Mr. & Mrs. Gates:
Thank you for establishing your foundation. I am a friend of Dr. Jared Cohon, President of Carnegie Mellon University. I am a Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business alum. Furthermore, I am a yard safety super hero - a real-life caped crusader promoting grass cut safety.
I present to you Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm). About a year ago, I had a lawn mower accident that resulted in the partial amputation of my left foot. Consequently, I have become an advocate and promoter of yard safety, in particular grass cut safety. Each year, there are about 400,000 lawn mower and garden-tool-related accidents throughout America. Furthermore, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) is a renaissance yardman who utilizes various art forms to communicate the yard safety message, including performance art and technology. I present a few concepts below for your consideration: (1) Lawn Mower Ride Across America and (2) Yard Safety Educational Software. Please visit the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) website
http://www.rescuerick.com/ for additional information. Also, at this stage, I am acting as an individual - an advocate. Eventually, I want to establish the Yard Safety Foundation; I have been wiped-out financially due to my accident.
(1) Rescue Rick (sm) - Coast-to-Coast (National) Grass Cut Trail 2005 (tm)
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) plans to ride a lawn mower across America as part of a national yard safety rollout campaign. He wants to create awareness with regards to the frequency and severity of lawn mower accidents. Therefore, Rescue Rick (sm) wants to charter a course and grass cut a trail through towns and alongside highways across America from Coast-to-Coast during Summer 2005 with several demonstrations on the ferocious capabilities of lawn mowers as well as presentations on lawn mower safety to prevent lawn mower accidents. I realize that lawn mower manufacturers have made great strides to enhance the safe use of their various outdoor power equipment. Nonetheless, there are still about 100,000 lawn mower and 400,000 garden tool related accidents each year. I visualize a few variations of the national grass cut trail, including Washington DC to Seattle, Washington - Washington-to-Washington or Washington Squared.
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) seeks to collaborate with various organizations to educate and participate during this grand expedition. I want to develop some relationships with various organizations including, government, government agencies, industry, and non-profit organizations to literally roll across America promoting grass cut safety. I want to showcase leading experts involved with yard safety, healthcare professionals, and fellow amputees at events stages along the grass cut trail. In addition, I welcome the opportunity to work with various individuals, corporations, and non-profit groups to help with the planning and delivery of this expeditious journey. Furthermore, I recognize the importance to educate people of all ages. I view schools, youth groups, civic clubs, and senior centers as a natural forum to communicate the yard safety message. In particular, I recognize that children and teenagers should learn more about grass cut safety before they come of age to cut the grass. Also, I welcome the professional lawn service and related products community to get involved.
Also, I need mass media to reach as many people as possible to communicate the yard safety message. Therefore, I would like to make a Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) film documentary about this unique expedition to share with the public (smile, say cheese)! Heck, it is time for the yard safety reality television show - adventures of a yard safety crew and its campaign rolling across America - Letterman to Leno! I envision a comedy mixed with the serious message of yard safety, including some neat and interesting cameo appearances. Therefore, I strive to promote yard safety and rescue millions of people from an often times serious injury. Think Big. Dream BIGGER.
(2) Rescue Rick (sm) - Grass Cut Safety Educational Software, Comic Book, Radio & Television, and Videotape
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) proposes to develop a new, first-of-its-kind educational Rescue Rick Educational Software™ to help people learn more about grass cut safety™, leading to the prevention of lawn mower accidents. The Rescue Rick Educational Software™ will provide in-depth information on grass cut safety collaborated and endorsed by leading professionals in leading amputee, health, insurance, and outdoor power equipment organizations. The goal is to give people convenient and easy-to-understand information about these highly preventable lawn mower and related grass cut equipment accidents. Rescue Rick (sm) encourages health insurance companies to offer reasonable discounts or rebates to individuals and groups that complete the grass cut safety educational software. Rescue Rick (sm) suggests that the software be made available in both primary and secondary markets where grass cut products are sold and serviced.
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) proposes an easy-to-read educational comic book that features Rescue Rick (sm) delivering grass cut safety operating tips and preventive measures. The Rescue Rick Comic Book™ is intended to supplement (not replace) the lawn equipment operator's manual.
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) wants to enter the world of children educational television. In particular, it will draw attention to my nine toes with a basic math theme. For instance, a children television show could have a brief segment where the camera zooms in on a normal set of feet with ten toes. The announcer (Rescue Rick) counts 1-10 with the respective numbers appearing on the television screen. Then, the camera pans over to my feet, with the counting numbers 1-9 appearing on the screen. The announcer (Rescue Rick) will say, “Ten take away one.” Then, the children scream, “NINEEEEEEEEEEEE! The big toe piggy went to the market and did not come back.” Furthermore, the television segment introduces children to the world of disabled persons – some people are different and we all live together. Eventually, Rescue Rick (sm) would like to expand into cartoons, movies, radio, and theatre. The driving force behind the use of the various educational mediums and artforms is to amplify the yard safety message through repetition and variation.
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) develops the storyboard for a grass cut safety videotape - the Rescue Rick Safety Video™.
In addition, I have attached a few leaflets that promote the Lawn Mower Ride Across America and the Rescue Rick Yard Safety Awarenss campaign. Thank you for your consideration. I can be reached at (724) 347-4078. Take care!
Think before you cut. It hurts. (tm)
Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
2122 South Hermitage Road
Hermitage, Pennsylvania 16148
724-347-4078
rtmudrinich@msn.comhttp://www.rescuerick.comhttp://rescuerick.blogspot.com/
