THE TRUTH ABOUT THE OPN or HELP WHEELS!

[gfgjester]

For release – 1/17/08

Our Fellow Paintball Players,

There has been a great deal of speculation and interest on PBJ lately concerning the unusual OPN avatar that some members have sported in their headers and signatures. We’re going to give you some information about OPN in this writing.

More importantly, we’re going to introduce you to someone that many of you already know. He’s been a fixture in paintball as a member of the GA based, Blackhearts Scenario Team for many years as a tanker. Woe to the player or opposing tank driver who underestimated Mark “Wheels” Anderson.

Back in October of last year, Mark had surgeries for gastrointestinal problems. The majority of his medical bills were paid by limited coverage insurance. But, with a percentage based co-payment, he and his family were hard pressed to cover that difference.

The following paragraph is something GFG Jester wrote as a sidebar to a submission that went to one of the major paintball magazines. (Those that know Jes know that he is an established and experienced paintball journalist and photographer.) This section shows how paintball players stepped up to the plate for “Wheels”.

I never fail to see paintball players come to the call when another player is in need. At the October 19-21 MPP Game, Iwo Jima, at Bear Claw Paintball, a raffle was held for a very special player. Mark “Wheels” Anderson is a member of the Blackhearts Scenario team. Paralyzed since 1977, he has been a member of the Blackhearts for a long time. I’ll let his brother, Mike “Castro” Anderson describe Wheels.

“Let me tell you a little bit about Mark. He broke his neck on Easter Sunday, 1977 when he was 23 years old. He is now 52, and a self taught computer geek. One thing you will learn real quick is, don't ever tell him he can't do something. If he does not find a way, one of us will. A very big NASCAR fan in the 80's, he was a corner judge for the Camel GT at Road Atlanta. At his second Bear Claw game he got the first barrel tag by a tank! (This was covered by a reporter from the Paintball Channel.) He was the first Blackheart Tanker. When he played, two things you could all way count on; 1) you were going to get hit. It did not matter what side you were on. If you were in front of him you were in the way; and 2) wherever Wheels was, Peaches was right there. They made up the most unbelievable team around. He also was the first tanker/tank to play Speedball. Needless to say, he
cleared the field of both teams”.

Back to the raffle; Wheels has to have another operation. The proceeds from the raffle were to help defray Wheels’ medical expenses. The items raffled were two Tactmark markers & packages donated by Blackhearts members, Castro and Bobio. As it is one of the most realistic looking and well made Mil-Sim guns, lots of tickets were purchased to take a chance at securing one of the Tactmarks. At the end of the game the drawing was held and some lucky players went away with some very cool markers. But that was not the important thing. The clincher was that paintball players were responsible for $1500.00 being added to the account to help out Wheels! Outstanding! And the mysterious OPN player organization brought in another $160.00 for the Wheels account on Friday night while meeting in the darkened shadows of the Schoolhouse. And to really tip the scales to incredible, “Godmother”, the winner of the raffle, returned her marker to Mike for it to be placed on E-Bay and sold at auction with the proceeds further benefiting Wheels.

Castro also informed me that Wheels, in a wonderful act of unselfishness, has given his tank shell and his marker to Robert “Biscuit” Wood, an eighteen year-old paraplegic player so he can enjoy the game like Wheels did for so long. This is a permanent thing for Wheels. He can no longer play or even attend paintball games. He needs all the help he can get. If you would like to help, you can contribute through the wonderful people at Bear Claw. They have set up a spot in their online store where you can donate to help out Wheels. Any amount will help the efforts. Go to www.bearclawpaintball.com and the Store. Wheels and everyone involved in this endeavor will be extremely grateful and you’ll be a better person for it. Remember how Karma works! (The Bear Claw store link is not active at this time. We are working on another.)

Now, as we promised, the OPN. The OPN is a group of paintball players who came together some time ago with the purpose of helping those young players who wanted to play paintball, but were unable to afford the basic starting equipment. The letters OPN stand for Organization of Paintball Neighbors and originated from a half-goof about being good neighbors between a few of the members. The OPN has been an anonymous organization and its members request that we remain as such. This is really not about the OPN, though; it’s about Mark. “Wheels” was inducted as an honorary member back in October. As a writer, Jes was appointed to compose this press release.

Now we go to the important things. As Mark is a member of the OPN, we have decided to go forward to our brother paintball players and ask for your help. His bills, for the last three surgeries, were in excess of $133,000.00. While insurance covers a good part of that, you can do the math on just a 5% co-payment. He and his family have a big hill to climb.

This past weekend, Mark was taken in for another emergency surgery. He has made it out of ICU into CCU, but that only means he can cut up just a little bit more. Unfortunately, it also means more expenses.

We have already decided to use donated and purchased merchandise that we have set aside for our new player program in some type of auction or sale to benefit Mark. There are other members who have pledged additional merchandise to what we are doing. What do we need from anyone in paintball that wants to help?

If you can donate gear that we can auction for the proceeds, this would help. If you can donate money, this would help. “GFG Jester”, as the Executive Officer of the Hired Gunz Scenario Team, challenges his Brother teams across the country to make a donation to this most worthy cause. Tankers! Most all of you know Wheels. Here’s your challenge. Scenario players are some of the most industrious paintballers in the sport. See what you can do to help out a fellow player. Organize one game that has an extra couple of bucks tagged on for a donation. Shops, fields, manufacturers, distributors - if you would like to pitch in we would be grateful.

