of Missouri presence on site, participation from local military organizations as well as vendors, bands, local motorcycle organizations, and other community members. Raffle tickets are sold throughout the year for a motorcycle which is given away at our final party of the year at the Dealership. This is the Veteran’s Day Event onsite following the Veteran’s Day Parade in downtown St. Louis. Each event throughout the year promotes awareness for our fundraising effort, leading up to the raffle day. You can see all the upcoming events here.

We also love participating in off-site events in our community. These past events have included the Working Women’s Survival Show; St. Louis Mardi Gras; St. Louis Cardinal’s Baseball Home Opener; Gateway Cup Cycling Races; El Monstero Concerts in the Park; Pedal for the Cause; St. Louis River Rub; St. Louis Veteran’s Day Downtown Parade; local bike nights; as well as USO of Missouri events such as the Red, Rock & Blue Concert; and the 5K Cross Country Mud Run; etc.

 

2013 Tee Off for the Troops Golf Scramble

TO BENEFIT THE USO OF MISSOURI®

Details to be announced.

WE ARE ACCEPTING SPONSORS AT ALL LEVELS

PLEASE CONTACT:
CAROLYN JACKSON
GOLF@GATEWAYHD.COM
314-845-9900

TO PLAY:

$400 Per Foursome
Individual players are accepted at $100 per person.
WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 18 Holes of Golf and Cart
• Lunch & Adult Beverages
• Gift Bag
• Prizes
• Contests for prizes
• Silent auction
• 50/50 drawing
• Raffle/Attendence prize

TO SPONSOR:

• 1 Star: $50 
  • Tee Sign
• 2 Star: $100
  • Website Text Listing
• 3 Star: $250
  • Website Logo Listing
• 4 Star: $500
  • Foursome in the Tournament
  • Website Logo Listing
  • Media Recognition
• 5 Star: $1000 
  • Foursome in the Tournament
  • Website Logo Listing
  • Title Sponsor Recognition
• In-Trade Sponsorship Options
  • Breakfast Sponsor
  • Lunch Sponsor
  • Appetizer/Dinner Sponsor
  • Drinks Sponsor
  • Hole-in-One Sponsor
  • Hole Sponsor-Display Product/Service
  • Attendance Prize Sponsor

Contact Carolyn Jackson with any questions.
Mail: Attn: Golf Scramble
Gateway Harley-Davidson
3600 Lemay Ferry Rd
St. Louis, MO 63125
Phone: 314-845-9900
Fax: 314-485-2446 
Email: golf@gatewayhd.com

Event Support

We are looking for support from local military and military-associated organizations for their help in making these events a success. This might include (but certainly not limited to) items or vehicles that could be put on display, period reenactments, vendors to sell food or merchandise and give a portion to the USO of Missouri, donated items for raffles, monetary sponsorship, etc. Email Elrod at belrod@gatewayhd.com for more information.

 

Motorcycle Raffle

4,000 raffle tickets for the motorcycle are sold at $10 each. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the USO of Missouri. They are sold by our Dealership team as well as USO volunteers. They are sold in the Dealership, at all of Gateway Harley-Davidson’s offsite sponsored events, and by the volunteers of the USO of Missouri at all of their events throughout the year. The motorcycle is raffled off at Gateway Harley-Davidson’s annual on-site Veteran’s Day Event that follows the St. Louis Downtown Veteran’s Day Parade. The winner does not need to be present to win, but a $1,000 Gateway Harley-Davidson gift card is given in a second place drawing to those in attendance.The majority of our fundraising efforts are due to our annual motorcycle raffle.

The motorcycle raffle is only a portion of the proceeds raised for the USO of Missouri through our efforts. We ask that all on-site event vendors throughout the year donate a specified amount or a portion of their day’s proceeds to the USO of Missouri. Donations are collected from event attendees through ride registration fees, bike show registration fees, golf registration fees, silent auction proceeds, 50/50 raffles, donation buckets scattered throughout the Dealership, etc.  The children of our Dealership management also get in on the fun and run lemonade/bake sales on the weekends through the summer to raise additional money for the cause.

Tickets can be purchased over the phone at 314-845-9900 or online (for an additional $1.54 convenience fee). They can also be purchased at Gateway Harley-Davidson until November 9th (or while supplies last).