The goal of this fundraiser is to stabilize the future of one of Mississippi's integral businesses, the Quapaw Canoe Company. Over the decades, QCC has: 1) Opened up the wild wonders of the Mississippi River as a recreational paradise for all paddlers to enjoy. 2) Engaged thousands of young people through hands-on learning helping to foster in them a deep appreciation of the natural environment. 3) Helped set the stage for Clarksdale, Mississippi's economic recovery. Unexpectedly and regrettably, the pandemic crippled us and we have been operating in "reactionary mode," with no reserve funds to fall back on. This is hurting our staff, and the health of our infrastructure -- and crippling our ability to move forward with balanced, thoughtful intention in our dedication as the worker bees of the Lower Mississippi River.
We need your help rising above these “flood waters.” Please consider supporting this effort. Your investment in Quapaw’s future can be done one of many ways. You have a choice: it can be made anonymously, with no reward or recognition. We are not coming to you empty-handed! There are rewards, if you choose to accept: $100 or more will receive one of our hand painted watercolor map-posters, signed by artist. $500 or more will receive the previous + a finely carved Mississippi River black walnut driftwood. $1,000 or more will receive the previous + a treasure box of Mississippi gravel bar goodies like fossils, geodes, amber, crinoids, agate, marble, granite, lithified mud, and other geologic goodies carried downstream. $2,500 or more will receive the previous + credit towards a future booking on a river adventure with us. $5,000 or more will receive the previous + your choice of any one of my 18 x 24 watercolors or similar sized oils. $10,000 or more will receive the previous + your choice of any one of my giant wall-sized watercolors, or similar sized oils. Click Here to Make Donation
The rest of the story: We are celebrating our 25th Anniversary. We were also awarded the 2024 SBA Mississippi Small Business of the Year Award (check out this list of winners. It’s a national award, one business from each state of the Union, and territories also!) Regardless of our accomplishments and awards, we find our backs pressed against the wall (health emergencies, an outdated website, and other setbacks -- all at the same time). We already used emergency funds we had squirreled away to survive pandemic. While it doesn’t seem fair, that is the nature of running a small business! We have survived recessions and floods. We will survive this, with your help.
Please commit to investing in the next 25 years — in the long-term future of Quapaw Canoe Company. Your support will help us pave a sustainable pathway forward by: 1. Helping to design and build an up-to-date website. 2. Helping to hire an administrative assistant to manage day-to-day tasks allowing the rest of the team to focus on growing and stabilizing the business. 3. Helping with marketing and promotion 4. Helping with infrastructure upgrades to our 18,000 square foot downtown Clarksdale base of operations, like roof repairs and also vehicle maintenance. 5. Helping to support staff (providing necessary and well-deserved health benefits). 6. Helping to establish an emergency reserve fund. 7. Helping to find a suitable partner with a passion for healthy rivers and healthy communities, and an acute business acumen, to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the Quapaw Canoe Company!
Anyone who knows me knows that my sweat & tears, as well as my heart & soul are invested in this business. Worst case scenario — If I cannot bring this ship around, I might have to sell off our Clarksdale building, or some of our big canoes, to stay afloat, and pay off all debts. But that is like cutting off the limb you are standing on. That would probably shut down our operation. This my last choice. Thank you for helping make us who we are. And thank you from the bottom of our muddy hearts if you can assist us now in our time of need. We Mighty Quapaws, we remain faithfully yours, as friends, as family, as fellow river rat, and as worker bees to our Queen Mother Mississippi!
Big River Love from all of us, "Driftwood Johnnie" John Ruskey Ellis "Smooth" Coleman Mark "River" Peoples “Red River Otter” Heather Crosse Whit "Tumbleweeds" Smith Ceili "Mayfly" Hale "Water Opossum” Layne Logue "Mississippi Merman" Matthew Burdine -and all the Mighty Quapaws!
How to Make Donation:
1. Click Here to Make Donation -OR- 2. Cut & Paste: Go Fund Me Fundraiser website address: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sustainable-future-for-quapaw-canoe-company -OR- 3. Send check made out to: Quapaw Canoe Company 291 Sunflower Avenue Clarksdale, MS 38614
Thank you from the worker bees of the Lower Mississippi River!
Lower Mississippi River Dispatch No. 936 "Voice of the Lower Mississippi River" Memphis, TN ~ Wilson, AR ~ Clarksdale, MS ~ Vicksburg, MS Quapaw Canoe Company ~ Celebrating 25 Years of Service ~ ~Winner of the SBA 2024 Small Business of the Year Award~