Dear Friends,

I am participating in this year’s 19^th annual Courage Classic Bicycle Tour, August 7-9, 2010. The Courage Classic is a 3-day, 172-mile ride that traverses the Cascade Mountains, including Snoqualmie, Blewett, and Stevens Passes. 

It is the largest single funding source for the Child Abuse Intervention Department (CAID) at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, WA.  The ride is supported by the Rotary Clubs of Pierce County and United Parcel Service.

 

Each year the CAID provides treatment to more than 500 child victims of abuse. The national average is that one in three girls and one in five boys will become the victim of abuse by the age of 18.  Unfortunately Ellensburg is not immune to these tragedies.  In fact, the Ellensburg Police Department investigates numerous cases of Child Sexual Assault and Child Abuse each year.

 

The Courage Classic is really a good news, bad news story: The bad news is that child abuse is pervasive in our society; but the good news is we are doing something about it. In 2008, the Courage Classic raised more than $640,000 for the CAID at Mary Bridge. And since its inception in 1992, the event has generated more than $5 million.  That’s where you come in: In order to participate in the Courage Classic, all riders must raise a minimum of $500 in pledges. I have created this online fund raising site to make it as easy as possible for you to contribute to my efforts.

 

This is a page on the site established by the hospital for fund raising.  If you are afraid that this is a phishing scam feel free to contact me at the phone number you have for me or through the Ellensburg Police Department at 509-962-7280 to verify this email or make alternative pledging arrangements.  Please consider making a 100% tax-deductible pledge to this very worthy cause.

 

Thank you in advance for your generous support!

 

Drew Houck