Show some love for Crazy Jim!

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beezwax

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Most of you know Jim Hendricksen (aka Crazy Jim or Cj). If you have spent any time here at all you’ll know him from his many build threads. He is a continuous source of help and information. I personally have done exactly one build thread on TRF, it’s shocking how much time it takes. Photographing, documenting, and posting take more time than actually building the dang thing. There is zero incentive to add that much time and effort to a project, but Jim does it over and over again, sharing his knowledge and experience with the community. I for one am better at this hobby because of his guidance.

Recently I was communicating with Jim here by private message. I wanted to order some more of his motor starters (this was my third or fourth order, I highly recommend them if you need any, Jim’s starters are fantastic). He was delayed in getting back to me due to some doctor’s appointments, and added some personal details that I knew nothing about and suspect most here don’t either. He had open heart surgery last April, and since then has lost 7 teeth due to the side effects of the post-op treatments. In his words, “Gonna have to spend $20,000 on my friggin teeth.” He has insurance on everything, except dental. Jim wasn’t even looking for sympathy when he shared this with me, in typical Cj fashion he just made a quip about growing old.

So, I just set up a GoFundMe page for Jim:

https://www.gofundme.com/crazy-jim-eats-bananas

To be clear, Jim had no idea I would do this, and I hope he’ll forgive me for broadcasting these personal details. I haven’t even met Jim in real life, but I’d like to help him with these massive medical expenses. The best part of rocketry is, well, the best part is the rockets of course. But the very next best is that our small hobby is really just one big family. I loved how we came together a few years ago to support Mark Hayes (Stickershock23) when his wife Marian was diagnosed with breast cancer. I hope you’ll join me in wishing Cj good health and recovery too, and show some gratitude for all that he has given our community over the years.

A few things to know about GoFundMe: I set the funding goal at $2,000 or 10% of Jim’s anticipated dental expenses. Unlike other crowdfunding sites like KickStarter which is more geared toward project creation, GoFundMe does not have a minimum threshold. On KickStarter if the funding goal is not met then the campaign is unsuccessful and no funds are collected. But if we fall short of the $2,000 goal on GoFundMe, whatever donations are pledged will still be collected and given to Jim. If we exceed the goal that is also perfectly fine, everything that is pledged will go to Jim. No minimum, no maximum, and no time limit. Also, GoFundMe charges no platform fees. The only fees that are assessed are the payment processing fees for the use of credit cards/PayPal etc. This fee is 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction. So basically 97% of what you pledge will go directly to Jim.

We all know that Crazy Jim went bananas years ago.…but let’s make sure they aren’t the only things left that he can eat :)
 
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I’m happy to help a friend in need.

Joe's comment from the fundraiser page: "Jim has always been kind to me. I’m better at building rockets because of him. I’m happy to help. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Christmas season than to give a little to a friend in need."

Thank you for contributing Joe, I couldn't agree more!
 
Hi Caleb,

I agree, CJ is a great outgoing guy who has an encyclopedic knowledge of rocketry and is extremely helpful.
Your setting up the gofundme page is a great way for all those who have benefited by knowing or learning from Jim to contribute during the Chanukah and Christmas seasons.

Thanks for your efforts!
Fred, L2
ICBM, Camden S.C.
KG4YGP
 
I’m as happy to help as everyone else. Many hands make light work as they say.

Thank you for your contribution John Sigmon!

Some folks have chosen to leave contributions and/or comments on the fundraising page anonymously. I won’t repost those names/comments, but thank you. You know who you are :)
 
Phil Calvin: “Jim has provided so much knowledge to all of us.”

Steve Shannon: “The day I flew my L3 flight, Jim was the first person I met for the first time. He showed me his rockets, talked about rockets with me without ever talking down, and was a great ambassador for rocketry. I’m happy Web able to show my appreciation for all he does.”

Thank you both for contributing!
 
