Over the years I have gained a love and passion for cycling and a desire for TZEDAKAH. Tzedakah is Hebrew for: To Give Back … To be Righteous … To do the Right Thing.
The DEATH RIDE Tour … Ride For Life fulfills those needs and since its inception has become a very rewarding experience, not only for myself, but for the over 100 participants who have conquered the very challenging, 230 mile, 15,000 feet of climbing loop in Southwestern Colorado. The DEATH RIDE Tour … Ride For Life is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit and all the proceeds are donated to the Children’s Hospital Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the ALS Association. More information is available for each of these charities by following the links below:
Why these 2 charities? My wife Deborah said it best in her donation request letter “Through my work I am often in children’s hospitals, in the ICUs, the neo natal intensive care units, the oncology floors and emergency rooms. It breaks my heart to see what courage such young lives have to summon, to endure, what even full grown adults could not even imagine. These children’s hospitals go to such great lengths to create an environment that is both fun and comforting at the same time, to lessen the trauma of extended hospital stays and scary procedures. Children's Hospital Colorado in Denver, one of the best in the country, is totally funded by donations and is always in need of some additional support”. We are also very fortunate that our children Brandon & Rachel are healthy and have really never needed any serious medical assistance – so giving back and helping sick children is a good thing.
That’s why we ride for Children's Hospital Colorado.
Why ALS? – also know as the Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a devastating, crippling and always fatal disease. The diagnosed are often facing years of suffering as their bodies progressively deteriorate. Since 1869, 20 plus million people have suffered and then died of ALS including my father. He died at the early age of 45 after a 7 year battle. I was 13. That’s why we ride for ALS.
At the recent Super Bowl on February 5, 2012 – New Orleans Saints – Steve Gleason’s story told
http://www.sbnation.com/2012-super-bowl/2012/2/5/2773680/steve-gleason-super-bowl-pregame-video-nbc
Video
www.waronals.com
From 2011
If you want to read a heart warming story about another cyclist riding in memory of his father check out – www.montesride.org I came across this while on the ALS site and contacted Mitchell. I plan on starting off with them on May 27th to ride the first of their 12 day - 800 mile adventure. Even Mitchell’s 71 year old Mother, Bonny will be on the ride. You must read Monte’s article that was published in Inner Self just months before his death. That Saturday when I contacted Mitchell just happened to be the 16th anniversary of Monte’s death. Something just brought us together that day – something more than cycling.
www.montesride.org
Since now the DEATH RIDE Tour … Ride For Life is attracting more participants outside the state of Colorado, we will start donating a portion of the proceeds to the participants local CMN (Children’s Miracle Network) Hospital – see www.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org to help support each community represented by DEATH RIDE Tour. If there is not a CMN affilliated hospital the donation will go to whatever specific Children’s Hospital is in the area.
*Donates a CMN Hospital
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has grown dramatically since its founding in 1983 from a televised fundraiser in a small studio to one of the North America's leading children’s charities.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals was founded with two simple goals.
- Help as many children as possible by raising funds for children’s hospitals.
- Keep funds in the community in which they were raised to help local children.
The organization was founded by Marie Osmond and her family, John Schneider, Mick Shannon and Joe Lake.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals most recognizable symbol and greatest fundraising tool is its red and yellow Miracle Balloon icon.
As of 2011, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4.3 billion—most of which is donated a dollar or two at a time. CMN Hospitals touch the lives of more children and their families than any other children’s charity. Whether they suffer from common childhood afflictions like asthma and broken bones, or fight bigger challenges like birth defects or cancer, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals provide comfort, treatment and hope to millions of sick kids each year.
These kids aren’t in faraway countries or from opposite sides of the nations—they’re in your community. They may be your own children.
As of January 27, 2012 the 2012 DEATH RIDE Tour …Ride For Life will also be supporting the following hospitals:
David George & Rod Tripp: Brea, CA – *Children’s Hospital of Orange County – www.choc.org
Mike Kelly: Seattle, WA – *Seattle Children’s Hospital – www.seattlechildrens.org
Bryan & Teri Tapella, Jim Cashmore, Bill Linnermann: Chicago, IL *Children’s Memorial Hospital – www.memorial.org
Andy & Lynn Maloney: Haymarket, VA – *Children’s National Medical Center – www.childrensnational.org
Dan Blom & Mark Riggan: Los Angeles, CA – *Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – www.chla.org
Del Newquist: Weiser, ID – *St. Lukes Children’s Hospital - www.stlukesonline.org/childrens_hospital
Stefano Bruni: South Lyon, MI – *Beaumont Children’s Hospital – www.beaumontchildrenshospital.com
Kristin Courtney: Salt Lake City, UT – *Primary Children’s Medical Center – www.primarychildrens.org
Attila Boros & David Critton: Tucson, AZ – *Tucson Medical Center – www.tmcaz.com
Michael Bjorke: Montrose, MI – Hurley Medical Center – www.hurleymc.com/children’s-hospital
Mark Janssen: Overland Park, KS – *KU Medical Center – www.kumc.edu
Jim Heath, Charles Grdina,
Paul Guimond, William Braun: Kalamazoo, MI - *Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital – www.helendevoschildrens.org
Each participant is required to raise $250 by Day One of the tour.
I certainly hope that you will consider joining our small group and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the world while at the same time challenging yourself to go just a bit farther than maybe you have gone before.
Regards,
Barry Sopinsky
President & Tour Director
Sun May 20 04:01 2012