Anything is appreciated greatly. We know how hard things are out there right now. That makes it mean that much more to us and to Mark.

We are in the process of setting up a dedicated account for monetary donations. We’re also working on a Pay Pal account that can be used for “Wheels” benefit. As soon as we get the bank information we will post it so any donations can be sent in directly. Any information that we get will be updated in this thread on PB Junkie.

Thank you all in advance from the OPN. We don’t think we’re far off in saying thank you for “Wheels”, either.

(Note: Our liaison will be Jes “GFGJester” Sharai. PM gfgjester or jester@gunfighterpaintball.com)

[DMmasta]

wow, please post as soon as the paypal is set up... id love to donate, also, that is so sad, he is in my thoughts and prayers

"Wheels"

[crooked butt doctor]

i'm wondering if there is any reason why we cannot set up a donation table for wheels at both the upcoming wildfire MPP game AND the blanding event, seeing as there will be junkies at both... i dunno, something along those lines in addition to the fund raisers already set in motion.

[Merilu]

6-8k is easy to get if we stay committed to the task and with the regional expanses we cover as a group, it is highly doable


does anyone know if there are sponsored, competitive sports for the handicapped in their areas? i am trying to think outside the box here and given that Wheels is one of the few handicapped paintball players in most likely the nation, this may be an underlying marketing opportunity for unknown sports enthusiats that we can exploit.. i'll look around in greenville

and does anyone know someone with a 501C? it will be A LOT easier to raise funds if we can offer a tax deduction.. granted they cant use it until then end of 08, but still

[gfgjester]

PAY PAL Info - ASAP, even if I have to use my own...

Adam, I can't see any reason why not. We just need to check with Wildfire and Ben...

Merilu, I'm not an accountant or investment broker. In fact, most people would agree that I'm a dumbass, (LOL... I SAID LOL!) But it's a good point you make. Do we have a tax accountant or close that would be willing to help us out on those lines? I took out the "please send check or money orders" in the original release, but that would be better for ours AND their accounting.

Thanks. guys!

[GrimReafer]

Definitely post when it's all set up. I'll definitely send something that way. I'll also talk to my dad. They donate quite a bit to St. Jude's so they'll more than likely donate to this. As for the MPP games, that'd be a great idea.

I love the nickname though. Wheels. Not making fun of or anything.

[Merilu]

Originally Posted by gfgjester

PAY PAL Info - ASAP, even if I have to use my own...

Adam, I can't see any reason why not. We just need to check with Wildfire and Ben...

Merilu, I'm not an accountant or investment broker. In fact, most people would agree that I'm a dumbass, (LOL... I SAID LOL!) But it's a good point you make. Do we have a tax accountant or close that would be willing to help us out on those lines? I took out the "please send check or money orders" in the original release, but that would be better for ours AND their accounting.

Thanks. guys!

contrary to the expectation of most, i am an accountant, but it will take time to get a 501C.. i have an application pending, but it is taking forever to process, so i thought i'd throw it out in case anyone has access to someone friend/family etc that could step in and help channel the proceeds and requisite paperwork.. i'll keep digging on my side to see if i can find someone to help out.. and for anyone who thinks they may know someone, a 501C entitles an entity to receive and distribute Charitable Contributions, which are then written off of individual income tax returns.. it's a hell of a lot easier to get people to contribute when there's a benefit to them.. i'll keep working on this, not trying to get overly creative or anything

[Bond Chick]

Looking forward to when this is set up. A very excellent idea. Much, much praise being sent your way.


Merilu you asked "does anyone know if there are sponsored, competitive sports for the handicapped in their areas? i am trying to think outside the box here and given that Wheels is one of the few handicapped paintball players in most likely the nation, this may be an underlying marketing opportunity for unknown sports enthusiast that we can exploit.."

I think Spokes 'n Motion might be someone we could contact for this.

Spokes 'n Motion


On a lighter note, let me know if we can do a "Dunking Booth" or "Paint Wrestling Extravaganza." Just tossing out ideas.

[CamoJester]

Originally Posted by Bond Chick

On a lighter note, let me know if we can do a "Dunking Booth" or "Paint Wrestling Extravaganza." Just tossing out ideas.

At Bear Claw I am sure we could come up with some thing.
THANKS

[gfgjester]

OK, OK! I'll say it because I KNOW it's what you're all thinking!

Bond Chick... Just who will you be wrestling in the Paint Wrestling Extravaganza?

(Grin, Duck & Run FAST!)

______________________________________


And here's another donation challenge that's sure to light the fires...

OK D-Day 2008 - ALLIES vs. GERMANS

Who can donate more? Sounds like a challenge that could entail some daring feats. Almost frozen water ballon WINNERS toss AT THE LOSER'S ELECTED MEMBER(S) IN THEIR SKIVVIES! Ooooh, ICY!

Guys and gals, please feel free to distribute the original press release wherever you may. Local forums, big forums. We need to get the word out as far as we can...

Jester