{"id":7556,"date":"2015-06-01T05:01:44","date_gmt":"2015-06-01T05:01:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/2015\/06\/column-491-jennifer-mounts-an-inspiration\/"},"modified":"2015-06-01T05:01:44","modified_gmt":"2015-06-01T05:01:44","slug":"column-491-jennifer-mounts-an-inspiration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/2015\/06\/column-491-jennifer-mounts-an-inspiration\/","title":{"rendered":"Column #491 Jennifer Mounts – an inspiration!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Monday, June 1,\u00a02015<\/span><\/span>
\nColumn 491
\nJennifer Mounts – an inspiration!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Philanthropy is at the very core of our society. While the term is generally applied to very large donors, this is not consistent with the true definition, as anyone who donates his or her time, money, and\/or reputation to a charitable cause is worthy of the label.<\/p>\n

At the core, a philanthropist is someone who puts someone else’s needs above their own.\u00a0 Most of us are philanthropists.\u00a0 Most of us are moved to help others.<\/p>\n

In real life, I am a fundraising consultant.\u00a0 I advise not-for-profit organizations on ways to approach prospects and how to cultivate them once they contribute, to encourage repeat and larger donations.\u00a0 So giving – why people do or don’t – is something I understand.<\/p>\n

When there is a devastating earthquake, tsunami, or hurricane people are compelled to step up and help those whose lives have been torn apart.\u00a0 There are countless vital causes.\u00a0 Dart players have stood up time and time again – for Make-A-Wish, Toys for Tots, and many more.<\/p>\n

What I can’t get my head around is the recent surge of individuals begging for funds for “needs” that wouldn’t be needs if they simply demonstrated a little personal financial responsibility.<\/p>\n

For example, not long ago, there was a GoFundMe campaign by a girl seeking funds to travel to a bikini competition.\u00a0 One couldn’t help but wonder if she’d have been short of money had she not shelled out a bundle for her boobs.\u00a0 Of course, I sent her a check.\u00a0 That’s the kind of philanthropist I am.<\/p>\n

So recently, I was skeptical when I saw a Facebook post about a campaign being run by a darts person, someone named Jennifer Mounts.\u00a0 I read her pitch and, while impressed, I couldn’t help but assume it was more of the same, just better written than most.<\/p>\n

Jennifer was trying to raise $2,500 to get out on the tournament circuit – to achieve multiple dreams (the key<\/em> being to continue helping her mother out of a difficult situation).\u00a0 Her immediate aim was to cover flights, hotel, and entry fees to compete in a handful of tournaments this summer.\u00a0[embedyt]http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FdWny3wPtHU[\/embedyt]<\/p>\n

I just wasn’t sure what to make of it.\u00a0 It was different.\u00a0 Her story was uniquely compelling.\u00a0 But was it for real?<\/p>\n

Quite unexpectedly, next came a message post from Rob Heckman, someone whose judgment I highly value, encouraging support for Jennifer’s campaign…<\/p>\n

Jennifer gets it, more than most “pros” in terms of marketing and putting a real effort to grab support. \u00a0I started playing for her mom back in 1994 when I first began, before Jennifer was born.\u00a0 Her mom was a big influence for darts back in the day in Tacoma and why I started playing darts then. \u00a0Jennifer is talented in art, music, and is making her way in\u00a0darts. She has a genuine, unfiltered, unadulterated love for the sport and a fresh counterbalance to a lot of the BS we hear and see on a daily basis in darts in\u00a0North America.\u00a0 She gives back to everyone who helps, so in effect, she is working for her funds. \u00a0I feel Jennifer is an inspirational person and her campaign is worthy of support.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, okay, even though Jennifer wasn’t competing in a bikini contest, I sent a donation (hint to Jennifer: you know what to do if you want more money). I was convinced she was<\/em> different. I contacted her and asked for an interview (she doesn’t know me, so she agreed).<\/p>\n

