Hello All!

We are participating in this year’s 18^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. 

The ride is well known for its beautiful scenery, the camaraderie among the riders, the food, and the incredible support from the Rotary Clubs of Pierce County and United Parcel Service.  But the Courage Classic is so much more than that.  It is the largest single funding source for the Child Abuse Intervention Department (CAID) at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, WA.

Each year the CAID provides treatment to more than 500 child victims of abuse.  This crisis is not limited to our community.  In fact, 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.

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.  Last year alone, 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.  We have created this online fundraising site to make it as easy as possible for you to contribute to my efforts.  Please consider making a 100% tax-deductible pledge to this very worthy cause.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

 

Your friends,

 

Megan & Paul