Chamber Day 2007 - open for business!!!

[Scuba Mama]

I know this may be a stupid question, but what is Chamber Day and what do we do??? I am just getting back into diving and Chamber Day sounds like fun or like torture...

 

[Scuba Mama]

Ok, I feel stupid. I went to the website and read about it. What does the day consist of on Chamber Day and where does Sundiver docked out of?

 

[CompuDude]

Ok, I feel stupid. I went to the website and read about it. What does the day consist of on Chamber Day and where does Sundiver docked out of?

You dive, and the bulk of the money paid for the boat dive goes to the Chamber.

www.sundiver.net for more info on the Sundiver. There are a number of local boats that participate (including the Magician, mentioned earlier in the thread), should the Sundiver be full.

I'll be on the Sundiver.

 

[Roughwaterjohn]

Ok, I feel stupid. I went to the website and read about it. What does the day consist of on Chamber Day and where does Sundiver docked out of?

Good questions actually. Here is the 2007 specific site;

http://wrigley.usc.edu/hyperbaric/cd2007/cd2007a.htm

Basically though, the money you pay goes to support the USC Hyperbaric Chamber on Catalina. A very big portion of it's operating expenses come from this event, so it's important that divers participate, or donate if they can't make this event. The Chamber, unlike many land based chambers located at various hospitals, is set aside specifically for diving injuries, and is staffed 7 days a week 24 hours a day. We all hope we never need it, but when you do, it's nice to know it's there and waiting for you with trained professionals ready to help.

Your day consists of a boat ride to Catalina on one of the participating dive boats. You will do 2 boat dives, usually at two different locations. At some point during the day you will go to the Chamber, and see exhibits from and get to talk to LA County Bay Watch, Lifeguards, usually the Sheriff's black water dive team, and get to tour and go inside the Chamber. You also get air, an event t-shirt, they feed you on the boat, and you get some raffle tickets for some great prizes, plus you can buy more. The Chamber always has cool hats, jackets and t-shirts with their logo for sale.

The Sundiver is not the only boat going, there are several, and they all donate most of their fuel and services for the Chamber. You'll pay $90.00, which all goes to the Chamber, plus $30.00 , which goes to the boat, for a total of $120.00.

Use this link to see all the boats that are helping sponsor this event here;

http://wrigley.usc.edu/hyperbaric/cd2007/cd2007a1.htm

Each boat has a link to their site which will tell you where they are located, and what ammenities their boat has. Many boats fill up early, so act soon. There may be two contact numbers for each boat, plus you can sign up on line.

 

[divekim]

I'll be on the Sundiver.

Me too....so far I have 2 of my favorite men on board, how many more will this adventure bring me?

Kim

 

[Chamber Day]

CHAMBER CHALLENGE 2007 UPDATE #1

Here’s the first of our regular updates to let you know where we are specifically in the Chamber Challenge, which for years has been a very important part of the overall fundraising efforts of Chamber Day. It’s been a great way for the diving community to “challenge” each other to stand up and support our Chamber at whatever level you can. We appreciate your support in the past and hope we will be able to count on you again this year.

Remember that contributions to the Challenge can be made through our secure server on the website (www.chamberday.org) or by calling 310/652-4990. Either way the money goes straight to our Chamber. Over the last few years, many shops and clubs, as well as individuals, have accepted the challenge to support our Chamber to make sure it stays available on a 24/7/365 basis.

We’re specially pleased to note that Sport Chalet starts us off this year with a $1500 contribution, followed by Jim Krasne and Karl Huggins at the $500 level, and a slew of others at $100. It’s a good start but we’ve got a lot long to go to beat last year’s record total of $27,480 for the Challenge.

So . . . who’s next? Who will help us past $4000?????

CHAMBER CHALLENGE 2007 - $3100 total

Gold ($1,000 and up)
Sport Chalet

Silver ($500-999)
Jim Krasne
Karl Huggins

Bronze ($100-499)
Diver.net
Jerry Nickelsburg
Jeanne Sleeper
California Wreck Divers
Burbank Dive Club
Frank Huntley

 

[Chamber Day]

We continue our march towards May 2 and Chamber Day/Eve and the Chamber Challenge continues to grow.

We’re delighted that once again, three staunch supporters of the Chamber have stepped forward with $1000 contributions. This trio would be Kendall Raine (well-known is our local tech diving community), Robert Wagner (not the actor but someone who dives locally and supports the mission of the Chamber), and Mike Emmerman & Patricia Stockhausen (who deal with safety and accident issues from New York). In addition, we also once again welcome Scuba Schools of America (Montclair) as a $500 Silver-level donor.

But we need you too. And whatever you budget will allow, we can promise your Chamber will be able to put your money to good use whether it’s to keep the place up-and-running or doing educational programs for the diving community or anything in-between. You donations really do make a difference. And you can join in either through the secure website (www.chamberday.org - click on the box marked “Online Donations”) or by calling us at 310/652-4990.

So . . . who’s next??? Who will help push us past $7000??????