Now, any lingering doubts I once had have been erased. Completely. I am sure you will agree after reading her words – that Jennifer Mounts is exactly<\/em> the kind of person darts needs to gain the respect it deserves, but has squandered for so many years.<\/p>\n

She’s the real deal…<\/p>\n

______________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

\u00a0If I had ten minutes on national television, I’d tell people to chase their dreams.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0– Jennifer Mounts<\/p>\n

Nickname<\/strong>: The turtle – I take forever to release each dart.<\/p>\n

Date of Birth<\/strong>: March 4, 1992 – I’m 23.<\/p>\n

Hometown<\/strong>: I was born and raised in Lakewood, Washington, which is where I currently live.<\/p>\n

Spouse, Family, Pets<\/strong>: I\u2019m single, and I have no pets.\u00a0 I\u2019m moving into a house soon with friends and plan on getting a puppy<\/p>\n

Hobbies (other than darts)<\/strong>: I\u2019m extremely into fitness and general health and wellness. \u00a0The reason I went for a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is because I wanted to become a registered Dietician and simply have a love for active sports. \u00a0People scoff at the idea, but I truly believe that mental focus in the midst of a match is enhanced by being physically fit with a disciplined mind and body.\u00a0 One other major component in my life is music. \u00a0I’ve been playing piano for 15 years now and that played a very big role in financing my college tuition.<\/p>\n

Occupation<\/strong>: I just switched jobs. I\u2019m about to start a position with the film crew on the set of Wheel of Fortune.<\/p>\n

First job<\/strong>: Picking peas on a farm when I was 13 in Kentucky.<\/p>\n

Favorite movie<\/strong>: The Terminal<\/p>\n

Television show<\/strong>: That\u2019s 70\u2019s show, Friends and Parks and Recreation.<\/p>\n

Meal<\/strong>: Sushi, cream soda and mac and jacks.<\/p>\n

Night on the town<\/strong>: Sight-seeing or taking an adventure to a part of a city I\u2019ve never been.<\/p>\n

Sports team<\/strong>: I\u2019m one of those jerks that doesn\u2019t follow televised sports\u2026 I only watch DARTSLIVE and steel tip pros battle it out!<\/p>\n

Musician<\/strong>: Casey Crescenzo from The Dear Hunter<\/p>\n

Book\/Author<\/strong>: Terry Goodkind\u2019s Sword of Truth series.\u00a0 Robert Holdstock, Lois McMaster Bujold and James Patterson.<\/p>\n

Pet peeves<\/strong>: A lack of work ethic, vision, direction or compassion, uncleanliness, teenagers that romanticize their relationships, when people discredit the hard work and practice I put into this sport by telling me I\u2019m \u201cpretty good for a girl\u201d thinking they\u2019re complimenting me when they\u2019re really just demeaning me. \u00a0It\u2019s offensive to my gender and encourages the idea that women are by default at some sort of disadvantage because of their sex. \u00a0Imagine if I walked up to an African American gentleman and said \u201cyou\u2019re pretty good for a black guy!\u201d. \u00a0You\u2019re probably uncomfortable just reading that, right? \u00a0It\u2019s completely out of bounds and rude. \u00a0Unfortunately, it\u2019s more obvious when race is thrown into the equation rather than gender as to what is actually offensive.<\/p>\n

Worst habit<\/strong>: My worst habit with my mechanics is keeping my elbow down during my take back.\u00a0 My worst non-darts habit is probably cracking my knuckles before I do anything that involves my hands. I developed that habit playing the piano so many years.<\/p>\n

What most people don\u2019t know about me<\/strong>: I\u2019ve been advised to keep a little mystique about me!<\/p>\n

If I were stranded on a remote island I would most want to be stranded with<\/strong>: Probably Fallon Sherrock so we could make-shift a steel tip board, and she could teach me her ways.\u00a0 I would say Phil Taylor of course, but after all he is significantly older than me, and I would want to make the most of my life on the island assuming I\u2019m stranded there for life.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

I would like to be remembered<\/strong>: As an ambassador for this sport.<\/p>\n

If I won a million dollars<\/strong>: I actually have secret plans for the dart community if I were to make millions someday – that I\u2019m keeping secret for as long as possible!<\/p>\n

