Thank you Yamaha & Keller Family..

[kip]

Going to Hay Days was a great experience and very humbling. Yamaha and the Nick Keller family took it upon themselves to give my family a real special time. Nick's first sled was named after his late mother Mary Jane whom passed away from cancer. Nick got close to my mother before she passed and he named his new sled Claudia after my mother. Yamaha then played some video footage of Nick's unbelievable journey raising money for cancer on his 2010 Yamaha Vector GT and that video had footage of my mother. We didn't know they were going to do that on Friday night in front of a good deal of Yamaha dealers and the Yamaha Corporate employees. It was tough to fight back the tears. It's very humbling to be thought of by not only the Keller Family but a big corp. like Yamaha. Yamaha has always preached family to their employees and dealers and I can tell you they have always been a big part of our family and have always treated us as such. We're always talking on this site about what companies do what with product but it's actions like this that display the big picture and what it's all about. I want to personally thank the Yamaha Motor Corporation and Nick Keller & Family for all they did for our family over the Hay Days weekend. It's something we'll never forget and seeing my mother's name on Nick's sled as he travels the U.P. raising money for cancer will be very special to say the least What Yamaha and Nick have created is great and I'm very happy to see it continue!

 

[jccams]

That is awesome Kip, thanks for sharing the story. It reminds me that there are still a lot of good people out there despite all the negative things going on in the world.

Jeff

 

[durphee]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Deleted member 10829]

That is very cool Kip! You weren't the only one fighting back tears. Good for Yamaha and Nick, well done!!

 

[warner]

you put a big smile on my face kip!! while reading your post.

 

[switch07]

Great story Kip, Yamaha sure is a first class company. What an awesome thing to be able to have a glimpse back in time and see your mom. I'd give anything to see my dad again riding on the old Johnson Challenger. See you when the snow flies..........

 

[Skylar]

Very, very, very cool!

 

[byr 13]

yes great story kip

 

[slimcake]

Very cool story Kip. Pretty much sums up why I am doing business with you 300 plus miles away from home!! You won't sell me a Yamaha though. lol. I remember sitting in your office. My fat arse bearly fit across the desk but you told me it was your Moms office and I understood completely. See you soon!!

 

[kip]

Thanks to all! Matt, I have a smaller desk now so plenty of room LOL!!! We appreciate all of you and we're so happy to have such great customers and even more great friends!!

 

[dekx]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[boomer]

Thanks for sharing that story with us Kip. It was great to see you if only for a short time at Hay Days last weekend. My wife and I met up with Nick at the Yamaha booth late Sunday afternoon after we packed up from the swap area. We introduced ourselves to him and he proceeded to chat with us for a while about his exploits over the last few years on his Vector. What an awesome guy is all I can say. Afterwards my wife told me that she could not believe the passion and exuberance that Nick has for his cause.... a class act all the way.

It's nice to see a big corporate giant like Yamaha still recognizes the people like your family and Nick's family and what they do that makes this sport of ours so great. It's also nice to see that Yamaha will be supporting Nick and his cause again this year with a new Vector.

Cheers, Don

 

[opt8low]

youtube video

Yamaha posted a video on youtube about Nick and has Claudia in it. Possibly the same video you all saw at Haydays.


Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R2yyGljh7Y


Nice to see the video and I am sure it was a big surprise for you Kip. Hopefully the rest of family enjoyed it too.





Dana

 

[kip]

Thanks for sharing Dana, it sure was a surprise

 

[groomerdriver]

Now I have a memory about my first HayDays that makes me smile!

 

[willey]

That's awesome!

 

[lenny]

I meet Nick many times and each time I walk away seeing a very special person. What passion and kindness this man holds onto is exceptional. By his new sled being named "Claudia" is not surprising because he is doing what he does best, he's just being Nick!

Thanks Kip for this thread, you demonstrate something very special in your never ending love for your mother. Yourself, Claudia, Nick, Mary Jane and Yamaha,,,,,,,,,,,,SPECIAL!

 

[Woodtic]

You need great peaple to make a great story.

 

[dusterdj]

Loved seeing Nick out on the trail the last few years and thanks Kip for the great Post.

 

[favoritos]

This guy keeps the kleenex company in business.

Nick has done amazing things and he still seems so dang normal. I have talked with him many times out on the trails. He never has the sense of urgency like most people trying to put on miles. It is amazing what he does on a daily basis.

Kip, I am sorry for your loss. I hope you get to see some more good memories revisited.

I will be looking for Claudia this winter and thinking about all we all have lost.