CHAMBER CHALLENGE 2007 - $6900 total (Updated 3/26/07 @ 11AM - last updated 3/20)

Gold ($1000 & up)
Kendall Raine
Robert Wagner
Mike Emmerman/Pat Stockhausen
Sport Chalet

Silver ($500-999)
Scuba Schools of America
Jim Krasne
Karl Huggins

Bronze ($100-499)
Mary-Lou Quinn
Michael Swinney
Michael Gallagher
Diver.net
Jerry Nickelsburg
Jeanne Sleeper
California Wreck Divers
Burbank Dive Club
Frank Huntley

Ken Kurtis
Chairman, Chamber Day/Eve 2007
www.chamberday.org

 

[Chamber Day]

We’re off and running and about 5 weeks away from the event (May 2, in case you forgot). Some aspects are doing well, some are slow, others in-between. One of the problems this year in terms of the calendar is that the first Wednesday is right at the beginning of the month so it’s almost like we “lose” a few days to get you all involved.

Full information on everything can be found at www.chamberday.org . We’ve got our secure server up and running so you can sign up on-line for just about every aspect of this great event, or you can give us a call at 310/652-4990 to get involved. Here’s what‘s happening right now.

BOATS (sponsor):

Although the sign-ups are preceding okay, a few things are sow. The Dutchman is really slow right now (we’ve only had 6 signups so far - what’s up with that) and our two open boats - Great Escape and Bottom Scratcher - are running a bit behind last year’s pace. So the good news is that we’ve still got room for you on those two boats. Don’t wait too long or you may get aced out.

Aquatica (Douglas Dive Club & Dive ‘N Surf) - Only about 8 spots left
Bottom Scratcher (Open) - About 1/3 full
Cee Ray (Reef Seekers) - About ¼ full
Flying Dutchman (Open) - Unlimited space (arrrrrgggghhh!!!)
Great Escape (Open) - About 1/2 full
Island Time (Sport Chalet) - About 1/4 full
Magician (Sport Chalet) - Almost ½ full
Mr. C (CA Wreck Divers) - Only 8 spots left
Pacific Star (Scuba Schools of America) - About 1/3 full
Psalty V (Scuba Schools of America) - SOLD OUT
Sea Bass (SoCal Tec Divers) - SOLD OUT
Second Stage (Scuba Schools of America) - SOLD OUT
Sundiver (Ocean Adventures) - About 4 spots left
Sundiver II (Ken Kurtis) - SOLD OUT

The best bet for a sponsored boat is to call the sponsor directly. Open boats can be booked on-line or by calling 310/652-4990.

CHAMBER EVENING (table sponsor & total seats):

Last year we sold this thing out for the first time. This year, we’re filling even faster than last year. DO NOT wait too long to book yourself in. We’ve already got commitments for over 350 of the 500 seats available. Sign up directly with your group, or on-line, or by calling 310/652-4990. Here’s where we are:

Open table (10) - 4 seats available
Deep Sea Supply (10) - SOLD OUT
South Coast Divers (10) - SOLD OUT
Reef Seekers (20) - 9 seats available
RA Buck & Barnacle Busters (20) - 5 seats available
Aqua Adventures (10) - Available
Haven’s Reef (20) - 8 seats available
SoCal Tec Divers (20) - SOLD OUT
Scuba Schools of America (30) - 7 seats available
Hollywoodivers (10) - 5 seats available
Old Broads Dive Club (10) - SOLD OUT
Tom Wetzel & LA County (10) - 5 seats available
ScubaDiverNet.com (10) - 8 seats available
Ocean Institute (20) - SOLD OUT
Laguna Sea Sports (20) - 9 seats available
Eco Diver Center (40) - SOLD OUT
DDD Club (10) - 5 seats available
Ocean Adventures (20) - 9 seats available
Antelope Valley Divers (10) - Available
Sport Chalet (30) - SOLD OUT
Burbank Dive Club (20) - 18 seats available
Sole Searchers (10) - SOLD OUT
Sunken Treasures (10) - Available
Valley Scuba Club (10) - 8 seats available
OCDiving.com (10) - SOLD OUT
LABUE (10) - SOLD OUT
Dive Vets (10) - Available
Pacific Wilderness (10) 2 seats left
Bluewater Divers (10) - 4 seats left

CHAMBER CHALLENGE
We also do this as a separate update but right now (3/28 @ 10AM) we’re at $8900, thanks in part to two generous $1000 donations, one from Divevets and one from SoCal Tec Divers (both of whom also have Ch-Eve tables). So we’re off to a good start but we’ve got a ways to go. So . . . Who’s next???

CHAMBER DAY COMMEMORATIVE BOOK
I think this is one of the best ideas we’ve had yet and I’m a bit surprised that it hasn’t (yet) taken off like a rocket. Part of the problems is that we probably haven’t publicized and hammered this enough and part of the problem is that it’s something new. I’m referring to our commemorative book for Chamber Day & Eve 2007.