\"Oasis\"I\u2019ve been shooting since my very first Medalist season in novice doubles a little over a year ago, back in September of 2013 – but my entry into the sport was pretty much an accident. \u00a0Joining a league to bring business to my mom\u2019s bar was my original motivation to start playing and entirely influenced by my mother – Lynn Mounts. \u00a0She was the highest rated female in the Washington area in the 90s when I was born. \u00a0The Oasis Tavern had been struggling for years after the bar industry declined, the economy went to hell, and the dart scene began to fall around seven years ago.<\/p>\n

I was 21 and in my senior year of college when she admitted to me how desperate business was, so luckily I had enough savings to quit my job and work on revamping the bar while finishing school. \u00a0Step one was to get my cousin, Jesse Lindberg, on board to help me give the Oasis a modern touch. Step two was to turn the Oasis into a dart bar. \u00a0We had extremely high hopes, and business did improve for a little while because we geared towards a 20-year-old demographic. \u00a0We brought in beer pong tables for the weekends and joined three different leagues each to fill up the week days with dart players.<\/p>\n

Things were going according to plan, but then something happened that was unexpected… Jesse and I simply fell in love with darts. \u00a0It became more than just a means to gain business during the week. \u00a0Life suddenly became about reaching our potentials as dart players and inspiring a new generation of darters that would represent the game in a more professional way than what we saw around us.\u00a0 So I developed another action plan – to get to as many tournaments as possible.\u00a0 Doing so, and achieving success, would mean I would not have to give up my dream to retire my mom and get her out of the bar industry – I would be an active<\/em> part of her career and be able to personally influence the success or failure of it.\u00a0 This<\/em> is what most drives me to continue pushing myself to practice and attend every major event possible.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m very aware of the current state of darts and the public perception of the sport. \u00a0There\u2019s a very specific reason why I believe darts isn\u2019t a part of the Olympics just yet and why newer players aren\u2019t sticking around to stay active in league or events more prestigious. \u00a0I could have excelled in an athletic sport that gathers far more attention and respect than darts – but, honestly, I am inspired to chase my dream of international darting success because<\/em> of how broken and damaged the sport appears to me.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Frankly, it is a miracle that I stuck with league and competitive play at the local level during my first half-year of involvement given the hate and discouragement I encountered \u2018growing up\u2019 in the darts world. \u00a0Many of the current population of players at the local level can often be uncivil, unwelcoming, and selfish – the antithesis of ambassadors of the sport. \u00a0I\u2019d bet you that 90% of darters out there don\u2019t actively attempt to bring brand new players into the sport and encourage them to stay. \u00a0I\u2019ve been shooting for only a year and a half and have personally encouraged several players (that had never competitively thrown darts before) to join a league and re-sign up for a new league at the end of the season. \u00a0People often only care about themselves and do not want to see others succeed.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I realized at an early stage that I was unwelcome and not respected for my developing talent.\u00a0 I was unfamiliar to the crowd of regulars.\u00a0 My gender will always be my master status.\u00a0 Preconceived notions about female potential clouded how some other players viewed my involvement.<\/p>\n

It was bewildering to me that players could actively participate in this sport for 20-plus years and remain the same rating (in soft tip) for the entirety of their career.\u00a0 I was ostracized for rolling up 3 ratings a time each season. \u00a0The owner of Medalist actually forced<\/em> my cousin and me to split between two other teams for 1st place our very first season in novice doubles because we both improved – we weren\u2019t given the option to compete in a higher flight just because we got so much negative attention for it during state finals. \u00a0I\u2019ll never forget this, but I was actually accused of discouraging new players from joining league.\u00a0 This comment came from a woman<\/em> that\u2019s been in novice doubles for two decades.\u00a0 She was livid that she couldn\u2019t sandbag her way to the top this time around.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I realized there was no human compassion for players as a whole in the Medalist organization and, more importantly, no respect for the players that strive for excellence. \u00a0All of the money is in B flight, and no one is encouraged to become a Grand Master. \u00a0The fact that you are considered a Grand Master as a female at a rating of 8 (75-79.99 ppr and 2.7-2.89 mpr) is offensive to me.<\/p>\n