47DEDEC2-15B3-439B-834A-B65E75C7BD36.jpeg Crazy Jim helped me pass an L-1. I took his kind advice and parachute packing and shock cord packing techniques back to the university rocket team this year at UTC as an Tripoli L-1 mentor to them. On my certification flight many times I had L3 guys tell me to get a bigger longer L-1 rocket. Jim magically packed 25ft of kelvar into a stumpy scale rocket nosecone as if it was nothing hard at all. Jim called those L3 guys idiots and explained their advice was rubbish. Jim helped make it work. Ribbon folding. The rocketmocs placed first in the nation for engineering competition SEDS with the help we got from Jim simply on how to pack parachutes real tight. Jim gave me a chance to learn his methods and teach others those methods. I’m financially not able to contribute a lot of money right now. I take my last final for a math exam tomorrow for a BSME and have a NASA HR contact lined up. I owe part of our success to Jim. He is the brain surgeon of high power hobby rocketry. He’s five steps ahead of you in thinking through a hobby rocket problem. Once I am more financially able (employed as engineer) I will make a bigger donation. He simply deserves it. He reminded me a lot of my grandpa that past away. But he is way cooler and smarter. I’m gonna say this bluntly Jim’s knowledge may help me land a nice career. I sincerely owe him a large favor in return. Jim was the motor vendor when none were there for my certification flight. He held a 3.34 pound RB-05A in his hand and judged it to within twenty feet of openrocket for an H-123 he brought as a spare without needing open rocket. Without Jim and passing that Tripoli L-1, that third multistage university rocket built this year would be in a dusty closet without the altitude record for SEDS as our only prof with an L-1 was sick that weekend. I was able to fly the third multistage rocket with my L-1 this year at Tampa to 11,563 ft and M1.69 which gave the team another chance they needed after founding the original team last year. Can’t say nice enough things about Jim. Friends help friends.
 
View attachment 368393 Crazy Jim helped me pass an L-1. I took his kind advice and parachute packing and shock cord packing techniques back to the university rocket team this year at UTC as an Tripoli L-1 mentor to them. On my certification flight many times I had L3 guys tell me to get a bigger longer L-1 rocket. Jim magically packed 25ft of kelvar into a stumpy scale rocket nosecone as if it was nothing hard at all. Jim called those L3 guys idiots and explained their advice was rubbish. Jim helped make it work. Ribbon folding. The rocketmocs placed first in the nation for engineering competition SEDS with the help we got from Jim simply on how to pack parachutes real tight. Jim gave me a chance to learn his methods and teach others those methods. I’m financially not able to contribute a lot of money right now. I take my last final for a math exam tomorrow for a BSME and have a NASA HR contact lined up. I owe part of our success to Jim. He is the brain surgeon of high power hobby rocketry. He’s five steps ahead of you in thinking through a hobby rocket problem. Once I am more financially able (employed as engineer) I will make a bigger donation. He simply deserves it. He reminded me a lot of my grandpa that past away. But he is way cooler and smarter. I’m gonna say this bluntly Jim’s knowledge may help me land a nice career. I sincerely owe him a large favor in return. Jim was the motor vendor when none were there for my certification flight. He held a 3.34 pound RB-05A in his hand and judged it to within twenty feet of openrocket for an H-123 he brought as a spare without needing open rocket. Without Jim and passing that Tripoli L-1, that third multistage university rocket built this year would be in a dusty closet without the altitude record for SEDS as our only prof with an L-1 was sick that weekend. I was able to fly the third multistage rocket with my L-1 this year at Tampa to 11,563 ft and M1.69 which gave the team another chance they needed after founding the original team last year. Can’t say nice enough things about Jim. Friends help friends.

Wow Andrew what an great story! Passing the hat for donations can help with a financial burden, but it is not the only way to express gratitude. I don't know about you but very often I am thankful for something, but I get busy and don't go that extra step to let the other person know. Taking time to write a note or say it out loud matters. So thank you for sharing....also, best of luck on your finals and the job interview :)

If other folks have Cj stories or simply want to say a word of thanks, this thread is a great place to do it!
 