It’s called Through the Lens: A Chronicle of Chamber Day 2007 and it will be a photographic record of the entire day, from sun-up to midnight. Best of all, we want everyone with a camera who does the event to submit pictures to us because that’s where all the photos will come from. It’s a great way for everyone to make a permanent contribution to the day.

Of course, we want to sell these books too. (Let’s not forget that this whole thing is a fundraiser for the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber). We anticipate around 80 pages in a high-quality, high-gloss soft-cover that will be something you’ll be proud to look at time and again and to show your friends as well (especially if you’ve got your own photos in the book). Through midnight on Chamber Eve, the cost is $65. After that (we intend to have these ready at the Scuba Show June 2 and they’ll be for sale there as well) it’ll be $75. But you should definitely get one of these keepsakes.

So that’s where we are. This event represents the largest single source of outside income for our Chamber as well as one time in the year when the entire scuba community gets together to work for the greater good. We appreciate your support in the past and hope to have many of you with us again this year.

 

[Chamber Day]

We’ve passed $10,000!!! On the one hand, we’re ahead of last year’s record pace. On the other hand, we don’t want to rest on our laurels.

We would like to extend a hearty thanks and acknowledge three generous $1000 donations. The first comes from Divevets, the guys & gal who regularly dive Veterans Park in Redondo (many times oj Wednesday nights) among other places. And we want to thank SoCal Tec Diving who - surprise, surprise - does a lot of technical training. Finally, our thanks go out to Andrew Ainslie, also a guiding force behind SoCal Tec Diving (and who has also spearheaded the group filling the Sea bass as well as two tables at Chamber Evening).

But don’t think that if you can’t cough up a grand that your contribution isn’t welcome. Far from it. In fact, the Challenge is successful due to everyone chipping in at whatever level they can afford. And while we suggest a minimum donation of $100-, we’re happy with whatever you think is right fro you.

So please join all the folks you see below in accepting the Chamber Challenge and supporting our Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.

So . . . who’s next??? Who will help push us over $11,000??????

CHAMBER CHALLENGE 2007 - $10,400 total (Updated 3/30/07 @ 1PM - last updated 3/26)
(New donors are marked with an asterisk - *)

Gold ($1000 & up)
*Divevets
*SoCal Tec Divers
*Andrew Ainslie
Kendall Raine
Robert Wagner
Mike Emmerman/Pat Stockhausen
Sport Chalet

Silver ($500-999)
Scuba Schools of America
Jim Krasne
Karl Huggins

Bronze ($100-499)
* Tori & Walt Watson
* Barnacle Busters Dive Club
* Karen Cleveland
* Brian Johnson
Mary-Lou Quinn
Michael Swinney
Michael Gallagher
Diver.net
Jerry Nickelsburg
Jeanne Sleeper
California Wreck Divers
Burbank Dive Club
Frank Huntley

 

[Chamber Day]

The good news is that we’re over $14,000 now on the Chamber Challenge, part of the overall Chamber Day 2007 fundraising festivities. The bad news is in the last two weeks, we’ve only increased this amount by $4000. So that means we’ve got some work to do as Chamber Day is a little more than two weeks away.

Surely you understand how important these fundraising efforts are for our Chamber. Simply put, Chamber Day is the single-largest source of outside funding for our Chamber and makes a huge difference in the financial stability of the place. Your participation and generosity is enormously helpful is keeping our Chamber going.

We’re especially pleased to see that we’ve got two new Gold sponsors this year. First up is the Pacific Wilderness Dive Club with a $1000 donation. And they were closely followed by Body Glove (who also donates raffle prizes), also with a $1000 check. Many thanks to both. Plus we’ve got a new Silver donor in Richard Gayou, owner of the dive boat Sea Bass.

So we’re getting there. But we’ve got a ways to go. However, there’s still time to get you involved in all of this. Call us at 310/652-4990 or go to our secure website (link below). So . . . who’s next??? Who will help push us over $15,000??????

CHAMBER CHALLENGE 2007 - $14,120 total (Updated 4/16/07 @ 10AM - last updated 3/30)
(New donors are marked with an asterisk - *)

Gold ($1000 & up)
* Pacific Wilderness Dive Club
* Body Glove
Divevets
SoCal Tec Divers
Andrew Ainslie
Kendall Raine
Robert Wagner
Mike Emmerman/Pat Stockhausen
Sport Chalet

Silver ($500-999)
* Richard Gayou/Sea Bass Dive Boat
Scuba Schools of America
Jim Krasne
Karl Huggins

Bronze ($100-499)
* Ocean Adventures
* Lee & Rebecca Jackrel
* Susy Horowitz
* Gorman Dive Adventures & Travel
* Tze On Wong
* Jeremy Wolf
* Lost Patrol Dive Club
Tori & Walt Watson
Barnacle Busters Dive Club
Karen Cleveland
Brian Johnson
Mary-Lou Quinn
Michael Swinney
Michael Gallagher
Diver.net
Jerry Nickelsburg
Jeanne Sleeper
California Wreck Divers
Burbank Dive Club
Frank Huntley

Ken Kurtis
Chairman, Chamber Day/Eve 2007
www.chamberday.org