This brings me to my second issue with the sport: there is no representation for female players because women are encouraged to remain novice rated in order for male Grand Masters to use them as a tool to win tournaments (the female bonus point and sandbagging go undetected because of how socially acceptable it is). \u00a0I\u2019ll even go so far as to say many women are actually scared to attempt to improve their game noticeably out of fear that they will be scrutinized by other women for separating themselves from the pack. \u00a0Why should they dare be different?<\/p>\n

With no women to look up to or strive to be like, at least that were actually tangible in my life, I turned to the male Grand Masters. \u00a0I won\u2019t forget how influential a handful of special people were in my development mentally as a player, but I reached a point where, sadly, I realized that even many of the Grand Masters in my local area were just as unprofessional, unsportsmanlike, and selfish as many of the mediocre players in the community.\u00a0 This devastated me… these were the men I put up on a pedestal and emulated as examples of excellence. \u00a0It just about broke my heart to realize that at 23- years-old, I was already more mature, more level-headed, and vastly more inspired to truly achieve greatness in this sport than these seasoned and experienced players – that I had reached out to for inspiration in the first place.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

All this being said (with many political issues yet to be discussed), I didn\u2019t choose darts over other career options\/other sports for the glory of going pro or because of the vacuum created due to the lack of female talent (which actually makes it easier for me to stand out) rather, I chose this sport to help my mother.\u00a0 I continue because I am deeply committed to inspiring a new generation of dart players. \u00a0At the most fundamental level, I believe that my desire and, more importantly, attitude, will become infectious in the community. \u00a0I feel that I\u2019ve earned the right to make this claim partly because of the success of my recent fundraising campaign. \u00a0I reached my goal in 21 days with 23 days to spare of campaigning. \u00a0There\u2019s no way personality\/talent alone could have accomplished this. \u00a0I think people simply share a vision with me and want to support a common goal that goes well beyond funding one summer of events.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I moved to Washington my senior year of school to become a resident of the state and go to college at the University of Washington. \u00a0I graduated last year with a Bachelors in Biochemistry and still plan to attend the Nutritional Sciences Program to become a Dietician. \u00a0I cannot shake my interest in science and nutrition.\u00a0 Therefore I have no plans of not achieving what I had set up my entire life to achieve. \u00a0Darts was simply unexpected in my life, but I\u2019m so happy to have fallen into a beautiful sport with an unbelievable amount of potential. \u00a0It\u2019s a dream job to be involved with the sport on such a professional level. \u00a0I would love to find a way to squeeze both of my interests career-wise into my life.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had a job since I was 13. \u00a0My friends used to joke that I was born with a\u00a0 pay-stub. \u00a0I started out in Kentucky picking peas and doing manual labor. \u00a0When I was old enough, I switched to fast food and retail. \u00a0In college, I stuck with mostly sales for commission and finding unique ways to make money on the side to afford tuition. \u00a0I sold phones, mattresses, interest services, paintings, sheet music for games, recycled art, trading cards and decks; you name it. \u00a0My dad is 50-years-old and still paying off student loans. \u00a0I told myself from the beginning that I would not ever be in that situation. \u00a0I\u2019m happy to say I was debt free graduating from college – until I started renovating my mom\u2019s bar.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

