When Dale Hayes, a varsity golf coach, said goodbye to his seniors at his team’s end of year award ceremony, it also happened to be his 65th birthday. On that eventful day, he received a special 65th birthday group gift that was far more meaningful than any golf trophy his players or fellow coaches could ever give him. He received a special CD filled with the voices of his colleagues, his graduating players, and their parents, expressing their thanks and warm wishes. The recordings ranged from funny to sentimental, and showed him how much he had meant to the Fighting Tigers.
"I go out there and urge my players to be the best that they can be every day. I've always focused on the players, and when they gave me this gift it made it clear how much my philosophy meant to them personally".
The players and their parents wanted to give the coach a fun present that was very personal. However, with hectic schedules, the players and their parents knew that the group gift would have to be simple for everyone to contribute to.
The CD the coach received is called LifeOnRecord.
Team mom, Jenna Schmidt, got the idea when her husband gave her a LifeOnRecord CD as a sentimental birthday gift.
The process is simple: family and friends call a toll-free number and are directed to record a favorite story, memory or wish. There’s no limit on the number of callers that can phone-in or on the total number of recordings you receive. The recordings can be downloaded for free using iTunes so that you can make your own compact disc, or LifeOnRecord can create a keepsake CD with a personalized label and metal case. An unlimited plan with free download capability into iTunes costs $49.99, or an unlimited plan with a keepsake CD costs $74.98.
It is a unique, affordable service that allows you to create a highly personal gift with ease.
"The players and their families that gave me this gift mean a lot to me, and this is the perfect way for me to remember them and their impact after my coaching days are over. The mom who organized and put this together is my hero".
If you'd like to be a hero to your loved one, you can purchase LifeOnRecord and give them a personalized birthday present.
