iBerkshires.com Columnist SectionSue Bush
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WozCam: Gold Fish Rally For Relay!06:02PM / Thursday, April 19, 2007
 | | A pair of gold fish named "Mac" and "Tosh" are swimming for a cure as part of an American Cancer Society's Relay for Life fundraiser. |
North Adams – A local resident with a web-cam, a cleverly-designed aquarium and a pair of fish has found a unique way to raise money for the Northern Berkshire Relay for Life.
Meet "Mac" and "Tosh"
Kateley Lane resident Michael Richardson created “WozCam," a web-cam available 24 hours a day via a www.wozcam.org Internet web site. The WozCam features an aquarium that was made from an old Macintosh G4 Cube computer shell and serves as "home" to the two gold fish.
"Mac" and "Tosh’s" digs were created by gutting the old computer and installing a watertight bottom created from a sheet of clear, rigid plastic, Richardson said.
Links on the web-cam site allow visitors to donate to the American Cancer Society’s Northern Berkshire Relay For Life by sponsoring Richardson.
Captain of Team "Have Fun"
Richardson is the team captain for the "Have Fun" team, which will participate during a May 18-19 relay at the Noel Field complex. This is the second year that the Northern Berkshires has hosted a relay for life event. A Central/Southern Berkshires Relay for Life will be held June 15-16 at Burbank Park in Pittsfield.
Richardson serves as the on-line Relay for Life Committee co-chairperson for both Berkshire-based relays with Mary Robert.
The Wozcam generated some fundraising revenue in 2006 from the Berkshires and beyond.
The Fish Viewed 'Round The World
"The WozCam did result in a few donations last year," said Richardson."It was great to get donations from other parts of the country. The WozCam gets visitors from around the world, but I’m still waiting for my first international donation."
His fundraising activities extend beyond the aquarium, he noted.
"I'm gathering donations by conventional means in addition to the
WozCam. I’m donating a portion of the money I earn working on people's computers and of course I'm asking family and friends to sponsor me as well. I just thought that the WozCam would be an interesting site for people to visit and if it generates more donations, so much the better!"
Richardson explained the dynamics of the two events.
"It’s not a North County versus South County competition," he said. "The donations raised in each event will be pooled together for an all-Berkshire County total. We’re all working together to support both events."
Fish-Laps
The Relay For Life of Northern Berkshire has a web site available
for teams to sign up for the event and for people to sponsor teams or
individual participants. The web site also offers information about the Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.
Relay For Life events are designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back against this disease.
During the event, teams gather at venues such as schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team keeps at least one team member on the track at all times.
"I hope the WozCam will help generate donations for the Relay For Life," said Richardson, "But if it’s real successful, I may have to figure out a way for Mac and Tosh to join me for some of the laps!"
Links to the Northern Berkshire Relay for Life, Central/Southern Berkshire County Relay For Life, and the Wozcam are posted at a www.iberkshires.com/relay Internet web site. |
| I read this thinking it was a joke but these fish are really swimming on camera and people really can donate to the Relay for Life! Very Cool! | | from: Juilia | on: 04-21 00:00:00-2007 |
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