Indiana skydivers need your help!

[Vallerina 2]

This thread here explains an unfortunate incident where two wonderful people (Bo and Paula Coody) lost just about all of the gear that keeps their small dropzone running. If you have a few bucks you want to donate to help keep their business running, a Paypal account is set up under [email protected]. If you prefer to send a check via snail mail or if you have extra gear you can donate, pm me for an address. Also, their website here. I can't promise you much for your money except that if you ever visit this dropzone, you'll be welcomed with open arms, good food, and good beer. It's also non-stop laughs at their dz...whenever I go back home from there, it seems that my sides are always hurting me!

Anyways, time for me to babble. Unfortunately, it seems that bad things happen to absolutely wonderful people. I hope that the generosity that they've shown so many skydivers throughout the years gets returned back to them.

I met Bo and Paula a little over three years ago at the Skydive Indiana Labor Day Boogie. Going to that boogie, I had maybe 30 jumps. I was a really crappy skydiver. I was terrified of skydiving. I was always afraid of killing myself, killing someone else, doing something stupid and everyone getting mad at me. Bo and Paula were the first people to take me on fun, "low pressure (whatever that means!)" skydives. They took me on hoop dives, Bo gave me my first kiss pass, and I did my first 4 pt 4 way with them (and Ward...who will always be Val #2! Ha ha!) My skydiving had improved so much while jumping with them, and I really just enjoyed hanging out with them at night...hearing all their stories...

The following year, I went to Quincy. I was having firsts all day long there, and Bo and Paula genuinely listened to all of my, "Oh my gosh! Can you believe it? I just......" They also provided me beer and food, and they gave me a place to stay when the tornado came through. They saved my life!

When they opened their dropzone, I realized that I am not special. They go out of their way to teach every new skydiver as much as they can. They feed and provide beer for all skydivers. They house whoever needs a place to stay. They are the best dropzone owners I have ever met.

They're a big part of why I'm still in the sport, and the same goes for many other skydivers whose lives they've touched as well. I ask that you donate whatever you can so that both of them can do for many what they've done for me!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[WrongWay 0]

That was beautiful, Val. I'll be visiting that site today. After what you wrote there is no doubt in my mind that these are wonderful people who have gone beyond any standard of giving back to the sport. So come on people, let's help out on giving back to them.

Wrong Way
D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451
The wiser wolf prevails.

[Vallerina 2]

Thanks, Wrongway! Ward claims he's a great freeflyer!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[Vallerina 2]

Sorry for the shameless bump (there may be more in the future), but I'd really like to get this out to as many people as I can.

And thanks to the very kind sunshine and skydiveelis!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[Kramer 0]

For those of you wondering about the legitimacy of this, trust me, they do exist!
Thanks for posting this Val.

The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!

[MarkM 0]

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They're a big part of why I'm still in the sport, and the same goes for many other skydivers whose lives they've touched as well. I ask that you donate whatever you can so that both of them can do for many what they've done for me!

Yep, they're definately why I'm still in the sport today. Paul and Bo both have a real love of the sport and it just rubs off on you.

Plus they're excellent instructors. I came to Goshen after doing a FJC at another DZ and when Bo had learned I didn't do any practice reserve pulls there(just saw them done by another person), he pulled me aside and spent 20 minutes with me doing nothing but reserve deployment practice. At the DZ they were always going over safety issues while talking with you as a student. Not just what to do to be safe, but how to think safely. Bo is still the little voice of safety in my head today.

Guys, do what you can to get these two birds back up in the sky.

[EricaH 0]

It's small dzs like this one that keep people happy @ home.

There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear.

PMS #227 (just like the TV show)

[wendybird 0]

Thanks for not letting the subject die.
Before they bought the DZ, I was Bo's first graduating student (though he never told me 'til recently!) and Paula and I jumped a bit together when it was difficult getting anyone to jump with the newbies. I watched the two of them get together, and now that they own the DZ where we were all students, it would be heartbreaking to watch them lose it.
I haven't jumped there in a few years, but I *always* tell the folks at the DZ I go to now that I am soooooo glad I was a student at (then) Skydive Goshen. There are many benefits of learning at a DZ that size (such as learning to spot with your eyes, not a green light) and I can't imagine having come up any other way, at any other place.
There have been a few threads about this tragedy in the last week or so. I hope at least one of them doesn't die, and keeps going until Bo and Paula receive enough help to keep their DZ open. Please tell your friends. Your DZOs. Your favorite gear dealer. A little from one place adds up to a lot when it's lumped in with a little from a lot of places. Don't discount what you can offer ...
btw -- I believe Bo was my first kiss pass (as a student) too. I wonder how many more of us there are out there???!!

Wendy
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used u

[lewis321 0]

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I wonder how many more of us there are out there???!!

I would like to add my name to that list. I started at what was then Skydive Goshen. Paula was my jump master on my first jump. I now have my "D", coach,and am working on s/l instructor rating. I owe a lot of that to Bo and Paula. They are not only awesome skydivers who care about the future of our sport, but they are wonderful people who also care about their friends.