To be honest, since I just started, I don’t have a lot of experience in big events, yet. \u00a0So far, I’ve won Medalist novice doubles, novice trios, C trios and CC doubles. \u00a0I\u2019ve won the local Battle of the Sexes three times in the past five months and four women\u2019s only tournaments. \u00a0I’ve competed in (I took my family to it) the Quads in the Desert in Las Vegas last September (I played in both the Sand and Sage divisions, and my team placed 13th in the Sand).\u00a0 Recently, I competed in the Oregon Open and won the 501 singles – my partner and I finished 1st in 501 doubles and 2nd in cricket.\u00a0 At Bullshooter in Chicago last weekend, I finished 3rd in the Monsters of the Midway B division and 3rd in Top Gun women’s B singles cricket.\u00a0 With teammates and draw partners, I finished 7th in 501 women’s doubles, 13th in mixed cricket doubles, 4th in the women’s B combo luck, 2nd in mixed trios, and 2nd in women’s B cricket doubles.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m most proud of the fact that my cousin and I finished first in our division for Super A doubles this Medalist season. \u00a0We went to the state finals over Mother\u2019s Day weekend and, while we didn’t win, we\u2019re extremely proud because, well, I cannot tell you the number of people that told me I had no business playing in this flight. \u00a0It\u2019s no handicap, and the same team wins it every year – they haven\u2019t rolled up or down in probably five years. \u00a0I don\u2019t believe a woman had ever placed at State in this division, and I was determined to break the ice.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Outside of darts, I try not to indulge in anything non-productive, and I\u2019m very proud of just about everything I\u2019ve accomplished. \u00a0If I had to pick my most prideful accomplishment, it would probably be finding a way to balance school, work, and family efficiently. \u00a0I know that doesn\u2019t sound exciting… but finding a way to graduate college while shooting in three leagues a week and bartending 30 hours a week while simultaneously finding time to make money on the side to afford all of this is an accomplishment and struggle that I will never forget. \u00a0The sacrifices were real, the effort was not re-creatable, and the successful outcome was very emotional for my entire family.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t believe anyone has time to really sit down and listen to the novel of career goals I have in and outside of darts, although I\u2019ve touched on a few already. \u00a0To sum it up, I\u2019d like to become a professional dart player. \u00a0I plan on using social media and possible television productions to influence and encourage a new generation of dart players to join and represent this sport in a much more positive way than currently seems to be the norm. \u00a0I plan to start a non-profit organization geared towards youth, and am determined to someday be in a position to organize this. \u00a0I\u2019d like to travel internationally and experience darts on a grander scale to shape how the sport can be run and advertised in the most effective way.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I look up to any pro that reaches out to the community in some way to encourage new players to join or help them with their current game. \u00a0There is a Japanese pro (that I can\u2019t for the life of me recall the name of right now) that runs a non-profit organization teaching dart players of all ages correct form… that\u2019s amazing to me.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

My heroes are my cousin and my best friend. \u00a0They are accessible and influential in my life and have kept me in this sport despite the horrible treatment we have all received. \u00a0They inspire me to chase my dreams in and outside of darts and always assume the best of me.<\/p>\n

Do I have a nemesis?\u00a0 I absolutely do not. \u00a0I don’t even pay attention to my opponent while shooting unless it\u2019s outside of competition and just a friendly match.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m okay losing to a person so long as I\u2019m outperforming myself, and they had to do something exceptional to steal the game away from me. \u00a0I\u2019d tip my hat to anyone that has perfect darts to finish a game.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is one person in particular who has been stupendously influential in my overall darting experience, so far. \u00a0It was only by chance that I met Brian Damron almost exactly a year ago. \u00a0He randomly bumped into my cousin and me at our very first Medalist state finals in novice doubles.\u00a0 Jesse and I put his team into the loser’s bracket and, sadly, I don’t even remember playing against him. \u00a0Long story short, Brian took the initiative to track me down on Facebook in order to reach out and see if I wanted to shoot a league with him. \u00a0This was a very early stage in my darts career.\u00a0 I had not experienced this kind of simplistic kindness from a dart player, so I instantly knew he was going to be a fantastic friend.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

There was a time where I honestly believed I had to allow others to outcast me in order to grow as a player, but with the help of Brian and our shared experience rising from a novice status quickly, I sought out and found true friends who support and love me for my character – not my skill. \u00a0I was used for a little while by men wanting to butter me up and get that female bonus point in, but no longer. \u00a0I’ve come a long way with the caution and guidance of my close friends.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brian personally went through a dart hitch right before meeting me and very carefully introduced new aspects to my throwing mechanics one step at a time which was of crucial importance in relation to the continued success of my growth as a dart player. \u00a0I’m forever thankful to him as a personal coach and lifelong friend.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