Phil Calvin: “Jim has provided so much knowledge to all of us.”

Steve Shannon: “The day I flew my L3 flight, Jim was the first person I met for the first time. He showed me his rockets, talked about rockets with me without ever talking down, and was a great ambassador for rocketry. I’m happy Web able to show my appreciation for all he does.”

Thank you both for contributing!

“Web” = autocorrect(“to be”)
 
Vance Mitchell: "Cj’s contributions to the community have helped us all. Only to happy to provide some help to him."

John Kolman: "Jim has always been super nice to deal with over the years."

Thank you both for your contributions!
 
Thank you Mike Nay!

It's official, rocket people are awesome. Over $1,000 in a single day!!

Also, y'all are very funny.

stealth6: "I want to be just like CJim when I grow up (only with better teeth)."
Gary Dickinson: "I like Jim and everyone needs teeth!"

Thanks guys!
 
Thank you so much everyone.... I am overwhelmed with your kindness...you have no idea how much this means to me, & how much this REALLY helps me. I was a bit caught off guard with the high cost these procedures will be. Due to the severity of the operation because of how short a time frame from my heart surgery.
This means extra care [and expense] are taken during the procedure.

I had no idea this was happening till I got a phone call asking about my "teeth"..
"What the hell are you talking about was my reply" and was lead to this thread for details.

I will never forget what all you guys have done for me...and to everyone..."I owe ya one!

My red rocket truck [as many of you know it] has seen better years...19 old and 190.000 miles I was planning on a new one this year [finally]

Obviously that will wait another year and my down payment of 5,000 will go toward this, along with your helping hand.
These guys don't fool around..want payment first! It will be on going for several months,allowing me to pay as I go, thank god..I must sell some stuff to get there..but what the hell , at least I have stuff to sacrifice.
The added help you are giving me, helps relieve some of the stress involved.

Once again thank you to the rocket community for helping a brother in need & especially Caleb...I really had no idea.


Semper Fly,

Cj

PS The stories and kind words are even more compelling than the cash. I had no idea how many people, I have impacted over the years.
My favorite part of rocketry has always been the camaraderie I have experienced over the years with all you guys/gals.
I would not trade it for anything!:):):cool:
 
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YAY Jim! I wasn’t sure how long it would take for you to stumble upon this thread, but now that you’re here I can go through the steps with you to get you set up as the “beneficiary.” I’ll send details in a private message but you’ll need to register with the GoFundMe site and provide your personal banking details. Then you’ll be able to withdraw funds and have them transferred directly into your own account.

Also, I will get you listed as a “manager” over at the campaign page. That way you’ll be able to see the names and comments left by those who have donated anonymously. At the moment I’m the only one who can see that.

And for the record you don’t owe us one, we are the ones returning the favor. You’ve been extremely generous with your time and knowledge over the years, and I knew there would be a lot of people who would be truly glad for the opportunity to help out.
 
I will keep doing shout-outs and bumping the thread, let’s keep the momentum going!

Craig Classen, Boatgeek, Tim Thomas, Kevin Wuchevich, thank you :)
 
CJ helped, and continues, to help me with his guidance and experience.

His knowledge is second to none and I'm very grateful for all his contributions to fellow rocketeers everywhere.

And that poor mug could use all the help it can get. Ha!!


I kid brother, you're the best!
 
Kurt Savegnago: “Bananas are hard to live off of. Thanks for your past help.”

Mark G: “Thanks CJ for all of the valuable information you share with the rocketry community. Cheers!”

Tim Kurreck: “CJ has done everyone a lot of good, and helped when I posted questions etc. I want him to have teeth so we can have a better conversation whenever it is that we finally meet!!!”

David Fliger: “Jim is an amazing individual always giving to the community.”

Thank you all for your contributions!
 
CJ defines selflessness for this community. He was my first rocket mentor, an L3 TAP and a constant friend from the first day I attended a HPR club launch. Count me in!
 
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