We may only have a little 182, but we have some of the best skydiving around.

Todd

[wildblue 4]

Hey Ward - click the "Messages" button up there ^^^^^

it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

[Vallerina 2]

Hey, guys. Yes, I'm doing another shameless bumping of this thread. It's Valentine's Day, so please show a little lovin' to my friends if you have some to spare!

I love Bo and Paula! They're the best!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[wendybird 0]

Bump Bump Bump
I must need a new suspension system.
For those that haven't seen this thread and/or don't know anything about it, Indiana Skydiving Academy needs your help to stay alive after a fire took everything they had 2 weeks ago. Got a helmet you don't use anymore? A jumpsuit that's perfect for a student? A 2-pin Cypres that doesn't go in your new 1-pin Cypres container? A rig you won in a raffle? Why not think about donating it to make sure future skydivers stand a chance of finding the sport?

Spread the love and spread the word.

Wendy
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used u

[cocheese 0]

Man if we all just help a little, it will mean a LOT.
I'm in.

[wendybird 0]

Thanks, CoCheese. If you wanted to donate something from your shopping trip last night as well, I'm sure I wouldn't hear many complaints. Moaning, maybe. Complaints, probably not.

I did *not* just type that out loud.

Yes I did.

And thanks. You're right. A little from everyone would add up to a business being able to stay in existence, and keep skydivers, current and future, in the air.

Wendy
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used u

[wendybird 0]

Organized fundraiser will be March 6th in Goshen, IN (that's northern Indiana). Details forthcoming and will be posted here immediately when available. If you want them sooner than immediately you could always sign up for the mailing list at www.indianaskydivingacademy.com.

Wendy
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used u

[Vallerina 2]

I want to go to the fundraiser just to meet Wendybird! She seems like someone I could cause a bunch of trouble with! Who else is going??? I heard that Ward will get drunk and dance on tables if enough people come!

Also, a big thanks to the wonderful cocheese!!!

Btw, if you have any ratted-out gear that no one uses because it needs some work, let me know! Ward and Paula are riggers, and I'm sure that they wouldn't mind doing a little work!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[Rainbo 0]

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I want to go to the fundraiser just to meet Wendybird! She seems like someone I could cause a bunch of trouble with! reply]

Be careful what you wish for!!!

Rainbo

Rainbo
TheSpeedTriple - Speed is everything
"Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting."

• Quote

[wendybird 0]

Firstly, Rainbo, BE NICE! She doesn't know any better yet! I do admire your tenacity, but don't forget that I bite ...

Val and everyone else -- I *just* got off the phone with Paula. They were actually considering putting the plane up for sale and throwing in the towel until they started getting responses from the skydivers they knew, and some of you out there that they've never even met! Those of you that have responded to their need -- you absolutely rock! Thank you so much on behalf of Bo and Paula. They are absolutely and positively moved by your efforts.

By the way, Ward? We haven't actually met, but I have to give you a little shit here. You mentioned to me in an email a little while ago that you wanted to keep this fundraiser a surprise to them. Dude, I gotta tell you, taking them off their own DZ mailing list was NOT the way to go!

To anyone considering going to the fundraiser -- I live about 45 minutes from Goshen and have lots of extra beds and other crash space. I have also been told that it'll likely be close to a hotel -- hopefully within crawling distance. Again, details will be passed along when I get them, or you can get them yourself by subscribing to the ex-Bo and Paula list

btw -- to Mary in Colorado (screenname???) -- I got the things you sent along with Renee. Thank you so much -- I already told Paula about them and she was touched that someone she doesn't even know would send things along like that.

Keep spreading the love and the word,

Wendy
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used u

[Kramer 0]

I am definetly coming to this fundraiser. No promises I'll be of any help though.

The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!

[eeneR 1]

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btw -- to Mary in Colorado (screenname???) -- I got the things you sent along with Renee. Thank you so much -- I already told Paula about them and she was touched that someone she doesn't even know would send things along like that.

That was our very own Flyangel2......
And it gave me an excuse to come on over and visit you too Wendy

Just make sure you keep "my room" open for me

She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway."
eeneR
TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto

[wendybird 0]

Just make sure you keep "my room" open for me

[diverdriver 5]

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..... As for my king-size bed, well ... there better be some reeeeeal sweet talkin' if anyone wants to share that ... All for the fundraiser, of course .....

(again, I have GOT to stop typing out loud)

I'll open the bid at 50 cents.......





Don't worry Wendy...I'm sure people will bid more than that.............. hopefully.

[wendybird 0]

I'll open the bid at 50 cents.......





Don't worry Wendy...I'm sure people will bid more than that.............. hopefully.

[diverdriver 5]

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DUUUUUUUUUUUDE! Keep your 50 cents! Tonight WAS gonna be your lucky night -- and for FREE!!!

Ok then....since it's not free tonight. I'll donate 100 cents!

[wendybird 0]

Ok then....since it's not free tonight. I'll donate 100 cents!