My cousin Jesse and I often joke about being the most badass mixed doubles partners out there. \u00a0We figure we have youth and a blood bond to make us stand out. \u00a0I routinely switch up partners though. \u00a0My rating is always improving, so I fit into caps different as time goes on and I can never keep the same partners. \u00a0I stopped being able to shoot with Jesse about five months ago. \u00a0It\u2019s unfortunate because he and I have perfect chemistry as partners.<\/p>\n

My first sponsorship was with Ultimate Team Gear a week before my birthday in late February.\u00a0 However, once my campaign launched Scotty Burnett shared my post early on and encouraged me to reach out to Tsuyoshi Yamasaki with L-style, who eventually offered me a product sponsorship. \u00a0I believe I am the first non-premier player to receive such an invitation. \u00a0Soon after that, I had created a profile with the Internet forum website Dartz Nutz and the administrators offered me a sponsorship with them as well. \u00a0I simply have to post on the website twice a week. I\u2019m speaking with a barrel company currently and would be so grateful to figure out something with them – fingers crossed!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

As for future sponsorships, my cousin and I fantasize about getting athletic apparel companies and nutrition advocates to sponsor dart players to change the image of the typical dart player from out of shape to fit. \u00a0Nike, Omnutrition, Armor X, etc.. \u00a0A chiropractor would also be amazing to offer sponsorship… the entire right side of my body is always destroyed after a long weekend event!<\/p>\n

How do I practice? \u00a0I start out warming up on bulls. \u00a0I don’t actually begin target practice until I’ve hit five bulls in a row. \u00a0Then I start with the 20 and look at the entire segment as a whole (it doesn’t matter if I hit a double, single, or triple – as long as I hit the segment it counts). \u00a0My goal is to hit the 20 nine times in a row; then I move on to 19 and the rest of the cricket numbers.\u00a0 When I’ve completed part one, I go back to the center bull and don’t move on to part two until I’ve hit five bulls in a row again. \u00a0Part two consists of my points of reference training: I must hit a bull, triple 20, bull – twice before I can move on to 19. \u00a0I do that exact thing for all of the cricket numbers (on a good day I’ll throw in triple 12, 13, 11 and 6 as well).<\/p>\n

I am confident that this routine will serve me well as I continue to compete this summer.\u00a0 I will do my best.\u00a0 I owe this to my sponsors, all the people who so generously supported my campaign, and to the sport.<\/p>\n

As I said in the beginning, I always tell people to chase their dreams.\u00a0 My dream is to be the best I can be, always represent the sport positively and professionally to encourage new players to become involved, and to continue to help my mom and family.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Philanthropy is at the very core of our society. 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While the term is generally applied to very large donors, this is not consistent with the true definition...","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"authors":[{"term_id":15,"user_id":2,"is_guest":0,"slug":"dartoid","display_name":"Dartoid","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024-02-13-12_01_31-Dartoids-World-_-The-most-widely-read-column-about-darts-in-the-world.png","url2x":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024-02-13-12_01_31-Dartoids-World-_-The-most-widely-read-column-about-darts-in-the-world.png"},"first_name":"Paul","last_name":"Seigel","user_url":"http:\/\/www.dartoidsworld.com","job_title":"","description":"\"Dartoid\" is the pseudonym of Paul Seigel, a prominent chronicler of darts for over 35 years. His columns are celebrated for their wit and insight, often detailing his quest for a game in exotic locales worldwide. His writing offers vibrant commentary on the competitive darts landscape, including players, organizations, tournaments and the sport's unique culture. Dartoid's articles are highly regarded among darts enthusiasts, solidifying his role as a pivotal figure in promoting and documenting darts as both a recreational pastime and professional sport."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7556","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7556"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7556\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7556"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=7556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}