SMILE Mass’ Amazing Race: FAQ
Written by David Mortimer
On Saturday, September 29th at 4:00 PM SMILE Mass
will be presenting its Third Annual Amazing Race, but unlike previous years this year’s race will be held in Boston’s historic North End and Faneuil Hall sections. While many readers will have heard of the race, few know any of the details of what takes place unless you have participated in the past and, since one of the purposes of this article is to invite new participants, a Frequently
Asked Questions report might be helpful.
Before asking what the race is, maybe you should explain what the race isn’t?
Good idea! Well, the race is based somewhat on a popular
“reality” TV program, but no contestant is going to be asked to eat a squiggly-squirmy object (living or dead), nor will they be doused in slime, nor will they be suddenly struck by something causing them to become soaking wet.
Okay, then what does the race consist of?
I’m glad you asked! There will be a number of teams composed of 2 to 8 members (to a maximum
of 200 participants) and they will be given a creative list of activities to perform as they visit popular destinations in the North End/Faneuil Hall area so it will involve solving clues, performing funny tasks, etc., but most of all
bringing awareness to a very worthy cause.
Sounds interesting, but why Boston’s North End/Faneuil Hall area?
Well, the previous two races were both held in Sudbury which is a wonderful town (I live there...but other reasons as well) but there are a limited number of destinations and they’ve been mostly played out so moving to Boston provides a brand new clean slate. In addition, it has the effect of leveling the playing field since the returning teams won’t have a built-in advantage over new teams.
You mentioned teams. Who are they?
We have several teams competing with team members from West Roxbury - Gary's Gang, The Longshots and SMILE's Angels.
SMILE Masters (last year’s winners), Reevenge of the
Reebokians (2nd last year and the name says it all), Gary’s Gang, The Flying Dutchmen, Dirty Sox, Sudbury Flying Squirrels,The Longshots (from Boston so we’re on their turf), and new this year is SMILE’s Angels (has some members from Boston), Wacky Racers and Crazy Mothers.
If you check on-line at www.crowdrise.com/amazingrace2012
you can see which teams may be accepting members or start your own team!
I’m not free that day, but I’d like to be involved. How can I do it?
Several ways are available. Sponsors are needed. Currently, the race is being sponsored by Dr. Tesini Pediatric Dentistry, Terramia Ristorante, Gennaros 5 North Square, Mobi-Chair, MV-1 Massachusetts: A Herb
Chambers Company. In addition, you could be involved by purchasing a Lawn/Window sign ($25), your name on an race T-Shirt ($100 must be received by 09/05), your name on a race T-Shirt (received by 09/05) AND on a T-Shirt for our “Gobble, Wobble and SMILE 5K race to be held
on 11/17/12, your name on a Race Stop feather flag (each destination for the Amazing Race will have one and again must be received by 09/05), and finally a gift to be used as a raffle item.
Who is SMILE Mass?
The mission of SMILE Mass is to give disabled children and
their families’ wonderful life experiences and memories by creating fully accessible vacation rentals throughout the United States. The first property renovation will be taking place on Cape Cod. Recognizing renovating a suitable
Cape Cod property is a large and time consuming undertaking, we have a project plan to give immediate relief to families; known as Phase 1, it entails
purchasing and donating100 beach wheelchairs to public beaches on the Cape to allow the opportunity to not only access the beach, but to have a family beach day and to date the first 20 chairs have already been delivered so race
proceeds will be directed toward this project. SMILE Mass is a 501c3 so all donations are fully tax deductible as allowed by law.
For more information about SMILE Mass or the Amazing Race please visit www.smilemass.org.
