The Bengals are 2-11-1. At this point, going to games is more of a chore than entertainment. So instead of selling or giving away your tickets (since these people will probably buy food/beer at the game and contribute to the oppressor, violating the boycott), WDR has partnered with Lighthouse Youth Services.
Lighthouse works with underprivileged youth and families from Southeastern Ohio. No matter how terrible Mike Brown's Bengals are, these kids will rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to attend an NFL game. Please donate your tickets for the Chiefs game on 12/28 to Lighthouse so these kids will have the opportunity to see a live NFL game.
In addition to the goodwill of helping these kids and avoiding the inevitable heartburn that results from watching any Bengals game, this plan will hurt Mike Brown's profit. Kids don't eat cotton candies like most adult fans cannonball beers at the game. And remember that the game is a sellout (so he has his money from tickets), the game will be on local TV and beer is much cheaper at home.
Donating the tickets is also a tax-write off for the value of the tickets. As a tax expert told us, "As long as you itemize your taxes, the tickets would be deductible. If you do itemize your taxes, it is likely the deduction would be your cost basis." (i.e., the price you paid for the tickets originally or face value).
In addition, this will prevent non-Bengals fans (or the casual, not-every-game Bengals fans) from buying the tickets and spending money at the game.
And if Mikey Boy wants to recoup that beer money, he can make fans want to go to the game as opposed to his current method of making fans feel like they have to go to the game because they bought the season tickets when they thought the Bengals might not be 2-11-1 back in June.
Already have plans for the December 28th Kansas City game? Then donate your tickets for the Washington Redskins game on December 14th, or the Baltimore Ravens game on November 30th. Wouldn’t this make a fantastic Christmas present to a kid who might not have a Christmas present?
If you are planning on donating your tickets, Lighthouse has asked us to get as many tickets together as possible. Why? The more the seats are together, the less chaperones will be needed and the more kids will get to go. So, PLEASE talk to your neighbors at the game this Sunday and on the 14th about also donating their tickets. WDR will be making a flyer that you can print out and hand out to the fans in seats around you and posting it later this week
If you send in your tickets, please email us at whodeyrevolution@gmail.com so we can keep a running tally of the number of tickets donated. We are currently planning a "Thank You" event for all fans who donate their tickets so we can all get together, watch the game, eat and drink and have $0.00 of the proceeds benefit Mike Brown.
Here is the information of where to mail your tickets:
Lighthouse Youth Services
Bob Mecum
President, Chief Executive Officer
1501 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45206
Telephone: (513) 221-3350
Toll Free: 1-800-474-4138
www.lys.org
Not a season ticket holder, but want to be a part of Task #4? Lighthouse Youth Services has a program where you can "adopt" a family and buy them holiday presents. Please either use the money you were going to spend at the game on adopting a family for the holidays, or send along a donation regardless of your season ticket status. For more information, go to www.lys.org.
Count me in for my ticket... A happy kid at the game beats me cursing like a sailor.
Posted by: Who Che | November 25, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Great idea guys, this sounds like very worthy cause. My only question is, will the kids really be able to say that they have seen a "live NFL game" after watching the Chiefs play the Bengals?
Posted by: Who Che | November 25, 2008 at 09:37 AM
312 Row 4 Seats 7 and 8 are in.
Posted by: Leeroy Jenkins | November 25, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Is this fair to the kids? Sounds like a cruel way to introduce them to the NFL. Can't we all just chip in and buy them arena football tickets? Bearcats tickets? Doesn't Thomas More have a football team? Heck, send them to see Elder or Colerain. It would be better and more uplifting for them.
Posted by: Keith | November 25, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Count our tickets as donated Julius.
Posted by: Who Dey NYC | November 25, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Great idea! See, WDR gives back! We're like Robin Hood! Except that instead of stealing from a rich tyrant (Mike Brown), we're trying to recoup some of what he's stolen from us. I'm not a season ticket holder, but I'll try to convince some friends/family over Thanksgiving to donate.
Posted by: Bolshevik Bengal | November 25, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Great idea.
I am donating my tickets to all the remaining games. Let's be honest- the only positive thing left as a Bengals season ticket holder is a $201 tax deduction. ($67/ticket * 3 games)
Posted by: brad | November 25, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Julius, Season ticket renewals are going out soon, what can we do about getting people to not renew them. I have thought about encouraging fans to buy Bearcat tickets, a new Plasma TV and the NFL package--all for less than season tickets. The ONLY way to effect any change in this situation is to hit 'em in the pocketbook in what I have dubbed the "Stop Feeding the Monster" campaign. I am donating my 3 tickets to the LYS and NOT renewing them. Sad to say it is first time since 1968 we have not had season tickets in our family, but we all voted and can't bear the thought of giving MB one more cent.
Posted by: JP | November 25, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Unfortunately, our season tickets have been passed down through our family and my grandfather would be devastated if we finally got rid of them. Sorry Gramps, but when you go to that giant endzone in the sky....
My brother from the same mother has dibs on the Chiefs game and I will do everything in my power to bribe him with lawyers, guns, and money so that he gives up the seats.
If so, 108 row 12, 10/11 will be graced with kind-hearted Bengal faithful, still so naive in their adolescence.
Posted by: Vladidouche Lenin | November 25, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Wow, GREAT idea...if this is what's happening now, man, this Who Dey Revolution is gonna be off the map!!!
VIVA!!!
Posted by: HofbrauNow | November 25, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Great idea....just mailed them in.
Posted by: Spyder | November 26, 2008 at 09:18 AM
This is a very kind hearted and good idea. I don't know how much "Mayhem" it causes, but I hope it will bring some public focus on the cause to reform the Bengals. Nice idea, guys.
Posted by: Rich | November 26, 2008 at 12:35 PM
another good idea to get noticed is to have the kids hold up a sign that says thanks to the WDR for letting them go to the game ;) i would give my tickets up if i had any but luckily i was too poor to buy tickets this year.
Posted by: mk | December 07, 2008 at 08:48 PM
just dropped off 2 more tickets at the LYS. So glad I won't have to waste my Sunday down at this miserable game.
Posted by: Jeff | December 26, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Any info on how many kids actually got to attend the game?
Posted by: Turk | December 29, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Do you know that it is high time to get the loans, which can make your dreams come true.
Posted by: Amie35Alston | September 07, 2010 at 09:59 PM