Country Coach Club Charities Benefit from Badgeless Offenders

Another Memory of Rallies I Had the Privilege to Help Plan...

Sheriff on Patrol

Motorhome owners are generous souls. Our Country Coach rallies always had a designated charity, Children's Miracle Network, Dogs 4 the Deaf, Wounded Warriors, Junction City Local Aid, and others. 

The rally “sheriff” patrolled the rally grounds looking for people who DID NOT have a rally badge on. 

Joe Mills was the sheriff for years. Then we designated a West Coast and an East Coast Sheriff. John Malabicky was the West Coast Sheriff. He assessed a $1 fine to all badgeless offenders, and he was VERY GOOD at his job. He had ingenious ways to catch you without your badge. He’d knock on your coach door in the morning. If you stepped outside to see who that was, he’d step up and fine you for being with out your badge. Nevermind you were still in your robe!   

At one rally on the East Coast, there were two sheriffs. Joe the old timer and John the new sheriff. As I recall, Joe watched John like a hawk at that rally. And sure enough before rally’s end he was able to catch him out on the beach walking without his badge! A fine was assessed, a photo taken, and it was the highlight of Joe’s rally I think! 

Every dollar raised went for charity and it was all in good fun. Rally attendees LOVED to play along. Some would say when caught badgeless, “How much to have you not bug me for the rest of the rally?” John would say "one hundred bucks" or some outrageous amount, which many times the attendee paid and  had a badgeless rally. Those dollars sure added up--to the benefit of charitable causes in the area where the club was rallying!

CCFI Auction Item Country Coach Wagon crafted by Vern Meighen. 

These days there is a large charity raffle and auction at a rally. Attendees bring gift basket, and art pieces, and jewelry, and many clever things to donate. sponsors donate stays at their luxury resort. Club members have hosted elaborate dinners and wine events in their casitas at luxury resorts. They auction is always fun to watch as the auctioneer is entertainment in itself! 

The best part is that it all benefits a good cause and owners just seem to always get on board and play along....

Country Coach Friends Incorporated is an outstanding example of Club Charitable Giving.